Hi all,
I’m new to driving, currently taking lessons in anticipation of having my pony trained to drive. I’m starting to look at carts for sale and was wondering if someone could explain the advantages and disadvantages of larger wooden wheels verses pneumatic tires. My plan is to drive on and off road and I’d really prefer not to be rattled and bumped along, if that is a factor.
Thanks in advance.
It really depends on your vehicle and your overall style- I think the pros and cons are pretty evenly divided and it really just comes down to what style you are after.
The wooden wheels with rubber on them are not noisy at all (the metal rims- yes- horrid noisy!)
The suspension of the vehicle, assuming it has springs somewhere- if not the axle- at least under the seat- will absorb most of the rumble of the road or terrain- I really think the difference would be next to nothing in terms of how it rides.
Pneumatic tires can get flats- on the other hand- you can get anyone to work on a regular tire rim- but if the rubber on a wooden wheel needs work- there are just a few specialty shops who can help you.
It’s my feeling that larger wooden wheels make a much easier pull- and I also like the added height they build into the vehicle. (On the flipside- small wheels make great easy entry designs!) The drawback is in looser footing- like hard sand- a pneumatic tire can float on the surface where a thinner large wheel would cut in and bog down.
If you plan on competing in ADS combined driving events, pneumatic tires are not allowed above training level.
If you are planning to just drive for fun and not compete, I would go with pneumatic!!
There are huge differences in the quality of air filled tires, and the rims they fit on, which can aid or really make your vehicle a problem to deal with. On carts, 2-wheeled, quality can range from people using actual bicycle spoked rims, with bicycle tires on them. These are the worst of choices, and often have problems even in very controlled settings like an arena with groomed surfaces. Those kind of wheels and rims are not made for the sideways pull, rough ride they often get with an equine out front. The rubber will roll off the rim, the spoked rim itself can fold in half on turns. They also have a very bad reputation for flipping if you go over rough ground with any bit of speed. Doesn’t matter if you are a small or large person, you WILL get flipped out if the wheel starts bouncing. Stuff like that is only PART of why those cheaper, metal pipe, bicycle wheeled carts are not recommended.
Some bicycle LOOKING wheels, actually are built heavier, though still built for use on groomed surface, like the Jerald and Houghton spoked wheels on air filled tires. Their carts are NOT metal, very good quality vehicles. Probably not what you would want for field or trail driving, unless you got their optional wooden wheels and changed them over.
You can move up in rim quality, like motorcycle rims with MUCH heavier spokes, or the motocross rims with just a few spoke, which will carry the heavier motorcycle tires. We have heard a lot of good reports when people have changed their cart wheels to these heavier rims and wheels, especially good for sand driving like Florida trails.
On a number of carts, the makers are offering a metal tube-spoked wheel, on rubber tires or flat rubber. Either of these wheels are built pretty tough, could go on groomed surfaces like roads, arena, or cross country fields and trails with confidence. The air filled ones give a tiny bit of more cushion to the ride, than solid rubber will. But you HAVE TO PAY attention to keeping them aired up to the correct pressure, so they are doing the job correctly. So for me, that means checking them each time you get ready to hitch and drive that vehicle. Outside air conditions of cold or heat, can change what the pressure of the tire shows when you check it. Like trailer tire pressures! Not checking often, will eventually get you in trouble, maybe damage a wheel.
Wooden wheels on solid rubber tires (the part going around the outside rim) are a traditional wheel, look nice, are some what lighter than the metal tube-spoked wheels above. They can be worked on by any wheelwright, should they need attention for some reason. The hard rubber lasts a VERY long time for lots of use. Beyond looking them over to make sure they are not bent, rubber tire is not gaping apart, they are pretty non-care wheels, beyond your regular maintenance of the cart itself. Wood wheels on solid rubber can take great stresses, rough ground, quite well. I have never had them be noisy. They do need to be kept straight, which is what you look at in vehicle inspections. The more modern, smaller dimension wooden wheels made are truly straight up and down, while the large sized wheels have a “dish” built in, which is part of the strength. Doing some ring work exercises with horse, over and over, with speed, CAN get the dish pulled out so wheel needs repair. We have done that! Had to take the wheel to the Wheelwright to put the dish back in. Quit doing that exercise, never had any problem with the wheels again.
The wooden wheels with rubber are very good wheels, for almost every kind of driving. They are often the only acceptable wheel for showing, depending on where the Driving Classes are held. Many places don’t allow air-filled tires because of the many problems in the past. So if you show, you may want two sets of wheels, can change to the wooden if needed for rules, or air filled HEAVY built tires and rims for the extra cushion ride at home.
If I only had one wheel choice, I would get the solid rubber tire wheel, metal or wood spokes. Then fix the seat ride with spring changes. Leaf springs over coiled spring are a huge improvement. Do you have a seat back on the vehicle? THAT addition will greatly help the ride and comfort of your vehicle. Get a vehicle that FITS the animal, not too big or too small, shafts should ride level on his sides when correctly sized and hitched.
Thanks you so much for your responses, that is just the info I was looking for. I’m not planning to show, but I think I would prefer the wood wheels with solid rubber. My coach only has four wheel carriages and the only cart I’ve tried was a very low end Easy entry, so not a great test vehicle.
I did garner from other threads that with pneumatic tires, bicycle wheels are not good, motorcycle wheels are better and purpose built are ideal. I’m a year away from buying, as my pony isn’t yet full grown (he’s only 18mths old, I’m planning to ground work with him next year and wait until he is three to put to, if all goes as planned). At this point I’m thinking that for quality for the money, the Lite and Ez cart by Country Carriages migth be the best choice and I like that I could get the wood wheels with it. Maybe I can save for an upgrade to Country road cart, but that might be a long shot.
Another option is to keep the wheels that come with pneumatic tires, but switch to airless tires. I’ve been driving easy entry carts with airless tires for ten years now and have not had a problem. I drive over very rough ground, take turns at a canter, and so far, so good.
Airless bike tires are expensive but well worth not having a flat.
Rebecca
