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White rigid frame with orange accents, quick release self propelled wheels, carbotecture forks and standard caster wheels. Removable J3 back rest, removable seat Matrix, Flo-Tech Lite seat cushion, folding footplate and retractable push handles.
In 2015 I was kindly gifted a Quickie Helium by a gentleman who sadly could no longer use this wheelchair due to his ever-changing needs. Luckily the wheelchair was only half an inch bigger than my other chair, so it was the perfect fit!
It came with a low backrest, white frame with orange accents, Jay Lite seat cushion, standard 18 spoke Proton Wheels and electronic E-Motion Wheels. I was thrilled about having a rigid wheelchair that would allow me to change the wheels depending on my symptoms and activity, although the E-Motion Wheels are easier to use for people who struggle to self propel! However, I eventually bought the 24” Quickie Mountain Bike Wheels to use when walking my dog off-road, as neither of these wheels are designed to go across rough terrains. I also opted to replace the low backrest and lightweight seat cushion after a year as no longer provided me with enough support, so I chose a Matrix, Flo-Tech Lite seat cushion and a J3 backrest that goes up to my shoulders and around my side/rib cage. This is particularly useful once my spine slips out of place, as holds me in an upright position; it is also very comfortable and supportive when going over an uneven surface/off-road. The height of the J3 backrest cannot be altered, but the angle can easily be tweaked.
As with many Quickie Wheelchairs, this rigid frame is really easy to adjust or modify and has a very sleek design. Modern Carbotecture and hydroforming make it very strong, sturdy and a lot lighter than other rigid wheelchairs. Without any wheels on the frame is relatively easy to lift/transport, but obviously, the overall weight depends on your choice of wheels. This wheelchair does not fold, so I have to remove both the wheels, fold the backrest and lower the handlebars to fit the frame in my car. If you had a more spacious car it would be a lot easier to leave the frame as one piece, but it doesn’t take very long to make the chair smaller for transportation.
The adjustable handlebars allow my carers to push me without hurting their back, whilst I have the option to fold them down to make it easier to self propel. I can also hang my backpack onto the handlebars without it getting in the way while someone pushes me. I currently have Carbotecture Forks attached to my front caster wheels, but I am waiting to swap to Frogs Legs suspension forks which absorb some of the vibrations that occur when going over uneven surfaces. I also have two anti-tip bars attached to my wheelchair to increase stability and lower my chances of tipping over backwards.
Overall, I would recommend this wheelchair to anyone who needs the support a rigid frame offers and has the ability or assistance to safely transport it. It’s not the best wheelchair to use on uneven surfaces, but it is fantastic for people who have a disability/medical condition that can fluctuate as you can easily change the backrest angle, footplate height/angle and much more with an allen key. These small adjustments make a big difference, so I recommend keeping an allen key with your wheelchair as you never know when you may need to adjust something! This particular frame supports many different backrests, seat cushions, footplates and colour options, allowing you to ensure the chair best meets your individual needs!
