Wheelchairs - big or small wheels?

[runadun]

I’m looking into getting a wheelchair for my Dad, he isn’t able to come with me anywhere to ‘test’ one so I’m kind of winging it.

Can anyone advise on whether it would be better to get one with big or small rear wheel? I know the bigger wheels are for self propelling which he won’t be able to do, but I wonder if there is any actual difference in the ease of use for me?

I should have said, it would just be for going from the car to the shop, doctors surgery etc, not heavy outdoor use.

Big wheels are easier to steer and more manoeuvrable. Usually they quick release too if needed , though most fold up fine for going in the car anyway.

My son used to be a wheelchair user. Big wheels are definitely easier to manoeuvre.

we got hard wheels (not blow up with a pump bike tyre type wheels) and the ride is uncomfy apparently. so whatever you get make sure it’s not solid wheels.

Thank you, big wheels it is! And thanks for the tyre tip too, it wouldn’t have occurred to me to check this.

I’m looking at all the options but i think I probably need to go to a mobility place to have a proper look, even if I end up sourcing one online cheaper

We just had a small wheeled one for my late mum and it was perfectly fine , it did have proper tyres . We found it easier to fit in the various cars than big wheeled ones and I didn’t want to keep putting something together again .

Whatever you get make sure it is crash tested so it can be safely put in a car.

What matters is whether he’ll be manoeuvring it himself, in which case big. Just you pushing? Small wheels

No he won’t be self propelling, I just wondered what the difference between big/small was for the pusher.

I’m not sure why but I don’t know what you mean here?

They might mean for him to sit in the chair in a taxi? If he can get in and out of a normal car with help, you might not need this.

He will also probably benefit from some kind of wheelchair cushion and NOT a sofa cushion. It's no fun being sat in a wheelchair for any amount of time unless you also have a cushion.

If it is just for short trips to the pharmacist, GP etc., I would concentrate on how easy it is for you to fold up and lift into the boot of your car. The ones with large wheels are likely to be heavier for you to lift and not significantly more difficult to push.

I see that you’ve already decided to go for big wheels - my sister was a wheelchair user, and said these were more comfortable for her.

However, if it is only a very occasional wheelchair, small wheels can mean the chair takes up less space when folded - which dependent on the size of your boot can be an issue.

Some charity and recycle type shops have wheelchairs worth a look once you see what you are looking for. Mobility shops sometimes do home visits with a few to try. Small wheeled ones have the brakes on the handles that may be better for you.

I have this chair but with big wheels for occasional use it is easy to.fold and not too heavy .(photo pending)

If you have a CareCo near you @runadun go there to have a look. The staff are really knowledgeable and will help you get what’s best for your dad.

He needs to try it. Some companies will come to the house to try them out.

big wheels - can restrict how he gets in and out as often come up higher than the seat height and also make the chair ‘footprint’ bigger so can make spaces harder to access and the turning circle bigger which is harder to manage.

We chose a small wheeled one, a transit chair. They are smaller and lighter to fit in a car but only good for pavements and smoothish surfaces. Definitely get a proper cushion. If you are the pusher then I would try and test drive some. There are mobility outlet shops that are very helpful, we took ours for a test drive round the car park.

He can’t try it, I’m going to need to collect him from hospital in it but it is only going to be for light occasional use. If he were needing a chair full time it would be different but for the odd outing it’s probably going to be ok to just buy one without trying.

Great advice re getting in and out and big wheels though. Earlier posts led me to big wheels but the later ones make me think small might be better.

We bought one for my Mum, for exactly the kind of light use you are describing. We chose one that was fairly lightweight, easy to fold and put in the car. Small wheels were fine. My Dad chose it online so none of us tried it first but it was fine. Doing it again I would try and visit a showroom to try pushing it. Good luck and I hope it all works out for you and your Dad.

Yes crash tested means it is safe to sit in in a vehicle. It is worth making sure just in case you need to use a taxi, hospital transport or a car where he stays in his chair. Very easy to forget how important this is.

I have to occasionally put a wheelchair in my boot when I take an elderly friend out for similar little trips. My advice would be to check you can easily get it in and out of your boot. My friend’s is classed as light but by the time you’ve got it in the boot, taken in out at Sainsbury’s and pushed her round, put it back in the boot again, got it out at the cafe, put it back in again and got it out at home, light was the last word I’d use to describe it!!

We got this for occasional use for my mum Days Escape Aluminium Wheelchair - Purple | eBay UK
The footrests detach, the back folds down. It just fits flat into my Ford Focus boot. It can lift it in and out but I personally wouldn't want one any heavier really. It is OK to lift up, but maneuvering into the boot can be awkward due to weight.

Bigger wheels are an absolute lifesaver for outdoor use on pavements with cracks or gravel paths. The smaller ones look neater indoors but you'll curse them the first time you hit a curb outside the supermarket.