Fractal Design Refine

Got one today, currently thinking it’s the most uncomfortable chair I’ve had :(

Compared to my Ikea Markus, it’s worse built (poor stitching, loose threads and creases in the fabric), less comfortable where the seat base isn’t very deep even at the max setting and the recline seems far stiffer even when set to the loosest setting. Also the mesh in the base seems to bunch up at the front when you sit in the chair, which seems a bit of a poor design.

This all seems to contradict what most reviews on the internet suggest, so currently a bit baffled as to whether I’ve been duped by disguised advertisements rather than true customer opinion!
 
pioneer2000 said:
Got one today, currently thinking it’s the most uncomfortable chair I’ve had :(

Compared to my Ikea Markus, it’s worse built (poor stitching, loose threads and creases in the fabric), less comfortable where the seat base isn’t very deep even at the max setting and the recline seems far stiffer even when set to the loosest setting. Also the mesh in the base seems to bunch up at the front when you sit in the chair, which seems a bit of a poor design.

This all seems to contradict what most reviews on the internet suggest, so currently a bit baffled as to whether I’ve been duped by disguised advertisements rather than true customer opinion!
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Could you please post some pics of the build issues?
 
pioneer2000 said:
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That looks like several QC issues, are you getting a replacement, or return?
 
eurokage said:
That looks like several QC issues, are you getting a replacement, or return?
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Returning them, the Ikea Markus to me is more comfortable, better built and not much less ergonomic at the end of the day... only downside that I absolutely despise are the arms on the Markus. Currently I'm figuring I may try to get replacement arms for my chairs and just stick with what we already have. The disappointment with the Fractal's has semi put me off the idea of spending hundreds on new chairs.

The Herman Millers / Steelcases are all too expensive imo, so the only other alternative in a similar bracket would be the Secretlabs titan eco, which obviously has massively conflicting views depending on who you ask.
 
pioneer2000 said:
Returning them, the Ikea Markus to me is more comfortable, better built and not much less ergonomic at the end of the day... only downside that I absolutely despise are the arms on the Markus. Currently I'm figuring I may try to get replacement arms for my chairs and just stick with what we already have. The disappointment with the Fractal's has semi put me off the idea of spending hundreds on new chairs.

The Herman Millers / Steelcases are all too expensive imo, so the only other alternative in a similar bracket would be the Secretlabs titan eco, which obviously has massively conflicting views depending on who you ask.
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I've never bought a new Steelcase always bought refurbs and all have been rock-solid. I would not spend hundreds on a non-Steelcase/HM.

This person has written a cool guide on modding Ikea Markus: Ikea Markus Arm Mod
 
Just replaced my IKEA MULLFJÄLLET with a Refine in the light fabric. So far impressed with it, really comfortable, good levels of adjustment, the high back is so nice to have. I had recently started to get uncomfortable in my IKEA chair. It was a couple years old. Felt like it had reached the end of its life really. No creaks or anything, but the seat pad had lost all it's bounce.

So far the seat pad and back have a nice firm but comfortable feel to them on the Refine... Hopefully it stands the test of time, not sure I'd want to spend much more than the cost of the Refine really.
 
It's been a while since there was any updates in here. Wondered how everyone is getting on with their Refine after some use? any more issues awaiting resolution with Fractal?
 
Mines holding up well considering I'm on the festively plump side of "gamer physique"

I am waiting for Fractal to send me a replacement backrest as mine creeks more than I would have expected. The only other issue was a silver screw on the base of the seat pan coming loose, which was fixed by tightening it up.

All in all, still very happy with mine. Perhaps would say the QC from fractal could be improved a bit. I'll be interested to see what they do for the Refine 2 if they ever make one.
 
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The new back is less creaky than the old one, for sure. Last few days I've spent A LOT of time in it playing Evil Genius 2 (awesome game! :cry:) In the IKEA chair a mammoth weekend gaming sesh would have had my back and butt in pain. Last night when I logged off after a good 5 h binge :eek: my back still felt fine.
 
Venali said:
I've spoken to quite a few owners of this chair, and the general opinion is that the fabric > mesh version.
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I've only sat on the full fabric one. Perhaps when this one needs replacing I'll have a look into mesh. I've only ever had one mesh chair which was crap. Although admittedly it's was from Argos so not exactly a premium chair by stretch of the imagination :cry:
 
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