The Best Wheelchair Tyres? Solid vs Pneumatic
An in-depth comparison of solid and inflated wheelchair tyres, with my top tips and pro’s and con’s for each
Having been a powerchair user since I was just 2 years old (I know, they let me loose at that young age!), it’s fair to say that I have a good amount of experience when it comes to these magnificent machines. Throughout my life I’ve used a variety of electric wheelchairs, on both solid and air-filled tyres, with the latter 14 years of my beloved Balder Finesse being on solids… That was until my wheelchair manufacturer, Baldertech, approached me with a question — “Would you like to trial pneumatic tyres, to help us better advise our customers on the differences?”
Wanting to help out fellow wheelchair users, and being interested in the outcome myself, it was a resounding YES. Would I notice a difference in comfort? In the way it drives? Will I experience any punctures?
There was only one way to find out!
Experiment Conditions
The test was conducted on a 14 year old, front-wheel-drive Balder Finesse 280 — Predecessor to the Balder F380
Only the front wheels were changed — The small rear wheels remained solid throughout (for the purpose of this article, “tyres” refers only to the front ones)
My pneumatic tyres had 8oz of Slime Puncture Repair Sealant in each
After using solid tyres for 14 years, I switched to inflated tyres, which I used for just over a year
After the full year, I switched back to solid tyres to confirm my findings
Both tyre types were tested on a variety of terrains, including; tarmac, grass, gravel, forest-floor and hard-packed sand
What’s Inside a Solid Tyre?
Out of curiosity, Stephen and I took apart my old solid tyre to discover a rigid white foam. As you’d expect, this filling is quite a bit heavier than the inner tube you’ll find in an inflatable tyre, but it’s the important component that makes them puncture-proof.
How To Inflate Wheelchair Tyres
Like any air-filled tyre, you can inflate them in a variety of ways. We used a floor pump like this when at home, and carried a miniature handheld pump like this when out and about, but you could also use a digital compressor pump like this if you wanted. Whichever pump you choose, it’s important that it has the right connector for your inner tube and a pressure gauge so you don’t risk over-inflation.
What Pressure Should Wheelchair Tyres Be?
One thing I love about pneumatic tyres on a wheelchair is that you have a bit of play when it comes to the pressure. Unlike car tyres, under-inflating them isn’t going to cause a catastrophic blowout, although driving around on a too low pressure could put additional strain on the motors. I experimented with pressures to see what differences it would make.
The tyres I trialled are rated to a maximum of 50psi (pounds per square inch), so I started at that, before reducing it. At maximum pressure, they felt almost as rigid as solid tyres, then at 20psi I noticed a spongy drive with a great amount of drag, which was especially noticeable when turning and caused the tyre wall to sag. The Goldilocks-perfect number for me was 25psi. This allowed me to move around easily without fear of the tyres popping off the rims, while still benefitting from a softer ride.
Do Inflated Wheelchair Tyres Affect the Ride?
This leads me on to the question I was most interested in finding out the answer to — Will I notice a difference in the ride? In short, yes, there is a difference in the ride quality with pneumatic tyres. Running them at 25psi, I noticed that, while they don’t make much difference on large dips and bumps (pot holes, tree roots etc), they do absorb smaller bumps — The kind that make you rattle and vibrate. This made driving across pressed gravel, forest paths and even tarmac feel a bit more comfortable. As someone with weak neck muscles, I noticed that I was a little less of a bobblehead when using air-filled tyres!
As well as experiencing a marginal change in comfort, I was surprised to discover that it also affected the functionality of my powerchair. I had noticeably more grip. Granted, I put my chair through its paces during our adventures, but some things my solid tyres would scramble for grip on, my pneumatic tyres navigated with ease. Be it a steep slope or small step. One example of this is the almost 2inch high, round-edged stone threshold of our front door. My solid tyres usually slip slightly before making it over, while the inflated ones didn’t bat an eye at it. Another example came when changing back to solids after using the inflated ones for a year. We changed them on a gravel campsite pitch during a trip, and the difference was obvious. The gravel that I glided over easily with inflated tyres was now churning up under the solid ones. I could still manage to manoeuvre, but it was noticeably harder to avoid my wheels digging themselves in.
Puncture Protection
The biggest downside of having inflated tyres is, of course, the risk of punctures.
While there isn’t anything you can do to completely avoid the risk of getting a puncture, there are certain things that will reduce it causing big problems. One example of this is Slime Puncture Repair Sealant. Designed for bicycles, this green slime uses fibro-seal technology to seal punctures quickly. It’s relatively inexpensive, simple to install and lasts for up to two years – So for added peace of mind, I used it in my pneumatic tyres.
Thankfully, during the year I trialled the air-filled tyres, I didn’t experience a single flat tyre. However, this left me wondering how effective the Slime would have been had I needed it…
Does Slime Puncture Repair Sealant Work?
In the name of morbid curiosity scientific research, I went against every instinct in my body and put it to the test! After a full year of use, and for the first time in my life, I intentionally drove my inflated tyres over some sharp nails and screws. One wheel I rolled over both a screw and a nail, which remained lodged in – The other wheel I rolled over a similar nail and screw, but with a quick in-out motion. Both tyres made a gut-wrenching popping sound as the sharp points pierced through the rubber, but there was no hissing noise that usually accompanies a puncture. The Slime had instantly sealed them and allowed me to continue my day! Of course, time would tell how effective it had been, so I left my chair overnight to see how it fared up by the morning. The following day, I was surprised to find that my tyres hadn’t lost any pressure overnight! Despite this, I would recommend replacing the damaged inner tube when possible, as you just don’t know how long the Slime will hold for.
Top tip: If you notice yourself getting a puncture and you have Slime in your tyres, don’t stop rolling. Keep your wheels turning for a minute or so, so it can locate the puncture and seal it.
The Pro’s and Con’s of Solid Wheelchair Tyres
Solid wheelchair tyres offer peace of mind when going about your daily business. You can rest assured that you won’t have to halt your plans because of a puncture — or worse, become stranded if you don’t have someone with you who can help repair it. Because there’s no risk of a puncture, you can confidently move around without keeping a constant lookout for nails, screws and broken glass. The downside of solid tyres is that they have no give. This creates a ride with more noticeable bumps and slightly less traction.
The Pro’s and Con’s of Pneumatic Wheelchair Tyres
On the contrary, air-filled tyres are more customisable, with the ability to inflate them to a particular pressure. They offer a slightly spongier ride and a little more grip. However, you do run the risk of getting a puncture, which can be anxiety-inducing if you aren’t with someone who can fix it.
Which Wheelchair Tyres Are Best?
In conclusion, there is no right or wrong when it comes to choosing your wheelchair tyres. Inflated tyres will give you a slightly more comfortable ride and grip, but there will always be a risk of puncture – Only you can decide if the risk is worth it! If you do go for inflated tyres, I would highly recommend installing a puncture protection like the Slime I mentioned above. Even if it doesn’t keep you rolling longterm, it should at least get you home safely.
Thank you to everyone on our Facebook and Instagram who posed questions for this blog post, and to Baldertech for kindly supplying the tyres and sponsoring this experiment. I had great fun putting it to the test, and I hope you all found this information useful!
Solid or inflated? Which do you prefer and why?
*Please note: There may be Amazon affiliate links within this article. It won’t cost you any extra, but should you choose to make a purchase after clicking a link then we’ll get a few pennies towards our next adventure! Please do shop around and make sure you’re getting the best item and value for money.
