is a 3 wheel or 4 wheel scooter easier?

[patty57]

Hi Everyone,
We will probably be renting a scooter for my mom in December. She is having a knee replacement tomorrow! She has no experience with scooters, but is willing to use one. Can you tell me which would be easier for her to learn/use? A 3 wheel or a 4 wheel? I'm not sure what the advantages of each would be.
TIA
Patty

 

[Belle1997]

I have owned a 3 wheeler and now own a 4 wheel scooter. Personally I like the 4 wheel better. Pros - nices ride on uneven pavement. More stable while making a turn. Nice foot rests to stretch out legs. Cons not as clos a turning radius.

3 wheel. Pros better turning radius than a 4 wheel. Usually a little smaller and les weight. But not enough to really make a difference. I did not feel as secure on a 3 wheel. Especially when turning going down a sloped side walk. If I took it too fast I felt like a was going to tip. Also on uneven places like cobble stone and AK was a lousy ride. Too much bouncing around.

So I would personally recomment a 4 wheel for your mom.

 

[pbrim]

It probably comes down to stability. Both should be just as easy to learn. I personally feel I have more leg room on a 3-wheel but that's a matter of personal perception. I prefer a 3-wheel because I find it more manuverable and I have no problems with stability. My friend who has other issues that affect her depth perception and sense of balance prefers a 4-wheel for stablity as she has come close to tipping over a 3-wheel

 

[clkelley]

For knee problems, DH much prefers a 3 wheel over a 4-wheel.

The wheel wells on a 4-wheel inhibits his ability to stretch out his legs and forces more of a 90 degree knee bend.

The three wheel allows his legs to be stretched out on either side of the center wheel which is a lot more comfortable.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A three wheel is much more maneuverable than a four wheel.

 

[patty57]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Looks like the 3 wheel for maneuverability or the 4 wheel for stability. Knowing that, she can decide which is more important for her.
Thanks again.

 

[Belle1997]

I have a pride elite traveller and it is a 4 wheel I can stretch my legs out really comfortablly. It really comes down to comfort and security. I have thought of going to a place that sells them and have your Mom try them out or you could to get a feel for them.

 

[patty57]

That's a good idea Belle. She's having her knee replacement as I write this. When she's better, we'll find a place that sells/rents them and she can check them out for herself. There is also a pretty good chance that my Dad may be using it a little when my Mom wants to walk. He will be 87 when we go in December, but he doesn't seem to know it. We'll have to say he's doing my Mom a favor by letting her walk a bit. He does have some balance issues, so the 4 wheel scooter would probably be better for when he uses it.
Patty

 

[Bete]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Looks like the 3 wheel for maneuverability or the 4 wheel for stability. Knowing that, she can decide which is more important for her.
Thanks again.

The store doesn't have to know you are not buying one. They will let you do a test drive. Go to a place that's big enough to have 3 and 4 wheel models.