Carolina Storm Wheel

[cloudy]

Is it possible to send it back? I cannot really understand what the company means by the gap prevents infection.

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Might do. The weight might put the wheel off balance, or it might be chewed. Same with a blob of glue actually. The tiny gap is actually at both sides as well - more the inside though. You can see the black edge under the gap so it's not "open" as such, but it's still somewhere to catch a toe nail.

I'd push the connector to one side so there's only one tiny gap and then cover it with a cut to size car sticker if it really worries you that much. That's how i covered the gaps on the small silent spinner. Clarissa refused to use any other wheel and let me know her thoughts by peeing on them.

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by Ria P

I'd push the connector to one side so there's only one tiny gap and then cover it with a cut to size car sticker if it really worries you that much. That's how i covered the gaps on the small silent spinner. Clarissa refused to use any other wheel and let me know her thoughts by peeing on them.

Oh my gosh, that made me laugh! She was very clever.

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by cloudy

Oh my gosh, that made me laugh! She was very clever.

Yes, she was an incredible communicator.

[Pebbles82]

That is an option yes, there is probably a solution. It bugs me a bit though as I've had three before! Can't push the strip one way though as it's in the middle on the outside so won't budge. No gaps on the outside. So it's two tiny gaps to fill. I'm not sure if I'm being ultra safety conscious or just a bit OCD about it! But I've always been careful.

I'll think about it. I could send it back and get something else like Pip's - a wood/cork wheel to attach to the bars. And Raffy is so small he doesn't really need a 12" wheel like the Silent Runner. On the other hand the silent runner is designed to work well on the bars and other wheels aren't usually - and I find it space saving having them attached to bars.

Raffy is fine with the 10.5" Storm wheel right now as he's small. I measured it and it's actually 11" at the front so I'm guessing the 10.5" is the middle where they tend to run.

[Ria P]

When i received Scottie's silent runner it was already assembled but wasn't spinning right and had gaps. I took it apart and reassembled it. It's fine now, no gaps and spinning smoothly.

I'd take it apart and start again. Give it one more try before returning it.

[LunaTheHamster1]

I think slowly over the years the parts have been replaced on the silent runner, from what my friends say they don;t seem to be as good as they used to be which is a shame. Although, like you say there shouldn't be a gap.
This is why I bought the rodipet Heureka wheel to try and find another silent wheel that is easily washable. But, you can't attach that to bars.
From what I remember TicTac wheels are expensive, and even with customs charges last time i looked, an imported nightangel wheel would work out cheaper (may have changed now) Just not sure if they attach to cages. But very silent, from what my friends say.

[Pebbles82]

Thanks both. Ria yes I did that tonight. Reassembled it again - even tried turning the spacer piece over the other way. It's just the same. Luna I agree. The last couple of times I've bought them the bolt parts and fittings have been different. Not worse or better necessarily but different. I can't understand why there'd be a gap inside when there isn't outside (as there never used to be) unless either the design of the rim has changed (looks the same) or the spacer part has changed or something has changed.

I did see the Niteangel wheel - available on Amazon - at £65! Due to shipping costs. I think I'd rather buy a wood rodipet one at £45! But they're out of stock and apparently out of stock a lot these days. There will be a way of attaching both of those to the bars, it just depends what works. It might mean a piece of wood with a hole in (like the rodipet stand is).

Same with the Niteangel one probably. Perspex can crack though! I have tripped over/trodden on wheels before when in the playpen or cleaning out a cage. Doesn't do any wheel any good!

I still have that lovely clear plastic Karlie wonderland wheel - like the wood cork wheels but a clear plastic wheel part - except it broke! Like most of them do - tips forward on the bearings and eventually fell apart.

[Pebbles82]

Looking at the reviews of the Niteangel wheel on Amazon.com there was a question about whether it could be attached to the bars with this answer

"Yes I did!!! I had to find a nut to make up for the space of the stand so I could screw it on tightly to my wire cage. It is silent! The stand was too big for my cage."

So yes it probably needs something between the wheel and bars instead of the depth of the stand. I wonder if the "spacer" metal tube for the silent runner would fit. If not - a piece of wood with a hole in would probably do it.

[Ria P]

What's wrong with using the wheel he has now?
As long as he can run with a straight back which a small Syrian can in a 10in wheel then there's no need to change it.