NEW FOR 2026!
These wheels are only designed to be used as the result of accidentally dropping the glider on landing, they should not be used to intentially routinely land on them.
In the result of a bad landing then the control frame often impacts the ground. In this case then if the control frame immediately digs in then the glider is stopped very suddenly, at best 'whacking' the nose of the glider on the ground, but also potentially resulting in a broken upright, or possibly a broken arm or worse. If the basebar is able to slide over the ground (even if only for a short distance) then it slows more gradually and the result is more likely to simply be an undignified 'arrival' with no harm done! These wheels are intended to increase the chances of the second outcome and reduce the chances of the first by allowing the basebar to roll out across the ground rather than digging in. The intention should always be to try to land on one's feet though, not to rely on the wheels (apart from anything else, this stops the PG's from laughing at us!).
This new design is 115mm in diameter and is intended to be left on the base bar when the glider is packed (they require an allen key to fit and remove, 2 screws to fit the hubs to the bar and then 2 screws to fit the wheel to the hub).
They are 3D printed from PA-CF (Carbon fibre reinforced nylon) with a soft rubber tyre and soft rubber centre to protect the basebar. Unlike the old type, this design allows fitting to carbon basebars as well as aluminium ones. Currently we only have designs made for certain basebars, but we intend to cover every model and type, so if you have a bar which is not currently listed then we will design one for it! In this case please supply a cardboard template with a cut out which fits your bar. NOTE: we will make the profile that is sent, so it is very important that it fits well, it's worth using sturdy carboard (if not something like balsa/plywood or plastic) and taking some time to get a really good fit.
Note also: These are made to order, usually we will be able to ship within a few days, but depending on the queue it might be longer, so if you need them urgently, please contact us before ordering. This is particularly the case for a custom design for a new basebar.
