GRIT Freedom Chair User manual

GRIT Freedom Chair
User Manual:
3.2
[email protected]

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Contents
1 Meet the Freedom Chair…………………………………………4
1.1 How to contact GRIT…………………………………….5
1.2 Safety first…………………………………………….5
1.3 Intended operator………………………………………6
2 Assembly………………………………………………………7
2.1 Unboxing………………………………………………8
2.1.1 What’s in the box………………………………………..8
2.1.2 Unpacking the box………………………………………8
2.1.3 Attaching the fork……………………………………….10
2.1.4 Serial number…………………...………………………13
2.2 Getting ready to ride………..……………………………………13
2.2.1 Inserting the axles………..……………………………....13
2.2.2 Attaching the rear wheels………..……………………….14
2.2.3 Attaching the seatback………..………………………….15
2.2.4 Attaching the footrest………..………………………..…..17
2.2.5 Fit and seating………..………………………………….19
2.3 Disassembly for transport and storage………..……………………..21
2.3.1 Removing the rear wheels………..………………………...21
2.3.2 Removing the seatback………..……………….…………..22
2.3.3 Transporting the Freedom Chair………..……………….…...24
3 Riding………..…………………………………………………..25
3.1 Safety………..…………………………………………..26
3.1.1 Pre-ride safety checks…………………….………………..26
3.1.2 Safety when riding………..………………………………...26
3.2 Using the lever drivetrain………..…………………………………..28
3.2.1 Inserting and removing the levers………..……………….…..28
3.2.2 Propulsion………..……………………………………….31
3.2.3 Maximizing your speed and leverage………..………………...31
3.3 Braking………..………………………………………………….35
3.4 Turning………..………………………………………………….36
3.5 Reversing………..………………………………………………...38
3.6 Parking brakes………..…………………..………………………..38
3.7 Transfers………..…………………..………..………...………….39
3.8 Advanced techniques………………..………..…………………….39
3.8.1 Climbing hills………………..………..…………………….40
3.8.2 Descending slopes………………..………..…………….…40
3.8.3 Curbs………………..………..…………………………...41
4 Maintenance………………..………..……………………………..42
4.1 Caring for your Freedom Chair………………..………..……………...43
4.1.1 Regular maintenance ………………..……………………….43
4.1.2 Tools to bring………………..………………………………43
4.2 Common adjustments………………..……………………………..44
4.2.1 Inflating the wheels………………..……………………….44

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4.2.2 Replacing the tubes………………..……………………….44
4.2.3 Chain tension adjustment………………..……………..……44
4.2.4 Parking brake adjustment………………..………………….46
4.2.5 Changing the gear ratio………………..……………………48
4.3 Warranty information………………..……………………………....48
4.3.1 Pride & fairness……………………………..………...……48
4.3.2 GRIT limited warranty………………..………………………48

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Chapter 1
Meet the Freedom Chair

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1.1
How to contact GRIT
Congratulations!
You are now the owner of a GRIT Freedom Chair, an all-terrain mobility device unlike any other. This User Manual is designed to
help you assemble, ride, and maintain your Freedom Chair. It also contains important safety information, so please read through the
following pages before hitting the trail!
We also want you to know the GRIT team isn’t ever far away. Feel free to reach us anytime—no question is too big or too small, and
we want to make sure you’re getting the best out of the Freedom Chair experience. Here are some ways you can reach us:
- Call us at
617-356-8106
- Email us at
[e-mail]
- Send us an online chat by clicking the chat window on
www.gogrit.us
- Fill out the support form at
www.gogrit.us/support/
- Find us on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/GRITFreedomChair
- Find us on Instagram! IG Handle:
gritfreedomchair
You can also find helpful videos, explanations, FAQs, and more at: http://www.gogrit.us/support .
1.2
Safety first
Just like learning to ride a bike, riding the Freedom Chair requires a little bit of practice. Start slow—on flat ground—and
gradually build up to more difficult (and fun) riding conditions. Take your first ride outdoors, away from obstacles and hazards.
Have a buddy around to lend a hand during your first ride. This guide has important safety information. Be sure to read
through it before starting your first ride. Do not ride in a matter that exceeds your ability. If you feel unsafe: Stop.
Riding the Freedom Chair involves the risk of injury. By choosing to ride the Freedom Chair you assume responsibility for this
risk, so it’s important for you to know and practice safe riding. This guide contains important safety information:
WARNING:
Warnings indicate a potentially hazardous situation. Failure to heed these warnings could result in serious
injury or death.
CAUTION:
Cautions indicate a potentially hazardous situation. Failure to heed these cautions could result in minor or moderate
injury. Cautions also indicate unsafe practices and situations that may damage your Freedom Chair and may void the warranty.
Many of the Warnings and Cautions say, “you may lose control and fall.” Any fall can result in serious injury or even death, so
we do not always repeat the warning of possible injury or death. Always wear a helmet. Always be aware of your surroundings.
Never hesitate to contact GRIT with any questions about how to be safe in your Freedom Chair.
This manual does not cover every possible dangerous situation or improper use of the Freedom Chair. You, the rider, are
responsible for your own safety and accept all risks associated with using the Freedom Chair.

