Sci OTR

sproutbeanie · 03-09-2010, 11:14 AM

Sorry if I`m being a nuisance, but do you think there would be more of an advantage to me to buy a Razorblade beacause it can be adjusted, or stick with the Crossfire T6 which I was able to sit in with an ergo seat already installed. I sat in the razorblade and the guy was very meticulous about measuring me, but this chair has a 90 degree front angle, and I have chosed 85 degrees on the crossfire. The guy with razorblade said he could extend frame length from 31" to 32" to give me 85 degrees, or just offset the footrest to give the same effect. He was going to order an ergo seat for me, but without being to actually sit in a Razorblade I`m a bit unsure if it will be as comfy as the Crossfire. I know I am being slightly swayed in favour of the razorblade just because of the upholstery and frame choices, but thats not going to improve my ride comfort lol Colours guy also suggested 25" wheels not 24" would that stop me sitting up to my dining table? Floor to bottom of table is 24"... The guy selling the Crossfire said I looked to be sitting fine in it, but didnt actually measure me...

Please help or else I will be being pushed around in a wheelbarrow if I dont come to a decision soon!!

Are spinergys worth the money... can sun glance wheels be added to the Crossfire or the Razorblade? Are they reliable?

I am 5ft 5 tall and weight about 11 1/4 stone, my shoulders are quite strong for lifting. I measure 16 1/4 when I sit between 2 wooden blocks to measure my bum lol

Patrick Madsen · 03-09-2010, 11:51 AM

Would be nice if we knew your level of injury or disability. How a person should sit in their chair depends a lot on the level of injury and function. Perhaps fill out your information in your bio.

Normally, a chair with adjustments is heavier than those without.

sproutbeanie · 03-09-2010, 02:10 PM

Sorry, I am not sci, I have had 4 strokes, I am paralysed from my right knee down, my right arm is weaker than my left, but can propel chair. My arm gives me most trouble when I am trying to do fiddly things like fastening buttons. Both my knees are unstable and my lower back is weak. I have lost my peripheral vision in my right eye. I do not have any pressure issues. I pull myself up using my car door and sort of swing into car. I can use elbow crutches for a very short distance, depending on how bad my knees are, but this really makes my shoulders hurt. Thanks for all your help on here I do appreciate it. Choosing a suitable chair is very difficult.

Patrick Madsen · 03-09-2010, 02:31 PM

If your balance is good, and you trust your DME, person selling you the chair, I would go with the Top End Crossfire. Make sure that he/she doesn't make it too wide or long. They seem to always want to add 1 or 2"s to the width in case we gain weight. Thing is, our bodies seem to gravitate to the width of the chair or we slide to one side and eventually develope a lean. Are you planning on side guards, they are worth it as they help us from sliding to one side and keeping clothes from rubbing on the wheels.

What width and length are you looking at. I use Spinergy's and like them a lot. I feel they are way overpriced. A few new ones have come out in competiton of the Spinergy's; Round Bettys' and the Sun Fusion 16. Any wheel, as long as it has the same axle diameter will fit. A person may have to change the axle length to accomadate the width of the wheel hub.

Some people like the 90degree front angle. I don't, it puts my feet too far underneath me and when I go to reach for something, I feel like I am falling out. I have an 85o on my ZRA and will be going to an 80o on my Tr. The Tr will be a shorter frame so the length of the chair will be shorter.

It might be a good idea to post the messurements and options that you want after your dme measures you out. Have you read some of the posts here re looking for new chair. SCI-OTR and TOTO seems to have a good grasp on what's what for new chair designs. Where are you located.

sproutbeanie · 03-09-2010, 03:00 PM

Crossfire guy suggested an 18" wide seat, I think this is a bit too wide. I like to feel snug in a chair, or else I do tend to lean a bit to the right. I was going to have fold-in side guards, and anti tips until I get used to the chair. I think the seat should be 16" front to back so that is doesnt rub the back of my knees. But I am not sure what the guy put on the form. Do you think a 17" chair would be ok. They seem reluctant to write down the measurements and give them to me, maybe to prevent me buying elsewhere.. ?

