ZR and ZRA Owners?

[Handsome Wheeler]

I'm thinking of ordering a ZRA with 17" seat depth instead of my usual 16" depth. Can this be done without adding length to the frame?

[Patrick Madsen]

Depends on the chair you are using now. Top End for example, has their frame 1" longer than the stock Tilite. My ZRA with the same seat length is 1" shorter than My T/e Crossfire

I ws shown, that we need at least a two finger space between the back of the leg behind the knee to the front edge of the cushion.

[chriZ]

"without adding length" to the frame, I think it's impossible.

mine has 18 seat depth.

[Handsome Wheeler]

Depends on the chair you are using now. Top End for example, has their frame 1" longer than the stock Tilite. My ZRA with the same seat length is 1" shorter than My T/e Crossfire

I ws shown, that we need at least a two finger space between the back of the leg behind the knee to the front edge of the cushion.

Pat,I have a Quickie Ti with 16" seat depth. I was told that as rule of thumb,you should never have more than two fingers width from end of seat to the back of your knee. There is four fingers depth on my Quickie Ti and the same with the ZRA. My old Quickie GPV with 16" seat depth was a perfect fit as there was only room for two fingers between seat and back of my knee.
I love the tight turning radius of my Quickie Ti which I've used since '03.I think adding an inch of seat depth will will allow me to have my body weight more evenly distributed,but I don't want to compromise my tight turning radius if possible. Will probably stay with 16" depth if pressure mapping is good.

[Handsome Wheeler]

"without adding length" to the frame, I think it's impossible.

mine has 18 seat depth.

chriZ,you are probably right. I did have a '92 Quickie GPV that allowed one to add an inch of seat depth w/o changing frame length.

[Patrick Madsen]

I think the two finger distance came in with the steeper degree angle of the front ends. With the old Motion Designs(Quickie) rigids, the angle was around 75 degrees. So, there was no issue really of the back of the knees rubbing on the seat sling. Now with the angles much steeper, the back of the knee became an issue.

I agree HW, 4 fingers is kinda out there for me also. If that's the case, you could more than likely go with a 17" and still have the same frame length.

Out of curiousity, After the chairs you've had, you more than likely have the dump in your chair figured out. Being a C/8 (T/1), your dump is more like four inches right. Why not go with a ZR or TR rather than the ZRA. The COG and back is still adjustable and they are both much lighter. The TR is lighter than the ZR.

I've had mostly non adjustable chairs for a long time. I have a ZRA now just for the fact that I was trying different cushions and wanted to vary the seat height to accomadate the different thickness cushions. It is a great chair, no complaints but I'm going back to a non adj. now that I've got that figured out. I've ordered a TR.

[chriZ]

hi Patrick,

The TR's are a little bit lighter than ZR, TR's are made with 1" tubes instead 1.25" of ZR.

But is another frame category, is a "box" rigid frame, and ZR or ZRa is cantilevered.

Cantilevered frames is better to put in a car trunk, less space. IMO.

[Patrick Madsen]

Thanks Chris. I use a van and my wife has a Subaru so I wasn't too concerned about an open frame again. I like looks of the TR over the ZR or Crossfire was the basic reason I went with the TR.

[wtf]

could you get a cushion with a longer depth?

[Lynne]

That's what I did, wtf. I questioned whether it was a good idea, but my seating specialist said it was a good way to get an extra inch without going longer in the frame. I wanted a smaller footprint so I went with it. I'm perfectly happy with it. Guess one wouldn't want to go any more than 1 inch probably tho.

[Handsome Wheeler]

I think the two finger distance came in with the steeper degree angle of the front ends. With the old Motion Designs(Quickie) rigids, the angle was around 75 degrees. So, there was no issue really of the back of the knees rubbing on the seat sling. Now with the angles much steeper, the back of the knee became an issue.

I agree HW, 4 fingers is kinda out there for me also. If that's the case, you could more than likely go with a 17" and still have the same frame length.

Out of curiousity, After the chairs you've had, you more than likely have the dump in your chair figured out. Being a C/8 (T/1), your dump is more like four inches right. Why not go with a ZR or TR rather than the ZRA. The COG and back is still adjustable and they are both much lighter. The TR is lighter than the ZR.

!

I've had mostly non adjustable chairs for a long time. I have a ZRA now just for the fact that I was trying different cushions and wanted to vary the seat height to accomadate the different thickness cushions. It is a great chair, no complaints but I'm going back to a non adj. now that I've got that figured out. I've ordered a TR.

Pat, I have 1.5" of dump.My physiatrist recommends sitting as upright as possible. I prefer less dump as it's more comfortable for me.

I like the ability to adjust chair as needed.I usually tweek my chair several times the first few mos I use it.I don't like buying new chairs as I hate adjusting to the feel of a new chair. I compare it to breaking in a new baseball glove. lol Of course the $1500 or so after insurance is another good reason too

[Handsome Wheeler]

could you get a cushion with a longer depth?

I use a Roho HP Quadtro and not sure how much it would bend without seat beneath it for support. It may be the answer,so I may invest in the longer cushion. WTF,thanks for the idea!

[Patrick Madsen]

I hear you on adjusting a new chair. At least with the new ones, they have adjustability built in. In the day of the old E&J folders, we had to make our adjustments.

The thing about more dump for we higher breaks is that it sits us back in the chair more so we can sit up straighter. Have you got some abs left or do you feel like you are sitting on top of your chair rather than in your chair.

It sounds like the ZRA would be great for you. It has full adjustability and feels and rolls like a non adj. I think you'll really like it.

[Handsome Wheeler]

I hear you on adjusting a new chair. At least with the new ones, they have adjustability built in. In the day of the old E&J folders, we had to make our adjustments.

The thing about more dump for we higher breaks is that it sits us back in the chair more so we can sit up straighter. Have you got some abs left or do you feel like you are sitting on top of your chair rather than in your chair.

It sounds like the ZRA would be great for you. It has full adjustability and feels and rolls like a non adj. I think you'll really like it.

Pat,I have some abs. I sink down into my Quadtro and do fine. I also have a neurogenic bladder and 4" of dump would cause me to pee uphill. lol
I hate changing chairs as I like the response of a chair that is broken in and performs turns etc w/o me having to think. As I stated earlier,An old chair reminds me of a well oiled,broken in baseball glove.

Pat,I hope you're right about the ZRA.

[Patrick Madsen]

Sounds like you know what you need for dump. That's good. With the ZRA, you'll be able to fully adjust it. I'm not sure but I think the ZRA has a smaller footprint tan the Quickie.

Once I had mine adjusted to my liking, I really like it. I hear ya on peeing uphill, its an aventure to say the least lol.