We design and fabricate custom-made wheelchairs and accessories from factorys based in Christchurch, New Zealand and Fresno, California. Our custom wheelchairs are made to measure, designed to fit you and to suit the way you move.
We also have a large range of parts and accessories including powered devices for wheelchairs. If you require further information on any products phone us on +64 3 354 5616 or email sales@melrosechairs.co.nz
We design and fabricate custom-made wheelchairs, these are made to measure, designed to fit you and to suit the way you move, you will need to fill out a "Script Form" to order one.
We also sell imported "hospital style" steel folding wheelchairs and walkers for the elderly, these are listed on the right.
Because of the plethora of choices for personal mobility we have included a short introduction to help you make your decision What wheelchair is right for you?
All our wheelchairs are custom-made to measure and a script form needs to be filled out before ordering. If you need help filling out a script, contact us or your health professsional.
RUGBY SPORTS WHEELCHAIRThe Melrose Rhino Rugby Wheelchairs, are custom fabricated after careful consultation with the athlete. They are all manufactured to comply with International rules of the IWRF.
All our Rugby wheelchairs are built by highly experienced fabricators who are working for a company that has over 16 years involvement in the sport.
As a small customer focused company we encourage you to talk directly with the fabricator of your new wheelchair to ensure you get the product you desire, this is a service we are committed to offering you.
We use the highest quality materials and components to build our wheelchairs, many of the components are built in-house by our team of qualified engineers using the latest CNC technology.
Some of our design features include:
pickbars mounted to the front that are designed to strike and in some cases hold opposing wheelchairs,
wings, positioned in front of the main wheels to make the wheelchair more difficult to stop and hold,
rear mounted anti tip guards positioned at the rear to also make the wheelchair more difficult to hold, and
all our rugby chairs have spoke guards, to prevent spoke damage, and to make it more difficult to stop and hold.
Offensive chairs with various wing alternatives or defensive chairs with variations of pickbars can be built. You can view these on the Rugby Wheelchair Options » page.
CAF Funding Application
The Challenged Athletes Foundation "CAF" offer all disabled athletes the chance to apply for assistance for "equipment" costs.
If you have a physical disability that would qualify you to compete in any Paralympic sport then you’re eligible for a grant from CAF. You may apply from any country, read the "Information" link for more details. CAF online application » Information about the application process »
Standard Specifications
Offensive or Defensive chair
Choice of pick bar styles in alloy
Fixed camber bar between 12° and 20°
Cross spoked wheels 24” with high pressure tyres
Hard anodised pushrims and quick release axles
Rollerblade castors
Adjustable height alloy tube footplate
Adjustable height back
Adjustable tension seat sling with height adjustable back upholstery
Holes for bindings
Options and Accessories
Individual designs for wings can be accommodated - double, single and/or inverted
Anti-tips with alloy or plastic plating protection
ABS or alloy footplate fixed or fully adjustable
Offensive or defensive style steel bolt on pick bar
Spinergy wheels - 24”, 25” or 26”
Various spoke guard designs:
- Polycarb offensive and defensive
- Polyethylene offensive
- Polyethylene / red rubber defensive
- Alloy spoke guards
Red or black rubber coated pushrims. Oversize pushrims with 6 or 12 tape
Hip strap, leg strap, foot strap
Back bar cover, cushions 1” 2” 3” or 4”
Fabric, Alloy or ABS side guards
Wheel bag to accomodate (two or four) 24”, 25” or 26” wheels
Titanium Lo Point Rugby Wheelchair
In 1992 our very first Melrose wheelchair was fabricated from titanium, although it was a day chair it highlights our 24 years experience in working with titanium.
In late 2006 Melrose Wheelchairs first developed a titanium rugby wheelchair for a Japanese rugby player.
We had been previously testing titanium fabrication for weld retention during impact by creating titanium pickbars and testing them on existing aluminium frames -
results can best be described as spectacular. Fast forward several years and with further development we now build lo point titanium rugby wheelchairs.
Although titanium is twice as heavy as aluminium, titanium's high modulus (stiffness) allows for much thinner sidewalls in the tubing that is used
- this means much less metal is used in the frame compared to an aluminium frame. The thinner sidewalls along with the higher melting temperature means that skilled fabricators require longer build periods. This increases the cost of a titanium sportschair - a new titanium defensive rugby chair for example would be twice the cost of an aluminium rugby chair.
Contact us and talk to Mike, our top fabricator can answer all your rugby wheelchair questions and help you script your new titanium rugby wheelchair.
