This is the second installment in our Gear Guides web series. As wheelchair users ourselves, we know how difficult it can be to learn what is available and where to find it. Our Gear Guides address this problem by breaking down the products currently available in a specific mobility equipment category, where to buy them and who they’re good for.
We see this as a living product catalog covering all types of products for wheelchair users, with entries added as they come on the market and removed as they are discontinued. We’ll take all the help we can get — so let us know if you see a product we missed or find a better price.
Scroll through to view manual wheelchair wheels currently available in the U.S. If you know what you’re looking for, you can jump to a specific section by clicking the hyperlinks below. And after you find the wheels you need, be sure to check out our handrims guide.
Entry-Level Wheels
Entry-level wheels often feature aluminum rims and stainless steel spokes (with the exception of the X-Core wheel). They are the least expensive wheels available, and usually heavier than high-performance options.
Motion Composites
Newton One
The Newton One is an aluminum wheel that allows users to adjust and change the handrim without removing the tire. The Newton One features a single-wall alloy rim and stainless steel spokes.
Sizes Available: 20-inch, 22-inch and 24-inch.
Best for: Those looking for a wheel that makes it easy to adjust or replace the handrims.
Pricing/Availability: The Newton One can be ordered directly from Motion Composites.
Out-Front
Shadow
The Shadow is a lightweight and durable upgrade to stock wheelchair wheels. Each Shadow wheel weighs 1.67 pounds and features a single hollow section rim similar to those found in high-end wheels, 30 straight-pull spokes for durability, an aluminum hub and a matte black finish.
Sizes Available: 20-inch, 22-inch, 24-inch, 25-inch and 26-inch.
Best for: Those looking for an affordable, lightweight and durable wheel.
Pricing/Availability: The Out-Front Shadow can be found as low as $290.32 a pair from Living Spinal.
Spinergy
WIRE
The WIRE is Spinergy’s cheapest model available. It’s a quality, durable aluminum wheel with 30 stainless steel spokes and a minimalist hub.
Sizes Available: 20-inch, 22-inch, 24-inch, 25-inch and 26-inch.
Best for: Those looking for an affordable, entry-level wheel.
Pricing/Availability: The WIRE retails for $299 a pair at Spinergy. Also available as low as $96 per wheel, including handrims, at Living Spinal.
Sun Components
Classic
The Sun Components Classic is a lightweight wheel that can be used on both everyday wheelchairs and sports wheelchairs.
Sizes Available: 24-inch, 25-inch and 26-inch.
Best for: Those who need a basic wheel for everyday use at an affordable price.
Pricing/Availability: The Sun Components Classic is available as low as $259 per pair from How iRoll Sports.
Fusion 16
The Fusion 16 by Sun Components is a lightweight wheel that can be used on both everyday wheelchairs and sports wheelchairs. The Fusion 16 has upgraded 12-gauge spokes to reduce the spoke count and increase strength.
Sizes Available: 24-inch, 25-inch and 26-inch.
Best for: Those who need a basic wheel for everyday or sport use at an affordable price.
Pricing/Availability: The Sun Components Fusion 16 is available as low as $348.50 per pair from Sportaid.
Vapor Wheels
Vapor 13
The Vapor 13 is an entry-level aluminum wheel from Vapor Wheels. Weighing less than 2 pounds each, the Vapor 13 is a lightweight and durable wheel with a wide variety of options for rim color, hub color, handrims and tires. The handrim is removable without removing the tire.
Sizes Available: 24-inch and 25-inch.
Best for: Those looking for an affordable and customizable entry-level wheel.
Pricing/Availability: The base model of the Vapor 13 retails for $299 with additional costs for the available options.
X-Core
5 Spoke
The X-Core 5 Spoke everyday wheel is a molded plastic wheel that is compatible with most ultralight wheelchairs. The large openings between spokes make it easy to reach under your chair.
Sizes Available: 24-inch.
Best for: Those looking for an affordable basic wheel with a different look than wire-spoked wheels.
