Frequently Asked Questions
What are spokeguards?
Spokeguards are plastic covers that fit over your wheelchair's rear wheel. Attached using cable ties, they help to prevent your fingers getting caught between the wheel's spokes when propelling your wheelchair. They're also a great way of adding a flair of personalisation. Available in a variety of designs, our Built-4-Me wheelchair personalization department can even produce spokeguard covers with your own, unique design!
What are sideguards on a wheelchair?
Sideguards are mounted on the left and right side of your wheelchair. They help to protect your hands and clothing from the dirt and water that can be kicked up by the wheels of your wheelchair. Sideguards an be fixed or removable and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Where can I find my serial number?
If you have a folding wheelchair, your serial number will be on the cross-brace (the folding bars underneath the seat of your wheelchair). If you have a rigid wheelchair, the serial number will be on the rear side of the frame.
What is a handrim
Handrims (sometimes called pushrims) are the part of the rear wheel that you grip to propel your wheelchair. Attached to the outside of the wheel, they're available in a variety of materials (including aluminium, stainless steel or titanium). Handrims are also available with rubber coating or can be equipped with rubber strips that fits over the surface of the handrim to help increase friction. The distance of the handrim to the wheel can be adjusted according to your needs.
What does camber mean?
Camber is the angle of the wheelchair's rear wheels in relation to the ground. Traditionally, the rear wheels are at 90° to the ground, so the camber measurement is 0. A negative camber (usually seen in sports wheelchairs) adjusts the angle of the rear wheels inwards, so they're easier to grasp - helping to manouvre your wheelchair with less force. The increased width from the spacing of the wheels also helps to improve lateral stability (but can also make it more difficult when navigating narrow environments).