My New Wheelchair: RGK vs Tilite Review

I finally got a new wheelchair after 12 long years! I was sitting in a dinosaur that was way past it's expiration.

In the past, I was never really involved in the wheelchair ordering process. I just let the occupational therapist and wheelchair vendor decide what I "needed" in terms of sizing and options on the wheelchair. This has resulted in every chair being too big, with backs that were too high for my level of injury, and too many accessories.

This time I wanted to be in the driver seat and so I did my research when deciding on the type of chair and made sure I was the one choosing every detail and measurement.

In this video I talk about why I went with an RGK, what's different about an RGK Octane vs Tilite ZR (my old wheelchair), and what I am liking and disliking about the new chair so far!

49 Bespoke in Ontario

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[stevethomas]

Informative and glad you like the new wheelchair, I think a good sales point for the ZR is how well it's aged. It looks new.

[tomwellsmbe]

I have a T5/6 complete spinal cord injury which happened in 1992. I bought an RGK SUB4 about four years ago and it’s the best wheelchair that I’ve had so far. Great review and I might go for the RGK SUB4 Octane next time, although want to get some more time out of my current chair. Your reviews are so helpful. Thanks

[grantm]

Instead of cutting the sideguards down, perhaps you could get more more mounting holes drilled, say, an inch above the current holes. Then you can move the guards down an inch for most of the year, but you have the option of moving them up an inch when snow is a problem.

[GAINZonWHEELS]

I wait on the same, white with blue options and spikes .. can’t wait.

[WanderingWheelie]

Hi. My wife has had rgk wheelchairs for over 20-years and will not change brand. As for the side guards you can get them them that are rolled over, so they cover the wheel. this means they do not have a sharp Edge sticking up up and also makes it easier to put a transfer abroad on

[ryanmuir]

That RGK is pretty snazzy looking but those clothing guards are a little tall for my liking, also personally I would prefer them to be removable. I love the fact that it is so light. My own manual chair which I got last July is a Helio C2, a carbon fiber chair which is also super light. Hope to see another video in the future just to show if that RGK breaks down or folds at all to make it smaller for transportation should you ever have to travel in a vehicle that doesn't have a lift.

[retired_in_portugal]

@empowered para Glad you're happy with you're new chair, I moved from Alberta to BC and went from RGK to TiLite primarily for the same reason you went to the RGK, hopefully you have better luck than I did. BTW, if you want to keep your Ti lite as a spare all you need to do to make it 14" wide is order a camber tube and foot rest, easy swap with a set of allen wrenches

[FlipMacz]

Really great video.❤ I actually like all the extra room on the sides, for pretty much the reason you mentioned. And I have to have armrests. So I went with a Strongback 24. Best ever.

[JoshCartman]

I'm in the USA and was actually looking into TiLite. I've never even heard of RGK. I'm guessing they're based in the UK, though, from a Google search. I've been in a wheelchair my whole life due to Spina Bifida. Thank you for making this video, I thought I knew for the most part which TiLite wheelchair I wanted, but now I'm kinda liking RGK's Octane FX. My main concern is I weigh around the 220-230 mark and I like to be able to go off of curbs. I'll look more into whatever content is on your channel and see if anything helps me out here.

[leahmilano]

you should try fendered side guards. they’ll stop the snow but still give you something to lean on

[toddmiller]

As an ATP who has worked with Paralympians and winners of the Boston Marathon, I see this all of the time. There used to be a "guideline" in the industry that a user should have a palm's width of space, i.e., .75" -1" between their hips and the sides of the wheelchair. I have provided custom wheelchairs to users where the manufacturer's width listed on the wheelchair, i.e.13" 14", 15, etc., is actually narrower than the user's anatomical hip width measurement. The best thing a vendor or ATP do is listen to the end user.

[Jaggededge]

I like the new wheelchair. Looks very comfy.

[Fiddlinfrenzy]

I found your videos help better than my OT RGK smallest seat high is too tall for me so I went with tilte. My OT suggested 16” width but I insisted changed to 15” because I had 14.5 to 16” chairs and found 15” fits me the best. I have one side of pancake butt and want a smaller size to help me sit properly. According to my research, usually they suggest 2 inches bigger for winter clothing. But I don’t have jacket that thick. Thanks for your videos so I can get everything the way I wanted including the beck rest, cushion and fence side guards. I live in Ontario.

[lttl]

I saw your video with Reg from 49Bespoke yesterday, it was really good. I am currently looking for a new chair as well. I emailed them yesterday. Who measured you for your wheelchair if you didn't go to the store in Ontario? I have the same issue, as I'm in Quebec.

[wheelworldstan]

You can try anti slip tape on the footrest to help keep your feet in one place, I have put it on my Octane Sub4

[samuelself]

Nice review. In the US we have to get new manual chairs every 5 years because insurance won't pay for repairs if the chair is 5+ years old and medical supply shops won't work on them either (even if you pay out of pocket).

[westiepower]

I was very surprised when you said that you had your previous chair for 12 years! That seems like a very long time for something that is used so much. How long do most people keep their chairs?

[westiepower]

Hey Brittney, I don’t know if you ever read the comments on these really old videos of yours, but I just realized something. I’ve been watching a lot of the Paralympics especially Volleyball, Swimming and Basketball. And in Basketball, I see that a lot of the players have the same maker of wheelchairs as you - RGK! Must be a really well-made chair with great manoeuvrability. How cool is that?!??

[mrbjengel]

Hey! Thanks for the video! Just curious, I'm in Alberta too, what was that independent builder you mentioned at the beginning of your video?

[westiepower]

Man, I had no idea there was so much to consider when buying a custom wheelchair. Now I get the reason for the model name “Sub 4” meaning under 4 kg. I’m thinking that the narrower size must make it more manoeuvrable. I had no idea about the “push handles”; now I understand that how important they are for when someone bumps you up stairs. And I don’t seem to see - not sure what they are called - “anti-tip bars” at the back. Does your chair not have them? It is a very nice fancy and sleek looking chair Brittney!