We recently had the opportunity to trial the FreeWheel attachment. I’d long heard people talking about how good it is at making access easier on difficult terrain. When we were travelling around New Zealand we wondered if it would have been helpful on the gravel and dirt trails. So when we were heading to Fiji and couldn’t take BJ’s beach wheelchair, we thought we’d give the FreeWheel a go. As many of our Have Wheelchair Will Travel Facebook community were keen to hear about our experience we thought we’d do a FreeWheel review.
We decided to travel to Fiji with BJ’s old wheelchair. BJ’s off-road tyres are compatible with his old chair and we don’t worry about it as much when it’s being handled by baggage handlers. I feel more precious about the new chair with its gorgeous paintwork.
The FreeWheel fitted into one of our suitcases with clothing packed around it so that was handy but at approximately 2.5kg it did add some weight to the luggage. Admittedly not much, but we always seem on the cusp of the luggage limit so it all counts.
BJ’s footplate needed to be modified to accommodate the use of the FreeWheel. The footplate was dropped lower which made it necessary to add foam to the plate so BJ’s feet still had stability.
The FreeWheel clips on and releases easily from the footplate
We trialled the FreeWheel locally and we were super impressed with the ease using the wheelchair on grassy and hilly terrain. Hubby was sold on it just for the additional off-roading capacity the chair gained and the smooth ride.
In Fiji we only used the FreeWheel for the beach. We found it easier but we feel we don’t have the set up quite right yet as the front castor wheels still found their way into the sand on occasion.
This wasn’t a problem when we had such willing and enthusiastic helpers in the Fijian locals.
We are still keen to look into purchasing the FreeWheel as we feel with the right positioning of the footplate it could be great for our travels. The FreeWheel won’t ever replace BJ’s beach wheelchair but it’s a good portable compromise.
You can make enquiries about the FreeWheel through Mogo Wheelchairs.
good morning, I am the new disability coordinator for itec health Darwin. after a period of discontinuity, we are re-establishing our participants community activities program.
a number of our participants would love to come and see your facility. they are, however, bound by financial restraints. thus I would like to ask you if you have a complimentary pass, or two, that we could contribute to a larger group, bringing the cost down for all?
im sure our participants would so very much enjoy your facility.
thanks so much for your consideration
Penny fleming
ps: our email and web addresses are in lower case but I am unable to correct this for some reason? no doubt my own poor computer skills
thanks again
Recently had a trial with a Smartdrive unit, this mounts between main wheels is battery operated using a wrist activator. It has its good and bad points not suitable for all. The new sandtracks look great but lugging them around the world not possible.
The Smartdrive is good for on paths, hills and roads but I imagine not so good off road.
We just bought one of these with our low risk AT funds. Have yet to try it though. I came to your site looking for ideas for our trip to Fiji in December. But I am nervous about taking the new $16000 wheelchair with us. I might have to look and see if the old one fits the freewheel!