Time for a new wheel

[MamaJ]

I have replaced anything else plastic in my boy's cage by now with nice wooden shelves etc, but the only eyesore still left is a 12 inch plastic wheel. Thankfully he has never tried chewing on it, but I can tell that he is slowly growing out of it (arched back). So anyway, I was looking for opinions on which wheel to get. The one obvious choice of course is the chin spin. The other option is a cheaper, home made version of a 16 inch metal wheel I found online. I think somebody posted it on here before too, but I cannot seem to find it.

Money isn't the issue, I just figure why spend $55 if you can spend $25 for an equally good product....unless it ISN'T equally good. Has anybody purchased this cheaper metal wheel in the past? How do they compare in terms of noise level?
(wish I could find the link, sorry)

 

[MamaJ]

here it is....

http://forchinatechins.com/chincessories.htm

 

[Maia]

I haven't had one, so I can't say personally, but I've seen another user on here say that they were loud. I have a Chin Spin, but it's still pretty rattly on my homemade cage. I guess the noise factor also depends on your cage.

 

[MamaJ]

I see...I have a Feisty Ferret cage. Hmm..

 

[Ash]

I know some complaints have been those wheels are too noisy and they are harder for the chin to get to move.

 

[Sandi]

The fortunate chins wheel is a lot louder. I have my chin spins in FN's and they are pretty quiet. I'm not sure what cage this one person had with the fortunate chins wheel in it but it rattled the cage and everything in there as well as being loud.

 

[Stackie]

That wheel is very loud like everyone else has mentioned and my chins could barely get it moving, no matter how many times I greased the back. It was used more as a ledge..they could jump on the top of it and it wouldn't even move. The Chin Spins and Flying Saucers are much easier to get going and all my chins use them.

 

[Linda]

Before you invest in a chin spin, I'd make a call to Quality Cages and see if they've resolved their peeling/flaking issue with the wheel. You'd hate to get one of the bad wheels still in inventory if they indeed decide to fix the problem.

http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16156&highlight=powder

Linda

 

[MamaJ]

oh wow, I hadn't heard about this issue. thanks so much for pointing it out

 

[Ash]

Yeah, they have a flaking issue going on right now, but I'm still pretty sure most people would choose the Chin Spins over Carise's wheel.

 

[kimbt622]

I agree with Ash on this one, the chin spin is better than any wheels you'll come across even with the flaking issue.

 

[Linda]

I agree with Ash on this one, the chin spin is better than any wheels you'll come across even with the flaking issue.

That may be true for most wheels, but the Ed's Spins are comparable to the Chin Spins and perhaps a bit better even without the problems. Not as many people have tried them, but those that have say good things about them. I'm one of those who has Ed Spin's and Chin Spins, and I prefer the Ed's Spins particularly in light of the powder coating issue with the Chin Spins.

Here are a couple of links to places to get Ed's Spins.

http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15746&highlight=powder&page=2

Linda

 

[Ash]

And no one uses Chinworld here after the fiasco with our other website and also the fact that they only get back to you if they feel like it.

The Ed is also only 14" not 16" like suggested.

 

[MamaJ]

Also good to know about Chinworld. I haven't bought anything there in the past, but if there were issues, it is good to be aware. I guess I will go with the chin spin then. I was thinking about the saucer, but honestly his cage is already really full with tunnels and a squiggle bridge, ledges, I think it might be overkill in terms of how much room it takes up.....I guess I spoil him too much - haha

 

[Sandi]

Yes, I've also read about and saw pics of some members that have issues with the powder coating and their chin spins. I've been lucky with mine (knocking on wood) out of the 5 chin spins that I have now 3 are 20 months old and don't have any issues with the powder coating coming off. The other 2 wheels are only a month old.

 

[ticklechin]

The Ed has been around for many many years and lots of people have them, its not like they are new. I have had 7 since they first came out 7 or 8 years ago to replace the Leo Braun and I think of them as the base model wheel-they are ugly, the bearing wears out on a regular basis, they are too small for big chins so I use them in my play pens and at work where the chins won't use them much and cause spine problems. Just ask for the Chin Spin un-powder coated, problem solved with the flaking issue. The vendetta against the chin spin is getting old, when rather than trash it advise the people who ask about it to get it un-powder coated.

 

[Essentia]

oh wow, I hadn't heard about this issue. thanks so much for pointing it out

You can request the chin spin without powder coating, which makes it cheaper and also cancels out the problem.

 

[Ziora]

I also have a feisty ferret cage and a chin spin. A word of warning...the chin spins are very heavy and will break the few welds at top and bottom bars if you don't use something to reinforce it. I would definitely not place the chin spin at the back and top or you will have lots of noise and rattling of the cage. I have it placed on the bottom level on the side with metal poop guards at the bottom to help stabilize it.

 

[seachin]

flying saucer

My girls are fans of the Flying Saucer wheel invented and made by Meadowbrook Chinchillas. I highly recommend them.

Here is the link:
http://www.chin-chillas.com/exercisewheels.html

 

[jps6882]

I would also be very cautious dealing with chinworld. I placed my order 3 weeks ago for a lava ledge and a saucer. It took about 1 1/2 weeks, and I finally got a tracking number for UPS. I waited to get it, and it was only the ledge. I tried emailing them about the saucer, and didn't get any answer. After several calls and leaving messages, they finally picked up one time (last Wednesday morning), and told me they would email me with the tracking number for the saucer. I still haven't received the tracking number, and have had several more unreturned calls. I left a message this morning stating we would be starting a fraud charge with our credit card company unless they get back to us by tomorrow. Highly unrecommended!