Do I regret the changes I made to my new wheelchair? (New rigid, light, manual, wheelchair review)

Last month, I got my first new wheelchair in 14 years! I was heavily involved in designing the new chair: taking measurements, picking accessories, and making difficult design choices. I love my new custom titanium chair from Hands On Concepts, but there were some definite trade offs to some of the decisions I made. If you have questions or want to share your own experiences, please do so in the comments!
0:00 Introduction
0:54 Brand
2:06 Frame and Color
4:50 Footplate
6:38 Chair Length and Height
9:57 Seat Pan, Side Guards, Upholstery
12:38 Wheels and Hair
15:41 Chair Width and Camber
18:61 Accessories: Bags, Brakes, Keyring, and Footstrap
22:06 Adjustability (or lack thereof)
23:25 Final Verdict
21:22 Book recommendations!
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My book recommendations!
♿️ 📖 VERA WARDEN AND THE TWO-FACED DEMON
www.amazon.com/Vera-Warden-Tw...
♿️ 📖TENACIOUS: FIFTEEN ADVENTURES ALONGSIDE DISABLED ATHLETES
www.amazon.com/Tenacious-Adve...
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Wheelchair companies and products
👷🏻‍♂️🧑🏻‍🦽 HANDS ON CONCEPTS - the company that built my new wheelchair
www.teamhoc.com/
♿️ 🎒WHEELCHAIR BAGS FROM HELEN BUDNIATSKY
www.etsy.com/shop/HelenBudnia...
🏀 ♿️ PER4MAX - the company that built my basketball/sports wheelchair
www.per4max.com/
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Follow me online!
🧠 For all my science videos and resources: www.siebertscience.com​
💻 My youtube channel: / siebertscience​
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🎥 ♿️ My other disability and wheelchair-related videos!
- Going on a Walk With My One-Year-Old Daughter • I Went on a Walk in My...
- Renting a Beach Wheelchair • Renting a Beach Wheelc...
- How I Get My Wheelchair Into My Car / Hand Controls • How to Get Wheelchair ...
- Adaptive Surfing! • Adaptive Surfing at Ca...
- 10 Facts About Me! • 10 Facts about Siebert...

[@letrix5636]

Hey! I don't know if you'll ever see this, but I honestly just wanted to thank you, Justin! Thanks for being an amazing professor, you explain everything so well and I have been able to understand literally everything in some videos I saw! I'm studying to a college entrance exam and English is not my mother language and I'd like to study medicine in English. Thanks for your amazing contribution to this world, your life is so important and you helped so many students to achieve their dreams! May God bless your life and your beautiful family, I admire your work and I'm really grateful for all the content you've posted here, all the videos are going to help me a lot. Take care!!

[@siebertcollegiate]

Hey! I do read every comment, and this was such an encouraging one! I appreciate that you took the time to write this out. Best of luck on your college entrance exam!

[@stevenholton438]

I usually click off immediately when trying to expand my knowledge of wheelchairs due to the apparent frustration of the exponent but you, my friend, are eminently watchable and evidently comfortable in your own skin and a model we should all aim for in our lives and community! Thanks for your concision!

[@BobMonkeypimp]

What I noticed going from aluminium (Kuschall) to titanium (RGK) is that the chair seems to 'flow' over rougher surfaces better. I do a lot of offroad & although it's not life changing, it is noticeable. I've had the Frog Legs Uni-Tine castor forks fitted for a month now, which are similiar to yours & you're right, no hairs!

[@Yuki_Asagi]

Thanks so much for explaining all the pros and cons of everything! As someone with chronic illness (yet undiagnosed POTS) and that resulting in mobility issues during worse phases I've been considering getting a wheelchair for ambulatory use and it's so many things to consider so I'm just happy to hear different opinions on certain parts from different people ❤

[@gunnarsloan]

Great video! I'm about to get my first made to measure chair after 25 years in a wheelchair and you made me consider a lot of aspects that I hadn't thought of. Thank you!

[@ShahbajEmpire]

Why i am watching this, i am not even a handicap - just because his explanations are so cool & satisfying ❤️‍🔥🕊️ Love this dude 🎀

[@siebertcollegiate]

Haha, thanks for watching regardless! Glad you enjoy my explanations!

[@mustafahusen2000]

Me too 😂❤

[@brin57]

Great video. I'm a T12 para 46 years in and about to order a HOC . Pretty much like you, my script hasn't changed in about 25 years and I'll be making 2 or 3 minor changes, but I love their work. I'm glad they do the CAD drawing for final approval, as I'm in Australia and it has to be right. Fortunately we have a scheme here called the NDIS (national disability insurance scheme) that will cover it completely. So sad to here of the problems you guys have in the U.S. with getting appropriate equipment. HOC chairs are such a work of art as well, and will probably last a very long time. Cheers bud, from Brisbane Oz . 👋

[@andrewcasey7023]

My heart goes out to you on the out of pocket cost. Insurance and healthcare cost in the US is nightmare fuel to the rest of the developed world. Phenomenal review and great video!!

[@siebertcollegiate]

Thanks Andrew! Hope you're doing well, man!

[@douglas.macmurray]

What part of the world are you from Andrew?

[@andrewcasey7023]

@@douglas.macmurray I'm in Idaho in the United States. I've seen friends and family debilitated by high healthcare costs.

