[graphic]

Anyone going to the Mobility Roadshow this week? I'm thinking of going so that I can try out a few chairs but not sure yet. Would also be interesting to see the custom made Trekinetic made famous in these pages

[Trinity]

graphic, on Jun 2 2009, 12:12 PM, said:

Would also be interesting to see the custom made Trekinetic made famous in these pages

If you go, and if you find it, especially attached to a certain person please please take a photo!!!

[graphic]

trinity, on Jun 2 2009, 05:58 PM, said:

If you go, and if you find it, especially attached to a certain person please please take a photo!!!

I most certainly will

[Lucydog]

I wish it could be held at other venues around the country from time to time. Its such a long way to go for some of us!

[silone74]

Yes i wish they would use other venues closer it is a massive trek if we want to go not to mention the cost just to get there.


Si

Ps what happened to the trekinetic super chair(sorry super wide chair).

[ClaraTaylor]

Excuse my ignorance (it doesn't seem to have bothered you before) but what is the mobility roadshow?

I went to a "independent living" roadshow a few years ago - and was horrified at the site of all of the "old person" easy to dress clothing and complete lack of "trendy" anything [still haven't managed to find any shirts that cover my rump when I'm sat down]... other than the "4 x 4" wheelchair that I never was allowed to test drive is this something similar?

[graphic]

I haven't been before but from what I understand a lot of dealers will be there exhibiting chairs and other stuff and quite a few car manufacturers will have models you can test drive. I don't think Lamborghini and Ferrari will be there though
I hope it's not all bed pans and nappies but judging by the chair they've illustrated on the opening page of their website it doesn't look too promising!
There's also a prize draw for a free P&O mini cruise....got my shorts packed ready!
Here's the link to the show:
http://www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk/

I agree it would be nice if this sort of event travelled around the country. Living in South Wales we rarely get anything like this but seeing as it's so close I think it might be worth a punt.

This post has been edited by graphic: 03 June 2009 - 12:31 AM

[russ1]

I'm going to go have a look round tomorrow, want to talk to the wheelchair peeps and have a look at what's available in the new chair line. Will report back tomorrow. Went a couple of years back, the car testing wasn't worth the transfer as never got to do more than 40mph, some of the stands were worth a look but I wouldn't go unless I was looking for something.

[giozi]

russ1, on Jun 4 2009, 02:47 AM, said:

I'm going to go have a look round tomorrow, want to talk to the wheelchair peeps and have a look at what's available in the new chair line. Will report back tomorrow. Went a couple of years back, the car testing wasn't worth the transfer as never got to do more than 40mph, some of the stands were worth a look but I wouldn't go unless I was looking for something.

I too went two years ago. Couldn't find much of interest but had a go testing a Japanese car. Didn't see the speed limit notice till after the test and just took off reaching 80 mph in no time. It was as smooth as silk and thrilling The rep never said a word except to ask me if I wanted his help to go faster but I wanted to see if I could handle the car safely on my own. And I did. But it is a long way to go for a racing track experience.

[graphic]

russ1, on Jun 3 2009, 04:47 PM, said:

I'm going to go have a look round tomorrow, want to talk to the wheelchair peeps and have a look at what's available in the new chair line. Will report back tomorrow. Went a couple of years back, the car testing wasn't worth the transfer as never got to do more than 40mph, some of the stands were worth a look but I wouldn't go unless I was looking for something.

Would be great if you could let us know if there are any new chairs on display and if there are any TiLite chairs there. I'm planning to go on saturday...if it's not rubbish!!

This post has been edited by graphic: 03 June 2009 - 07:00 PM

[wheelywendy]

i'd like to go but its too far for me to drive and the train fare from here is £65 yet is only £19 to leeds and £22 to birmingam , birmingham being about the same distance and leeds a bit further!!

[russ1]

Went today - was pretty good if you're looking for something in the mobility line - loads of cars, car conversion companies (or more accurately van conversion companies) plenty of wheelchair companies. Also a good few holiday companies. Not a whole load else.

Wasn't interested in the cars but had a good look at a load of chairs - new ones of interest were a quickie helium - appparently an ultra light al chair that looked ok and a very nice new Kuschall both of which were so new they had no literature. Was interesting to talk to a few different reps - looks like it might come down to a rgk (loved the almost infinate customisation options), a topend crossfire (lovely workmanship but questionable upholstery) or possibly the sexy new kuschall for me. Couple of stands had tiLites I think but they were tucked away at the back, I expect Gerald Simmonds had them but didn't tarry too long there, really want to use someone else this time - was def underimpressed with their customer service last time. Colours chairs looking very 'bling' but didn't stop too long to investigate once i got ignored by the reps on the stand. Same story at Cyclone too I'm afraid although for a company that went bust two months ago they had a large stand, lots of staff and were looking pretty busy. Few other definitely niche chair companies there too.

Was particularly impressed by the Trek kinetic. Had no trouble jumping in, it's a bit strange at first but it's easy to see that it'd be very good in the environment it's designed for and I'm seriously thinking about getting one, if I can persuade Access to Work to at least part fund it I'll definately get one. Car transfers look awkward but definitely possible. It's clearly not an everyday chair but as an outdoor chair it looks like a quantum leap forward over current chairs. Not perfect and there are trade offs (eg very steep slopes (and I mean very steep) that can be backwheeled balanced would be very difficult - but longer shallower slopes that would need a long backwheel balance could be dispatched with ease. Flights of steps would be near on impossible but how many of us tackle them anyway. Kerbs more than 2 or 3 inches need to be taken backwards if you can't lift your feet but that'd be a small price to pay. The wide one was there - just a wider seat, means it won't fit thro a standard door though whereas the standard seat will. Matey boy and his 'special' one off nowhere to be seen :-)

Definately worth the trip for me although playing dodge the mobility scooter gets a bit wearing after a while :-) Hundreds of them :-)

[ems]

erm i dont suppose you bumped into anyone called John there did you? With flames on his chair? ehhehee..

edit.. umm i didnt read the post properly, sorry.

This post has been edited by ems: 04 June 2009 - 09:45 PM

[graphic]

Thanks for the report, much appreciated. The new Kuschall sounds interesting, I'll look forward to seeing that.

[russ1]

trinity, on Jun 2 2009, 05:58 PM, said:

graphic, on Jun 2 2009, 12:12 PM, said:

Would also be interesting to see the custom made Trekinetic made famous in these pages

If you go, and if you find it, especially attached to a certain person please please take a photo!!!

Picked up my trekinetic today from the factory and there on a bench was said wide custom trekinetic complete with flames design moulded into the carbon fibre seat. Looked pretty cool tbh with matching colour detailing elsewhere but the wide chair really is a bit of a monster. :-)

[graphic]

What's your initial impressions of the trekinetic russ? I'm sorry I didn't try it out at the mobility roadshow since there's been so much controversy about it. Will you keep us updated? It will be good to have the honest opinion of someone with no axe to grind.