Lightweight Folding Wheelchair...Argos

SPECIFICATION

  * Sturdily constructed lightweight wheelchair with padded seat.

  * Folding back rest and quick release wheels help ease transportation and storage.

  * 61cm/24in rear wheels.

  * Anti-tip bar.

  * Easy to dismantle for storage.

  * Folds for easy transportation/storage in most cars.

  * Folding backrest and quick release rear wheels (no tools required).

  * Weight of chair 14kg complete, 9kg without wheels and leg rests.

  * Thick padded seat and back rest for added comfort.

  * Pocket in back rest for valuables.

  * Flip back and swing away desk armrests for use at tables.

  * Pump and tools included for adjustments.

  * Tested to British Standards, SE and TUV approved for your peace of mind.

  * Seat width 46cm.

  * Back height 50cm.

  * Folded width 27cm.

  * Overall height 92cm.

  * Maximum user weight 115kg (18st).

Many thanks to Philip Pinel for this review -

It cost me £225 and the current Argos catalogue number is 045 0337.

It has pneumatic tyres and although a hand pump is thoughtfully included [and some tools for adjustments] I have no chance of inflating the tyres to the recommended 50 pounds pressure. Fortunately my electric pump that I use for my car fits the chair and so I do it the easy way.

The wheels are spoke type, not the alloy variety, and are very light. No idea whether the alloy sort fitted with puncture proof tyres are actually any lighter.

I purchased my chair in October 2005 and my main requirement was for a lightweight model that I could get in and out of the car easily. Having seen chairs at every price from £200 to £2000 I thought I would start cheap and if it was no good then I would not have lost much.

What is it like? Quite good, really. Although it is made in China [what isn't, you may ask] the fit and finish are good. The detachable wheels are particularly well done - no slack in the bearings.

It creaks and groans when in use but I check the tightness of fixings now and again and nothing seems about to fall off.

It is fairly light at 14 kilos but with the footrests attached it was still unmanageable. I have removed some parts and have bought the weight down by 5 kilos. All in all, a good chair and well worth the money.

Philip has made a few modifications to his chair ------------

After using my chair for a while, I found it increasingly difficult to get it in and out of the car without assistance. I have a dodgy right elbow as part of my condition [hypermobility syndrome, by the way] and lifting can be a problem. I found myself leaving it in the car and using store-supplied chairs but some of these leave a lot to be desired. What to do,then? A new chair was on the cards but I thought I had nothing to lose so let's try some mods. I removed the armrests, footrests, [these do not help me at all - as part of my condition, I need to move my bits frequently, so the absence of the rests improved this] . I also removed the folding backrest and associated catches. These were beautifully engineered, chrome plated, the lot. But enormously heavy.

And finally I swopped the front caster wheels side to side. This has shortened the wheelbase by about 2 inches and has improved handling in tight spaces. The back rest is now half it's original height and my wife cut and re-stiched the fabric to fit. It looks better as well. I also use fingerless weightlifting gloves, from Argos [where else?] cat number 072 3727 -£8.99. Very good for grip and for me in particular as I have fragile skin.

The above is very personal and I know it would not suit everyone, but I rarely find anything that is just right straight out of the box. I love moding stuff anyway. As I mentioned in my review the saving was 5 kilos. And you can really feel the difference.