Why are wheelchair tire locks so poorly designed?

[Jim]

https://bike-on.com/surelock-wheelchair-locks

I've gotten these my last few chairs. Used to get them direct from the guy who makes, but his website is down. He customizes to each chair, if something breaks, he sends for free. I'll look for his contact info.

[Smashms]

speaking of those locks i just had my right 1 replaced after 6 years. getting another chair however it is stuck right now in my docs office!

[pfcs49]

I'd like a brake that has enough drag in the lever that it can be lightly applies, light enough to keep you parked but still weak enough that you can move the chair; I seem to get into situations where I need to re-position myself quickly; having to unlock and relook the brakes is just bad ergonomics and a persistent PITA!

[stephen212]

My wife has an AeroZ with the compact scissor locks that stay out of the way, but the system for holding the entire thing in place is ridiculous. The clamp bites the chair on one side, and the barrel for the break mechanism on the other side. If you loosen it to adjust the breaks, the whole thing is in play. No micro-adjuster, no locking reference point to show you where you started. I really enjoy figuring out how to do stuff, but this issue has to be epidemic. Am I missing something? Does this annoy anybody else? Has anybody seen anything better?

My TiLites have welded lock mount receivers which can accommodate any of the push-pull and scissor brakes that TiLite offers. They don't eliminate all of the issues you're having. There's still trial and error involved in positioning the depth of brakes to the desired tension, but I like not having the bulky clamp on the side of the frame. I was formerly a big fan of locking hub systems, but they added weight to the chair and I prefer the more positive force of the scissor locks -- that is, no wiggle. Also not a fan of spending hundreds of dollars to get hub mounts when switching to different brand/model of wheels. (Not even sure if one exists for Topolinos, which I also have.)

It's all trade-offs. I agree that something better can probably be designed. That design will probably hit the market 5 years after the cure for SCI, so I'm not holding my breath.

[sarcastrix]

https://bike-on.com/surelock-wheelchair-locks

I've gotten these my last few chairs. Used to get them direct from the guy who makes, but his website is down. He customizes to each chair, if something breaks, he sends for free. I'll look for his contact info.

Been using them for 8 years myself, much better than traditional brakes. Only drawback is Jack wanted $600 for set of 'discs' for my spare Spinergy wheels. Don't think I paid that much for the whole set up in 2010

Contact:
surelock@gbta.net (Jack E. Roberts)
620-324-5621
www.surelockinc.com

[Andy]

I'd like a brake that has enough drag in the lever that it can be lightly applies, light enough to keep you parked but still weak enough that you can move the chair; I seem to get into situations where I need to re-position myself quickly; having to unlock and relook the brakes is just bad ergonomics and a persistent PITA!

You need to get yourself some circa 2003 TiLite brakes like I have and migrate them to various new chairs. Brake effectiveness adjustable via tire wear and inflation. These seem to do just fine with totally worn screws and bushings as well, as they haven't fallen apart yet. Best of all, they get out of the way of very possible damages with my wheelchair disassembly 'techniques'

[robotnik]

Have you seen guys this new brake from Panthera wheelchairs ?
Even if the brake method is the same as usual (the brake pad applies on the tire, with the advantages and the issues), the brake itself is between a "push to lock" and a "scissor". You push on the handle to lock it, but it works as a scissor mechanism. Not a true revolution, but it is obviously new and different.
I don't know actually if it can be bought as a part, because it is not in their spare parts catalogue on their website.

[Mize]

I want these:

http://adi.stealthproducts.com/disc-brake-systems/



But you need special hubs so I don't see these working with my TWIONs.

CORRECTION: for many wheels you can use a spline insert to make them compatible. TWIONs aren't on the list though.

[Mize]

Hmmm...it seems that - other geometrical issues aside - the main compatibility issue is the wheel bearing dimensions because all one needs to do in order to convert one's wheels to disc-bake-compatible is replace the wheel bearing with the ADI spline insert:

http://adi.stealthproducts.com/PDF/I...l%20manual.pdf

I guess I'll find out how much they cost. It should be comparable to similar brake systems for bikes, right? ;-P

[royb]

I want these:

http://adi.stealthproducts.com/disc-brake-systems/



But you need special hubs so I don't see these working with my TWIONs.

CORRECTION: for many wheels you can use a spline insert to make them compatible. TWIONs aren't on the list though.

those are cool but i bet they are expensive

[Mize]

They're really no more complicated than mountain bike disc brakes which range about $200-800. Add that spline insert and these *should* cost between $300-900.
I'll bet they cost more. No pricing on their website so I'm emailing.

[NW-Will]

I'm curious to know what that chair is with that mighty shock under it.

I want these:

http://adi.stealthproducts.com/disc-brake-systems/



But you need special hubs so I don't see these working with my TWIONs.

CORRECTION: for many wheels you can use a spline insert to make them compatible. TWIONs aren't on the list though.

[robotnik]

I'm curious to know what that chair is with that mighty shock under it.

It seems to be a Quickie, but which one ? I think their optional rear suspension is mono shock, this one is dual.

[Oddity]

I'm curious to know what that chair is with that mighty shock under it.

That's a Quickie Q7 with their patented 4-Link suspension. It comes in both single and dual post varieties, depending on CoG setting.

[NW-Will]

mmmh picture of a Quickie

with XTR Suspension

??