Replacing solid tyres on Invacare Fox

[clairc]

Hi!

I have an Invacare Fox. It has solid tyres and I noticed the rear tyres are getting a bit bald. Is it possible to replace the tyres or do I need to replace the whole wheel?

I checked the service manual and it only gives instructions on changing the wheels. The tyres are Power Express 12 1/2" x 2 1/4". The rims are 5 spoke black plastic.

TIA!

Clair

[rover220]

Hi!

I have an Invacare Fox. It has solid tyres and I noticed the rear tyres are getting a bit bald. Is it possible to replace the tyres or do I need to replace the whole wheel?

I checked the service manual and it only gives instructions on changing the wheels. The tyres are Power Express 12 1/2" x 2 1/4". The rims are 5 spoke black plastic.

TIA!

Clair

normally one shot on the plastic rim as they are not split getting so a new solid tyre on can be a right game

[Burgerman]

As far as I know they come with alloy wheels? At least the one I saw recently did. But with either they should have replacable tyres. Does the rim come apart, 2halves? If so no problem.

[Williamclark77]

Does it have the one piece plastic wheels? If so, they'll most likely be damaged trying to replace the solid tire. It's fairly simple to cut the old one off. Getting a new one on without breaking the rim lip is unlikely. I've never tried.

[foghornleghorn]

Black plastic single piece wheel.

Code: Select all

SP1582006   Wheel 12.5" x 2.25", puncture proof, black plastic rim   → 2014-11-16
SP1073935   Wheel 12.5" x 2.25", puncture proof, black plastic rim   2014-11-17→

[Burgerman]

Ah. Screwed. For what its worth there are alloy rims that do come apart to swap tyres on those too. I saw one! Maybe worth an upgrade.

[clairc]

Thanks for the replies. My Fox is late 2015 model and the wheels are black plastic, like in the photograph Foghornleghorn posted. I've not tried taking the wheels off yet but I'm pretty sure thy are one piece. I guess I'll be upgrading to the alloy ones.

Thanks again, everyone!

Clair

[Burgerman]

youtu.be/4cHLVeHAn78

[rover220]

mirage and spectra wheels should also fit with the correct hub.

[Burgerman]

Why do they fit plastic wheels on some? Save weight as its a portable? If you cant swap the tyres that seems like a rather silly choice. Unless they are very cheap.

[clairc]

I think I have an early model. Its dated December 2015. It also has the same castors as the Mirage and I notice that later models have different castors. I don't know why they fitted plastic wheels. One of them is squeaking a bit especially on pavements where the camber goes down to the right so that's another reason for getting new wheels.

I can't find anyone selling replacement plastic wheels. There is someone on eBay selling the new style alloy wheels and tyres for £50 each. The tyres are the same size as the Mirage but I think the hub is different. The Fox has a single wheel nut but it looks like the Mirage has four so I don't think Mirage wheels will fit.

This is my chair. Please excuse the mud. I hammer it a bit walking my dog. There is some tread left on the tyres but not a lot so I'll have to replace them sooner or later.

InvacareFoxWheels by Clair Coult, on Flickr

Clair

[Dan]

I like to plan ahead but you still have a good few miles on those tyres.
Check out these from an ebay chair.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Storm-4-Powe ... SwWTZc0D5e

Ohh now I see an uneven wear on your tyres on the inside. Your front ones don't look that great either.

[clairc]

As I said my tyres still have a little tread on them but I've noticed I'm skidding in wet conditions. There is also some cracking and I'm not completely happy with them. I do about 3 miles a day on uneven ground and bumpy pavements walking my assistance dog. I need to be able to stop at the kerb and not skid into oncoming traffic so I'd rather get new ones before they are completely bald like that photo you posted!

There's nothing wrong with my front castors. They are the smooth flat faced type used on the Invacare Mirage. They never had any tread on them.

foxtyre by Clair Coult, on Flickr

[Burgerman]

They will fit. But you need a hub with the right bolt holes and a central nut.

[Dan]

mirage and spectra wheels should also fit with the correct hub.

These might fit then.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Invacare-Spe ... SwW4hcctu3

Or just buy a chair for parts/backup.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Invacare-Fox ... Sw5QpcnqKr

Did you try for a NHS chair?