The only measurements I have written down were from the guy with the quickie helium, he suggested 42 cm front to back, 46 cm wide seat, 40 cm rear seat to floor, 50 cm front seat to floor, and 40 cm back. I dont know if these make sense. That backrest height seems very high to me.

At present I just have a Karma ergo 115 self propel, quite a standard folding type chair, but fairly light for family to load into the car. But this isnt suitable for me to load in.

The difference between pushing a rigid chair rather than the one I have now is enormous and should be a great benefit to me. I have heard of the sun fusion wheels, just the spinergy`s are a well known name to me.

I live in the UK.

sproutbeanie · 03-09-2010, 03:02 PM

I found the 85 degree quite comfortable, the 90 degree seemed to tuck my feet too far under the chair . I know the 90 degree might make transfers slightly easier, but I dont want to feel like I am tipping forward, or too tucked up. With a tapered front end and ergo seat.

Patrick Madsen · 03-09-2010, 03:26 PM

Converting to US standards it looks like they have measured you for an 16.5x18 frame with 19" in the front and 15" in the rear. 4" dump. For me, 18" is very wide for a person who measures 16 1/4". 4" dump is usuually what the higher SCI paras and quads use. If you have good balance, less dump is usually called for. The back height does seem a little tall but it can be adjusted easily.

Normally, once we figure out how we want to sit, we get a non adjustable chair. It's critical that the measurements are right as far a frame width and length. Will your chair be ordered or is it one he has in stock? If he is hesitant about writing down the measurments, I wonder what he will be like after he has sold you a chair.
For me, I like it to have as small an imprint as possible, snug and short without being too radical front end. 85o is a good angle.

Have you looked at any of the other chair manufactuers. I'm not a big fan of Quickie wheelchairs, I feel their quality and parts have gone down and their service well, sucks.

sproutbeanie · 03-09-2010, 03:38 PM

I looked at the quickie helium, but wasnt over keen on that. I tried RGK, but they have a 12 week order waiting time. The crossfire guy was going to order my chair he said about 6 weeks. My core muscles are a bit weak, maybe 4 " is too much, but I like a bit of a "dip" at the rear. It seems to help me to push the chair. The other chair I tried sitting was a Kuschall K4, but this had 90 degree angle, and the Razorblade. What width seat do you think would be suitable when I measure 16 1.4", would 17 or a 17 1/2 be ok?

amyk · 03-09-2010, 03:41 PM

are you paying yourself or are you getting a voucher? it may be worth it to price a few chairs on sportaid.com and spinlife.com even as comparison. its not that much to ship to uk, and you wont have to pay tax as it goes through customs. though you should doublecheck that, as they may have switched around... also look at mbees.co.uk

dont let them submit anything for order with letting you at least check over the form. i once got a chair from a guy in glasgow - he ticked the wrong box on the form and put me down for a 34cm seat (im 36cm). i only found out because i practically stole a copy of his order form, and when i got home i saw it and immediately rang him. but i didnt follow up on it, so i didnt find out he had literally gone to the other end of the scale and put me down for a 44cm seat......chair arrives, and the first words out of my mouth are 'what the hell is that?'

youll do better if you assume all dealers are money-hungry idiots, until proven otherwise on an individual basis.

sproutbeanie · 03-09-2010, 03:48 PM

I will bear those thoughts in mind

I am paying for the chair myself, when I got my first chair I was discharged from hospital and told to "manage" with a commode with wheels on for 2-3 months until I could be assessed! My husband bought me a chair, I could not possibly wait that long. You never imagine coming home from hospital, and your husband having to carry you into the house from the car! The NHS is a mess.

I find it annoying that when you buy chairs they give you a starting price then add all the good "options" at extra cost! The guy who I saw about the crossfire uses a chair himself and he seemed trustworthy... but you never know... I hate to get taken advantage of!

