Description
Strongback · Self-propelled manual wheelchair
The Strongback backrest, on a steel frame.
The Strongback ErgoSteel is a manual wheelchair with Strongback’s patented lumbar backrest built into the frame. It uses the same backrest as the aluminum Strongback Comfort. The frame is steel, which makes it the lowest-priced chair in the Strongback range.
What it’s like to live with
- You sit upright for longerThe backrest supports the hollow of your lower back, so you aren’t shifting every few minutes to ease an ache.
- You can get it into the carPop off the rear wheels with a push button. With the legrests, casters and anti-tippers off too, the frame weighs 18.3 lb.
- It works at the tableDesk-length armrests let you roll up close to a table, desk or kitchen counter instead of stopping at the edge.
- Lower price, same backrestSteel costs less than aluminum. The backrest is the same one Strongback fits to every chair it makes.
Built around the backrest
Weights and measurements
| Measurement | Figure | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Weight limit | 300 lb (135 kg) | Tested to ISO 7176-15. Count bags and anything hung on the chair. |
| Carry weight | 18.3 lb | The bare frame, with wheels, legrests, casters and anti-tippers off. This is what you lift into the car. |
| Total weight | 35.7 lb | Ready to ride, with wheels and legrests on. About 37 lb with the anti-tippers fitted. |
| Frame | Steel | Heavier than aluminum, and the reason the price is lower. |
| Seat width | 18 in | Measured between the armrests. This is the only width. Measure your hips while seated and add an inch. |
| Seat depth | 16.5 in | From the backrest to the front edge of the seat. |
| Seat height | 20 in front, 18.3 in back | The seat is angled at 12° and the backrest at 24°. |
| Backrest height | 18.5 in | Tension adjusts with hook-and-loop straps. Folds down for transport. |
| Armrests | Desk-length | 8 in above the seat, and shorter at the front so you can pull up to a table. |
| Footrests | Swing-away | Detach without tools. |
| Rear wheels | 24 in | Quick-release with a push button. Handrims for pushing yourself. |
| Front casters | 8 in | The small swivel wheels at the front. |
| Size, ready to use | 44 x 27 x 37 in | Length x width x height with the legrests on. 31.6 in long without them. |
| Folded | 14 in wide, 29 in high | With the backrest folded down, per Strongback’s manual. |
ErgoSteel or Strongback Comfort?
| Feature | ErgoSteel | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Choose it if | You want the posture support for less, and weight isn’t your first concern | You lift the chair often and every pound counts |
| Backrest | Patented Strongback lumbar backrest | Same backrest |
| Frame | Steel | Aluminum |
| Seat width | 18 in | 18 in or 20 in |
| Carry weight | 18.3 lb | 16.1 lb (18 in seat) |
| Total weight | 35.7 lb | 25.8 lb (18 in seat) |
| Weight limit | 300 lb | 300 lb |
| 3-position rear axle | No | Yes |
| Frame warranty | 2 years | 5 years |
A good fit if you
- Fit an 18-inch seat
- Weigh up to 300 lb, including what you carry
- Push yourself at least some of the time
- Want lumbar support at the lowest Strongback price
On the chair
- Steel frame tested to ISO 7176-15
- Patented backrest with adjustable tension
- 24-inch quick-release rear wheels with handrims
- Swing-away footrests, desk-length armrests, side panels
- Removable anti-tippers
- 2 years on the frame, 12 months on other parts
Setting it up
- Rear wheelsHold the locking button, push the axle into the frame and let go. Check the button springs back and the wheel won’t pull out.
- Front castersSlide each caster into the frame, fit the safety clip and tighten the star nut.
- Anti-tippersPush them in like the rear wheels and swivel them down. They stop the chair tipping backwards and must be down before anyone sits in it.
Downloads
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Strongback ErgoSteel weigh?
35.7 lb ready to ride, with the wheels and legrests on. Strip it for the car (wheels, legrests, casters and anti-tippers off) and the frame is 18.3 lb.
What is the weight limit?
300 lb, tested to ISO 7176-15. Strongback’s manual asks you to count bags and backpacks toward that figure.
Will it fit in my car?
The rear wheels release with a push button, and the bare frame is 18.3 lb. Strongback’s manual puts the folded chair at 14 inches wide and 29 inches high with the backrest down. Strongback says that fits most sedan trunks. Give us your car’s make and model and we’ll check.
What seat width does it come in?
18 inches only. Measure across your hips while seated and add an inch. If you need 20 inches, look at the Strongback Comfort in its larger size.
Can I push it myself, or is it a transport chair?
You can push it yourself. It has 24-inch rear wheels with handrims, and a caregiver can push it from behind with the handles.
Why steel and not aluminum?
Price. Steel keeps the ErgoSteel cheaper than the aluminum Strongback chairs, and the backrest is the same. The trade is weight: about 10 lb more than a Comfort with an 18-inch seat, ready to ride.
Can I adjust the backrest?
Yes. The backrest panel hangs on broad hook-and-loop straps, so you can set the tension at any height and change it whenever you like.
What does the warranty cover?
Strongback covers the frame for 2 years and the seat, footrests and other parts for 12 months, from the date of purchase. It covers defects in manufacturing and materials for the original buyer, not normal wear or misuse.
Can I stay in the chair in a moving vehicle?
No. Strongback’s manual says the ErgoSteel isn’t built to be used as a seat in a motor vehicle. Move to a vehicle seat, then fold the chair and stow it.
Not sure it’s the right chair?
Call and tell us how long you sit each day, who helps you and what car you drive. We’ll tell you whether the ErgoSteel suits you or whether the lighter Comfort would serve you better.