[shirley_hkg]

As I said my tyres still have a little tread on them but I've noticed I'm skidding in wet conditions. There is also some cracking and I'm not completely happy with them. I do about 3 miles a day on uneven ground and bumpy pavements walking my assistance dog. I need to be able to stop at the kerb and not skid into oncoming traffic so I'd rather get new ones

Tread plays little or even no effect on skidding over wet floor , with wheelchair's low speed . It's texture of the tyre that counts , say pneumatic black tyre has better quality .

CG also plays a good part on grip .

[clairc]

mirage and spectra wheels should also fit with the correct hub.

These might fit then.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Invacare-Spe ... SwW4hcctu3

Or just buy a chair for parts/backup.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Invacare-Fox ... Sw5QpcnqKr

Did you try for a NHS chair?

Thanks, I'll check those out.

I don't qualify for an NHS powerchair because I work really hard at physio and I can walk short distanced inside my own home on crutches. I have an NHS manual wheelchair, an Invacare Action 2NG, but I can't propel it myself due to hypermobility and instability of my shoulders, elbows and wrists. The NHS don't care as they say I can be pushed by someone else but I'm overweight and my PAs have refused to push me. I want any kind of independence I have no option but to self fund.

[greybeard]

I don't qualify for an NHS powerchair because I work really hard at physio and I can walk short distanced inside my own home on crutches. I have an NHS manual wheelchair, an Invacare Action 2NG, but I can't propel it myself due to hypermobility and instability of my shoulders, elbows and wrists. The NHS don't care as they say I can be pushed by someone else but I'm overweight and my PAs have refused to push me. I want any kind of independence I have no option but to self fund.

Appeal. The self defined job of WC service staff is to deny all applications and thus save the world. Don't let them get away with it.

[Burgerman]

Ask them:

How do I carry a bowel of very hot soup through doors, and into my living room on crutches, or in a manual chair. Ask them to demonstrate.

[clairc]

Appeal. The self defined job of WC service staff is to deny all applications and thus save the world. Don't let them get away with it.

Not worth the hassle. Wheelchair Services haven't seen me since November 2000. I've phoned loads of times since then but they won't even give me an appointment because I don't "need" anything other than a standard manual wheelchair.

I don't meet the eligibility criteria for an electric wheelchair. I don't need to use a wheelchair inside my own home as I can mobile on crutches most of the time. My home is not wheelchair accessible (I keep my wheelchairs in the garage with an electric door approximately 4 metres away from my front door) and they only provide electric wheelchairs for indoor use. I need one for walking my assistance dog. Apparently I don't need to move around outdoors.

My local authority OT decided that I weigh 5 stone less than I actually do and the manager decided my needs can be met by me being pushed in an attendant wheelchair. My PAs refuse to push me in my manual wheelchair because I'm too heavy.

I'm fighting too many other battles at the moment. I bought my Fox two years ago for £800. It was practically new. I've properly hammered it for the last two years, it's had one repair for a bend motor brush that was making it judder and I can just about afford £100 for two new wheels. There are people much worse off than me so I'll let them battle wheelchair services.

Clair

[clairc]

Ask them:

How do I carry a bowel of very hot soup through doors, and into my living room on crutches, or in a manual chair. Ask them to demonstrate.

They will say my PA can do it on my 30 minute lunch time call. Or I can have one of those big brown trolley things they give to old people. They have an answer for everything. You should see some of the stuff they wrote in response to my social services complaint. I've had to take it to the LGO.

The thing is I don't really need an electric wheelchair indoors. My house isn't that big and most of the time I can manage on crutches, furniture surfing and crawling if I have to. Being as mobile as possible is good for my health but I can't safely walk any useful distance outdoors. That means without my powerchair I'm a prisoner in my own home. I can no longer use a mobility scooter due to neck and shoulder problems so it's powerchair or nothing.

Wheelchair Services don't have to assess people for going outdoors so I don't qualify for their help. I haven't found an argument for that yet. I do need to walk my assistance dog but it was my choice to get him so it is my responsibility to get a powerchair.

Clair

[flagman1776]

It's similar in the USA that there's no consideration for needs outside the home when it should be obvious that becoming home bound is more costly in the long run. I'd ask if you wouldn't be better off claiming in home need and thus only need to pay for upgrades.

[Burgerman]

They wont supply for outdoors. They say that your mobility allowance covers that.

[Dan]

The thing is I don't really need an electric wheelchair indoors.

You need to learn how to give these Nazi's alternative facts. I would first go to your GP and tell them your in so much pain you can't use a manual wheelchair anymore. They should pay to adapt your home too.

Or just pretend your an asylum seeker.

[Burgerman]

Or LGBT of any type.
Or muslim.