03-09-2010, 11:14 AM	#1
sproutbeanie Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 30	Sci OTR Sorry if I`m being a nuisance, but do you think there would be more of an advantage to me to buy a Razorblade beacause it can be adjusted, or stick with the Crossfire T6 which I was able to sit in with an ergo seat already installed. I sat in the razorblade and the guy was very meticulous about measuring me, but this chair has a 90 degree front angle, and I have chosed 85 degrees on the crossfire. The guy with razorblade said he could extend frame length from 31" to 32" to give me 85 degrees, or just offset the footrest to give the same effect. He was going to order an ergo seat for me, but without being to actually sit in a Razorblade I`m a bit unsure if it will be as comfy as the Crossfire. I know I am being slightly swayed in favour of the razorblade just because of the upholstery and frame choices, but thats not going to improve my ride comfort lol Colours guy also suggested 25" wheels not 24" would that stop me sitting up to my dining table? Floor to bottom of table is 24"... The guy selling the Crossfire said I looked to be sitting fine in it, but didnt actually measure me... Please help or else I will be being pushed around in a wheelbarrow if I dont come to a decision soon!! Are spinergys worth the money... can sun glance wheels be added to the Crossfire or the Razorblade? Are they reliable? I am 5ft 5 tall and weight about 11 1/4 stone, my shoulders are quite strong for lifting. I measure 16 1/4 when I sit between 2 wooden blocks to measure my bum lol

03-09-2010, 03:00 PM	#5
sproutbeanie Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 30	Crossfire guy suggested an 18" wide seat, I think this is a bit too wide. I like to feel snug in a chair, or else I do tend to lean a bit to the right. I was going to have fold-in side guards, and anti tips until I get used to the chair. I think the seat should be 16" front to back so that is doesnt rub the back of my knees. But I am not sure what the guy put on the form. Do you think a 17" chair would be ok. They seem reluctant to write down the measurements and give them to me, maybe to prevent me buying elsewhere.. ? The only measurements I have written down were from the guy with the quickie helium, he suggested 42 cm front to back, 46 cm wide seat, 40 cm rear seat to floor, 50 cm front seat to floor, and 40 cm back. I dont know if these make sense. That backrest height seems very high to me. At present I just have a Karma ergo 115 self propel, quite a standard folding type chair, but fairly light for family to load into the car. But this isnt suitable for me to load in. The difference between pushing a rigid chair rather than the one I have now is enormous and should be a great benefit to me. I have heard of the sun fusion wheels, just the spinergy`s are a well known name to me. I live in the UK. Last edited by sproutbeanie; 03-09-2010 at 03:06 PM.

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03-09-2010, 11:51 AM	#2
Patrick Madsen Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Blaine, Wa Posts: 3,875	Would be nice if we knew your level of injury or disability. How a person should sit in their chair depends a lot on the level of injury and function. Perhaps fill out your information in your bio. Normally, a chair with adjustments is heavier than those without.

03-09-2010, 02:10 PM	#3
sproutbeanie Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 30	Sorry, I am not sci, I have had 4 strokes, I am paralysed from my right knee down, my right arm is weaker than my left, but can propel chair. My arm gives me most trouble when I am trying to do fiddly things like fastening buttons. Both my knees are unstable and my lower back is weak. I have lost my peripheral vision in my right eye. I do not have any pressure issues. I pull myself up using my car door and sort of swing into car. I can use elbow crutches for a very short distance, depending on how bad my knees are, but this really makes my shoulders hurt. Thanks for all your help on here I do appreciate it. Choosing a suitable chair is very difficult.

