Single or double treadle spinning wheel: Lojan Buddy double treadle wheel with lazy kate

Single or double treadle: which spinning wheel is better?

Martin Bleich

Single or double treadle: what is the difference on a spinning wheel?

Sooner or later, anyone choosing a spinning wheel runs into this question: single treadle or double treadle? It is about the treadle you use to keep the drive wheel turning. A single treadle wheel has one board that you work with one foot. A double treadle wheel has two boards side by side, and both feet work in turn. Both systems spin the same yarn. The difference is in how treadling feels, how evenly the wheel runs and how long you can spin comfortably.

In this article you will learn how the two treadles work, what they mean for beginners and which spinning wheels are available with a single or a double treadle.

How a single treadle works

On a single treadle wheel, the treadle is connected to the crank of the drive wheel by a connecting rod, the footman. You press the treadle down with one foot, the wheel keeps turning and lifts the treadle back up. The momentum of the wheel carries you past the point where the treadle is at the very top or bottom.

This is the classic design you know from old farmhouse wheels. It has some real advantages:

  • Your other foot is free. You can rest it, change your position or switch feet now and then.
  • Many spinners sit slightly at an angle to a single treadle wheel, which some find more comfortable.
  • The mechanism is simpler, and the wheel is often a little lighter, more compact and less expensive.

The downside: one leg does all the work. In long spinning sessions you notice this more than with a double treadle. At the start you also have to keep your pace more deliberately, because the drive only comes from one side.

How a double treadle works

A double treadle wheel has two treadles attached by two footmen to a shared crank. When your left foot goes down, the right one comes up, and the other way round. The motion is a bit like pedalling a bike slowly while seated.

Because both legs push in turn, the drive reaches the wheel more evenly. The wheel runs more smoothly, and you can treadle very slowly without it stopping or suddenly turning backwards. That is why many spinners find a double treadle more relaxed, especially when they spin for an hour or longer at a time.

The downside: you sit square in front of the wheel and both feet are busy. If you like to shift position or stretch out a leg, that can feel restrictive. The mechanism has a few more parts, which usually shows in a slightly higher price.

Single and double treadle compared

Single treadle Double treadle
Treadlingone foot, the other is freeboth feet in turn
Evennessgood, takes a little practicevery even, even when slow
Long sessionsone leg tires soonereffort shared by both legs
Seatingfree to choose, also at an anglesquare in front of the wheel
Design and pricesimpler, often a little cheapera few more parts, usually a little dearer

Which is better for beginners?

The honest answer: you can learn to spin on either. But a few points can tip the balance when you start.

At the beginning, the biggest hurdle is getting your hands and feet to work independently. Your hands draft the fibre, your feet keep the wheel at a calm pace. If the wheel keeps stopping or changing direction, the yarn untwists and breaks. A double treadle is a little more forgiving here, because you can treadle slowly and still evenly. Many beginners find a steady rhythm faster this way.

A single treadle is a good choice if you tend to spin in short sessions, move your wheel around a lot or have a tight budget. If you have trouble with a knee or hip, a single treadle can also suit you better, because you can choose and switch your leg. It is best to try before you buy, as everyone feels this differently.

What our customers actually buy

On the phone and by email we hear almost the same wishes every time: a good wheel that spins easily, the question of single or double treadle and, ideally, the cheapest model that makes a sensible start. A look at our own sales gives a clear picture: around 80 percent of the spinning wheels we have sold since Berliner Spinnräder started have a double treadle. The Kromski Fantasia alone accounts for just over 40 percent of all wheels sold, followed by the Kromski Minstrel and the Sonata Encore, both also double treadle wheels. Our best-selling single treadle wheel is the Kromski Prelude, a compact wheel of about 4 kg.

For most beginners, a double treadle is therefore the safe choice. A single treadle is not a worse wheel, but more of a deliberate choice if space, weight or price matter most to you. To see which model suits you best overall, have a look at our comparison Which spinning wheel is right for me?

The middle way: the wide single treadle

Lojan has an interesting solution on the Buddy. The Lojan Buddy with wide single treadle has just one board, but a very wide one. You can work it with one foot, with the other or with both at once, so you can switch around during a long session. If you cannot decide, this is a good compromise.

The Buddy is also available as the Lojan Buddy double treadle with two separate boards. Otherwise both wheels are built the same, with an open orifice and large bobbins. That makes them a good pair for comparing the two treadles directly.

Which spinning wheels have a single treadle?

These wheels from our range have a single treadle:

Which spinning wheels have a double treadle?

These models run with a double treadle:

Wheels where you can choose

With Louet you do not have to commit. The Louet S17 and the Louet S10 Concept come with either a single or a double treadle. The S10 Concept is modular: you can switch from single to double treadle later without buying a new wheel. If you are unsure, you can start with one version and stay flexible.

What to look for when you try a wheel

If you get the chance, sit at both versions, for example at a spinning group or in a class. Pay attention to these points:

  • Can you treadle very slowly without the wheel stopping?
  • Is your seating position still comfortable after ten minutes?
  • Does the wheel seem to run by itself, or do you have to keep pushing?
  • Does the height of your chair and treadle suit the length of your legs?

That last point is often underestimated. A good chair without armrests, on which your knees are roughly at hip height, makes a big difference with either treadle.

Frequently asked questions

Is a double treadle spinning wheel better than a single treadle one?
Not as a rule. A double treadle runs more evenly and is more comfortable for long sessions. A single treadle gives you more freedom in how you sit and is often a little cheaper. The yarn turns out just as well with either.

Can I treadle a double treadle wheel with one foot?
Yes, on most wheels. It feels less smooth, though, because the second board just follows along without pressure. If you often want to treadle with one foot, a single treadle or the wide board of the Lojan Buddy will suit you better.

Why does my spinning wheel sometimes turn backwards?
This happens when the wheel has too little momentum at the top or bottom point of the crank. Treadle a little more evenly and give the wheel a small push in the right direction by hand when you start. It happens less often with a double treadle.

Can a single treadle wheel be converted to a double treadle?
Only on wheels designed for it. On the Louet S10 Concept the conversion is built in. On most other models you choose one version when you buy.

Which treadle is better if I have knee problems?
That is very personal. Some find a double treadle gentler because the work is shared between both legs. Others get on better with a single treadle because they can switch legs. Try both versions before you decide.

Considering a used wheel? What to check is covered in our guide Buying a used spinning wheel: checklist and alternatives.

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