Travel Wheels For The Handspinner On The Go!

I am a handspinner who likes to travel with my spinning wheel to workshops, camping, parks, the beach, just about anywhere.  So I spent a little time looking for the perfect portable wheels that would fit most of my needs. Notice I said “wheels”.  In my search I have found (for me) that one wheel does not fit all. For instance, if I’m just driving to a local workshop, I prefer to take along my Ashford Traveler or Louet S10 DT. They both sit very nicely in the car with a seat belt. But I sometimes I  also take the Ashford Traditional and lay it flat in the back of the jeep.   If I’m flying coast to coast I prefer a foldable wheel with a padded carry bag and is airline compatible. My Ashford Joy or the Kromski Sonata are my favorites for air travel. I have a friend who takes cruises with the portable electric mini Spinner by Hansen Crafts. Many of today’s spinning wheel manufacturers have a travel wheel model. So how do you select the best one for your needs? This guide will answer these questions and provide reviews on what I consider to be the best travel wheels to consider. Let’s start with a few common questions A travel wheel is any type of wheel that is easy to transport.  As I described earlier, it can be a Castle style, Saxony, or a folding wheel.  Some basic features are, it is:

• easy to transport in a vehicle
• easy to carry on bike
• lightweight and easy to carry when hiking
• airline compatible as carry on
• able to fit small spaces
• stable for use on rugged terrains/surfaces and the beach

---

When making a decision to buy, you also need to consider how you will use your wheel. If you can only afford to buy one, you want to select a wheel that will satisfy your primary needs so you can enjoy it for many years. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself and respond to:

• Will the majority of my traveling be by car or plane? Or maybe you like to cruise.
• Do I need a lighter weight wheel with a carry bag that’s easy to transport when hiking or walking between air terminals?  Yes, getting to the next air terminal in the larger airports feels like hiking sometimes.
• Do I need a folding wheel that will fit in small spaces?
• Do I really need a new wheel? Why don’t I just carry a drop spindle instead? Sorry, I had to throw that one in for various reasons.

---

This is a common question I get asked and you may be asking it as well. You will find that many of the wheels are over $500 and here are a few good reasons why.

• They require additional engineering and specialized skills to build.
• Better momentum and stability is needed therefore, more expensive dense materials are used to produce.

---

• Sturdy – No wobble
• Quiet
• Easy to transport
• Space
• Easy on the budget
• Outdoors stability

---

What are your thoughts?

Do you have a favorite travel/portable wheel? If so, what is it and what makes it a good wheel to travel with. What other portable wheels would you recommend? Which travel wheel would you like to own?

---