Best wheel for a Robo?

Sandhouse · 06-29-2016, 04:18 AM

I've looked at a lot of wheels and got a comfort wheel 8" mostly because I didn't know what else to do. I'm not sure if she can move it. It seems to spin as well as most wheels I see in videos but when she gets on it doesn't budge. It's perfectly possible she doesn't know how to use it or maybe she's too young and little. I have no idea if there was one in the pet shop because I wasn't there. Also, I've only had her for less than a week and she needs time to feel comfortable. Hides when she sees me watching her. It's a quiet room and I try to give her space right now.

I just wanted to ask if there are some wheels that work best with this species, if an 8" is too big generally, etc. Any tips are welcome. If the wheel is clearly wrong I want to replace it ASAP. Thanks!

More info: My first hamster since I owned an unfortunate creature at the age of seven. I accidentally killed it. I'm 32 now and I have five other pets (besides the hamster) and I love animals passionately so I'm very keen on taking perfect care of her. No name yet! Name suggestions welcome.

souffle · 06-29-2016, 08:10 AM

There is lots of robo info here on Moderator Tammy's site that may help
http://www.oakfarmrabbitsandrodents....robo/main.html
I think an 8in wheel is too big for such a tiny animal. Most people use a 6in silent spinner or a flying saucer type wheel of similar size. These run freely and she should be able to work it. If it does not turn easily (there has been a bad batch around recently) then you should return it to the store for exchange.

AmityvilleHams · 06-29-2016, 08:21 AM

A 6" upright wheel of some sort would be good,obviously a solid running surface.Flying saucers make a great add on wheel but shouldn't be the only wheel as they don't really allow for the most natural running position and do cause side arching.

Oreomyhammy · 06-29-2016, 09:09 AM

Try a silent spinner you probably have them in your local pet shop

Shakudo · 07-02-2016, 04:39 PM

I use the smallest silent spinner for Sharky, fits exactly right, doesn't have an arched back but straight as it should be, he flew out of a bigger wheel much more than this.
I am so super happy with it because it really is silent and very easy to clean.

Rodent Fan · 07-02-2016, 05:25 PM

I use the medium (6.5 inch) silent spinner for my mice and for my 10 week old dwarf hamster, and I really really like them. I also have a knock-off version from Pets at Home which has actually been really good.

Pebbles82 · 07-02-2016, 11:25 PM

The 6.5" silent spinner is the one that used to be the most popular for a robo - but it's the one that had a manufacturing issue last year (people finding they wouldn't spin) that Souffle mentioned. I believe the Pets at Home look alike one that Rodent Fan mentioned is ok although the stand isn't as stable as the Silent Spinner. (I think Velma did a review of it and said the stand from the Silent Spinner fitted on it!). But maybe if the stand is held down with something it might be more stable. The 8" Wodent wheel is the ones the Germans use for Robos, which probably spins a bit better than the Comfort wheel, but 6.5" sounds better for your tiny robo.

Not sure if the manufacturing issue has been resolved with silent spinners - as Souffle says, if it doesn't work properly you can take it back. I think anything smaller than 6" is too small though.

There's another thread here mentioning that Jollyes might be a good place to get a 6.5" Silent Spinner (old style)

Silent Spinners in Jollyes

Kissa · 07-03-2016, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

I think an 8in wheel is too big for such a tiny animal. Most people use a 6in silent spinner or a flying saucer type wheel of similar size. These run freely and she should be able to work it. If it does not turn easily (there has been a bad batch around recently) then you should return it to the store for exchange.

One of my Robos has an 8" wooden wheel and uses it fine

I usually use the 6.5" flying saucers for Robos at the moment (I find them easier to clean, Robos do like to pee while on their wheel), but have never had a Robo struggle with an 8" wooden wheel.

However, the comfort wheels I think have a reputation for being stiff, so I am not surprised if a Robo struggles with it. The wooden wheels I've had, have all been really easy to turn, so even though they are heavier than plastic wheels, once they are moving they seem easy to keep moving.

Rodent Fan · 07-03-2016, 06:37 AM

Regarding the pets at home wheel stand - my wheel is attached to the bars of a cage, so that explains why I haven't had an issue with it

velma · 07-03-2016, 06:42 AM

I personally like a 6.5" silent spinner for my robo Hector. I have a kaytee/superpet spinner from before the redesign that has stopped them working so well and I also have a p@h version. A friend has another brand again, that she got online (i don't know what it's called but it's dark green and dark grey)band that seems to spin well too. I have mine in stands and hers is attached direct to the cage.
As Serendipity said, I did a review of the two that I own a while back. I liked the p@h wheel and would buy it again now that the latest versions of the original seem to be duff. But I didn't like the plastic stand at all, in fact Hector managed to get it to fall over. I'm not sure how much clearance there is to weight it down underneath but you can buy metal stands that will fit them. (Superpet wheels all seem to have the same type). I also have a medium flying saucer for him that he has sometimes for a change but overall as a permanent wheel I'd say something like a spinner is better and it takes up less room.

Here is the review I wrote of the spinners. There is a link to a video I made in it too, if you want to see how it looks size wise with a robo in it.
P@H silent spinner review