03-09-2010, 02:31 PM	#4
Patrick Madsen Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Blaine, Wa Posts: 3,875	If your balance is good, and you trust your DME, person selling you the chair, I would go with the Top End Crossfire. Make sure that he/she doesn't make it too wide or long. They seem to always want to add 1 or 2"s to the width in case we gain weight. Thing is, our bodies seem to gravitate to the width of the chair or we slide to one side and eventually develope a lean. Are you planning on side guards, they are worth it as they help us from sliding to one side and keeping clothes from rubbing on the wheels. What width and length are you looking at. I use Spinergy's and like them a lot. I feel they are way overpriced. A few new ones have come out in competiton of the Spinergy's; Round Bettys' and the Sun Fusion 16. Any wheel, as long as it has the same axle diameter will fit. A person may have to change the axle length to accomadate the width of the wheel hub. Some people like the 90degree front angle. I don't, it puts my feet too far underneath me and when I go to reach for something, I feel like I am falling out. I have an 85o on my ZRA and will be going to an 80o on my Tr. The Tr will be a shorter frame so the length of the chair will be shorter. It might be a good idea to post the messurements and options that you want after your dme measures you out. Have you read some of the posts here re looking for new chair. SCI-OTR and TOTO seems to have a good grasp on what's what for new chair designs. Where are you located.

03-09-2010, 03:02 PM	#6
sproutbeanie Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 30	I found the 85 degree quite comfortable, the 90 degree seemed to tuck my feet too far under the chair . I know the 90 degree might make transfers slightly easier, but I dont want to feel like I am tipping forward, or too tucked up. With a tapered front end and ergo seat.

03-09-2010, 03:26 PM	#7
Patrick Madsen Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Blaine, Wa Posts: 3,875	Converting to US standards it looks like they have measured you for an 16.5x18 frame with 19" in the front and 15" in the rear. 4" dump. For me, 18" is very wide for a person who measures 16 1/4". 4" dump is usuually what the higher SCI paras and quads use. If you have good balance, less dump is usually called for. The back height does seem a little tall but it can be adjusted easily. Normally, once we figure out how we want to sit, we get a non adjustable chair. It's critical that the measurements are right as far a frame width and length. Will your chair be ordered or is it one he has in stock? If he is hesitant about writing down the measurments, I wonder what he will be like after he has sold you a chair. For me, I like it to have as small an imprint as possible, snug and short without being too radical front end. 85o is a good angle. Have you looked at any of the other chair manufactuers. I'm not a big fan of Quickie wheelchairs, I feel their quality and parts have gone down and their service well, sucks.

03-09-2010, 03:38 PM	#8
sproutbeanie Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 30	I looked at the quickie helium, but wasnt over keen on that. I tried RGK, but they have a 12 week order waiting time. The crossfire guy was going to order my chair he said about 6 weeks. My core muscles are a bit weak, maybe 4 " is too much, but I like a bit of a "dip" at the rear. It seems to help me to push the chair. The other chair I tried sitting was a Kuschall K4, but this had 90 degree angle, and the Razorblade. What width seat do you think would be suitable when I measure 16 1.4", would 17 or a 17 1/2 be ok?

03-09-2010, 03:41 PM	#9
amyk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,238	are you paying yourself or are you getting a voucher? it may be worth it to price a few chairs on sportaid.com and spinlife.com even as comparison. its not that much to ship to uk, and you wont have to pay tax as it goes through customs. though you should doublecheck that, as they may have switched around... also look at mbees.co.uk dont let them submit anything for order with letting you at least check over the form. i once got a chair from a guy in glasgow - he ticked the wrong box on the form and put me down for a 34cm seat (im 36cm). i only found out because i practically stole a copy of his order form, and when i got home i saw it and immediately rang him. but i didnt follow up on it, so i didnt find out he had literally gone to the other end of the scale and put me down for a 44cm seat......chair arrives, and the first words out of my mouth are 'what the hell is that?' youll do better if you assume all dealers are money-hungry idiots, until proven otherwise on an individual basis.

03-09-2010, 03:48 PM	#10
sproutbeanie Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 30	I will bear those thoughts in mind I am paying for the chair myself, when I got my first chair I was discharged from hospital and told to "manage" with a commode with wheels on for 2-3 months until I could be assessed! My husband bought me a chair, I could not possibly wait that long. You never imagine coming home from hospital, and your husband having to carry you into the house from the car! The NHS is a mess. I find it annoying that when you buy chairs they give you a starting price then add all the good "options" at extra cost! The guy who I saw about the crossfire uses a chair himself and he seemed trustworthy... but you never know... I hate to get taken advantage of!