Pricing/Availability: The X-Core 5 Spoke wheel is available in black for $275 per pair from DME Hub or in a variety of colors for $335 from wheelchairparts.net.
Performance Wheels
Performance wheels are usually lighter-weight and feature more advanced rims and/or spoke materials than entry-level wheels. They are designed to take less effort to push, be more durable and reduce vibration — worthy features if you can afford the increased prices.
Round Betty
Dino Wheel
The Dino Wheel by Round Betty is an ultralight aluminum wheel with 12 strong and light tubular aluminum spokes. Each wheel weighs 1.7 pounds. The Dino Wheel is available with nine different spoke colors.
Sizes Available: 24-inch and 25-inch.
Best for: Those looking for a lightweight, high-performance aluminum wheel.
Pricing/Availability: The Dino Wheel retails for $675 a pair from Round Betty, with options to add aluminum handrims and two types of Schwalbe tires. They can also be found as low as $575 a pair from Sportaid.
Dino V2 Wheel
The Dino V2 Wheel by Round Betty is an updated version of the original Dino Wheel. It offers the same light weight and 12 tubular aluminum spokes with an updated hub design. The Dino V2 Wheel is available with nine different spoke colors.
Sizes Available: 24-inch and 25-inch.
Best for: Those looking for a lightweight, high-performance aluminum wheel.
Pricing/Availability: The Dino Wheel retails for $705 a pair from Round Betty, with options to add aluminum handrims and two types of Schwalbe tires.
Spinergy
SPOX
The SPOX is Spinergy’s best-selling wheel. An aluminum everyday wheel, the SPOX is heavier than Spinergy’s other wheels but has the same strong and lightweight polyphenylene spokes. The SPOX is available with five different spoke colors.
Sizes Available: 22-inch, 24-inch, 25-inch and 26-inch.
Best for: Those looking for a less-expensive, high-performance wheel.
Pricing/Availability: The SPOX retails for $745 a pair, but can be found for $670.50 at SportAid, LivingSpinal, SpinLife and DMEHub.
CLX
Weighing in at just over 1 pound each, the CLX is Spinergy’s lightest wheel. The CLX features a carbon-fiber rim, a machined hub and 18 3-millimeter polyphenylene bladed spokes that the company says are three times as strong as stainless steel but weigh half as much. The CLX is available with nine different spoke colors and seven different anodized colors.
Sizes Available: 24-inch and 25-inch.
Best for: Those looking for an ultralightweight, high-performance wheel.
Pricing/Availability: The CLX retails for $1,480 a pair, but can be found for $1,291.50 at Rolling in Paradise.
LX
The Spinergy LX is a lightweight aluminum wheel with an aluminum hub and 12 4-millimeter polyphenylene spokes. The LX is available with nine different spoke colors and seven different anodized colors. The LX is compatible with a variety of tires and handrims.
Sizes Available: 22-inch, 24-inch, 25-inch and 26-inch.
Best for: Those looking for a cheaper lightweight, high-performance wheel.
Pricing/Availability: The LX retails for $945 a pair, but can be found for $736.74 at Living Spinal.
XLX
The Spinergy XLX is a lightweight aluminum wheel with an aluminum hub and 12 4-millimeter polyphenylene bladed spokes. The XLX features an X-laced spoke design for a unique look with increased torsional stiffness. The XLX is available with nine different spoke colors and seven different anodized colors. The XLX is compatible with a variety of tires and handrims.
Sizes Available: 22-inch, 24-inch, 25-inch and 26-inch.
Best for: Those looking for a unique, lightweight, high-performance wheel.
Pricing/Availability: The LX retails for $995 a pair, but can be found for $855 at Rolling in Paradise.
Blade LXL
The Blade LXL offers a middle ground for those looking for a wheel that weighs closer to the CLX but at a cost in line with Spinergy’s other aluminum-rim wheels. The Blade LXL is Spinergy’s lightest aluminum-rim wheel and features 18 3-millimeter polyphenylene bladed spokes. The Blade LXL is available with nine different spoke colors and seven different anodized hub colors.
