PERFORMANCE METER: VLADWEL/ISTOCK.COM, WHEELCHAIR WHEEL: NERTHUZ/ISTOCK.COM
It seems almost sacrilegious to talk about “improving” today’s
ultralightweight manual wheelchairs. They’re design and engineering
masterpieces that use materials — aerospace aluminum,
titanium, carbon fiber — we equate with racecars or space flight.
Once the chair’s owner is added to the equation, with his or her
unique measurements, many of today’s ultralight chairs become
one-of-a-kind vehicles.
Yet, engineers, ATPs, clinicians and consumers reach for more.
These aftermarket choices can further personalize ultralightweight
chairs. Learn more about performance possibilities at the
International Seating Symposium (see Type of product: Solid backrest
A backrest and cushion are
usually the largest contributors
to the overall rolling weight of an
ultralightweight system. No other
two products can so significantly
affect an ultralightweight chair in
the same way. A carbon side guard
vs. aluminum may save ounces, but
a carbon backrest or lightweight
cushion can save pounds. Unlike the cushion, the backrest itself
also generally remains mounted to the frame when a rigid frame
loads into a vehicle, so that weight is felt every time one loads.
The new Carbon Agility is incredibly lightweight at 1.8 lbs., but
also maintains angle adjustability for optimizing the final fit. This
allows many users to select a fixed backrest with the ability to
still fine-tune their final backrest angle, which also saves significant
weight. The new ROHO Hybrid Elite seat cushion offers a
lightweight contoured foam base for enhanced stability plus the
trusted skin protection of ROHO cells in the seat well. ROHO,
(800) 851-3449; roho.com
APEX CARBON
Type of product:
Ultralightweight carbon
rigid wheelchair
Designed to optimize ride,
reduce weight and provide
optimal stability and performance,
the new APEX uses
state-of-the-art carbon manufacturing technology to produce a
frame that is lightest in its class, but also durable and adjustable.
With a special rigidizing system, the APEX delivers the smooth
ride you expect from carbon, but also increases lateral stability and responsiveness. With durability in mind, the carbon is
carefully molded to specific specifications and tested to ISO and
ANSI/RESNA standards. Special attention is given to the number
and direction of carbon layers in specific frame areas. The frame
is further protected from daily wear and tear by innovative
integrated frame protectors that help to keep the frame looking
like new. A transport weight of just 9.2 lbs. helps to minimize the
impact of propulsion and lifting the chair during vehicle transfers.
Motion Composites, (866) 650-6555; motioncomposites.com
VELOCE
Type of product:
Ultralightweight
folding wheelchair
The VELOCE uses
state-of-the-art carbon
manufacturing technology
to create a frame
that is light, durable
and adjustable. With
a patented symmetrical
cross brace, the user
will experience a level of stiffness and
responsiveness not usually found in a folding frame. The design
of the Symmetrical Molded Cross Brace, the Rigid Unibody
Frame and the Ultrarigid Folding System work in unison to
reduce flex and torsion in the frame to ensure that propulsion is
most efficient. The unique Mantis Frame with its fixed front end
and rigid footplate further improves the rigidity of the chair and
allows you to maximize positioning of lower extremities. Motion
Composites, (866) 650-6555; motioncomposites.com
OUTDOOR WHEEL PACKAGE
Type of product: Off-road wheels
Spinergy’s Outdoor Wheel Package is
designed with push efficiency in mind.
It combines the award-winning LX
wheel and its ultralight PBO spoke
technology with wide, knobby tires
that ensure maximum traction on
rugged terrain. Spinergy’s patented
PBO spokes are three times stronger
than steel at half the weight, which not
only creates lightweight durability, but
also makes them guaranteed to stay
in place and in true over any bump in
the road. The package includes a complete installation of all parts
needed for off-road rims: Spinergy Light Extreme “LX” wheels,
a silver aluminum pushrim, Kenda Nevegal black non-marking
knobby tires, steel Spinergy axles, a black or silver hub, as well as
the choice of any Spinergy spoke colors: black, blue, red, yellow,
white, orange, green or pink. Rim sizes: 22″, 24″ and 25″ diameters.
Spinergy Inc., (760) 496-2121; spinergy.com
ZX-1 POWER ADD-ON
Type of product: Power
add-on
Compact in size, the ZX-1 Power Add-On
attaches to any manual wheelchair’s camber
tube (camber tube addition available for
some folding chair models) and can be
autonomously operated by the user
via the joystick. By simply parking
over the unit and pressing a button,
the automatic attachment or detachment
takes seconds, allowing for
instant conversion and access to life-enhancing options. Thanks
to two powerful 24-volt gear-driven electric motors commonly
found on most large power chairs, it has the ability to operate
on many surfaces, including gravel, hard pack, rocky terrain,
thick grass and hills. The ZX-1 is as robust as most power chairs,
but only weighs 82 lbs. and tucks underneath the wheelchair,
preserving the user’s original overall width. The ZX-1 adds only
about 3″ in length. Its compact size makes the ZX-1 ideal for
airline travel and use in homes and spaces with narrow doorways.
Spinergy Inc., (760) 496-2121; spinergy.com
ELEVATION
Type of product: Ultralight
chair with dynamic seating
Elevation enables increased
function, independence and
comfort. Suitable for a range
of users, it allows them to
embrace daily activities.
Unique features including gas
strut suspensions, an ultralightweight
frame, dynamic
seat height and adjustable back
angle make for a highly adaptable chair. PDG Mobility,
(888) 858-4422; pdgmobility.com
SMARTDRIVE MX2
Type of product: Powerassist
system
The SmartDrive gives
wheelchair users the
freedom to do more. They
can cruise up the steepest
ramps and sidewalks.
Even thick, padded hotel
carpet is no problem. The
SmartDrive has an anti-rollback feature that allows its user to
stop on a hill and then easily get going again. The system is like a
cruise control, with users setting the speed by the speed of their
push. Users turn using the pushrims, just as they would turn
while going downhill. SmartDrive is intuitive to use: Push to go,
and tap, then brake to stop. SmartDrive moves with the chair
and is so lightweight, users don’t even know it’s there. Capable of
going for miles on a single charge, SmartDrive can spin in place,
be in a wheelie, or hop off curbs. Max Mobility, (800) 637-2980;
max-mobility.com
RIBGRIPS
Type of product: Ergonomic handrim
Designed by a veteran with quadriplegia, RibGrips feature soft rib
discs that offer 360° of gripping surface molded over aluminum
hand rings that attach to most standard wheelchair wheels. The
patent-pending design provides users with a better grip that can
facilitate range of motion and function. RibGrips’ proprietary
thermal plastic material is soft, yet extremely resistant to tearing,
peeling or separation from strikes. RibGrips, available through
Numotion, fit most standard 24″ handrims; conversion hardware
for 25″ rims is available. Numotion; ShopNumotion.com
ROGUE XP
Type of product:
Ultralight chair
with growth
Designed with
maximum adjustability
and growability,
Ki Mobility’s Rogue
XP can accommodate
young people as they
grow and go. With
expanders, Rogue XP
can be grown up to 3″ in width. Depth adjustment
is predetermined by you on the order form with the option
of up to 3″ of additional growth. Rogue XP is offered in widths of
10-18″ and depths of 10-20″. But despite all that adjustability and
those growth options, the Rogue XP provides a perfect combination
of rigidity and reduced vibration dampening to create an
ultra-responsive ride. Rogue XP owners can choose frame, accent,
release cable and wheel color for a customized look. Ki Mobility,
(800) 981-1540; kimobility.com