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Freewheel

laetoli
laetoli Community member Posts: 3 Listener
I'm mostly a manual wheelchair user and find the Freewheel an invaluable extra. The problem is that both my Freewheels' tracking shifts off-centre and everytime this happens (frequently) I have to get my supplier to realign the tracking. Freewheel do not acknowledge that this is a significant design flaw and their instructions on how to fix the problem are not easy to understand and require a specialist torque wrench. Does anyone know where I can find a straightforward video which will show me how to realign the tracking myself?
Thanks, Paul

Comments

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Community member Posts: 16,007 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @laetoli - I've looked online, & the only mention of tracking I can see is on p7 of the users manual: https://livingspinal.com/content/FreeWheel_Wheelchair_Attachment_Owners_Manual.pdf
    The only video I could find was for the initial set up of the Freewheel, sorry.

  • laetoli
    laetoli Community member Posts: 3 Listener
    Thank you @chiarieds. I'll try to fix the Freewheel with that and if I succeed, I'll make a YouTube video
  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Community member Posts: 16,007 Disability Gamechanger
    Good for you, & good luck @laetoli :)
  • claregrace
    claregrace Community member Posts: 19 Connected
    Hi. I hope you don't mind me asking. I am new to wheechairs and am.doing ok but am thinking of getting a Freewheel. Is it really good? I want to be able to go into the woods but don't know if even with a freewheel it would be too difficult to push? Its either a freewheelmof a motorwheel attachment. Just not sure. Please share your experiences. 
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,562 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @claregrace and thanks for posting your query, I'm a wheelchair user, but I'm afraid I don't have any experience of using a freewheel chair. 

    It's been a while since this discussion was started, but perhaps other members will be able to share their thoughts with you.

    Do you have some woods quite local to you? And what do you like about the idea of wheeling through them? :)
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  • Poppy_
    Poppy_ Community Volunteer Host Posts: 192 Pioneering
    Hi @claregrace
    I also don’t have a freewheel, but I do have a similar version of it, named the front  wheel by RGK, and from my experience, it does help for those hard to push surfaces, like cobbles, etc where castors can get caught. I haven’t attempted it in the woods, but it does grassy areas well. 
    I hope this helps
    Poppy_
    Community Volunteer Host with a passion for reading.

  • claregrace
    claregrace Community member Posts: 19 Connected
    Thank you for your responses. I took the plunge and ordered the freewheel, comes this week. My supplier is making the adjustments fir my wheelchair model, which is very kind of them. I will update when I have tried it out. My job was a dog walker and I loved walking in the local woods. I have not been able to go jn the woods for so long. Fingers crossed I will be back this weekend ( even if I am being given a helping hand !). 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,488 Disability Gamechanger
    Definitely do let us know how you get on with it @claregrace
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  • claregrace
    claregrace Community member Posts: 19 Connected
    Hi, a couple of weeks with the freewheel now. I Have found it easy to use and has allowed me to push my wheelchair on surfaces that I could not without it. I have been in the woods and on gravel and it was fine, a really easy push. It is best used with big chunky wheels on my chair. Going up kerbs is very easy with the freewheel. So a big positive from me as being pushed with it on is also a lot easier for my carer. As a new wheelchair user i am discovering that you need the right tools for the right job. If you are going round the shops it would be difficult as it really increases the length of the wheelchair, having said that it is easy to pop on and off when you need it. I was so excited to get back in the woods, something that I have really missed with my reduced mobility . 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,488 Disability Gamechanger
    It sounds like it's all worked out nicely @claregrace :) This is great to hear! I'm so glad you've been able to get back out into the woods, as I know you mentioned that before. Do you have any trips out planned?
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  • claregrace
    claregrace Community member Posts: 19 Connected
    I am very new to the wheelchair and only go out when somebody can come with me to help. I get a bit worried that I will not be able to cope on my own.  However I hope to go and s visit my children in London in a few weeks and we can maybe go along the river. It is so nice to be able to go out now in the wheeelchair and not having to try and struggle with my walking and balance. My confidence is growing. Life seems so much more positive than it was a few months ago. My aim for the next few months is to go on to a local beauty spot with my husband and dog that I used to go to almost daily when I was well. The freewheel is a real step forward for me. I am tackling each little problem as they arise and greatly value this forum to get ideas and support from those who have travelled this challenging path before me. Thankyou xx
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,488 Disability Gamechanger
    Well, hopefully your confidence will continue to grow, alongside your independence @claregrace :) Setting goals sounds like a really good idea to me. If you take any pictures on your travels, I'm sure we'd all love to see them!
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