Sizes Available: 22-inch, 24-inch, 25-inch and 26-inch.
Best for: Those looking for a lightweight, high-performance wheel.
Pricing/Availability: The Blade LXL retails for $945 a pair, but can be found for $850.50 at Sportaid and DME Hub.
LXL
The LXL offers the same design as the Blade LXL, but with rounded spokes instead of bladed spokes. The LXL is available with nine different spoke colors and seven different anodized colors.
Sizes Available: 22-inch, 24-inch, 25 inch and 26 inch.
Best for: Those looking for an ultralightweight, high-performance aluminum-rim wheel.
Pricing/Availability: The LXL retails for $845 a pair, but can be found for $760.50 at Sportaid and DME Hub.
Vapor Wheels
Vapor X
The Vapor X by Vapor Wheels is a customizable ultralight carbon-fiber wheel. The Vapor X weighs slightly more than 1 pound and offers customization options, such as glossy or matte finish rims, specialized hub colors, stainless steel or titanium axles, and a variety of handrims and tires.
Sizes Available: 24-inch and 25-inch.
Best for: Those looking for a highly customizable performance wheel.
Pricing/Availability: The base model of the Vapor X retails for $1,449 a pair, with additional costs for the various options. The Vapor X can be found starting at $1,299 from Living Spinal.
Specialty Wheels
Specialty wheels are designed to serve varying needs, from off-road performance to shock absorption to distinctive looks. They are often heavier than performance wheels but show that weight isn’t everything when it comes to finding the right set of wheels.
Box Wheelchairs
Sumo Beach and Snow
The Sumo Beach and Snow is an oversized wheel with a large surface area for sand and snow. The Sumo Beach and Snow is compatible with most manual wheelchairs and comes with options for handrim style and mirror-finishing or color powder-coating the aluminum hub.
Sizes Available: 24-inch.
Best for: Those who need a wheel that will float over sand and snow.
Pricing/Availability: The Sumo Beach and Snow starts at $1,399 per pair at Living Spinal.
Loopwheels
Classic and Coloured Classic
The Loopwheels Classic is a shock-absorbing suspension wheel designed to reduce the impact of bumps and vibrations while pushing. The company says that the combination of the double-walled aluminum rim and carbon composite loops reduce vibrations by up to 70%. Each Loopwheels Classic wheel weighs just under 4 pounds and is available in a variety of color options.
Sizes Available: 24-inch and 25-inch.
Best for: Those who regularly navigate rough terrain or those who have difficulty with bumps and vibrations triggering spasms or pain.
Pricing/Availability: The Loopwheels Classic ships from the United Kingdom and starts at £799 a pair (check current exchange rate for USD pricing). Loopwheels offers international shipping, with shipping to the U.S. starting at $100 plus any applicable duties and taxes.
Carbon
The Loopwheels Carbon comes with 12% more carbon composite material in the shock-absorbing loops. These wheels are designed to give a sportier ride with increased lateral stability. The Loopwheels Carbon comes with a carbon finish and reflective logos.
Sizes Available: 24-inch and 25-inch.
Best for: Those who regularly navigate rough terrain or those who have difficulty with bumps and vibrations triggering spasms or pain.
Pricing/Availability: The Loopwheels Carbon ships from the United Kingdom and retails for about £1,199 a pair (check current exchange rate for USD pricing).
Urban
The Loopwheels Urban is an upgraded version of the Classic and Carbon models, offering more lateral stiffness and improved shock absorption while weighing nearly 1 pound less. The carbon fiber composite loops are available in soft, regular and stiff spring-strengths to adapt to the user’s weight and activity level. The Loopwheels Urban can handle speeds up to 15 mph and is designed for use along with power assist attachments.
Sizes Available: 24-inch and 25-inch.
