Carbon Frame
While carbon has been available in wheelchairs for a number of years, Sunrise Medical persisted in optimising their manufacturing techniques before launching a carbon fibre wheelchair, to ensure they got the perfect balance of strength and rigidity. This was achieved with the unique X-Braid technology: while traditional manufacturing techniques see carbon layered, braiding creates a constant weave in the frame tubing, ensuring zero weak links and a precise and consistent result each time. Five times stronger than steel, and both stiffer and lighter than any other material available, carbon fibre is the ultimate material for a lightweight wheelchair, and the Krypton is the best in its class.
Every part of the Krypton was only approved when Sunrise Medical's engineers were 100% happy with it, and it has been tested in conditions from freezing cold -20°C to desert heat of 70°C. No ageing test has worn down the Krypton, and it is designed to stand the test of time. The aerospace engineered carbon fibre frame is strong where necessary and light where possible: this allows you to exert less energy when pushing, while the unrivalled stiff rigidity of the frame and axle tube provides an extremely responsive and agile ride.
Adjustability
The Krypton follows in the finest Quickie traditions of remaining a highly adjustable wheelchair, based on an understanding that everyone has a different shape and size and thus the importance of having a wheelchair bespoke to you. There are over 10,000 configurations for the Krypton, and we can assess and recommend the best configuration for you shape, lifestyle and requirements. While the Krypton isn't quite as adjustable as chairs lower down the range such as the Nitrum or QS5X, there is still a significant amount of post-build fine-tuning available such as the infinitely adjustable centre of gravity, both front and rear seat heights, and the backrest angle.
Styling
You can style your ride with a choice of three bold accent colours, adding a splash of personality to your Krypton. The elegant carbon frame has a selection of finishes available from the natural raw carbon finish that saves a further 100 g of weight, to the luxury transparent gloss, and understated transparent matt finish - or have your frame simply in classic black, whether matt or gloss. The beautiful styling of the Krypton and personalisation options let you design a wheelchair that you can cherish, and define a style to call your own.
Transport
If you are needing to regularly transport your wheelchair in a car, the instinct may be to go for the folding Krypton F instead - however, the Krypton R's open frame design, folding backrest and quick release wheels make it super-lightweight and compact, and is easier than ever to lift over your body onto the passenger seat.
Our Verdict
It cannot be emphasised enough just how important weight savings are on an active wheelchair - every gram saved is less weight you're pushing around, and the stiffer the frame, the more energy is transferred to forward propulsion. The Sunrise Medical Quickie Krypton R Rigid Wheelchair offers outstanding driving performance, and is truly the pinnacle of the Quickie wheelchair range, sitting above the Nitrum as their flagship rigid wheelchair. For those seeking an ultra-light wheelchair, the Krypton is the obvious choice.
We would recommend test driving the Krypton alongside one of Progeo's carbon models - Progeo being specialists in carbon fibre wheelchairs, with several stylish Italian-made models such as the Duke and Noir 2.0 available. The Panthera X is another carbon framed chair to consider, and even lighter at just a 2.1 kg transport weight - however, it is much more expensive than the Krypton R, less adjustable and features a dual frame.
