I heard rumors.  Yeah, there were quite a few stirring around about a year ago.  Rumors that Schacht was coming out with a portable wheel.  The rumors are true and Schacht is now in the final stages of production for the new Sidekick portable wheel.

I pre-ordered a Sidekick from Spin to Yarn.  I was contacted recently and told my wheel is scheduled to ship at the end of June.  I am so excited!  Schacht posted some videos of the Sidekick in action on their website.  It just looks like and awesome travel wheel.

Here are some details from the Schacht website:

The Sidekick is Schacht’s newest spinning wheel. She’s designed to fold easily, yet be a solid spinner. Here are some of the Sidekick’s features:

• Folds to 21 1/2″ h x 8 1/4″ w x 15″ d.
• Integrated storage of bobbins, flyer, and whorls for transport.
• Lightweight at 13 pounds.
• 13 3/4″ drive wheel allows for ratios from 4.25 to 15.25.
• Long, comfortable treadles.
• Uses the same bobbins, whorls, and flyer as the Schacht Matchless and Ladybug wheels.
• The Sidekick can be purchased without the bobbin-flyer assembly.
• 25″ orifice height for comfortable spinning.
• Employs Scotch tension with precise control knob.
• The drive wheel spins on ball bearings. The flyer turns on self-aligning bearings.
• Drive band tension adjuster allows for all whorls to be used with one drive band.

The Sidekick comes with 3 travel bobbins, fast and medium whorls, threading hook, and adjustable carrying strap.

Also available: The Sidekick Bulky Plyer Flyer Package can be added at any time.

So really, what else could a spinner ask for in a travel wheel?  Looks like they have covered just about everything!  I will be posting a review after I receive my wheel!!

Here are the specs:

WHORL	RATIOS
slow	4.25:1 and 5.25:1
medium	6.25:1 and 7.5:1
fast	9:1 and 11:1
high	12.5:1 and 15.25:1

Dimensions

SIDEKICK SPINNING WHEEL – OPEN	27 1/4″ h × 18″ w × 15″ d	13 lb
SIDEKICK SPINNING WHEEL – FOLDED	21 1/2″ h x 8 1/4″ w x 15″ d
ORIFICE HEIGHT	25″
ORIFICE DIAMETER	3/8″
DRIVE WHEEL DIAMETER	13.25″
TRAVEL BOBBIN	3″ × 4 1/2″	2.8 oz
WOOD BOBBIN	3″ × 4 1/2″	3 1/2 oz
THREADING HOOK		1/2 oz