Why do mobility devices have different kinds of tires?
Pneumatic tires vs. Flat-free tires
Looking at a lineup of Pride Mobility devices, the different sizes, shapes, and tire configurations are sure to stand out. Closer inspection reveals that some tires are filled with air while others are solid. Some are filled with foam and others are perforated.
First, we’ll describe the two styles of tires. Then, we’ll explain why different models require different tires and setups.
Pneumatic tires vs. Flat-free tires
Looking at a lineup of Pride Mobility devices, the different sizes, shapes and tire configurations are sure to stand out. Closer inspection reveals that some tires are filled with air while others are solid. Some are filled with foam and others are perforated.
First, we’ll describe the two styles of tires. Then, we’ll explain why different models require different tires and setups.
Pneumatic
Regular pneumatic tires are rubber tires filled with air. Pneumatic tires provide better traction and a smoother ride than flat-free tires. Pneumatic tires are comparatively more efficient — allowing the vehicle to maximize speed and mileage. They also slip less and stop faster. Because they are filled with air, these tires require more maintenance than a flat-free tire. Users have to monitor air pressure and, yes, sometimes tend to flats.
Within this category, tires can have a tube-like a bicycle tire or be tubeless like a car tire. When a tire with a tube is punctured, the tube can typically be replaced and the rubber tire reused. However, a punctured tubeless pneumatic tire may need to be replaced.
Flat-free
Flat-free tires are airless. They can be solid or filled with material like polyurethane or foam. The majority of Prime Mobility devices use flat-free tires. As the name suggests, these tires won’t go flat. There is no tire gauge or air compressor needed. The lack of maintenance makes solid tires the best choice for daily-use wheelchairs or scooters. While flat-free tires have less cushioning than air-filled tires, the design of our devices often make up for that with sturdy suspension or additional wheels.
Within this category, tires can have a tube-like a bicycle tire or be tubeless like a car tire. When a tire with a tube is punctured, the tube can typically be replaced and the rubber tire reused. However, a punctured tubeless pneumatic tire may need to be replaced.
Mobility devices and their tires
Now that we’ve got the tire basics, let’s take a closer look at the scooters and power chairs in our fleet. Devices designed to travel on unsteady surfaces and long distances have pneumatic tires. Flat-free tires are ideal for riders who desire less maintenance.
Pneumatic tires
The Pride Mobility scooters that come standard with pneumatic tires are made for adventure.
The non-medical Ranger is our most rugged scooter. It has a 159 kg weight capacity and 7.7 peak horsepower twin motors. This heavy-duty ride sits tall on 14.5″ tubeless pneumatic tires. Confidently take on uneven terrain and be rewarded with great traction and a smooth ride.
With its large tiller-mounted headlight and seven available colors, the moped-like design of the Zolar makes a stylish choice. All three tubeless pneumatic tires are 13″. The air-filled tires mean less bumping and bouncing. The Zolar can cruise up to 37 kilometers on a single charge and comes with regenerative braking.
Flat-free tires
Our flat-free tires are non-marking, which makes them ideal for travel from the house to the store and back again. These devices have a range of tire configurations and sizes.
The Zero Turn 10 scooter gets you where you want to be. It has a max speed of 9.6 km/h and an ultra-tight turning radius of just 1092 mm. The superior maneuverability of the Zero Turn 10 comes from Pride’s patent-pending iTurn Technology. The individual rotating tires provide the best control available in the midsize mobility scooter class.
The 4-wheel model has 10.75″ solid rear tires with 9″ solid front tires. The Zero Turn 10 moves like a 3-wheel scooter with the stability of four wheels.
Another popular scooter model with flat-free tires is the Victory 10 DX, available as a 4-wheel and 3-wheel model. The Victory has exclusive, low-profile tires. These solid, non-scuff wheels are 3″ by 10″.
When it comes to Jazzy power wheelchairs, the tire sizes are even more varied. This is because wheelchairs often use casters — small mounted wheels that swivel in all directions — to maximize maneuverability.
The Jazzy Air 2 features an elevating seat that can position the rider at eye-level with others. The captain’s chair sits on a 641 mm by 843 mm base and travels on six solid wheels. The 10″ drive wheels are positioned toward the front of the base. The Jazzy Air 2 also has 6″ casters on the front and back.
The i-Go+ is the ultimate travel chair, weighing around 27.2 kg and folding down to a manageable 787 mm by 597 mm by 406 mm package. The travel-friendly Passport uses a lighter version of the flat-free tire. The 11.25″ perforated drive wheels are lighter than solid tires, but don’t require the maintenance of pneumatics. They offer more cushioning because of the air pockets. In front of the Jazzy Passport’s drive wheels are 8″ caster wheels.