[@squarepeg4435]

What a great “tour”! Thank you. I really appreciate your candor with some of the decisions like the keyring, you’d change. The tip about the single fork & the hair is fantastic! I can’t stand that so that’s really helpful. I’m newly disabled (4 years) and videos like this get me excited about embracing this new phase in my life. Thanks again!

[@MadhuLiyanage-tw2fb]

Thank u very much sir for ur valuable anatomy and physiology videos.♥️..they much helpful me for complete my nursing degree.

[@SiebertScience]

You're welcome! Best of luck with your nursing degree journey!

[@user-candybreastcancer]

You are so excellent! Explain everything very clear

[@josephdeleonguerrero1628]

You are an awesome and clear teacher…keep posting that knowledge….I should know I am a teacher too 🙌👏

[@Kylie-oz3ks]

If you can get a size to fit the little plastic/rubber feet for dining chairs are good for preserving the upholstery.

[@scootermilne4103]

I'm planning to order a HOC chair to replace my first one (a helpful but poorly designed TiLite). This is probably the most informative video I've found so far with a HOC chair review! I especially appreciate the comparisons with your previous chair and your detailed explanations. It feels so risky ordering something so custom without being able to try anything out first.

[@SiebertScience]

Thanks! Yeah, ordering a custom chair is nerve wracking. I spent hours obsessing over every little measurement. Are you ordering a rigid frame or one of their adjustable frames?

[@Wheeled_Fighter]

I wrapped handlebar tape on the front of my frame. It comes in many colors and materials including leather. I use it to protect the frame when assembling/disassembling when I transferring in/out of the truck. You’ve touched on several areas that I want to change on my next chair. Wish I had solid seat bottom instead of the tension adjustable seat and removable skirt guards are a hassle sometimes but in some circumstances it’s required to be able to remove them. I’ve heard a lot positive comments on HOC chairs. I use the back release bar on my tilite to hang my keys on, the correct size clip allows it to clip on the bar. I have handmade my own bags and attachments.

[@robertvoss6676]

Had a blast on our trip to Moab and the Grand Canyon man haha!!

[@FuManNoonan]

Such a cool video man! And amen on the crappy insurance

[@SiebertScience]

Thanks, Matt!

[@Xe142n]

Science teacher always hit diff 😌 always make best choiceS

[@JRoseBooks]

Thanks for the shout out! I like that you might have figured out the double meaning for the title! 📚♥️

[@siebertcollegiate]

You're welcome! I'm eagerly awaiting Vera's next adventure!

[@YKorNL]

I was amazed to find that the bag was made in The Netherlands, and guess where I am from! :) Thanks so much for explaining the ins and outs. Things work a bit differently over here, but it is definitely very good info to have in the pocket, so to speak. :)

[@dsa420meh7]

Love your video , its funny I also have a crossfire chair since 2012 and its still going! Mine is the titanium model .

[@anastasiakorkova9175]

I tried zero camber on my wheels for a short time, and to me the difference was extremely noticeable and went back to 3 degrees. I also like my seat dumped way back because I like to be squeezed in as tight as humanly possible. Anyway cheers🎉( I was the same age as you when I had my spinal cord injury so we have that in common 😁)

[@royal.bumble]

My titatium chair has been around since ~2013 and its still got tons of life in it. The biggest difference I noticed between aluminium and titanium is rust. On my titanium chair, its only ever gotten rust on the metal screws. I had to put in work to protect against rust with my aluminium chair. It was much nicer to have less maintenance to worry about. I got a bag from Helen this year for my birthday, and as expensive as it was, I have used it so much that it was very worth it.

[@myphonekobe4556]

Awesome explanation How much did lyour new chair cost? What seat cushion do you use?

[@SaronMorka-ft1hs]

You are strong enough to do that. Anyway we love u

[@markweaver6634]

Breaks need to be called LOCKS!!!

[@Nikita_Mordor]

Выглядит стильно и минималистично, но для такого премиального дизайна с титаном и карбоном просто обязаны были добавить прорезиненные обода и развал на колёсах. А также для массового производства можно было добавить регулировки наклона спинки и баланса.

[@sowseng]

Intend to order HOC, but I cannot ensure the way they measure the center of gravity from wall, will have the same result with measuring from the backrest. I wrote to them through email, but very slow response, and even forgot about me. According to your body height, I think you should sit lower, so that your arm may not straighten so much, to avoid wrist injury and tennis elbow.

[@SiebertScience]

In the CAD drawing they send you, you should be able to see the COG and adjust as needed before they actually build the chair. Also, yeah, I should sit lower for the reason you mentioned...but I like being a little taller and being able to reach more things. It's definitely a trade off.

[@sowseng]

@@SiebertScience I have short body due to scoliosis, and I have hight seat height too.

[@tenaciouswheelchairwarrior]

Do you know what the inner caster wheel guard is called? I have single forks and looooong hair, i need those in my life 😂

[@BobMonkeypimp]

I have castor forks similar to his. Mine are Frog Legs Uni-tine castor forks.

[@parsvegan5819]

❤

[@eapenninan4950]

❤️👍

[@samnelson]

does HOC accept. people from other states besides California?

[@SiebertScience]

Yep. They ship chairs all over the world. I don't live in California. We did a few phone calls and some emailing back and forth to make sure I got all the measurements right. And they showed me the CAD designs before they started building it.

[@Heathe378]

@@SiebertScience❤

[@markweaver6634]

Complaining about the fucked up nixonESK health killing system we have is just fine with me. I’d worry if you’d say anything else‼️