Question: I am in the market for a new chair. I once met a competitive racer whose personal chair was compact, lightweight and rigid. The best thing about the chair was that it didn't require much effort to move the wheels. Is there anything specific I should be looking for to insure this capability? ~Riff

Answer: There are many lightweight, rigid models wheelchairs on the market and one of these models may suit you the best. Many wheelchair athletes are using this type of wheelchair in their competitions because of the chair's quickness and maneuverability. Many people are also using sport wheelchairs for their everyday use. Sport wheelchairs are generally made of aluminum and they are lightweight and easy to propel. The best thing to do would be to try out a few wheelchairs to see which one suits you the best. If you let your wheelchair dealer know what you are looking for you should have no problem finding one that fulfills your needs.