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WARNING:
TIPPING IS POSSIBLE, especially when going uphill. One way to prevent this is to ALTERNATE lever strokes
during ascents, rather than pumping both levers at the same time. On severe inclines, lean forward, if possible, to adjust
your center of gravity. Always wear a helmet. Always ride with a buddy who can help push from behind if exploring new or
unfamiliar terrain.
1.3
Intended operator
The Freedom Chair is a manually operated, lever-powered recreational device. It’s designed to offer unparalleled mobility on a variety
of terrains, from smooth tarmac to rough trails.
In order to safely operate the Freedom Chair, certain levels of upper body strength and control are required. Grip strength is
required for braking and turning, but adaptations can be made, such as using quad-weightlifting gloves (hook style) to pull the levers
back for braking and turning.
It is your responsibility to determine if the Freedom Chair is right for you. Please consult with your physical therapist or medical
advisors prior to riding the Freedom Chair.
The Freedom Chair comes in several seat width sizes. Please ensure that you fit comfortably in your Freedom Chair. If you
do not fit comfortably, please contact GRIT.
Note that the GRIT warranty covers only the original owner of the chair. The GRIT team is happy to support subsequent
owners, but they are not covered under the initial chair warranty.
You can reach out to GRIT directly, at [e-mail] or 617-356-8106, to discuss whether the Freedom Chair is right
for you and what adaptations can be made to the chair to maximize your performance in it.
WARNING:
Riding the Freedom Chair without the ability to actuate the brakes could result in loss of control, injury,
and even death. Make sure the rider can use the brakes before going downhill!

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Chapter 2
Assembly

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2.1
Unboxing
2.1.1
What’s in the box
Your Freedom Chair was hand-packed by the GRIT team in Massachusetts. Unless otherwise discussed with GRIT, your box
contains:
1. Freedom Chair frame and seat assembly
2. Seatback with fabric and back pad
3. Footrest
4. Fork (with front wheel) and assembly tool
5. Seat cushion
6. Rear wheels with axles
7. Freedom Chair levers
8. Any accessories you ordered
Please inspect the components of your Freedom Chair immediately upon receipt.
Tools required
The necessary Allen keys are provided in the box. These are necessary for adjusting the parking brakes, attaching the fork, and
securing specific accessories and foot plate clamps.
2.1.2
Unpacking the box
Save the box! The original packaging is required for all returns under the GRIT Guarantee. We are hoping that you love your
Freedom Chair, keep it, and recycle the box, but it is better to save the box during the initial 30-day period.
Remove the wheels, seatback, levers, footplate, front wheel, and cushion from the box.
To remove the main Freedom Chair frame piece, lift it up to reveal the footplate clamp. Remove the clamp by pulling it away
from the chair, twisting it loose, if necessary. Remove the cardboard support and reattach the clamp. Note that the clamp has a
lip on it, so it can only be put on the tube in one orientation.

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(a) The base frame is attached to the bottom
of the box.
(b) Lift the base frame to expose the clamp
holding it in place.
(c) Slide off the clamp to free the base frame.
Figure 2.1: Removing the Freedom Chair frame from the box.
(a) Orient the clamp so that the lip is at the bottom and the lever is
towards the rear. Note that some footplate clamps require an Allen key
to loosen/tighten.
(b) Slide the clamp onto the frame so that the lever is toward the rear,
over the slot.
Figure 2.2: Removing the Freedom Chair frame from the box.

