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Old 03-07-2017, 01:56 PM   #1
wildpandora
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Arrow Wheels for syrians??

Hey guys!!

So i know that syrian hamsters need at the very least an 8-12 inch wheel, and a solid one at that.. BUT Im curious which style of wheel everyone prefers for their Syrian?? Saucer or traditional?? and why??

Also what are your favorite brands of hamster wheels??
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Old 03-07-2017, 02:04 PM   #2
Drago
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Default Re: Wheels for syrians??

Oh I just love talking about wheels!

8 inches is a bit on the small side for a Syrian. It might work if they're a baby, but I recommend a minimum of a 10 inch as this is what is most comfortable for them and encourages exercise. I think Syrians in general tend to prefer standard wheels over saucers, while dwarfies often love the saucer wheels. A saucer should never really be used by itself as hamsters need to be able to run naturally and only a standard wheel can provide that, but a saucer definitely provides extra enrichment if you can get both!

My favorite brand would have to be the silent runner. It's such an excellent quality wheel for its price. It's silent, smooth running, and stands up to abuse from a very mouthy hamster which makes it a great choice! Wodent wheels are also another great wheel as they're essentially silent (unless the pin is lost) and they spin smoothly and really well. Another advantage of both is that they're enclosed which is better for more timid hamsters who will appreciate the extra security of the closed off running space. They're pricey up front, but totally worth it in the end
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Old 03-07-2017, 02:28 PM   #3
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Default Re: Wheels for syrians??

Larry-Jasper always seems to hate his Saucer but loves his Comfort Wheel. I would say that a Silent Runner is your best bet, since everyone is always raving about them. 10-12 inch would be best for an adult Syrian, so there's no point buying an 8 inch wheel.
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Old 03-07-2017, 02:47 PM   #4
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Wheels for syrians??

A standard wheel is important I think, as the main wheel, so they run properly. It can be nice to have a flying saucer as well, if you have space for both, but Syrians tend to not always run well in a flying saucer and can "bend" in the middle, so I see it as an extra rather than a main wheel, so they don't get back problems in the future.

If you're in the US the three most popular ones are the 12" Silent Runner (which I also love! And it's cheaper in the US than the Uk), the Carolina Storm Bucket wheel (which is 10" and ok for an average or smaller Syrian but a large Syrian needs a 12" wheel really). And the 11" wodent wheel which is good for average sized Syrians.

The Carolina Storm wheels aren't cheap but they are silent too, with ball bearings and are sturdy and height adjustable (so you can have a good amount of substrate under it at maximum height).

The Silent Runner is Silent and has a very safe sturdy, one-piece metal stand. It's a similar design to the wodent wheel, with a front and back piece and a running track that all come apart, but it hasn't got a spindle, which is good for long haired hamsters, and makes it easier to clean than the wodent wheel (arguably!). They are quite new but I used mine for the last year and no issues at all. It only comes in orange lol. You can also get (separately) good cage mounting plates for it, so it can be attached to a cage at whatever height you want. Or to a wood sided cage or a bin cage, by drilling a hole where you want the centre bolt to go. The advantage of this is you can have deep substrate and site the wheel above it, and it's not going to fall over, get tunnelled under or whatever. I've had mine cage mounted and it's great.

The 11" wodent wheel used to be the favourite of hamster wheels I think - they've been on the go a long time, along with the 12" Wobust wheel. To me the 12" Silent Runner is a much better option than the 12" Wobust wheel (having used both) as the Wobust wheel is very deep and takes up loads of space - looks like a hat box lol.

The wodent wheels are well made with good quality plastic and tend to last a long time. They tend to be quiet (there are remedies if it develops a squeak) but not always silent. They can be a bit fiddly to take apart and put back together because of a metal pin fasting at the front, although once you get used to it it's fine. They do have a spindle so not good for long haired hamsters. They can be attached to cages and tanks again by slotting the stand through the top bars or through a hole drilled in the side, but need extra supports (for a tank) or cable ties for a cage. Transoniq Tidbits web page shows examples of how to attach it. I think it works great hung upside down. I had issues with the stand really. Didn't like it stood on the stand - it wasn't that stable on top of substrate and too low to stand on the base of the cage and still moved. Also our hamster got his leg stuck between the wheel and stand on the 12" wobust wheel - which is why I then hung it upside down. Hamsters do have a habit of running behind a wheel sometimes.

