Whether you call it a push rim or a hand rim, that metal hoop on your wheel does an important job. So, how do you know which one to choose?
The right hand rim can make everyday tasks smoother by reducing effort and strain. Designed with ergonomics in mind, the CarboLife range offers many options for people looking for improved comfort and greater control to suit their individual needs and lifestyles.
Wheelchair hand rims: what you need to know
There’s now a wide array of different hand rims on the market, and so the options can be confusing. Here’s some general key points about hand rim models:
1. A smooth surface enables the rim to run through your hands easily when you’re on a flat surface or rolling downhill.
- There are lots of smooth variations available: a smooth surface could be wooden, stainless steel, titanium or aluminium.
- Aluminium is the most common and this can be anodised or powder-coated.
- Anodised is smoother than powder-coated and so this tends to generate less heat. However, powder-coating offers a little more grip than anodised (and therefore can get hotter in use).
2. A grip surface does two things: it helps you propel when going uphill, and it helps you propel if you’re not able to grip the rim very tightly because your fingers and hands lack strength or gripping function, perhaps due to a health condition or spinal cord injury.
3. In the last 15 years, there has been a lot of innovation and development in terms of different grippy surfaces both with new materials, new manufacturing methods, and new designs. Choice is good, but it can be confusing!
- Beware of cheaper options with grip: some grip coatings can wear very quickly, or the grip element can become loose on those cheaper products.
- We used to supply silicone hand rim covers, but we have found these really troublesome and a less good option that a high-quality hand rim coated with a grip surface.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the full range of CarboLife wheelchair hand rims, helping you compare models and choose the best option for your lifestyle, mobility, and hand function.
Why choose CarboLife hand rims?
CarboLife Technologies is a German manufacturer of ergonomic hand rims for wheelchairs. With experience in the aerospace, automotive and shipping industries, the CarboLife team pride themselves on high-quality German manufacturing. The team began developing hand rims when a close friend of one of the founders complained about his own rims, identifying the need for innovation in this field. CarboLife has now been selling hand rims for over 10 years, and their products are trusted worldwide by people who use them every day. We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the company.
Discover the CarboLife hand rim range
Each CarboLife hand rim has been designed with the user in mind, which is why the range includes different grip options, sizes and profiles. The 7 models of CarboLife hand rims that we offer are:
CarboLife Curve and Curve L hand rim
The Curve and Curve L hand rims are designed with a contoured, ergonomic profile which can support the wrist for controlled, lower-effort propulsion.
Who is it for?
With an anodised surface, these hand rims are better suited to people with complete hand function, due to the lack of grip. The Curve model is designed for wheelchair users with smaller hands, such as children and adults with smaller hands, due to its smaller profile. In contrast, the Curve L uses a taller profile, offering a larger surface for those with larger hands.
Whilst they are designed for different hand sizes, both models share the same purpose: to optimise grip, protect the wrist, and deliver a more relaxed experience than circular hand rims.
Key features:
- The innovative profile gives you a controlled, low-effort grip while stabilising your wrist.
- The anodised surface is better for those who enjoy fast downhill rides – it generates less heat than powder-coated surfaces.
Compared with conventional hand rims, the Curve model:
- Provides a more relaxed, comfortable ride, allowing you to travel farther with ease
- Reduces hand muscle fatigue
- Helps prevent cramps and eases pain from carpal tunnel syndrome
Curve and Curve L Tetra-Grip
These offer the same ergonomic shape of the Curve and Curve L models, however the Tetra-Grip incorporates an anti-slip coating. This enables users to maintain traction with less force, and reduces slipping during propulsion or braking.
Who is it for?
CarboLife’s Curve Tetra-Grip and Curve L Tetra-Grip hand rims are tailored to meet the needs of people who have full hand function but limited strength, or for tetraplegics with triceps function.
Key Features:
- This innovative profile provides tetraplegics with triceps function with a gripping surface optimised for exerting considerably more pressure on the hand rim.
- This product also offers a durable anti-slip coating, the handrims make riding and steering your wheelchair much safer.
As a result, propelling the wheelchair along a flat road and especially uphill:
- Requires less physical effort
- Is much gentler on the joints
- Ensures better and more secure wheelchair handling
- Makes riding and steering safer as well as more efficient.
→ What do we mean by an efficient hand rim? The most efficient hand rim is one which moves you the furthest with the least effort from you.
CarboLife Gekko and Gekko S hand rim
The Gekko hand rim model is our most popular by far thanks to the versatile nature of its design. Both the Gekko and Gekko S hand rims are designed with an ergonomic profile and a built-in silicone grip strip to offer a combination of traction and smooth control.
Who is it for?
The Gekko hand rim model has been designed for wheelchair users with complete hand function, and either complete or limited hand strength. The Gekko S has the same profile as the Gekko, however with a smaller profile size, the Gekko S is designed for children and adults with small hands.
The replaceable silicone strip boosts grip during propulsion, while the smooth sides reduce friction and heat generated when braking.
Key Features:
The CarboLife Gekko combines the best of smooth-running downhill and grip for better propulsion uphill.
- perfect ergonomics
- outstanding grip
- low weight compared with most ergonomic hand rims
- robust replaceable silicon strip, fully integrated into the profile
- anodised low-friction side surface at the sides prevents heat generation during braking.
CarboLife Quadro hand rim
The sloping profile of the CarboLife Quadro hand rim offers a much larger contact area than a conventional circular rim. Combined with the grippy surface of the hand rim, the Quadro is specifically designed to make it easier to push with the thumb pad (thenar).
Who is it for?
This hand rim is designed for people with extremely limited hand and finger control, such as tetraplegics who lack triceps function.
Key Features:
- Designed with the biomechanics of tetraplegics with no triceps function in mind, the profile of the Quadro provides a considerably larger gripping surface than a conventional hand rim.
- Featuring an extremely robust anti-slip coating, it offers you unsurpassed grip for efficient propulsion, as well as maximum control during braking and when correcting your direction of travel.
Overall, choosing the right hand rim for your personal requirements is extremely important, as this can improve daily comfort, energy expenditure and performance. If you want to learn more about the complete CarboLife range, please have a look at their complete brochure here.
FAQs: CarboLife hand rims
Are CarboLife hand rims compatible with all wheelchairs?
Most models use a standard 6-tab fitting system and fit common wheelchair wheels, but compatibility should be checked with your wheelchair manufacturer or dealer before purchase. Or contact us with our questions!
How much bigger is the ‘L’ for Curve L and Curve L Tetra-Grip?
The Curve model has a 24mm high profile, whilst the Curve L has a height of 31mm.
What happens if there is damage to the silicone strip on a Gekko Hand Rim?
The silicone strip of a Gekko is very durable, but with daily use, wear will happen over time. One great feature of the Gekko and Gekko S is that the silicone strip is completely replaceable (without having to replace the full rim).
Can I buy hand rims from Loopwheels for my spoked wheels?
Yes – we also sell hand rims as a standalone item to then be fitted on any compatible wheel. Each of the CarboLife hand rims can be purchased with different fittings for Loopwheels or Spinergy wheels. If you are purchasing hand rims for spoked wheels, you may want to speak with your wheelchair dealer to discuss fitting these.
If you’re ever unsure please get in touch with a member of our team!