TiLite wheelchairs are built using a fundamentally different approach to most adjustable active chairs. Rather than assembling a frame from standard, pre-bent components, each TiLite frame is manufactured from scratch once an order is placed. No tube is bent until your measurements are confirmed, allowing the wheelchair to be built directly around the individual rather than forcing compromises to fit pre-defined geometry.
This made-to-measure process, known as TiFit, allows a level of frame customisation that goes well beyond seat width and depth. Frame depth can be specified independently of the seat, helping to fine-tune balance, centre of gravity, and handrim access. Front frame angle can be adjusted to better match body position, leg length, and knee angle — an area where many modular chairs are restricted by fixed components. Options such as seat taper, V-front ends, and an ergonomic rear seat bend allow the frame to follow the user’s body more naturally, improving stability and control for experienced users who already know what works best for them.
The TRA frame is TiLite’s flagship swept-in dual-tube design. While dual-tube frames are often assumed to be heavier or more cumbersome than mono-tube designs, the TRA challenges that assumption. By using narrower titanium tubing, the frame is only marginally heavier than a mono-tube ZRA, while offering noticeably increased rigidity and reduced flex. In practice, this means more pushing effort is translated into forward movement rather than being absorbed by frame flex — something experienced active users tend to notice immediately.
Traditional dual-tube frames could be awkward to transport once the wheels were removed, but the TRA’s swept-in design avoids this. The frame remains compact and easy to handle, making it just as practical to lift and stow as many mono-tube chairs.
As with all TiLite T-series chairs, the TRA is built from aerospace-grade titanium. This material offers excellent vibration damping compared with aluminium, which many users experience as a smoother, quieter ride over imperfect surfaces. Titanium’s strength-to-weight ratio also contributes to long-term durability, making the TRA a chair designed for years of active use rather than short upgrade cycles.
The “A” in TRA stands for Adjustable. TiLite’s Precision Lock Technology allows adjustments to key setup elements such as seat height, centre of gravity, and backrest position. This makes the TRA well suited to users who want a highly personalised chair but still value the ability to refine their setup over time — whether as their wheelchair skills develop or their needs change.
Each TRA is built to order with a wide range of component options to match lifestyle and performance priorities. These include recognised industry standards such as Spinergy wheels and Natural Fit handrims, along with carbon fibre sideguards, multiple footrest styles, castors, and rear wheel options. One component we often highlight is the Out-Front Shadow wheels supplied as standard, which are lighter and more refined than many manufacturers’ entry-level wheel options.
As part of the Permobil group, TiLite chairs are compatible with ROHO Agility lightweight air backrests and cushions. We also regularly supply the TRA with Comfort Company Curve cushions for users who do not have specific pressure-care needs but want a supportive, discreet, and comfortable seating solution.
Beyond performance, the TRA has a distinctive visual identity. The swept-in dual-tube frame gives the T-series a silhouette you won’t see on other chairs. Alongside a wide choice of frame colours and accent options, the TRA can be specified with a raw titanium satin finish, which many users prefer for its understated, non-clinical look. Optional frame “tattoos” allow personalisation without turning the chair into a statement piece. Our demonstration TRA is finished in matte Black Lava for a clean, all-black look, and we keep tattoo samples available for customers who want to explore those options.
Comparing the TRA and ZRA:
The TRA and ZRA share a lot of core DNA: both are titanium, fully adjustable, custom-built active wheelchairs using the TiFit process and Precision Lock Technology. The choice between them is less about quality — both are high-end — and more about ride feel and priorities.
The ZRA uses a mono-tube frame and is often favoured by users who want the lightest possible adjustable chair with a very clean, minimalist look. It offers excellent vibration damping and adjustability, and works particularly well for users who value simplicity, low weight, and a classic mono-tube aesthetic.
The TRA, by contrast, prioritises rigidity and energy transfer. Its swept-in dual-tube frame increases stiffness and reduces flex, which many experienced users perceive as a more direct, responsive ride. While it is fractionally heavier on paper, the difference is small, and in use the added rigidity often outweighs the marginal weight increase for users focused on propulsion efficiency.
In short:
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Choose the ZRA if you want the lightest adjustable TiLite with a mono-tube design and a very clean visual profile.
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Choose the TRA if you value maximum rigidity, propulsion efficiency, and the distinctive feel and look of the T-series dual-tube frame.
We often find that users who are highly active, technically confident, and sensitive to frame flex tend to prefer the TRA, while those prioritising absolute weight and simplicity often lean toward the ZRA.
