GRIT FREEEDOM User manual
Assembly Guide &
User Manual
GRIT Freedom Chair Support | 617-356-8106 | [email protected]
Table of Contents
1 Safety Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1 How to Contact GRIT 4
1.2 Safety First 4
1.3 Intended Operator 5
2 Unboxing & Headset Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.1 Unboxing 7
2.2 Unpacking the Box 8
2.3 Attaching the Fork 9
3 Additional Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.1 Inserting the Axles 13
3.2 Attaching the Rear Wheels 14
3.3 Attaching the Seatback 16
3.4 Attaching the Footrest 17
3.5 Fit and Seating 19
4 Disassembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.1 Removing the Rear Wheels 23
4.2 Removing the Seatback 24
4.3 Transporting the Freedom Chair 25
5 Riding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
5.1 Safety 27
5.2 Pre-Ride Safety Checks 27
5.3 Safety When Riding 28
6 Using the Levers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
6.1 Inserting & Removing the Levers 31
6.2 Propulsion 35
6.3 Maximizing Your Speed and Leverage 36
7 Freedom Chair Techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
7.1 Braking 39
7.2 Turning 41
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7.3 Reversing 42
7.4 Parking Brakes 42
7.5 Transferring 43
8 Advanced Techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
8.1 Climbing Hills 45
8.2 Descending Slopes 45
8.3 Curbs 46
9 Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
9. 1 Caring For Your Freedom Chair 48
9.2 Handy Tools 48
10 Common Adjustments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
10.1 Inflating the Wheels 51
10.2 Chain Tension Adjustment 51
10.3 Parking Brake Adjustment 51
10.4 Changing the Gear Ratio 51
11 Warranty Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
11.1 Design & Fair Support 54
11.2 GRIT limited warranty 54
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1.1. How to Contact GRIT
Congratulations on your new, all-terrain GRIT Freedom Chair! This Assembly Guide &
User Manual is designed to help you assemble, ride, and maintain your Freedom Chair. It also
contains important safety information, so please read through this guide before riding.
Wherever you go, the GRIT team isn’t ever far away. If you have questions, need help, want to
brag to us about a recent Freedom Chair adventure, or are looking for some information about an
accessory or resource, below are some ways you can reach us:
-Phone: 617-356-8106
-Email: [email protected]
-Chat Window: www.gogrit.us
- Support Form: www.gogrit.us/support/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/GRITFreedomChair
The GRIT office is open Monday-Friday, 9AM-6PM EST.
1.2. Safety First
Riding the GRIT Freedom Chair requires some practice. It will likely take a few rides before
you feel comfortable with the motions. After that, you’ll be able to work on more technical
terrains and maneuvers, build up your strength, and incrementally increase your distance.
Every Freedom Chair rider you’ve seen online has worked hard over time to be as proficient as
they are. It can be tough, but you’ll get there, and our team and GRIT community are both
here to help.
This guide holds important safety information. Please read through it before starting your first
ride.
Like with any mobility device, 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 practice safe riding. Safety information can be found in the following formats:
WARNING: Warnings indicate a potentially dangerous situation. Failure to heed these
warnings could result in serious injury or death. For example:
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WARNING: TIPPING IS POSSIBLE, especially when going uphill. One way to prevent
this is to ALTERNATE lever strokes during ascents, instead of pumping both levers at the
same time. Always wear a helmet and ride with a friend who can spot you from behind.
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
conditions that may damage your Freedom Chair or void the warranty. For example:
CAUTION: Any fall can be dangerous. Always wear a helmet. Always be aware of your
surroundings. 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.
1.3. Intended Operator
• In order to safely operate the Freedom Chair independently, 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 Active Hands gloves to pull the levers back for
braking and turning.
• It is your responsibility to determine if the Freedom Chair is right for you. If you are
unsure, consult with your physical therapist or medical advisors prior to riding the
Freedom Chair.
• The Freedom Chair comes in several seat widths. Please ensure that you fit comfortably in
your Freedom Chair. If you do not fit comfortably, please contact GRIT.
• The GRIT warranty covers only the original owner of the chair. Subsequent owners will
have access to the GRIT support team but will not be covered under the initial warranty.
• You can reach out to GRIT directly at [email protected] or 617-356-8106 to discuss what
modifications and adjustments can be made to maximize your performance.
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2.1. Unboxing
Your Freedom Chair was hand-packed by the GRIT team in Massachusetts. Unless otherwise
discussed with GRIT, your box contains these parts:
1. Freedom Chair Frame & Seatpan
2. Seatback
3. Footplate
4. Fork & Front Wheel
5. Seat Cushion
6. Rear Wheels & Axles
7. Freedom Chair Levers
8. Any Requested Accessories
Depending on the model you have, your parts may look slightly different than the above photo. If
you’d like to confirm the components you received, call GRIT at 617-356-8106.
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2.2. Unpacking the Box
Save the box! The original packaging is used for returns under the GRIT Guarantee. We hope
you love your Freedom Chair, keep it, and end up recycling the box, but it’s helpful to save the
box during the first 30-day period.
Step 1: Remove the wheels, seatback, levers, footplate, front wheel, and cushion from the box.
Step 2: To remove the main Freedom Chair frame, lift it up to reveal the footplate clamp,
which will be securing one of the cardboard inserts. Remove the clamp by loosening the clamp
and pulling it away from the chair (try twisting it to free it). Remove the cardboard insert and
reattach the clamp. Note: The clamp has a lip on it, so it can only be put on the tube in one
orientation.
