Need a larger wheel

[Lilafernim]

Just to let you know as well the 33cm Trixie plastic wheel is back in stock on eBay for £23.

Exercise Wheel & Stand for Hamsters, Rats & Small Rodents | eBay

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Although never had a hamster have problems with their feet with wheels generally (the big 12" silent "spinner" used to be an issue for that though - at the join).

A while back i acquired a second hand but fairly new 12in silent spinner and expected the same issues as with the small ones.
Surprisingly, there were no gaps at all so i wonder if the design had been changed.
It is a big, heavy wheel only foster hamster Peppe liked to use so it went with him.

This wheel could be another option for Neptr.

[heidii]

Originally Posted by Lilafernim

Just to let you know as well the 33cm Trixie plastic wheel is back in stock on eBay for £23.

Exercise Wheel & Stand for Hamsters, Rats & Small Rodents | eBay

Out of stock when I saw it! Gosh, I never realised people wanted such big wheels. I thought my 28cm would be absolutely fine for Neptr, and it was when he was a little smaller.

[Pebbles82]

There used to be a 29cm wheel which was a good compromise between 28 and 30cm That was the original karlie wood wheel that had struts (issues with those with hamsters having bleeding feet so the cork ones became more popular). Tbh a 28cm wheel should be big enough for syrian hamsters. Before the silent runner came along, the two most popular wheels were the 28cm plastic trixie wheel, the 27cm wodent wheel and the 29cm wood karlie wheel. While the 27cm wodent wheel might not be big enough for a large syrian, I think most 28cm wheels should be. Although they can run in larger wheels.

[Pebbles82]

That 32cm trixie wheel looks very deep. I guess it's for hedgehogs or something. Or rats?

[Lilafernim]

I reckon so, I’ve only owned the 28cm one as I’ve mentioned so I can’t comment on the 33cm specifically. But I don’t personally mind the Trixie wheels I’ve owned, and as mentioned throughout this thread I too prefer plastic over wood for hygiene reasons. I would say it’s probably aimed at rats though and it’s a shame there isn’t a middle size anymore.

I increased from 21cm to 28cm before and that seemed like a massive difference, that was 7cm larger and 28-33 would be 5cm difference but I think when it comes you’d be surprised how much bigger that actually is. Maybe there might be a review on YouTube for that size compared to a 28cm one?

[Lilafernim]

I couldn’t find a video review but on amazon you can check out the reviews because a couple show a picture of a Syrian in one. It might give you an idea of the size.

Trixie Plastic Exercise Wheel, 33 cm https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CJWIS2S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KYEQ7CKDDE0090YS4CQV

[Pebbles82]

Looks like a good option.

[heidii]

The reason for large hamster wheels is to prevent back curvature. I understand in theory a 28cm wheel should be big enough, but Neptr has very noticeable curving in his back when he's on his wheel.

[AmityvilleHams]

A 28 cm is only just barely over 11 inches, and that sadly just doesn't cut it for all Syrians and many will be too large for that size and need a 12 inch wheel, and in some less common cases they may even potentially need larger.

30 cm actually isn't 12 inches either - it's 11.811 and still not adequate for a 6 inch long Syrian, and that 0.48 cm to get to 12 inches exactly should certainly not be underestimated. You really do need at least double their length in diameter for running with a straight back, and going bigger doesn't hurt just in case. Keep in mind that only applies to proper upright wheels and flying saucers would be an entirely different nightmare to tackle in terms of sizing since the actual usable running surface for those is very different in comparison, half or less that of a proper upright wheel actually due to the design & how hamsters end up having to run on them - and in a very unnatural position at that.

I think it's easy to assume a cm or 2 won't matter because they seem like such tiny measurements, and while that can be the case with cages it isn't the case with wheels. Even almost half a cm can make a difference!