It’s always good news when a new player enters the wheelchair market. The more choices there are for wheelchair users, the better the odds of getting the right wheelchair.

Icon Wheelchairs recently released their first and long awaited manual wheelchair for adults, the Icon A1. A somewhat odd looking manual wheelchair when compared to the somewhat archaic presententations of wheelchair big industry, but certainly an innovative step forward by user standards.

The brain child of Icon’s Jeff Adams and Christian Bagg, two manual wheelchair users who developed the chair, part out of frustration:

“We started doing this whole “wheelchair making” thing in part because of our personal frustrations with the medical device industry. We’ve spent a collective 55 years being consumers of wheelchairs, and close to 35 years combined working in the industry.”

And part out of sheer tenacity and commitment:

We do what’s required to make the lives of people who use wheelchairs as locomotion better.”

Is the Icon A1 odd looking? Yes, it doesn’t take an experienced wheeler to see that. Innovative? Also yes, because it focuses on the user. As opposed to conventional manual wheelchairs, many of the chair features are easily adjusted to accommodate for your changes.

Ok, we know the chairs pedigree. Here are some of its credentials:

“The Icon is adjustable to let you “dial-in” that perfect fit. You don’t need to worry about having to choose permanent specifications that can never be changed after a chair is built.

The intuitive & stylish ADI disc brake systems enable users of all physical abilities near effortless controlled braking and the ability to fully lock the wheels.

Variable Lever: a single brake lever locks both wheels simultaneously with only light pressure.

Fox Float R air shock (standard) as well as the Float RP23 (upgrade) both adjust to match rider weight, and both have adjustable rebound (the rate at which the shock returns after compression).

ADI Back Supports add extra stability and support over the standard upholstery.

The modularity of the Icon offers flexibility to change every component, including wheel sizes, and maintain the geometry that’s best for you.”

You can get product information at: http://www.iconwheelchairs.com/