How do I determine what generation my wheel is?Updated 3 months ago
Need to determine your wheel generation so you know which type of traction pads to buy? There are three ways to narrow down what wheel style you have:
- Date of Purchase - If you know when you purchased your wheel from us, check the date ranges below to determine what generation you have. If you purchased your wheel secondhand or aren't sure when you bought it, this method won't be accurate.
- Gen 1-4: The wheel went through multiple changes quickly in the first few years. Wheels purchased between our Kickstarter in 2014 up until March of 2019 would be a Gen 1-4. There was some overlap between generations during this time, so it isn't possible to narrow down generation further by date alone.
- Gen 5: The generation 5 wheel has been our longest-running wheel so far. If you purchased a wheel between April 2019 and midway through March 2023, you have this version.
- Gen 6: The generation 6 wheel was sold from mid March 2023 to late September of 2024.
- Gen 7: This is our latest and current wheel generation, and we started selling them around late September of 2024. If you purchased from us in October 2024 or later, you have the Gen 7; if you purchased in late September 2024, you may have Gen 6 or 7.
- Clips - Clips, also known as "snaps" or "tabs", were crescent-shaped plastic fasteners that snapped into the parts of the wheel during assembly to ensure a solid connection between them. The clips were ONLY present on Gen 5 wheels, so if you bought your wheel in mid March of 2024 and you're not sure if it was a Gen 5 or a Gen 6, check the back surface of the wheel for the presence of clips. They'll look like like round buttons sticking out of a raised, cube-shaped socket, as shown below on the wheel to the right. Please note that the "other" generations of wheels may have different line patterns than the wheel shown on the left. If you have the clips as seen below, you have a Gen 5 wheel.
- Base Style - We have gone through four iterations of bases. You can differentiate your wheel's generation in part by the base that you have, assuming that you still have the original base. Gen 1-3 wheels had a taller base with curved sides, while Gen 4 and 5 had a shorter, X-shaped base. These bases only came in black. Gen 6's base is a beefier version of the Gen 4/5, with a thicker middle and wider bottom. Gen 6 bases were available in white and black colors. Gen 7's base is more squared off, with straight, upright sides and inline wheels that are integrated into the plastic. While we no longer have a photo of the Gen 1-3 base, here is a photo showing the Gen 6 and Gen 4/5 side by side:
Below, you can see a photo of the Gen 7 base, with its straight sides and inline wheels that are inset into the plastic. Like Gen 6, Gen 7 bases can be either white or black:
- If your base does not resemble any of these, then you have the Gen 1-3. If you have a Gen 4/5 base, check the back of your wheel for the presence of clips. If you have clips, you have a Gen 5. If there are no clips, you have the Gen 4.
If you cannot determine your generation using the techniques above, please email [email protected] with at least three photos of your wheel, including:
- A photo from the side that shows the inner running surface
- A photo of the base
- A photo of the back of the wheel
We should be able to take a look and help you determine the generation from that.