Vital Statistics: Ratios of 7:1 to 12.5:1, double treadle, can be used either double-drive or single-drive with scotch tension, three bobbins included, optional low-speed and high-speed whorls, lazy kate.

In addition to being 'cute as a bug', this wheel delivers an impressive range of ratios for such a lightweight, portable wheel. With the addition of the low speed and high speed whorls ($23 each), this wheel's ratios span 5:1 up to 16:1. The optional lazy kate attaches right to the wheel, enhancing its portability. There's also convenient carry handles built in. A great beginner wheel that might just be your wheel-of-choice for years to come!

Starting price: $550

Vital Statistics: Ratios of 9:1 through 15.5:1, a single treadle wide enough to fit both feet (shown), or a true doulbe treadle, lazy kate, four bobbins, and adjustable carry strap.

Modern in style, traditional in quality, this upright wheel will give years of performance spinning. A very wide range of ratios make it suitable for beginner through lace-weight yarns, using additional optional whorls (total range, 4:1 through 22:1). The carry strap makes it readily portable for guild meetings, demonstrations, and workshops. Four bobbins and lazy kate will give you lots of spinning and plying pleasure before you have to get out the niddy noddy!

Starting price: $925 single treadle, $975 double treadle

Vital Statistics: 24" / 61 cm drive wheel, ratios of 12:1 to 20:1; 30" / 76 cm drive wheel, ratios of 15:1 to 25:1, double drive and single drive with scotch tension both standard, three bobbins, lazy kate included.

Originally designed by the Reeves family, Rick and Marge Reeves worked with Schacht to bring this beautifully-detailed working wheel to you. A very traditional look doesn't mask the engineering excellence of this wheel. The photo shows the wheel in cherry; ash is also available, both with a hand-rubbed Danish oil finish. The wheel may be ordered with a right-side flyer instead of the standard left-side flyer.

Note: The bobbins with this wheel are not compatible with the bobbins of the Reeves wheels before purchased by Schacht.

Starting price: $945 for 24" / 61 cm wheel, single treadle in ash

Vital Statistics: Ratios from 5.5:1 to 10.5:1, double treadle, built-in lazy kate, 3 bobbins.

This is a workhorse of a wheel. It is the one we recommend if you have grandkids or big animals in the house. Like a Timex, it takes a licking and keeps on ticking. It's extra-large whorl and bobbin make it popular for those who like to spin on the large side. You can also purchase a larger flyer and a lace flyer for it, each requiring their own bobbins. This wheel, like many of the Louet wheels, comes unfinished.

Starting price: $665 unfinished

Vital Statistics: Ratios from 6:1 to 13:1, single drive with scotch tension, double treadle, folding and extremely lightweight, three bobbins, lazy kate, and travel bag included.

The Victoria is unbelievably light-weight (6 pounds!) and portable, folding into the travel bag very easily--can even be carry-on baggage on airplanes--can even be worn as a backpack! The flyer has a sliding hook for filling your bobbin, instead of messing with chaning from hook to hook as you spin. With the optional high-speed flyer, you can get ratios from 6:1 to 25:1, very respectable indeed for a small, protable wheel.

Starting price: $675

Vital Statistics: Ratios of 7.5:1 to 14:1, lazy kate and 4 bobbins, available in single or double drive, with single or double treadle.

A great, stripped-down, performance spinning wheel with traditional styling. With the Lace Flyer (optional) you can have ratios up to 40:1, a real production speed. A quill spindle, distaff, and jumbo flyer are additional options, making this one of the most flexible wheels around. Many spinners start with this wheel, and stay with it!

Starting price: $490

Vital Statistics: Ratios of 5.5:1 to 14:1, built-in lazy kate and four bobbins, double or single treadle, double drive or single drive with scotch tension.

Solid, attractive, with a small footprint, and readily portable, this wheel is well named. The optional Lace Flyer offers speeds up to 30:1 for real production spinning in a small space. The simple, yet attractive, castle-wheel styling makes it easy to store in any corner of a house, plus it's amazingly easy to put in a car.

Starting price: $505

Vital Statistics: Ratios of 6:1 to 14:1, folds, single drive with scotch tension, single or double treadle, three bobbins, built-in lazy kate, optional carry bag.

One of the most portable wheels around, the Joy is a joy to own and use. A strikingly modern design doesn't detract from traditional useability. This wheel folds into a small area, will fit into an optional over-the-shoulder carry bag, and has a handle at the top for ease of movement when the wheel is unfolded.

Starting price: $695 with bag

Vital Statistics: Ratios of 4.2:1 up to 19.5:1 with two different whorls, single drive with scotch tension, double treadle, head adjusts for easy right- or left-handed spinning, four bobbins and bobbin box / lazy kate included.

This upright wheel with fairly traditional styling is engraved with a rose motif and two flyers, one with a standard orifice for fine fibers, one a delta orifice for thick or textured yarns. The bobbin box can both store bobbins and function as a lazy kate.

Starting price: $820

Vital Statistics: Ratios of 4.5:1 up to 12.7:1, single drive with scotch tension, double treadle, folds flat to store with three bobbins and lazy kate in travel bag. Optional folding stool.

A neat little folding wheel, the Little Gem is exactly that! The flyer features a sliding guide hook for the yarn going onto the bobbin, for perfectly-filled bobbins. A great wheel for traveling, guild meetings, demonstrations, and just plain old spinning.

Starting price: $745