A wheelchair can be useful for getting you around if you have a permanent disability or short-term injury. For maximum mobility, a manual chair is the way to go. There are two types, rigid frame and folding frame. Which one of these is best for you depends on your needs.
Ridged Frame Chairs
Ridged frame chairs use a welded frame that's generally made from aluminum or titanium. You can also get one made from carbon fiber, but it's more expensive. While a ridged frame wheel chair can't be turned in to a sleek, trunk-fitting machine, the wheels have a quick release and the top of the seat folds down for better portability.
Folding Frame Chairs
Folding frame chairs are generally made of the same materials that you'll find in a rigid frame chair, titanium or aluminum. The older models are made out of tube steel. Because they have an X construction for folding, they generally require a few support latches and rods made of aluminum or titanium.
Differences
The biggest difference between the two chairs is weight and portability. The folding chair, because there are so many support pieces, will be heavier and harder to move by yourself. The support pieces also need to be adjusted frequently and are made with a thicker gauge of material, which adds more weight. The rigid frame chair, with its simple design and lack of moving parts tends to be lighter and, therefore, more portable.
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