Hamster Central - View Single Post

Pebbles82 · 07-15-2017, 07:12 AM

Sounds like they've added the round plastic washer at the front - maybe a safety thing so that the pet can't get caught or scratched on the pin ends (I think this has happened with sugar gliders and other pets - not heard of it happen with a hamster). I was a bit concerned about the larger protruding pin on the 12" Wobust wheel and found a tip to use a hair grip as well. Then used the pin with a kids rubber stuck on the end of the points!

The Silent Runners are a bit like the Wodent Wheels in that they have holes in (albeit much larger, kidney-shaped holes) and fit together in a similar way, with a front piece, back piece and a running track which fits between. The difference is - they spin really well and silently as they have ball-bearings. They also don't have a spindle which is good for a long haired hamster or sugar gliders. The front and back pieces are held together tightly though without need for a spindle. They have a very sturdy, safe stand, which is solid metal with no gaps or places to get trapped (which I like for safety reasons). They can also easily be mounted to bars at any height with a bar mounting kit of two metal plates. I love having mine bar mounted at the height/position I want - it runs well and stays put.

It only comes in 9" or 12" sizes though. But the 12" is a great size and much better than the 12" Wodent Wobust wheel - particularly as it is not nearly as deep as the Wobust (13cm and looks like a hat box!). The Silent runner is 9cm deep which is just right I reckon - deep enough but compact enough not to take over the cage and floorspace. It's the same depth as the Karlie Wonderland Wood wheels (that might be what you are thinking of re open wheels that are silent).

Because it's light and spins so well it's very easy for a hamster to run in, even if they don't need a 12" wheel.

Having said all that, the 11" wodent wheel is big enough for most syrians and also a good wheel and takes up less space. Personally I didn't like using wodent wheels unless they were hung upside down, where they seem more stable (and also not so low down in the substrate). I had a Wobust wheel for a while and our hamster got his leg caught in the gap between the wheel and stand - hanging it upside down solved that issue as well. He could easily have got out if he hadn't been running in the wrong direction! But the more he panicked, the faster he tried to run away and the more stuck he got. Easily solved by lifting the wheel out at the time and freeing him. But it's a good job I was there. Less of an issue with the 11" wheel possibly - bigger gap on the Wobust wheel.

No colour choice on the silent runner! It's bright orange! (12") or yellow (9"). There is a green one but that's an extra deep 12" for hedgehogs etc.

Neither is it cheap. It costs about £25. Plus postage, plus an extra £5 ish if you want bar mounting plates. Whereas a wodent wheel costs less than £20 usually. But it's the best wheel I've had, hasn't broken and I'm still using it over a year later. Wodent wheels also tend to last a long time. So the only real advantage is - if you want one and if you want it cage mounted at the height you choose, easily, and if you need a silent wheel (and it is totally silent apart from the patter of tiny feet) or need a 12" wheel, or a spindle-less wheel.

An 11" wodent wheel is a great wheel for a Syrian too. They're quite hard to get hold of now - but Silent runners aren't that easy to get hold of in the Uk either - a couple of sellers and Rodipet in Germany.

07-15-2017, 07:12 AM
Pebbles82 Hamster Antics Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 23,533	Re: Wodent Senior Changed? Sounds like they've added the round plastic washer at the front - maybe a safety thing so that the pet can't get caught or scratched on the pin ends (I think this has happened with sugar gliders and other pets - not heard of it happen with a hamster). I was a bit concerned about the larger protruding pin on the 12" Wobust wheel and found a tip to use a hair grip as well. Then used the pin with a kids rubber stuck on the end of the points! The Silent Runners are a bit like the Wodent Wheels in that they have holes in (albeit much larger, kidney-shaped holes) and fit together in a similar way, with a front piece, back piece and a running track which fits between. The difference is - they spin really well and silently as they have ball-bearings. They also don't have a spindle which is good for a long haired hamster or sugar gliders. The front and back pieces are held together tightly though without need for a spindle. They have a very sturdy, safe stand, which is solid metal with no gaps or places to get trapped (which I like for safety reasons). They can also easily be mounted to bars at any height with a bar mounting kit of two metal plates. I love having mine bar mounted at the height/position I want - it runs well and stays put. It only comes in 9" or 12" sizes though. But the 12" is a great size and much better than the 12" Wodent Wobust wheel - particularly as it is not nearly as deep as the Wobust (13cm and looks like a hat box!). The Silent runner is 9cm deep which is just right I reckon - deep enough but compact enough not to take over the cage and floorspace. It's the same depth as the Karlie Wonderland Wood wheels (that might be what you are thinking of re open wheels that are silent). Because it's light and spins so well it's very easy for a hamster to run in, even if they don't need a 12" wheel. Having said all that, the 11" wodent wheel is big enough for most syrians and also a good wheel and takes up less space. Personally I didn't like using wodent wheels unless they were hung upside down, where they seem more stable (and also not so low down in the substrate). I had a Wobust wheel for a while and our hamster got his leg caught in the gap between the wheel and stand - hanging it upside down solved that issue as well. He could easily have got out if he hadn't been running in the wrong direction! But the more he panicked, the faster he tried to run away and the more stuck he got. Easily solved by lifting the wheel out at the time and freeing him. But it's a good job I was there. Less of an issue with the 11" wheel possibly - bigger gap on the Wobust wheel. No colour choice on the silent runner! It's bright orange! (12") or yellow (9"). There is a green one but that's an extra deep 12" for hedgehogs etc. Neither is it cheap. It costs about £25. Plus postage, plus an extra £5 ish if you want bar mounting plates. Whereas a wodent wheel costs less than £20 usually. But it's the best wheel I've had, hasn't broken and I'm still using it over a year later. Wodent wheels also tend to last a long time. So the only real advantage is - if you want one and if you want it cage mounted at the height you choose, easily, and if you need a silent wheel (and it is totally silent apart from the patter of tiny feet) or need a 12" wheel, or a spindle-less wheel. An 11" wodent wheel is a great wheel for a Syrian too. They're quite hard to get hold of now - but Silent runners aren't that easy to get hold of in the Uk either - a couple of sellers and Rodipet in Germany.