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2.1.3
Attaching the fork
Video instructions are available online at http://support.gogrit.us/knowledge/how-to-videos/installing-the-fork-with-front-wheel .
Please read all of the attaching instructions and review the figures on the next few pages before starting. To attach the fork,
you will need to use the 5mm Allen key provided with your Freedom Chair.
If you get stuck on this step, don’t worry! Give us a call at 1-617-356-8106 or email us at [email protected]. We’ll get back to you
right away and are happy to talk you through it!
1. Remove the front wheel parts (the headset components) from their plastic bag and lay them out on the Front Wheel
Parts diagram ( Figure 2.3 , see next page).
2. Slide the first bearing (the two bearings are identical) onto the fork. Make sure the curved (chamfer) side is facing up.
3. Insert the fork through the headset tube at the front of the chair.
4. Slide the second bearing, curved (chamfer) side down, over the fork tube.
5. Slide the compression ring, cone side down, over the fork tube and push it down until it contacts the bearing.
6. Slide the bearing cover, flat side down, over the fork tube.
7. Separately, on a flat surface like a table or the floor, put the top cap (cone side down) on top of the spacer.
8. Put the split washer into the hole in the top cap.
9. Insert the screw through the top cap, the flat washer, and the split washer. Grab the whole assembly and put it over the
fork. Thread the screw into the fork.
10. Tighten the screw until you start to feel some resistance when rotating the fork.

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Figure 2.3: The various components of the fork assembly, shown individually for identification purposes.

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(a) Slide the bearing onto the fork, curved
(chamfer) side up. Push the fork tube into the
Freedom Chair.
(d) Slide on the bearing cover, flat side down.
(g) Insert the screw with the split washer through
the hole in the top cap. Grab the top cap, spacer,
and screw in your hand.
(b) Slide on the top bearing, mak ing sure the
curved (cham fer) side of this bearing is facing
down toward the ground .
(e) Put the top cap, cone side down, over the
spacer.
(h) Put the top cap, spacer, and screw on top
of the headset and thread the screw into the
nut within the front wheel fork.
(c) Slide on the compression ring, cone side
down, as far down as you can. It doesn’t matter
which direc tion the split is pointing.
(f) Slide the split washer onto the screw.
(i) Tighten the screw with the provided Allen key
until you start to feel resistance when rotating the
fork left to right.
Figure 2.4: Attaching the front wheel to the Freedom Chair

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2.1.4
Serial number
Your Freedom Chair Serial Number is located at the rear of the seat, beneath the cushion. Please record this ID number in a safe
place. The ID number is necessary for all warranty repairs and helps us provide you customized service by email and
telephone.
2.2
Getting ready to ride
2.2.1
Inserting the axles
All GRIT Freedom Chairs (any model) and their accessory wheels ship without axles inserted. Inserting the axles through the
wheels is easy, and only needs to be done once, when you’re setting up your chair for the first time. Most wheels come with black
caps, which ensure proper spacing.
First, slide the axle into the hub from the side opposite the stainless-steel coupling (the coupling is the wide, silver ring). Make
sure that the black hub caps do not fall off. There should be a black cap on both sides of the hub. If the caps fall off, simply
press them back on. That’s it!
Figure 2.5: Make sure that the black hub caps don’t fall off when inserting or removing the axles.

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CAUTION:
Make sure that the black hub caps do not fall out. There should be two black hub caps per hub, one on the inside and one on the
outside. A missing hub cap could cause the wheel to slip
out of alignment during use and may result in a crash and damage to your GRIT Freedom
Chair.
2.2.2
Attaching the rear wheels
To attach the rear wheels, follow the process in Figure 2.7.
Note that the side with the wide, silver ring connects to the chair.
Oftentimes, the coupling will be misaligned, and the wheel will not fully attach (i.e., the axle push-button won’t push out). To
fix this, rotate the chain until the slots of the coupling and the freewheel are aligned. You’ll know the wheels are securely attached
when the push-button on the axle pops out. See Figure 2.7 for more information.
(a) Push the quick-release button inward. (b) Align the axle with the axle receiver.
(c) Align the grooves on the coupling and insert the axle.
Figure 2.7: Attaching a rear wheel to the Freedom Chair
(d) Ensure the button is out and the coupling is fully
attached to the freewheel.

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WARNING:
ALWAYS ENSURE THAT THE AXLE BUTTON IS POPPED OUT AND THE COUPLING REACHES THE FREEWHEEL.
Riding the Freedom Chair without the wheels fully attached could cause a wheel to fall off the chair, causing a crash and fall and
may result in serious injury or death.
If the button is in and the coupling does not reach the freewheel the chair is not safe to ride.
A correctly attached wheel has the button out and the coupling reaching the freewheel. Note that the spacing will be slightly different between the coupling and
the freewheel on the right and left sides of the chair. If unsure about the connection, try pulling the wheel off to check whether it is correctly locked in place.
2.2.3
Attaching the seatback
The seatback slides into the seat and attaches with push-button clips.
Slowly attach the seat back
to prevent it from jamming.
Insert the seat into both sockets simultaneously and keep the seatback level during insertion.

