These wheels have black tyres and push rims, along with three purple loops that replace the spokes on a standard wheel. A spring system between the hub and the rim of the wheel provides suspension that continuously adapts to uneven surfaces.
Despite modifications to my manual Quickie Wheelchair, including switching to Frog’s Legs Carbotecture Forks, I continued to experience significant pain and discomfort due to vibrations radiating through my frame for a long time. I spent every moment in my wheelchair scanning the terrain in front of me for the smoothest section, yet still ended most outings in tears. This led me to explore alternative solutions to maximise my comfort, which is when I discovered Loopwheels.
I was immediately impressed by the design of these wheels! The self-correcting system, with its three interconnected loops, is ingenious. The spring system between the hub and the rim allows the hub to float for constant adjustment to uneven surfaces, and also provides excellent suspension.
I was most impressed to learn about Loopwheels’ ‘try before you buy’ scheme. As someone who has tried many products that sounded promising but didn’t work out, I truly appreciated the opportunity to test the wheels for 21 days by just paying the £20 delivery fee. This scheme is a fantastic way to ensure a product is the right fit before making a financial commitment. It’s often difficult to truly assess if a piece of equipment meets individual needs through a brief test drive or sales pitch. So being able to thoroughly test the wheels in my own routine allowed me to understand their impact on my quality of life, which was invaluable in making an informed decision.
My order arrived within a few days, packaged in recyclable, easy-to-open protective material, with instructions on attaching the wheels to various frames. Although you cannot select the colour of the loaner wheels, you do have the option to customise “forever wheels. ” Both of mine were in perfect condition and, to my pleasant surprise, were even purple!
Attaching and removing the wheels is straightforward. Simply press the large button in the centre of the wheel to reveal the quick-release axle pin. Align the wheel with your chair, and then push the axle into the axle bar until you hear a click. To remove the wheel, press the large button in the centre of the wheel again and pull it away from the wheelchair.
Having the wheels for an extended period was hugely beneficial. It enabled me to evaluate their performance across different settings and terrains, such as at home, outdoors, in a hospital, and at a theme park. This thorough testing gave my carer and me valuable insights into the notable impact the wheels had.
I didn’t want to return to my standard Spinergy Wheels after the trial, but I hadn’t expected the wheels to be as good as the reviews claimed, so I hadn’t considered how I’d pay for them afterwards. Thankfully, Loopwheels offers various payment methods, including monthly instalments, making the purchase more affordable.
To conclude, I still truly love using these wheels after several years of use, even after switching to the Urban model. I can spend more time in my wheelchair with fewer vibrations radiating into my seat cushion, backrest, or handlebars. It feels like my chair is gliding rather than rolling. I also love that the wheels are sleek and stylish, which in turn makes my wheelchair look quite snazzy – so much so that people regularly stop me to ask about them! I would highly recommend Loopwheels to anyone wanting to make their wheelchair more comfortable. I also suggest trying their ‘try before you buy’ scheme before making a purchase!
