"With wheelchairs and walkers, one essentially has to deal with two fundamental properties of tires: suspension and rolling resistance. The two are inversely proportional. This means that the harder the tire, the lower the rolling resistance and the easier it is to push the wheelchair. However, it also holds true that the harder the tire, the lower the suspension and comfort for the user. Therefore, hard and soft tires have both advantages and disadvantages. Here, air tires provide the solution."
Rollators with hard or soft tires
Older walkers have solid rubber tires. With such tires, the walker can be pushed easily, but it causes strong vibrations while walking. Especially outdoors, on uneven terrain, it doesn't feel very comfortable.
"Afterwards, rollators with relatively soft tires made of solid rubber such as PU (polyurethane) or EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) came onto the market. These have better suspension. The material can be compressed more easily and therefore absorbs more vibrations. Jan Willem de Joode, on the other hand, differentiates: 'These soft synthetic rubber tires do offer more comfort, but they also have a higher rolling resistance. PU tires are therefore harder to push.' Soft synthetic rubber tires are thus not the optimal solution either."
Rollator with air tires
"Air tires are more elastic than PU tires with a comparable hardness. Due to this excellent suspension, these walkers vibrate only minimally. Firmly inflated air tires combine this with low rolling resistance. As the tire easily rebounds, rolling friction is improved. How easily a tire deforms and rebounds determines how much or how little push energy is lost during deformation. Air tires reduce vibrations and offer low rolling resistance."
Less technically expressed: The great advantage of air tires compared to solid rubber tires is that the walker hardly vibrates at all. This makes driving very pleasant and pushing requires little effort.
"If you like to use your walker on rough terrain, air tires are the best choice. They consume less energy, even when you are on forest paths, bumpy roads, or strolling in old towns. The wide 'shoulder' of the tire absorbs shocks."
"Especially in combination with extra-large rear tires like the Rollz Motion Performance, it is also easier to go over sidewalks and thresholds. Air tires provide the best suspension and allow for comfortable pushing over uneven terrain with much less vibration."
Who is a rollator with air tires aimed at?
- "For everyone looking for a shock-free and low-vibration walker, for example due to back problems such as a hernia."
- For people looking for relief for sensitive hands, wrists, neck, or shoulders.
- People with osteoarthritis or painful joints
- People who no longer have as much energy and are looking for a walker that is easier to push.
- For people who enjoy walking on uneven terrain or living in an area with bumpy roads.
Tips for Using the Rollz Motion Performance with Air Tires
- "Pump the tires regularly to keep the pressure constant. It is advisable to always carry the included pump with you. The pump fits next to the footrests in the pocket of the wheelchair packaging, making it invisible yet always within reach."
- In principle, we recommend a maximum pressure of 2.5 bar for the larger rear tire and a higher pressure of up to 4.5 bar for the smaller front tire.
- "If you feel too little suspension and comfort and/or pushing requires too much effort, the tires are too soft."
- "If you frequently use the Rollz Motion Performance as a wheelchair, make sure to pump up the small front tires more often. It's the same as if you regularly carry someone on the back of your bike. Then you also need to pump the tires more often. By maintaining the correct tire pressure, you prevent the need to walk or push harder."
- By slightly varying the tire pressure, you can adjust the driving comfort to your personal needs.
- The synthetic rubber of the tires is very thick, much thicker than that of a bicycle tire. The tread provides additional grip when walking. These tires are so thick that the inner tube cannot be easily punctured. Should this happen, it can be easily repaired at a bicycle shop.
- "After a flight, the tires may need to be inflated. Make sure you have the pump with you when you fly."
