TiLite Shadow 24″ wheels replaced with Spinergy LX 24” wheels

TiLite Shadow 24″ (540) wheels

The Shadow became the standard on all TiLite chairs in 2012. Here is the OEM website for the Out-Front Shadow. Even in the TiLite Parts Store, they still call it the Out-Front Shadow. The Shadow wheels will be backups for both the ZRA and 2GX chairs. Overall, they are nice light weight wheels and appear to be very strong.

• The Shadow utilizes a single hollow section rim (just like high-end wheelchair wheels) for greater hoop strength.
• Spokes are straight and have a gauge (14 gauge, 2.0mm) commonly used for quality bicycle wheels for proven durability. 30 Spokes, 6 tabs holes.
• Sleek low flange 6061 Aluminum hub reduces weight making the Shadow lighter than the competitors.
• The entire wheel is finished in matte black for a stealth, understated look that goes well with any color wheelchair frame.
• A 3M Scotch-Lite “Shadow” hub graphic completes the look and also adds an element of safety.
• Available in 22″ to 26″ sizes. (we have 24” 540’s)
• Weighs 1.674 pounds / 759 grams (one 24″ wheel).
• 2″ Bearing face to Bearing face. Overall width of hub 2 1/2″ with a 1/2″ recess.

Spinergy LX 24” (540) wheels

The Spinergy Lightweight Light Extreme (LX) 24” (540’s) – Std. Hub, special order Black hub / Black spokes with 4 1/4″ Large Button Quick Release Axels are great. We have the LX narrow hub, and not the SLX wide hub. Apparently the SLX wide hub is the standard now, but we prefer the narrow hub so that the rear wheel spacing is not increased.

We already have Spinergy LX’s for a 2GX (from 2011) in green and they appear identical. The black anodized hub is worth the extra $80 for the aesthetics of matching the black spokes.It should not cost this much, as they are not really custom, because they are available on all non-black spoked wheels.

• Spokes: PBO fiber, 12 count, 4mm diameter (MSRP $11.00 for replacements)
• Rim: Double-walled, custom aluminum design.
• Hub: 6061 aluminium alloy, CNC machined.
• Bearings: Sealed cartridge bearings. R8 bearings. Avalable in ½” or 12mm bearing sizes (we have ½” which is the standard)
• Sizes: 22″, 24″ (540) 25″(559), 26″ (590) (we have 540’s)
• Axels: 4 ¼” Large Button Quick Release from Sportaid ($65.00 for replacements)
• Weight:1.5lb / .68kg per wheel (without tire and hand rim)

http://www.spinergy.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=92 http://www.sportaid.com/spinergy-wheelchair-wheels-lx-slx-wheels-22-24-25-26-700c.html

Replacing TiLite Shadow wheels with Spinergy LX’s

There is a long thread about this on Replacing TiLite Shadow wheels with Spinergy LX’s on CareCure Forums

In order to know if we could swap wheels easily, without spacers or modifying axles, I was concerned about the amount of bearing recess (inset) between the bearing and the hub. The bearing recess determines the camber tube length and can affect the overall width of the chair and wheel spacing. For reference, wheel spacing is measured between the vertical backrest tubes and the wheel or tire, whichever is wider.

Because we had specified 1″ wheel spacing, I felt we would have enough wiggle room, because the Shadow Hub Bearing Spacing is .2″ more than the Spinergy LX. I had also ordered extra spacers in case they were needed  to “offset the inset” if that was needed, because I was not sure I was understanding it correctly.  I was happy to see that in fact our wheel spacing seems to be precisely .2″ less with the Spinergy LX’s than the Shadow’s, which is how I had hoped it would go. Less is more with overall width of the chair for getting through tight spaces.

The 24″ Shadow has an overall Hubshell Width of 2.5”, Hub Bearing Spacing of 2″ (outside-to-outside), with a Flush Bearing Face, and Outboard Bearing Recess of.5”. Axle Length 4”, Axle Diameter .5”.

The 24″ Spinergy LX an overall Hubshell Width of 3″, Hub Bearing Spacing of 1.8″ (outside-to-outside), with an Inboard Bearing Recess of .5” and Outboard Bearing Recess of .7”. Axle Length 4”, Axle Diameter .5”.

Note: TiLite uses the “everyday” or Narrow Hub (1.8″), but there is also a Wide Hub (2.3″) available, so make sure to order the right one if ordering separately from the chair.

I just found some drawings of Spinergy hubs. It also clears up some confusion I had when hearing the terms “Narrow” and “Wide” hubs for Spinergy. It also shows that I may need to look harder for my calipers that I lost, because the measurements I made earlier might be a hair off, because I had the Hubshell width for the Spinergy LX’s at 3″, and this shows they are 3.125″.

