What next?

If your child is too big for a Excel Elise, but still needs something to get around in, even if only occasionally, what is the next step?

Most children outgrow the Excel Elise at around 8 years old, not because they exceed the weight limit of 50kg but because their legs are too long, it has become difficult to push, they are uncomfortable and too 'perched' in the seat.

The Excel Elise is the last of the lightweight, compact pushchairs in what we might think of as a classic pushchair style, i.e. not looking too much like a wheelchair. Although quite basic, it is practical, convenient and reasonably user friendly. It helps make everyday life easier and not be a barrier to doing things - "wouldn't it be good if there were a larger version of the Excel Elise" is a question we are asked several times a week.

The answer is because in practice it doesn't actually work, below are some of the reasons.

Weight & Size. A larger model would need to be stronger to take a heavier weight and physically larger to take a larger/taller body, the extra framework adds weight and length when folded. It would also need wheel bearings to roll freely and again this adds frame weight. So the pushchair is now no longer lightweight or compact - two keys reasons why you like your Excel Elise. There are already products taking twice the occupant weight but only weighing 1kg more and which fold up faster and more compactly than the Excel Elise....they just don't look like a pushchair.

Operation. Routine operation of the Excel Elise relies on the fact that the carer is larger, taller and heavier than the occupant. To tip the front wheels up to mount a kerb the carer needs to either pull back on the handle or lever down with their own weight. With an adult carer and a child occupant this works because of the scale difference. Once the occupant is closer to the carers weight and size it is very difficult and unsafe. Having tipped the front wheels up the carer then has to maneouvre the pushchair on its rear wheels to the kerb. The Excel Elise pushchair wheels are not higher than the kerb so the carer then needs to lift the pushchair and occupant up and over the kerb, all while the pushchair is balanced on the front swivel wheels. This works when the child is around 35kg but 70kg may only be practical for small percentage of the population.

A larger version of this pushchair for a larger occupant only works if you can scale up the size of the carer also to say 8ft and 250lbs.

The solution to the physics of this is the transit wheelchair type design, below are some of the reasons.

Weight & Size. The frame design permits higher weight loading with minimal extra materials, if your impression of a wheelchair is the one for public use at your local supermarket (heavy/clumsy/bulky/uncomfortable/dated etc.) then think again.

Operation. A wheelchair mounts a kerb differently and uses 'Proper Postural Mechanics', an understanding of how the human body works to leverage the potential of the carer, minimise danger of injury and keep the occupant safe. To tip the front wheels the carer applies their body weight to lift the front wheels up onto the kerb, proper weight distribution of the occupant makes this easy. Moving the rear wheels to the kerb edge the carer maintains full control using the major muscle groups in the legs and core. A wheelchair has larger rear wheels which bite at the top edge of the kerb, a forward motion alone, driven by the leg muscles (with minimal lifting) forces the wheelchair to roll over the kerb with ease. Loading is maintained on all four wheels, not just balanced on the swivel wheels so stability is protected.

If you want something to quietly serve your needs not dominate your every trip out, then we recommend the Ergo Lightweight Pushchair.

Weighing only 1kg more than the Excel Elise the Ergo Lightweight pushchair will take an occupant weighing up to 100kg, it has proper wheel bearings so free rolling in use and it folds quickly and compactly for transportation.

For you the Ergo Lightweight Pushchair delivers a smart, practical solution to make everyday trips easier.

For your child the ergonomic seat with Safety Harness provides mobility with comfort and security.