Loopwheels have springs rather than spokes. It’s what allows them to offer built-in suspension. But how does this effect propulsion efficiency? It’s a reasonable question – if the wheels flex to absorb bumps and vibrations, does that mean more energy is lost compared to spoked wheels?

The term ‘rolling resistance’ refers to the energy lost when a wheel rolls over a surface. To learn more about rolling resistance in manual wheelchairs, see this article from Sunrise Medical.

After Loopwheels were developed, rolling resistance was a key consideration for the team. Loopwheels Urban were put to the test against spoked wheels back in 2018 to try and answer the question ‘Do Loopwheels lose more energy than standard wheelchair wheels?’. Since then, much more sophisticated technology has been used by the University of Pittsburgh to offer an even clearer answer. This article will review each of these tests to try and answer this question.

What testing has told us…

Our in-house testing from 2018 involved a simple test which used the same wheelchair, tyres, bearings and rider. We compared Loopwheels Classics with spoked wheels, measuring how far the wheelchair rolled after being released from a gentle slope. Results found that the two wheels performed very similarly, suggesting that the Loopwheel suspension did not have a large effect on rolling resistance under those test conditions.

Since then, however, our understanding has moved on. In 2026, an independent study measured the rolling resistance of Loopwheels Urban using laboratory equipment designed specifically for wheelchair testing, and tested the wheels across a range of surfaces.

The results show that Loopwheels have a higher rolling resistance than spoked wheels across different surfaces. The study states that these findings “may help explain the perception among manual wheelchair users that Loopwheels impede their propulsion efficiency, despite their smoother ride and reduction of vibrations and shocks.”

It’s important to recognise that, due to the thicker, MTB tyre fitted to Loopwheels Extreme, the rolling resistance of this model is slightly higher. That is why we only recommend Loopwheels Extreme for use with a front power attachment.

What does this mean in the real world?

Whilst the answer to the question is yes, Loopwheels do have a higher rolling resistance compared to spoked wheels, it’s important to remember that rolling resistance is one part of overall performance. 

Vibration and shock absorption are key benefits of Loopwheels, and for some of our customers, the smoother ride actually makes Loopwheels feel easier to push. This is reflected in some of our customer stories:

“I find the Loopwheels manoeuvre much easier and better than spoked wheels.”

David’s Customer Story

‘It’s strange just how easy it is to move with Loopwheels! I don’t have to plan ahead and look where I’m going.’

Paige’s Customer Story

These are our customer’s experiences, as shared in their customer story. You can read more customer stories on our ‘Customer Stories’ page.

What about the flex of the springs? Do the springs absorb a lot of energy?

This is a common question, but the springs are very carefully engineered NOT to absorb too much energy. They don’t hold onto much at all! The springs are a lot stiffer than most people assume if they just see pictures or video of the wheels. 

Loopwheels have also been proven to reduce pain and fatigue caused by vibration and shock, improving comfort for smoother days out no matter the terrain.

So, if you’re wondering whether Loopwheels would be more difficult to push, the answer gets slightly more complicated as there are lots of different contributing factors which may affect your experience.

As always, our main piece of advice would be to try the wheels before you make any decisions. If you’re based in the UK, you can do this via our two-week trial scheme.

If you’re based outside of the UK, contact your local Loopwheels retailer to enquire about a trial or product demonstration.

We also attend exhibitions throughout the year where you can come and chat to the team and try out Loopwheels! Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates on where we’re heading next.