What they show as “Everyday – Standard” with the 1.8″ Bearing spacing (1st drawing) is what many call the Everyday Narrow Hub. TiLite uses this Narrow Hub.

Wheel Spacing

We had specified 1″ wheel spacing, I felt we would have enough wiggle room, because the Shadow Hub Bearing Spacing is .2″ more than the Spinergy LX (we had considered .75″ wheel spacing). I had also ordered extra spacers in case they were needed to “offset the inset”, because I was not sure I was understanding it correctly.

I was happy to see that our wheel spacing seems to be precisely .2″ less with the Spinergy LX’s than with the Shadow’s, which is how I had hoped it would go. Less is more with overall width of the chair for getting through tight spaces. I would however caution anyone who goes for less than 1″ wheel spacing, who are newbies like us, to make sure you have room for sideguard mounts or anything that may protrude outside the seat frame. I have “heard”, but have no real knowledge, that ADI Disc Brakes may require some extra clearance.

TiLite Stainless Quick Release Axles and Sportaid Stainless Quick Release Axles

The TiLite Stainless Quick Release Axles are good, and we hope to use them with Spinergy LX’s. The axles we got from Sportaid with the Spinergy LX’s appear to be pretty good too. They are Sportaid’s own generic axles which are offered in 1/4″ lengths, at about half the price of TiLite axles. The difference is not discernible, except for not having the TiLite logo on the button. I definitely would consider ordering them again if needed.

In the photo’s and measurements, the “effective length” of the axle was measured from the top of the axle nut to the beginning of the ball as shown in this drawing. After doing some searching I am seeing a few different ways to measure Quick Release Axle Length. If you are buying new axles, be sure to check with how they are measured.

Here are some pictures of the 3 axles I am am swapping around. After measuring better here are the dimensions. You’ll notice that they are all of the same effective length, because the axle nut is .25″ higher on the 2GX axle:

After measuring better here are the dimensions:

• TiLite 2GX Spinergy LX Axle = Axle Length 3.75”, Axle Diameter .5” (left)
• TiLite ZRA Sportaid Axle = Axle Length 4”, Axle Diameter .5” (middle)
• TiLite ZRA Shadow Axle = Axle Length 4”, Axle Diameter .5” (right)

After going through all of the above with axles, I realised that there is an easier way to find out what axles TiLite would have installed if they would have been purchased through TiLite by looking in the TiLite part store for the wheel: 24 (540) Spinergy LX Wheel Assembly and 24 (540) Out-Front Shadow Wheel Assembly and comparing it with the Quick Release Axels.

• TiLite 2GX Spinergy LX Axle CP101035 = Axle Length 4”, Effective Length 3.75”, 3.68″ minimum, Axle Diameter .5” (left)
• TiLite ZRA Sportaid Axle CP101035 = Axle Length 4”, Effective Length is now 3.75”, 3.68″ minimum, Axle Diameter .5” (middle)
• TiLite ZRA Shadow Axle CP102619 = Axle Length 4”,Effective Length 4.00” 3.88″ minimum, Axle Diameter .5” (right)

I was able to quickly swap out the Shadow wheels with Primo Treaded tires with the Spinergy LX wheels with Schwalbe Marathon Plus Evolution tires — they worked, At least I know our goal of having the Shadow wheels with Primo Treaded tires as quick swap out for backup will work. I could also use the 4″ TiLite Stainless Quick Release Axels from the Shadow wheels, instead of the generic 4″ Stainless Quick Release Axels we got from Sportaid on the ZRA with Spinergy LX’s. I was also able to swap out axles, even though on the 2GX they have an Axle Length 3.75” instead of 4″.

http://www.sportaid.com/large-button-quick-release-axles.html

24” Primo Treaded Tires replaced with 24” Schwalbe Marathon Plus Evolution Tires

24” (540)  Primo V-Trak Treaded Tires

The Primo’s are really nice, and we are happy to have them as backups. It was hard to see in the pictures in the TiLite Options brochure or the TiLite parts website exactly which Primo tires we had ordered. I found out that they are the  Primo Smith tires, also known as Primo V-Traks.

Ours came in grey with black sides, but they are also available in other colours. They are 1″, the same as the Schwalbe Marathon Plus Evolution tires. This was a good thing, because the tire profile did not affect rear seat height (RSH) or brake placement when swapping wheels.

It would be good if TiLite provided the specific tire information to avoid confusion. This was also more confused because our dealer called them herringbone treads. Although they have a very slight herringbone tread, I would consider them “smooth” tires. These should not be confused with the Herringbone Tire-American, also known as the BlackSolid Herringbone Tread, which are solid tires.

