BREYDON’s wheelchair trials: RGK Octane Sub4

Wednesday 21 April 2021, Boonwurrung Country.

This hardly counts towards a trial at all. The wrong size axles had been jammed in, rendering the drive wheels nearly unusable. (Star rating assumes correct axles)! The salesperson had not even wanted me to see the chair up close, so I got very little time touching it.

Despite this garbage experience: promising kind of chair. The light weight would make a super difference if trying to one‐limbedly (or ‐headedly) manoeuvre the chair closer from bed or the ground, for instance!

As with The KSL, the fragile carbon‐fibre side‐guards are a worry and a nuisance, and I am concerned as to whether the chair as a whole is robust enough to go skating regularly. It looks like some RGK chairs do come with welded metal side‐guards. Robustness‐wise, the aluminium‐framed models may be less capable? Some RGK models are of a dual‐tube design; but not necessarily stronger than the others for it. More insight needed.

Anyway, I would like to try an Octane Sub4 for real! It would be helpful to compare with the Tiga Sub4, if possible; I have not had an opportunity to assess the difference aluminium versus titanium construction makes to mavoeuvering, predictability, comfort, or safety. I would also still like to compare a Sub4 to an FX.

Saturday 26 June 2021, Boonwurrung Country.

I tried an Octane Sub4 for real!

This one had a folding backrest, but was still pleasantly light. It was so nice to nudge into position before getting in and for popping the wheels on.

Something still feels slightly “off” to me about the Octane/Tiga frames — the give in the side guards, the fat (though unfortunately hooking‐prone) castor legs, and the nonchalant engagement of the hubs contribute to a lovely plush experience all round, whereas I had hoped for forms easier to place with precision. It reminded me of the difference between a padded leather sneaker and a simple canvas one. I wonder if given time to adjust I would grow to greatly appreciate RGK’s loosey‐goosey sensation as forgiving and trustworthy, rather than find it gloomy and detached.

However, I could not get comfortable during the trial. After feeling unmoored in this chair and the Tiga FX, I was very worn out and sore, from how tense I’d been! My preference remains a chair that hugs the body more steadily.