Are hamster wheels supposed to spin smoothly?

[VyCanis]

The one that came in the cage and the one I just bought both don't spin completely straight (They wiggle a lot when spinning). Since both of them are like this immediately is it a design choice? Or did I get unlucky with both?

If it isn't intentional should I get a new wheel? Or is it not that dangerous?

 

[elusive]

A good quality wheel should run smoothly, it really depends on how much it’s wiggly about, the wheel you got should have been ok but quality can vary a bit. If it’s just a bit of a wobble & your hams looks to be running ok in it then it should be ok.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I have found it helpful to have the wheel on a platform so the wheel stand has a flat surface. I do not know if that is something you may like to try.

 

[VyCanis]

I have found it helpful to have the wheel on a platform so the wheel stand has a flat surface. I do not know if that is something you may like to try.

Sadly underestimated it's size when ordering..

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aww, I have done that too. Is it flat on the floor of the cage?

 

[VyCanis]

Aww, I have done that too. Is it flat on the floor of the cage?

No, there's a few cms of bedding between it and the floor, most I could have

 

[RainbowBrite]

No, there's a few cms of bedding between it and the floor, most I could have

Would it work to remove the bedding under the wheel?

 

[elusive]

If you don’t have the height for a shelf maybe you could try a shallow tray of sand & see if that helps keep it steadier.

 

[Member ID2]

The wheel is the correct size but the Hamster Heaven is low for a Syrian wheel so it needs to go on the base.

I think i know what you mean by wobble. I assume it's not the stability of the wheel you are talking about but the wheel itself when spinning. They are all like that and it is normal to have this wobble. They have this bit of bounce or give for more comfortable running i believe.
If you look up Silent Runner videos on youtube you find more information on it.
I was wondering about that myself.

 

[VyCanis]

Would it work to remove the bedding under the wheel?

No, it's something to do with the axle

The wheel is the correct size but the Hamster Heaven is low for a Syrian wheel so it needs to go on the base.

I think i know what you mean by wobble. I assume it's not the stability of the wheel you are talking about but the wheel itself when spinning. They are all like that and it is normal to have this wobble. They have this bit of bounce or give for more comfortable running i believe.
If you look up Silent Runner videos on youtube you find more information on it.
I was wondering about that myself.

it has this kinda jittery motion, it driftsm 5-7 degrees every spin, and it snaps back to 0 at the end suddenly, it seems a bit harsh? Is there a chance the hamster could fall off?

 

[elusive]

It’s what we used to refer to as scissoring I think, it’s really down to the quality of the wheel.

 

[RainbowBrite]

If you are unhappy with the wheel then you are entitled to a refund. I have found Amazon are good with refunds.

 

[Member ID2]

It’s what we used to refer to as scissoring I think, it’s really down to the quality of the wheel.

Scissoring, that's the word i was looking for. I knew the word i wanted in German which is of no help.
I think most wheels do that to a degree but not to the extend that it snaps back.
Could you post a video?

 

[Member ID2]

Did you receive the wheel already assembled? I received a wheel once that was already assembled but incorrectly so i had to take it apart and reassemble it to get it to work properly.

 

[Maz]

Just catching up with this . As Beryl said - a little video might help.

Some wheels can have a bit of scissoring but that doesn’t usually affect stability - it’s just like the wheel is very slightly warped - not noticeably so when it’s going round it looks like it’s not going round as straight as it should.

I have had that wheel and in that cage, both standing on substrate and screwed to the roof (preferred the latter!).

One thing that can happen is if the bearing is broken, the wheel can be tipping forwards rather than upright and maybe rubbing on the base. And that isn’t scissoring - it’s instability.

Tbh quality control is very iffy with these wood wheels and I have had to exchange one before. If you got it from Amazon I would just get it replaced.

 

[Maz]

That wheel also works very well hung upside down in the hamster heaven as then you don’t need to worry about finding a flat bit of floor and it doesn’t stick out so far in the cage either. It is actually very easy to do!

But that won’t work if the bearing is broken and it’s tipping forwards. So hang fire on that in case you’re sending it back for a refund.

 

[VyCanis]

That wheel also works very well hung upside down in the hamster heaven as then you don’t need to worry about finding a flat bit of floor and it doesn’t stick out so far in the cage either. It is actually very easy to do!

But that won’t work if the bearing is broken and it’s tipping forwards. So hang fire on that in case you’re sending it back for a refund.

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[Maz]

Dodgy wheel! Send it back. I think the bearings are broken - that is much more than scissoring .

 

[Maz]

Your hammy may be a bit miffed having to go back to his old wheel for a few days but he’ll cope! Unless you can afford to get the new one sent out first before getting a refund on the current one.

 

[VyCanis]

Your hammy may be a bit miffed having to go back to his old wheel for a few days but he’ll cope! Unless you can afford to get the new one sent out first before getting a refund on the current one.

Amazon let us exchange, so we'll get the new wheel before we have to send off the old one