You can get both the Silent Runner and the 11" Wodent wheel from Exotic Nutrition (and I think they are the best prices too). Exotic Nutrition are actually the manufacturers of the Silent Runner.

The Carolina Storm wheel has its own website. There is only the one size - 10" diameter I think.

I'd go for a 12" Silent Runner - they spin so well and easily and are quite lighweight without being flimsy. The 12" spins so well I reckon a dwarf hammy could run in it easily.

Finally - don't confuse the 12" Silent "Runner" with the 12" Silent Spinner. The Silent "Spinner is also massively deep (same depth as the Wobust wheel) and since a manufacturing change a year or so ago they don't always spin well - if at all!
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Old 03-07-2017, 02:50 PM   #5
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Default Re: Wheels for syrians??

I'm also a wheel addict lol. I did a thread showing the common wheels and their dimensions, photos etc. Two of the wheels on this thread aren't available in the US. (Trixie and Karlie wood wheel).

Guide to suitable hamster Wheels
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Old 03-07-2017, 04:01 PM   #6
wildpandora
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Default Re: Wheels for syrians??

Im finding that my biggest issue is the diameter of the wheel. In my area of the US, western NC, it seems that around here, people are simply just uneducated on the needs of larger hamsters. Literally all I can find thats big enough is 8" silent spinner advertised for rats and a 12 silent runner that is advertised for chinchillas.
It actually really bothers me that it is so difficult to find appropriate toys and such for syrians...

Side note, has anyone tried any DIY wheels for syrians?? Im curious as I plan to do a cage theme that is all DIY items.. Just curious if the one on ErinsAnimals made from lolly sticks is actually practical.. Its in an octagon shape so Im not sure..
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Old 03-07-2017, 04:09 PM   #7
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Wheels for syrians??

I think some people have made their own bucket wheels and used old computer drives to make a silent mechanical bit. Beyond my skills lol.

You can get the regular Silent Runner online here. I think the one for Chinchillas is the extra deep green one. Pet shops often aren't up to speed on things and just sell stuff for profit basically.

Silent Runner 12 inch - Silent Runner Wheel 12 inch (REGULAR)

But - it's quite tall on it's stand. 35cm tall - so it won't fit in a lower cage possibly. Unless you took it off the stand and attached it to the side with the mounting plates and a hole drilled through the side of the bin. Then it's only 12" tall
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Old 03-07-2017, 04:12 PM   #8
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Default Re: Wheels for syrians??

I prefer an upright traditional wheel for my Syrians, I use both a 10" DIY bucket wheel and a 11" trixie wheel in my Pumpkin's cage as she likes using both her wheels.

I have made a DIY wheel for my Syrian. This is my favourite wheel as it has a wide running track and also spin really easily and Pumpkin loves to sprint on this wheel. Here is thread about my DIY wheel (instructions on page 2) MY DIY Bucket Wheel.
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Old 03-07-2017, 04:13 PM   #9
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Default Re: Wheels for syrians??

I have an 11" Wodent wheel and an 8" comfort wheel. Cleo used to have the Wodent wheel when she was younger when I upgraded her form her 8" inch wheel. I like the closed In Wheel but I prefer the idea of the slightly bigger openings on the 11" one (the senior, I think). Having said that, Pip has the 8" comfort wheel and he fits that just fine. I'm lucky because I don't sleep in that room, I'm not sure I could stand it if I did - it's a bit noisy! but he lapses once in a while and pees in his wheel. The Wodent wheel can be a faff if you just need to give it a quick clean so he can stick with the noisy wipe- able wheel for now
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Old 03-07-2017, 04:18 PM   #10
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Wheels for syrians??

The Silent runner is not bad for a quick wipe as well - easier than the wodent wheel - because it has such big holes

One difficulty on deciding wheel size before having a hamster is not knowing how big your hamster will be. But you can't go wrong really if you get an 11" or 12" wheel as all Syrians can run in them fine. Having said that, our Syrian was so big he was too big for the 11" wodent wheel.
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