Lasher BT-Mg
| Mar 07, 2006 | Comments 2
You may have to go back to school for this new one. It’s the Lasher Sport BT-Mg. Why Mg?
Name: Magnesium
Symbol: Mg
Atomic Number: 12
Atomic Mass: 24.305 amu
The BT is designed around a minimalist frame made of magnesium. According to the manufacturer, Lasher Sport, the material is lighter (by volume) than titanium or aluminum with strength characteristics similar to aluminum. The BT-Mg packs Frog Legs Uni-tine caster forks as a standard and weighs in at 15.5 pounds as seen below (without cushion).
Some of the skinny on this skinny-
- Magnesium Alloy 1.375″ tube frame
- 6061-T6 aluminum Billet components
- 7075 aluminum CNC water-jet cut backrest plate
- Frogs Legs Uni-tine forks – Standard
- Titanium caster bearings – Standard
- Spinergy LX Rear Wheels – Standard
- Titanium Hardware – Standard
- Tension Cord adjustable seating – Standard
- Tension Cord adjustable backrest – Standard
- Powder Coat Frame – Standard
- Transport weight – 8.4 lbs. (weight w/o rear wheels)
- Chair Weight – 15.5 lbs. (16″ x 16″ frame -as shown- w/o cushion)
- Life Time Limited warranty on frame
Filed Under: General • Manual Wheelchairs • New On The Scene
Magnesium has a bad fatigue life, and doesn’t react well to salt. Why haven’t any manufacturers picked up on carbon fiber?
I believe they have. I do recall several manual chairs, past and present, that were made of carbon fiber (or at least in part). Of course carbon wheels have been around for quite some time.
http://www.usatechguide.org/itemreview.php?itemid=575
http://www.usatechguide.org/itemreview.php?itemid=628
http://www.usatechguide.org/itemreview.php?itemid=657
The fatigue issue may be resolved by using a larger diameter tubing for the frame. The Lasher wheelchair does utilize a 1.375″ tubing. The salt issue is interesting. I’ll see what I can find on that.