Please use the following images to complete these first 2 steps:
a) The frame is attached to the
bottom of the box.
b) Lift the frame to expose the clamp
holding it in place.
c) Slide off the clamp to free the
frame.
d) Orient the clamp so that the lip
is at the bottom.
e) Slide the clamp onto the frame.
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2.3. Attaching the Fork
Video instructions are available online at https://www.gogrit.us/freedom-chair-support#forkinstall
To attach the fork, you will need the 5mm Allen key provided with your Freedom Chair.
Call us at (617) 356-8106 or email us at [email protected] with any questions about the following
steps. Text instructions immediately below, but refer to the following two pages for photos
that will help!
1. Remove the front wheel components from their plastic baggie and match them to
the photo on the following page (for easy identification, place the parts right onto
the photo).
2. Slide one of the two bearings onto the fork, curved (chamfer) side 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, put the top cap (cone side down) on top of the
spacer.
8. Put the split washer (either side up) into the hole in the top cap.
9. Insert the screw through the top cap and the split washer. Grab this 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.
The fork should rotate 360 degrees without much resistance. The screw should be
flush with the top cap.
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Note: Components of the fork assembly, shown individually for identification purposes.
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3.1. Inserting the Axles
All GRIT Freedom Chairs wheels ship without the rear-wheel axles inserted. Inserting the
axles through the wheels is easy, and only needs to be done when you’re setting up your chair.
Our wheels come with black caps, which ensure proper spacing. Look at the below images for
reference.
Note: Right side images show proper black caps. The coupling can be seen in the lower images.
Once you confirm the black caps are secure, insert the axles into the rear wheels!
First, slide the axle into the hub from the side opposite the stainless-steel coupling (the
coupling is the wide, silver ring). You’ll have to press the button at the end of the axle to push
it through the hub. 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!
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3.2. Attaching the Rear Wheels
Once the axles are inserted through the rear wheels, attach the rear wheels! Follow the process below.
Note: The side of the wheel with the wide, silver ring (coupling) connects to the chair.
a) Press the quick-release button on the axle inward. b) Align the axles with the axle receiver.
c) Align the grooves on the coupling and insert the
axle.
d) Ensure the push-button on the axle is out and the
coupling is fully attached.
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WARNING: ALWAYS ENSURE 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.
Note: If the push-button is depressed and the coupling does not reach the freewheel, the chair is not
safe to ride.
Note: By design, the spacing will be slightly different between the coupling and the
freewheel on the right and left sides of the chair. This is okay! If unsure about the connection,
try pulling the wheel off to check whether it is correctly locked in place.
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3.3. Attaching the Seatback
The seatback slides into the seat and secures with push buttons. Slowly insert both sides of
the seatback at the same time to prevent it from jamming.
CAUTION: Make sure the seatback is fully inserted and the push buttons are popped
out. Riding the Freedom Chair without fully inserting and locking the seatback could cause
damage to the seat, and may cause risk of injury.
a) Slide the seatback into the receiving sockets on the
back of the seat. Keep the seatback level while you
slowly insert it into the sockets.
c) Slide the seatback down until the push buttons
pop out on both sides.
b) With your fingers, push the spring buttons
inward on both sides of the seatback while
lowering the seatback into the seat.
d) Press the magnets of the privacy flap to the metal
of the seatpan.
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If the Seatback Becomes Stuck
Sometimes, the seatback can be hard to insert or remove. This happens when: The seatback
tubes are not pushed into the seat simultaneously, if the canes on the seatback are bent, or if
the receiving sockets are misaligned or bent.
To release a jammed seatback: Tap one side of the seatback with the base of your hand
upward or downward. If this is a continuing issue, please contact GRIT at [email protected]
and we will assist.
If your seatback doesn’t insert or align with the receiving sockets: Check for damage to
the top of the seatpan, the canes, and the receiving sockets themselves. Call GRIT at
617-356-8106 or email [email protected] immediately.
Note: Keep your seatback tubes lubricated so they slide easily into the seat. We recommend
using a Teflon-based lubricant like Tri-Flow.
3.4. Attaching the Footrest
The footrest attaches to the Freedom Chair using the same clamp used on bicycle seats. 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. See the following
page for photos that will help with attaching the footrest.
CAUTION: If the footrest is loose or sways side to side, the clamp is not tight enough.
The adjustment nut controls the tightness of the clamp. Pull the lever outward to open the clamp so
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.
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3.5. Fit and Seating
• Seatbelt
The Freedom Chair ships with a seatbelt included and attached to the seatpan. It may be tucked
beneath the seat cushion. We recommend riding with a seatbelt.
• Foot Straps
The footrest plate has slots to add your own foot straps. You may use these to secure your feet into the
footrest. GRIT also has straps available for purchase.
• 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 sides of the Freedom Chair seatpan have pre-drilled holes. These holes may be used to add
additional straps.
• A Note On Cushions
- The Freedom Chair ships with a wheelchair-style comfort cushion. The cushion is not a
pressure-relief cushion. Some riders choose to add their own cushions; please consult
with your physical or occupational therapist to see if this cushion is appropriate for you.
-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. Note: Adding or removing cushions will adjust your
center of gravity, potentially increasing the risk of tipping.
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