Whether it’s a long daily commute, spending time out in nature or days out with family and
friends, we know that front-mounted power attachments are essential for many people who
travel longer distances or wish to prevent strain to their shoulders.
At higher speeds and over longer distances, reducing vibration and shock becomes even more important, and that’s where Loopwheels Extreme come in; designed not just for off-roading, but to provide maximum comfort and shock absorption for people travelling further, faster, and more often.
What Makes Loopwheels Extreme Different?
Loopwheels Extreme have the same suspension system as other models, but the smaller 507 wheel diameter means they can be fitted with deeper, bigger mountain bike tyres and still retain the same 24” diameter your chair is set up for.
MTB or Mountain bike tyres offer unmatched grip and stability over long distances and mixed terrains, whilst also further dampening bumps from uneven surfaces. Loopwheels Extreme are available with either Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres with Schrader car valve, or Schwalbe Smart SAM tyres. In fact, because 507 is a standard size for bikes as well, there’s a wide array of choices if you wish to source your own tyres too.
The benefits of this vibration reduction go beyond comfort; Loopwheels can help with pain and fatigue management, and can help to reduce the strain put on your wheelchair equipment also.
Comparing Loopwheels Extreme to Off-Road Wheels
A few months ago, our team carried out testing which compared the shock absorption of Loopwheels Urban, Loopwheels Extreme and wheelchair wheels with Fat tyres on.
The results of the testing showed that Loopwheels Extreme performed the best with regards to vibration reduction at higher speeds and over rougher terrain.The Omobic Fat Wheel works well off road, and will suit users with less pain or fatigue issues who are not regularly manually propelling. This is because our testing found that Loopwheels Extreme allows a person travelling at 10km/h on a forest track to ride for 76% more time than a Fat Wheel before the vibration could start to create harmful effects in the body.
The deeper tread of MTB tyres and added suspension mean increased rolling resistance: ideal when paired with a power add-on, but not recommended for people who self-propel. If you mainly self-propel, we recommend Loopwheels Urban instead.
So, what’s the purpose of Loopwheels Extreme?
There are a range of different ways to use these wheels, depending on your personal lifestyle and preferences.
Off Road
As explained above, Loopwheels Extreme are ideal of off-road adventures with a power attachment or e-bike, offering maximum shock absorption from both springs and big tyres and great grip on cornering. Overall, they let you go further off-road with more confidence, turning surfaces that would normally feel harsh or limiting into something much more manageable and controlled.
Long Distance Travel
As well as their off-road capabilities, Loopwheels Extreme are the perfect wheel for regular commutes, longer distances and frequent journeys with a power add-on or e-bike, to provide maximum comfort and protection from back pain and fatigue caused by whole body vibration.
Will they fit to my chair?
Loopwheels Extreme are a 507 24” size, meaning they are compatible with most adult manual wheelchairs. They are fitted in the same way as spoked wheels using quick release axle pins, making it simple to upgrade your setup.
Not only are Loopwheels Extreme engineered for performance, they also stand out visually. They bring a sleek, high-performance edge to your wheelchair. Custom colour options let you add personality to your chair while also upgrading its function.
You can see all of our product options on the Loopwheels Extreme page.
Guidance on Choosing the Right Wheel
Still not sure if Loopwheels Extreme are the right fit for you? We have a guide to each Loopwheel model on our blog, which has key recommendations for choosing between each model.
We do, however, understand that everybody is going to have different preferences and requirements for their wheelchair, and that’s why we offer trials in the UK. You can try a pair of Loopwheels for 2 weeks to get a feel for the wheels, see how the impact your daily routines, and decide if they are truly right for you.
Quick FAQs
Q: Can I use Loopwheels Extreme every day?
A: Yes – but we only recommend this if you mainly use a front power attachment, as the MTB tyres are heavy. Their suspension makes a noticeable difference even on pavement or urban terrain at higher speeds.
Q: How do I install them?
A: Loopwheels Extreme work with Quick Release Axles (spindles) and are compatible with most manual wheelchair setups. Check out our fitting tutorial to see how easily Loopheels can be fitted to your chair.
Q: What is the weight of Loopwheels Extreme?
A: Loopwheels Extreme are the heaviest Loopwheels model due to the thicker tyres fitted (the wheels themselves aren’t heavier without the tyres – it’s the tyres that add most of the weight). This is an important consideration for people who need to lift their wheels on and off often to transport their wheels in a vehicle, and also why we only recommend this model to people who use a power attachment or e-bike, rather than people who manually propel.