When shopping for manual wheelchairs there are a number of factors which must be taken into consideration. While powered wheelchairs are quite popular, they can be expensive, and so many people opt instead for manual wheelchairs. Manual wheelchairs are also appropriate for situations in which the disability is only temporary. Therefore, the length of time which you will need the manual wheelchair will play an important role in the type of wheelchair that you ultimately decide upon.

The price range for manual wheelchairs can vary greatly. For example, at the low end of the scale you can find manual wheelchairs for slightly less than $500. For that amount of money; however, you won't get a lot of perks or upgrades and the chair might not even be that comfortable. On the high end of the scale, manual wheelchairs can run as high as $8000 or so.

A number of factors can play into the price of a manual wheelchair, including the type of material from which it is made as well as whether the wheelchair is custom designed or if it is simply produced from a standard manual wheelchair design.

In considering the types of material that manual wheelchairs can be produced from, there are four basic materials. These materials include steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon fibre. Be sure that you take the durability of each type of material into consideration when making your decision on which type of manual wheelchair to purchase.

When it comes to design matters, there are two standard designs. These designs are rigid frame and folding frame. A rigid frame design is just what it sounds like. There are usually several different types of rigid frame design manual wheelchairs. Most are made of either aluminum or titanium, although it is possible to find some designs that are made from carbon fibre.

Depending on which type of material you choose, some rigid manual wheelchairs can be surprisingly lightweight. Therefore, if lifting a heavy wheelchair could be a problem for you, be sure to consider one of the lighter models.

When trying to decide between rigid frame manual wheelchairs and folding frame wheelchairs be sure to remember that rigid frame wheelchairs tend to last a bit longer and they are also usually stronger. This can be important for situations in which you may need to use the chair for long periods of time.

Folding manual wheelchairs; however, use a frame that is collapsible. The frame collapses sideways. A mechanism is included that will lock the chair into position when in use. The major disadvantage of this type of manual wheelchair is that it is usually heavier than a folding manual wheelchair. In addition, this type of wheelchair is usually not as durable as folding manual wheelchairs. This type of wheelchair also normally needs more maintenance than a folding manual wheelchair.

Not only are rigid wheelchairs more advantageous in real life but they also offer a number of significant advantages for individuals who wish to participate in sports such as basketball wheelchair. Rigid wheelchairs also offer increased performance as well as maneuverability.

When all factors are considered, rigid manual wheelchair designs offer numerous advantages that folding manual wheelchairs simply can't produce.