12 replies to this topic

[Lucydog]

Im looking for some coloured tyres for my new chair. Have come across these 3 and wonder if anyone has any experience of them? Im not keen on the primos as they only have coloured walls so Im thinking KIK or kenda. The KIK tyres are solid ones, are these difficult to get on, do I need any sort of special tool? Im not that interested in performance, this is purly a question of vanity!!! I just dont want to buy the KIK and then find i cant get them on! Size Im after is 24" so if you have any other sugesstions Id be pleased to know.

thanks
L

[Willeco Joe]

Hello,
I am new to this website, in fact, you are the first person I have responded to. I have been an equipment technician in Phoenix, Arizona U.S.A. for the past 14 yrs. I'm familiar with Kenda and Primo tires, as they are reputable companies, but I am not familiar with their colored tires. I am very familiar with KIK tires, and yes, you will need a special tool for installation. You could use pry bars or screw drivers (along with alot of effort), but you are likely to badly scratch your wheels or get hurt. Even the tool provided by KIK is fairly difficult to use and requires a stud mounted on a workbench to use properly.
The KIK tires are very long lasting and non-marking, but they are solid. so if you now have low pressure pnuematic (air or balloon) tires, your ride will be considerably less comfortable. If you are prone to spasticity, the excessive jarring may contribute to more spasms. If you have a suspension frame wheelchair, this may not be as much of a consideration.
If you decide on solid tires, call around to different wheelchair repair shops to see if one has the installation tools, if not, try bicycle shops, they also install solid tires.
Feel free to write with any other questions you may have.

[russ1]

Go with the kenda - solid tyres are just plain horrible! I've seen the kendas on other chairs and they look like pretty decent tyres disregarding the colour issue.

I just bought some proper high pressure slick bike tyres for my chair and they're streets ahead of the wheelchair tyres they replaced. You can only get them for 25" chairs though. We chair users get seriously short changed in the tyre department.

[SCI_OTR]

You don't necessarily need the special tool to install Kik tires, but do need a long tire lever or slotted screwdriver (the tire lever is safest and is less-likely to damage your rims) and about 2 dozen cable ties. At first, it will seem that there is no way that the tire will fit on the rim, but you need to have faith that it will. Start by securing the tire in 1/4 of the rim with two cable ties, then gradually work your way around the rim using the tire lever--securing the tire in the rim with a cable tie as you go. When you get to the last 6-8 inches, stretch to tire up and over the rim until it snaps in place.

I was unable to do this easily until I installed 3-4 tires. If you only have to do this for one set of wheels, going to a bike shop might be the best solution.

[gsp23]

I have some Kendas, not the ones that the whole tire is colored, but mine are just colored walls. They arent bad tires, I have been using them for a couple of months and so far they are holding up well to my offroading and also for getting through sleet and snow.

[LadyPilot]

Today, I got my tyres changed!
I normally use ordinary cycle tyres. No idea what make they are but have been using the 'grey' tyres. Unfortunately with all the rain that's been falling, I've been having a nightmare trying to look after my horse with not much tread on the tyre, so phoned my friendly bike shop owner today and asked him to put new tyres on, he said the 'black' tyres are harder wearing so that's what I've got on now.
I don't care what colour/make they are, as long as the damm things allow me to go places I want to go without getting stuck!!

[htwhlz97]

You might even want to look into getting heavy terrian tire, they have a bit more thread on them and I hear that they are not that expensive. I usually use a bike shop for my wheels and use a bicylce tire that is until I got my new chair. Especially with you being outdoors alot its a good investment!

[bdmpastx]

I had some Kenda greys on the chair and they only lasted me about 2 months and they were toast. They wore extremely fast IMHO. I opted for some Primo Blues the next time around and they lasted for 8 months now. I just put some new primo blues on xmas eve to look good when visiting family. It's like having on nice shoes you know...lol.

[Santa Cruz Soul Surfer (LRO)]

I used to run a pair of red keda koncepts and they wore very fast! I switched out to a pair of primo V-trac's and they have worked out great thus far!

[WheelsWithAttitude]

I have KIK Tires on two of my chairs. Blue on one and yellow on the other.

Very pleased with them, as I am paranoid about having a tire punctures and also do not want the hassle of having to always inflate the tires .

I am very prone to spasms/ clonus any given time, but have not really noticed any increase since I have been using these tires.
But may be different in another person.

For me too, another thing is the colors they offer, I like the variety as opposed to just what I call hospital chair grey and black.

We have a KIK dealership in germany too and I sent them the wheels in and they put them on free of charge when you purchase a set.
I like to have them on right so I was more comfortable with them putting them on as they have the experience.
Also found that the KIK tires are very durable, had the yellow ones for two years on my everyday chair and no wear and tear yet.

[KimAndSophie]

I've been using Primo V-Trac tires on my wheelchair since I got it. I had gray ones until about a month ago when I got another set of Spinergy wheels. They are lx wheels with red spokes, so I got red Primo V-Trac tires. They last a really long time, and even though they do have a blak side they do look great and you can notice the red from the side. I've had solid tires in the beginning and they were completely useless, especially when the ground was wet.

The only time I ever had a flat with my Primo's was on a flight. I let some air out before we started the trip, but by the third flight all of the air was out of one tube. I guess it was just the change in air pressure, and that can't be blamed on the tire anyway.

I'd say go with Primo's. They will hold up to a lot of punishment and look good!

[QuadMedic]

Go Kenda ...... for a better ride go wide

[Bulky]

Schwalbe Marathon Plus are good if you're after a tyre with some tread. I have rubberized rims n these tyres as I brake/push on both, depending on situation. Great for puncture resistance.

Edited by Bulky, 18 February 2007 - 11:05 AM.