I was at the pet store today picking up some new water bottles and I looked around a little. I decided to take a look at the 12" Silent Spinner exercise wheel with intent to buy it just for fun. I looked it over for a bit and then was horrified by what I saw on the back. Their newer super silent "one of a kind" bearing design uses two additional support wheels on the bottom of the hub to hold the wheel weight. This means that they spin counter to the wheel spin. This is great if you have one large animal using it, but in a cage with 2+ climby jumpy explory sugar gliders, this is a disaster waiting to happen. Those two wheels are just right there hungrily waiting for a face, tail or feet to rip apart.
I cant seem to find a photo of the back of one of these to help explain what Im talking about. Perhaps someone has one and can share.
So this is a new model then?? Different from what was out there? I have a silent spinner (just one of the wheels I have) and this does not sound familiar?
Yeah, it may only be on their largest model, i dunno. Perhaps I should go back and get some photos and look at the others. It's a neat idea but poorly implemented for animal safety to be sure.
The support wheels are around the size of roller blade bearings and they might be 1 to 2" from the center supporting a sub-hub. This distributes the axial load so the main bearing lasts longer and the wheel shouldnt sag or wobble with age. Usually heavy axial loads require an inner and an outer bearing, like in a car wheel hub, so this design puts the outer bearing under the wheel to support it.
does it go around and it also spins? Can you post a pic?
I had a wheel many years ago that did that. It was made by super pet and I had a post about it on glider central after an accident with my glider, Sundown. The wheel had come loose on one side. I found him with his neck stuck in between the plastic and the wheel. We rushed him to the vet and he was ok but it was very scary. I remember waking up my whole house when I started screaming when I found him that way. I wrote to super pet and never got a reply..I haven't seen these wheels on the market in a long time. I hope they are not the same ones.
Nope, not a Twin Spin. The wheel itself is actually pretty decent and our gliders would love it. If you look in the center, you can see the shadow of the large hub on the back side and on the bottom on each side of the hub are the evil support rollers.
I went back to the store tonight with camera in hand. I got a few photos of a great way to rip off tails and limbs if you have more than one glider in the cage or tent.
Exposed rollers and raceway like in this new design are extremely dangerous.
Its prolly ok for a single chin, maybe even multiples as long as they dont climb the cage. A single glider probably wont get bit by this either, it's when you have one moving it and another behind it or riding the outside... It happens all the time in my cages.
My chins are bouncy boys and one is always on and in it. Boo is alone for atleast 2 more weeks (yay friends) Plus with building a bigger cage was going to have to upgrade size wise anyways..Better to just be safe and get it out of the cages and get new ones. They love all love new stuff anyways..
I had one of those a long time ago. It's not a good wheel for even a single glider, as if they stop running and the wheel keeps going, they go flying. I gave mine to my brother for his rat.
I had one of those a long time ago. It's not a good wheel for even a single glider, as if they stop running and the wheel keeps going, they go flying. I gave mine to my brother for his rat.
What about the ones that have the back thats like a slit (or maybe like a B?) that can clip on to the cage? What do you guys think about those? I have a wodent wheel and i purchased one of the silent spinners (not this new twin one) to have them use for a couple days when their nails are really trimmed well (so their nails dont get too short) I couldnt find a good picture of one like what I have but this pic is about the same:
Edited to add: (I dont clip mine to the cage, its on the stand.)
i would just say no. better to be safe then sorry. its not like the wodent wheel cost an arm and leg. its just another part of having a glider (exotic animal)and getting the correct things for it like their diet and cage.
you can attach it to the cage though. does tht effect anything
...... No it is still dangerous when attached to the cage. It has been known to fall off and trap gliders underneath.
DO NOT USE THIS WHEEL
Mine actually did fall off, I'm so glad I took it out... Tazz was running and did his usual leap out of it and right after he landed the wheel went flying across the cage and narrowly missed him.
I have a wodent wheel in the mail to me now... won't be going back to a silent spinner, that's for sure...
My hedgehog loves the Silent Spinner! I wouldn't say it is unsafe for ALL animals. Just not for gliders!
Of course.
You just gave me and idea My friend was looking at my unsafe wheel collection (giant hamster/rat wheel and the silent spinner) for her hedgie, but I wasn't sure if it would be safe for her to use. Now that I know, I'll call her up and tell her that she can have my silent spinner because it's just sitting and collecting dust lol
What about the ones that have the back thats like a slit (or maybe like a B?) that can clip on to the cage? What do you guys think about those? I have a wodent wheel and i purchased one of the silent spinners (not this new twin one) to have them use for a couple days when their nails are really trimmed well (so their nails dont get too short) I couldnt find a good picture of one like what I have but this pic is about the same:
Edited to add: (I dont clip mine to the cage, its on the stand.)
I would say if it's not the Wodent, Stealth/Whirl Wheel, or Custom Cruzer then no.
Home
Glider Gossip
Gliderpedia
Journals
Resources
Nope, not a Twin Spin. The wheel itself is actually pretty decent and our gliders would love it. If you look in the center, you can see the shadow of the large hub on the back side and on the bottom on each side of the hub are the evil support rollers. 
