Carbon wheelchair rims are the latest and greatest things to recently enter the world of wheelchair wheels. Carbon rims are lightweight and aerodynamic, and most commonly used by bicycle racers who are concerned about their racing time. For wheelchair use, carbon rims make the wheelchair lighter weight and easier to maneuver. Carbon rims can make every day use of a wheelchair easier and more comfortable, and can also benefit a wheelchair athlete who is concerned about a rigid wheel and the ability to speed as fast as possible.

Carbon rims have been invented with the help of technology, access to new and improved materials and the ability to manufacture them at an affordable price. 'Affordable' does not mean that they are cheap by any extent of the imagination. They are quite a bit more expensive than regular rims, but can still be purchased by people who really need and want them.

Some people who use carbon wheelchair rims have described them as strong and durable, yet extremely light. The rims provide the person sitting in the wheelchair with a smooth ride and a feeling of total control over speed, acceleration and the ability to quickly stop. For anyone who wants to take a wheelchair off a smooth surface, carbon wheelchair rims are a must. These rims provide a wheelchair with traction and the ability to operate the wheelchair on tricky terrain.

If the wheelchair in use is already "ultra light", the type of rim that is used on the chair will really make a difference. When a wheelchair is enduring a bumpy ride, such as on a dirt or gravel road, specific types of rims as well as shock absorbers and wide tires will all help the rider feel more comfortable and in control.

A person in a wheelchair who has never ventured in a wheelchair off a smooth surface may feel afraid to take their wheelchair anywhere with a questionable riding surface. However, if the wheelchair is equipped with the right rims and wheels, it can be taken on just about any surface.

Specific types of tires and carbon wheelchair rims can increase a wheelchair’s speed and maneuverability. Therefore, when new tires and rims are placed on a wheelchair, the wheelchair’s brake system must be adjusted accordingly. The wheelchair user must also spend time getting used to the wheelchair’s new 'feel'.

The most common people who use carbon wheelchair rims are those who are wheelchair athletes. Just as a professional cyclist uses carbon rims on a bicycle to ensure the best speed, control and ease of riding, a wheelchair athlete looks for the same qualities in wheelchair tires and rims.

For a wheelchair athlete, carbon wheelchair rims are useful for anyone who wants the wheelchair to speed as fast as possible and also e as sturdy as possible. Because of their light weight and their feeling of being rigid, carbon wheels are a great asset to athletes in wheelchairs. Even athletes who participate in the Paraolympics usually utilize carbon wheelchair rims during competition.

Bicycle shops may be the first place to start shopping for carbon wheelchair rims. A bicycle shop may seem like a strange place to shop for wheelchair rims, but bicycle shops usually specialize in finding the best rims for a cyclist and a bicycle. Since the wheelchair’s wheel is in the same general family as the bicycle’s wheel, a good bicycle shop can be a great resource.

Many bicycle shops can help a person in a wheelchair fit and order handmade carbon rims for a wheelchair. The bicycle shops will work with the various bicycle rim manufacturers to ensure the best rim for a wheelchair and, in turn, make the rims beneficial to the wheelchair owner.