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CAUTION:
Make sure the seatback is fully inserted and the push buttons are sticking out. Riding the Freedom Chair without fully
inserting and locking the seatback could cause damage to the seat, voiding your warranty, and may cause you to fall out of the Freedom
Chair.
(a) Slide the seatback into the sockets on the back of the seat. Keep the
seatback level while you slowly insert it into the sockets.
(c) With your fingers, push the spring button inwards
on both sides of the
seatback
while lowering the seatback into the seat.
(b) Slide the seatback in until the push-buttons reach the holes. If the
seatback becomes stuck, adjust the angle of the seatback and slowly
push/pull to free it.
(d) Continue pushing the seatback all of the way down until the buttons
pop out of the holes on both sides of the seat. Attach the magnets in
the privacy flap to the metal of the seatpan.
Figure 2.9: Attaching the seatback to the Freedom Chair

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If the seatback becomes stuck
Sometimes, the seatback can be hard to insert or remove. This happens if the seatback tubes are not put into the seat
simultaneously or if the canes are bent. To release a jammed seatback, hit one side of the seatback with the base of your hand
upward or downward to realign the part. If this is a continuing issue, please contact GRIT at suppor[email protected] and we’ll see
how we can help!
Lubrication
It’s important to keep your seatback tubes lubricated so that they slide easily into the seat. We recommend using a Teflon-
based lubricant like Tri-Flow.
2.2.4
Attaching the footrest
The footrest attaches to the Freedom Chair using the same kind of clamp commonly used on bicycle seats. This clamp comes
in two variations—one that secures with an Allen key, another that secures with a lever. The footrest tube is inserted into the
chair and then the clamp lever is used to lock the tube in place. The tightness of the clamp can be adjusted with the adjustment
nut opposite the clamp lever (or by tightening the Allen key, if applicable). If the footrest is loose or sways side to side, the
clamp is not tight enough.
Figure 2.11: The footrest clamp is a bicycle quick-release seat clamp. The adjustment nut controls the tightness of the clamp. Pull
the lever outward to open the clamp so that the footrest can be inserted and removed. Push the lever inward to close the clamp
so the footrest is held in place.

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(a) Ensure the footrest clamp is open and loose enough for the footrest
to slide in easily.
(c) Slide the footrest tube into the frame until it is at an appropriate height.
(b) Insert the footrest tube with the footrest facing forward.
(d) Lock the clamp in place by pressing the lever down against the
footrest tube. If your footrest clamp requires an Allen key, tighten the
bold accordingly.
Figure 2.12: Attaching the footrest to the Freedom Chair

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2.2.5
Fit and seating
Seat belt
The Freedom Chair ships with an included seat belt. We recommend riding with the seatbelt.
Foot straps
The footrest plate has slots to add your own foot straps (see Figure 2.13). You may use these to secure your feet into the
foot plate.
CAUTION:
Always wear closed-toed shoes when riding the Freedom Chair.
CAUTION:
Make sure your feet do not slide forward, into, or against the front wheel. See Figure 2.14.
Leg straps
Leg straps may be used to hold your legs together, which can improve clearance for your lever strokes. We recommend
Neoprene straps, though Velcro also works well.
Strap-mounting holes
The Freedom Chair seat pan has 9 holes pre-drilled into the base of the seat. These can be seen by lifting and removing the
cushion. These holes may be used to add additional straps. Please contact GRIT to discuss your strapping needs.
A note on cushions
The Freedom Chair ships with a wheelchair-style comfort cushion. The cushion is not a pressure-relief cushion. Many riders
choose to add their own cushions; please consult with your occupational therapist to see if this cushion is appropriate for you.

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Figure 2.13: The footplate includes slots for straps to hold the feet in place when riding.
Figure 2.14: Make sure your feet do not slide forward into or against the front wheel.
The Freedom Chair seat is sized to accept standard wheelchair cushions, including pressure-relief cushions. All sizes of the
Freedom Chair have a 16-inch seat depth. Velcro may be applied to the seatpan to appropriately secure your cushion. Some
riders have benefited from stacking multiple cushions in the Freedom Chair to achieve a taller rider position. Remember, though:
Adding or removing cushions will adjust your center of gravity, potentially increasing the risk of tipping.