Best for: Those looking for a wheel compatible with power assist devices, or who regularly navigate rough terrain or have difficulty with bumps and vibrations triggering spasms or pain.
Pricing/Availability: The Loopwheels Urban ships from the United Kingdom and retails for about £1,800 a pair (check current exchange rate for USD pricing).
Extreme
The Loopwheels Extreme is an off-road wheel designed to accommodate mountain bike tires. It offers much of the same performance as the Loopwheels Urban. The Extreme has carbon fiber composite loops available in regular or stiff spring-strengths and works well with power assist attachments.
Sizes Available: 24-inch.
Best for: Those looking for an off-road wheel with superior shock absorption.
Pricing/Availability: The Loopwheels Extreme ships from the United Kingdom and retails for about £1,800 a pair (check current exchange rate for USD pricing.
Spinergy
LX and XLX Flexrim
The Spinergy Flexrim is a lightweight aluminum wheel with integrated handrim. Urethane rubber joins the handrim to the wheel, offering a grippy surface for pushing while also allowing the handrim to flex in when you are trying to squeeze through tight doorways. The LX comes with 12 4-millimeter PBO spokes, while the XLX has the same spokes laced into an X pattern for increased lateral stiffness.
Sizes Available: 24-inch and 25-inch.
Best for: Those looking for a lightweight wheel with a grippy pushing surface.
Pricing/Availability: The LX Flexrim retails for $1,345 a pair, and the XLX retails for $1,395. The LX can be found as low as $1,143 on Bike-On, and the XLX can be found as low as $1,188 on Bike-On.
LX Off-Road Wheel Package
This package features the Spinergy LX wheels, handrims and Kenda Nevagal Off-Road tires with increased grip and float on softer surfaces. Note that the Nevagal tires are taller than a typical wheelchair tire, so you may want to talk with your DME supplier about what size wheel to choose for your chair.
Sizes Available: 24-inch and 25-inch.
Best for: Anyone who wants to access grass fields, dirt trails or gravel roads with less effort.
Pricing/Availability: The LX Off-Road Wheel Package is available from DME Hub for $895 a pair.
SpinTek
Aluminum Billet
SpinTek Aluminum Billet wheels are machined from a single solid piece of aluminum, creating a stylish, low-maintenance wheel. The one-piece design eliminates the need to tighten or replace spokes and will keep the wheel rolling consistently straight. SpinTek wheels are available in seven different designs. Weight varies by design.
Sizes Available: 24-inch and 25-inch.
Best for: Those looking for a wheel with a unique design and are not worried about having a heavy wheel.
Pricing/Availability: SpinTek Aluminum Billet wheels retail for $1,195 per pair, but can be purchased for as low as $895 per pair from How iRoll Sports.
SoftWheel
Softwheel 3.0
The SoftWheel 3.0 features an in-wheel suspension system that reduces the shock of bumps and vibrations. The wheel, available in either aluminum or carbon-rim versions, has three independent suspension arms connected to a central hub. The suspension arms compress when going over uneven terrain and immediately return to their standard position, ensuring a smooth ride.
Sizes Available: 24-inch and 25-inch.
Best for: Those who regularly navigate rough terrain or those who have difficulty with bumps and vibrations triggering spasms or pain.
Pricing/Availability: The SoftWheel 3.0 aluminum retails for $2,795, and the SoftWheel 3.0 carbon retails for $3,295. SoftWheel is available from national DME distributors and from Living Spinal.
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Thanks for the wheel evaluations and organization. Well-done. Will all of these wheels fit on a Quickie GP? Need different axle plates, etc?
My wife has been using the Spinergy LX wheels with Flextime for over ten years. She loves them because there is no hand rim bracket that can cause injury. I recently converted these wheels to “Tubeless” by installing Stan’s Schraeder valves and DT Swiss rimstrip tape. She’s running 26″ Maxxis Icon mtb) tires and likes the setup because the tubeless tires almost never flat. We are planning to convert her other two wheel sets to tubeless as well.