Here are the specs for them:

• Size: ETRTO 25-540 (24 x 1.00 Inch)
• Type: Wired
• Color: grey / black
• Pressure: 7.5 bar (110 psi)

http://shop.tipplusbmx.com/pc_combined_results.asp?pc_id=D2679726E8FE42FF88D7EAF15C293B7D http://www.sportaid.com/primo-v-trak-black-side-wheelchair-tires-24-x-1-25-540-4-colors.html

24” (540) Schwalbe Marathon Plus Evolution Tires

The 24”(540) Schwalbe Marathon Plus Evolution with 24″ Everyday tube with Schrader valve are great, and have a nice reflective “reflex” strip on them.The Black’n Roll definitely avoids tire marks on the floor.

Note: the reflective strip is a nice safety feature, but it also makes taking flsh photography difficult.

I was able to swap out the ZRA Spinergy LX wheels with Schwalbe Marathon Plus Evolution tires on the TiLite 2GX with Spinergy LX wheels with TiLite 24″ x 1-3/8″ standard treaded tire with airless inserts. There is about 1-2 mm difference in tire profile, which was to be expected, and hence the brakes don’t work, but still, having 2 backups is absolutely wonderful!

Here are the specs for them:

• Size: ETRTO 25-540 (24 x 1.00 Inch)
• Type: Wired
• Compound: Black’n Roll
• Execution: SmartGuard (Puncture protection level 6, flatless. Solid, 5 mm thick layer of flexible rubber.)
• Color: Black-Reflex
• Skin: Twin
• Weight: 500 g (18 oz)
• Pressure: 6.00 – 10.00 bar (85 – 145 psi)
• Maximum load: 60 kg
• EPI: 67 (Ends Per Inch, Threads Per Inch)
• Article number: 10282448.01

Here is a video of the highest level puncture protection level 6, flatless:

http://www.schwalbetires.com/wheelchair/tires/marathon_plus_evolution http://www.sportaid.com/schwalbe-marathon-plus-evolution-24-or-25-x-1-25-540-559.html

Aluminum Handrims replaced with Natural Fit The Surge LT Handrims

Aluminum Silver Anodized / Long Tab Handrims

We ordered the standard handrims because we could not get funding from the government for better ones, even though good ergonomic harndrims are even more important if you only have one arm/hand to use.We will keep the aluminum handrims on the Shadow wheels, which are being used as backups.

Natural Fit The Surge LT / Long Tab Handrims

The Natural Fit Surge LT Handrims  are great and we are very impressed. My husband says they are comfortable with a good grip provided by the Gription strip. I waivered between getting the LT with the smaller oval or the larger standard size, because he has fairly big hands. With the long tabs the LTs, work well, but would probably be too small with short tabs. My only complaint is that they were very quickly scratched up on the sides. With having hemiparesis and visual neglect, they will take a lot of dings. There is not much that can be done to prevent this, so I guess we just have to live with it.

The Gription Strip is a rubber strip that goes all the way around the top surface of the oval handrim. It is a high friction strip that provides a grippier propulsion surface. The grippier surface is particularly helpful when going up ramps, hills, or when traversing difficult surfaces (e.g., like deep-pile carpeting). The remaining surfaces of the oval (the side surfaces) are hard anodized in black to provide a smooth braking surface.

Both the Surge and the Surge LT are the same all-in-one oval handrim with the Gription Strip on the top of the oval. The only difference between the two is the size and weight of the oval. The Surge uses a larger profile oval that is 1 1/2″ long (top to bottom) and weighs 24 ounces. The Surge LT uses a reduced weight, smaller profile oval for those looking for a reduction in weight or a smaller gripping surface (for those with smaller hands). The LT is 1 1/8″ long and weighs just 17 ounces – just a hair more than a standard handrim (standard handrims typically weigh 13-15 ounces).

The Surge attaches to the wheel through either a Tab or Rivet Nut mount (depending on the type of wheel). For a Tab mount, connecting screws go perpendicular to the wheelchair axle into the wheel rim and through flat tabs on the handrim.

• Lightweight, all-in-one single component.
• Gription Strip improves traction on every push.
• Oval shape comes in two sizes to fit the hand. (we have smaller Surge LT)
• Smooth side surface means no-burn braking.
• Close-in mount or wide mount options. (we have 6 long tab “standard” tab mounts on the Spinergy LX rim’s.)
• Fits on all wheel sizes from 20″ to 26″ (we have 24” 540’s)
• MSRP: Surge – $315/pair and the Surge LT – $340/pair. (we paid $277.75, but they have since gone down to $252.75)

http://www.out-front.com/surge_overview.php http://www.sportaid.com/the-surge-wheelchair-handrims.html