yet another ZRa order questions thread

[McDuff]

Ok, I have read most of the ZR/a posts, and am starting another in hopes of getting good feedback from y'all.

I am going from a Tilite SX(folder) to the ZRa, I have had this chair for almost 5 yrs and want to move to rigid, since I have a van and never fold this thing anymore. I am not going radical or anything, just kind of replicating what I have,mostly, since this is only my 2nd chair.

Working with a DME rep(who was a PT I worked with before), here are the basic measurements she and I have worked out:

Seat W/D = 18"x18"
Front Seat Height = 18.5"
Rear Seat Height = 17"
Seat to Footrest = 16.5"
Folding backrest w/ fold down push handles
4" rigidizer bar
Seat back angle = 89
COG = 2.25
Rear Wheel Spacing = ? (we missed this today)
Camber = 2 degrees
Front Angle = 85
C Package (so far/maybe?)
Footrest width = 14"
Front wheels = 4x1.5 poly
Rear wheels = Spinergy Spox 25" solid tires
Std handrims, short tab
Wheel locks - uni lock
Side guards - alum removable

Questions:
C Package - does it automatically add the extra 1" to frame length? For some reason I seem to think I read that somewhere.
After doing a bunch of thread viewing, I think the extra 1" is kind of a necessity, I run a little front heavy, as getting in my van wants to flip me.

Which front end style(V or Taper) is better for splaying legs? My right leg splays more than left and gets a big divot in the upper calf resting against the legrest. Do I want the bend lower or just a V? Still undecided on which I "like" better for looks. And going from the order form, it seems the seat will get tapered some with either, going from 18"seat to 14"footplate. True?

Anybody(SCI_OTR? ) got pics of the Ti fold down push handles? I like the idea, but would be nice to see real life. We talked about using a J3 back, hope that would/will work with them.

uh oh, laptop is out of juice, back later. Any and all comments, my omits, whatever, welcomed.

[november]

The following link shows pics of the different options including the fold down push handles: http://www.tilite.com/pdf/TiLite_Options.pdf

I think standard rear spacing is 1". Anything more than that I would think is overkill and will just widen the overall chair too much.

Without the C package, your 18" frame will taper to the 14" footrest. It will not be V shaped, but have the two kinks/bends in the tubing then go straight down.

Just read your post again, your seat won't be tapered at all with standard tapered frame. Just the down tubes from seat to footrest would be tapered. If you want a smaller/tapered actual seating area then you need to go with C package. I've heard guys don't like the tapered seat though bc legs are too close together and no breathing room.

To my knowledge, the C package doesn't add the 1" extra to the frame. If you want that then you need to specify it earlier in the form under the "Seat Depth" section and it's an additional $150. What you probably read is that the 90 degree front end automatically adds an inch before the bend.

The tapered end may keep your legs from frogging, but they also may create pressure on your legs if your legs are pressed up against it. Maybe try measuring how far your legs frog out in current chair and see if that measurement is greater than what the tapered end would be. That may give you an idea if the tapered end is going to be in too close of contact with legs.

The C package consists of tapered seat and/or v front end. The tapered seat will be the part you sit on itself, that frame. If it tapers in too much I would worry regular cushions would fit it fine in the back, but be too wide in the front unless you get a customized cushion cut that way. Also a tapered seat will bring legs in and more close together. If you get C package and choose no seat taper, an 18" frame will still taper to 15.5" at the front of the seat sling/tubing according to the order form. If I were you and really wanted the V front end I would ask if you can get the V front and not have any seat taper.

Hope I made sense. Look at order form more closely, it has pics of C package options better than I can explain it. http://www.tilite.com/pdf/TiLite_ZR_ZRA.pdf

They now paint the titanium chairs, at no cost too. I know people say why paint titanium you'll get chips, but if you aren't hard on your chair and not loading it in/out vehicle then chips aren't an issue to begin with. So if you rather have a color instead of the titanium silver.............


sorry about any typos, i'm trying to multitask while i do homework so didn't proofread much!

[fuentejps]

what novie said mcd.
i like my legs open i only go taper the c package isnt necessary

[amyk]

hiya
about rear-wheel spacing, i went for the smallest available (3/4") and checked the option for extra spacers on the order form. so i ended up with all sizes - to change spacing you unscrew the axel sleeve from each end of the camber tube (i think it takes a 19mm spanner which is perhaps 3/4" in usa, or use an adjustable) and add/subtract/change spacers to change the gap between your tyres and your frame.

if youre mostly replicating measurements from your current chair, you wont have much of a problem staying with tilite, as most of what/where you measure is the same. but watch out that an extra inch in frame length might change some of your transfers. i got it because i ordered frogs legs, and i probably would have skipped the option otherwise. that would have been a huge mistake! that extra inch means that i have somewhere flat and secure to place my hand when i transfer, and also somewhere to sit if i wasnt paying attention and wobble during the transfer. it saves me over and over... theres also an increase in stability

but... as much as i like that extra inch, i know a lot of people dont - its going to place you an inch further away in a transfer, and that extra grab space may not compensate. i personally find it much easier to transfer, but youll have to decide.

[DaleB]

I hear that people whose legs splay prefer the V front end. This is due to the extra room it gives them without the 'kink' in the frame. Without the 'kink' of a standard tapered front end you also have a smooth frame rail to rest your legs against. Both of these attributes could be of benefit to you, it seems. To get the V front end you used to need the C pacakge, IIRC.

[McDuff]

November - thanks for a long informative reply, even during homework, much appreciated.

After zooming in on the Ti Options pdf(didn't do that before), that is a good pic of the push handles. Now not sure I like the looks of the fold down... did you wind up getting them? like them?

On rear wheel spacing, as long as I can get my thumb over the tire for grip and not smack anything I'm good. Are the sideguards inside the frame?

C Pack, I see where I got confused. The Column Headers for both footrest sections(in C, not C) looked the same. Now I see the C header says "Seat Taper" where the std just says "Taper", I was thinking they both were going to taper the seat anyways. I don't want a seat taper, and would like to go down to 14" footrest, kinda says I go w/o the C Package.

I've been in a satin Ti chair, so kinda used to it. W/o seeing a painted one in real life, I'd be afraid I would wind up with something I didn't like. I am planning on getting the anodized package for a little "bling", trying to decide between green and red. (wish the green was Kelly instead of apple, more Irish )


Fuente - How far up from your footrest does the "kink" happen on the downtubes? Does your leg hit/rest against this point any?

Amyk - did 3/4" wind up being to tight and you opened it up, or was it good for you?

I'm kinda leaning towards the extra 1", I think with the way I transfer it would be more help even if a touch further away. And I'm still worried about that short wheelbase, I like more stability.

DaleB - I agree with your thinking, but unless I could special order no seat taper, looks like I might have to wind up w/o a V.

Thanks folks.

[amyk]

when you get the c package, you can choose if you want a seat taper or v front, or both. i have both, i think sci-otr has just the v. when you order the package, it includes a tension adjustable-by-straps seat, which is otherwise an upgrade.

the 3/4" spacing is fine for me. i have 1" tires, and am able to wrap my hand from the inside upper edge of the tire to around the handrim, without touching my thumbsagainst the side guards. i have the flip-in cf small sideguards, and they are flush with the outside of my frame bars (which is where the seat width is measured to).

regarding the casters, i saw on sportaid that they now sell the anodised coloured hubs on their frogslegs soft rolls - it might be worth seeing what shade that green is...

[fuentejps]

my legs always touch the bars doesnt bother me.

Originally Posted by McDuff

November - thanks for a long informative reply, even during homework, much appreciated.

After zooming in on the Ti Options pdf(didn't do that before), that is a good pic of the push handles. Now not sure I like the looks of the fold down... did you wind up getting them? like them?

On rear wheel spacing, as long as I can get my thumb over the tire for grip and not smack anything I'm good. Are the sideguards inside the frame?

C Pack, I see where I got confused. The Column Headers for both footrest sections(in C, not C) looked the same. Now I see the C header says "Seat Taper" where the std just says "Taper", I was thinking they both were going to taper the seat anyways. I don't want a seat taper, and would like to go down to 14" footrest, kinda says I go w/o the C Package.

I've been in a satin Ti chair, so kinda used to it. W/o seeing a painted one in real life, I'd be afraid I would wind up with something I didn't like. I am planning on getting the anodized package for a little "bling", trying to decide between green and red. (wish the green was Kelly instead of apple, more Irish )


Fuente - How far up from your footrest does the "kink" happen on the downtubes? Does your leg hit/rest against this point any?

Amyk - did 3/4" wind up being to tight and you opened it up, or was it good for you?

I'm kinda leaning towards the extra 1", I think with the way I transfer it would be more help even if a touch further away. And I'm still worried about that short wheelbase, I like more stability.

DaleB - I agree with your thinking, but unless I could special order no seat taper, looks like I might have to wind up w/o a V.

Thanks folks.

[McDuff]

Kinda confused(normal for me),

According to the order form, with a 18" seat width and wanting a 14" footrest, I would automatically get a 1.5" seat taper with the C Pack. Seems like I would be stuck with a 15.5" footrest with no seat taper.

I just saw on the order form, I can't have 3/4" spacing since I have a 2 degree camber. So 1" it will be.

Don't see a green on the softrolls.


Fuente - Do you think you're legs would splay more if you had the V rather than the taper since the kink wouldn't be there?

Originally Posted by amyk

when you get the c package, you can choose if you want a seat taper or v front, or both. i have both, i think sci-otr has just the v. when you order the package, it includes a tension adjustable-by-straps seat, which is otherwise an upgrade.

the 3/4" spacing is fine for me. i have 1" tires, and am able to wrap my hand from the inside upper edge of the tire to around the handrim, without touching my thumbsagainst the side guards. i have the flip-in cf small sideguards, and they are flush with the outside of my frame bars (which is where the seat width is measured to).

regarding the casters, i saw on sportaid that they now sell the anodised coloured hubs on their frogslegs soft rolls - it might be worth seeing what shade that green is...

[amyk]

okay it is a bit confusing - i knew every single option when i was ordering my own chair, but that was 2 years ago, and its changed quite a bit since then. but i had another read of the forms...

you have to be very very careful when reading the order form to also read the directions for taking all the measurements. the most confusing iswhere you read that that a 'no taper' footrest is 2.5" narrower than your seat width...

remember that you have to measure your seat by the outside of the frame bars (and they are 1.25" each). if you want 18, its still 18...

if you dont want the c package (ie. if you want a tapered front, which has the kink), you have 3 taper options, but you have to measure the footrest inside the bars. that means that if you go for 14", it will be 16 outside the bars, and may be a little wider than you were expecting. the next option up is 12" inside measurement (and so 14.5 outside).
this is the standard option.

the c package costs $200 extra, but includes a tension adjustable-by-straps seat (otherwise a $150 upgrade). this means you can choose between a tapered seat and a v front, or you can choose both.

if you dont want a seat taper, where it sayd FRONT SEAT WIDTH just check the first box (under 'no taper') beside 18". it says its 15.5", but thats the inside measurement of the front seat width.

then you choose the v front - again it measures the footrest width inside the bars, but at a point 2.5" above the footrest...

for the casters, http://www.sportaid.com/product.php?...CAS&mode=build here are the ones i was talking about - it says you can get green, but i have no idea what kind.