Thank you so much! I bought my Rose here in UK 5 or 6 years ago. Previously I had bought another make of wheel (I wanted a Majacraft but couldn't afford it at the time) and it was so difficult to assemble. It was fine until I had to fit the wheel between the two uprights, insert the 'axle' and fit a pin to secure it. It took me ages but I was determined to get it done before hubby came home as he would have taken over and I knew he was very heavy handed!! Anyway, remembering this, when I bought my Rose I opted to have it assembled by the retailer. Having watched your video I can see assembling the Rose is not nearly as fiddly as that previous wheel, beautiful as it was. When I was at a spinning retreat Glenys and Owen Poad were there and he took out that screw that stops the head from hitting the treadle for me as my wheel wouldn't fit in the bag with it there. Having watched you I can see where it goes if ever I want to replace it. Thanks again.
This assembly video is just what I needed. My new Majacraft Rose arrived yesterday, and the printed instuctions are not that great. I watched this video while assembling and it was so helpful to have someone walk me through it. The part where you have to put the top piece at a right angle to the bottom piece was unclear until you showed which way it was supposed to go. I have the feeling that putting the drive band on before the conrods saved me a lot of frustration too. Thank you! Now that it's done, I can't believe how smooth and effortless she spins. I think I'm in love already.
Thank you, Jen! this really helped me trouble shoot what might be causing my wheel to creak so much. I had installed the conrads incorrectly and I think the drive assembly was scrubbing.
Very nice wheel, Jen you make it look so easy and fun to put together. Is the main wheel design new? Or has the Rose always had spokes instead of being a solid wheel?
Thanks Margo. The drive wheel on the rose has always been spoked, it's the only Maja wheel that is. Makes it a lot lighter, and is also why the ratios are so much higher as it is larger circumference vs. the other wheels. Plus its a lot prettier I think.
The Rose is one of my dream wheels, but you got me looking at the Suzie also. Can you please explain the differences between the two? Someone once said that it was just appearances, that they were basically the same wheel but different designs. Thanks!
Hi Cindy - I am planning on doing a video once I have them all assembled with all of them lined up in a row. Then will do a compare and contrast. Really looking forward to it! BUT - happy to give you a sneak preview. The difference is all in the drive wheel. The treadling, crank assembly, stem and head are pretty much the same between the Suzie and the Rose. The Rose drive wheel is spoked and large. The Suzie drive wheel is solid and small. I think, need to verify this, that the Rose weighs less because the drive wheel uses less wood. The larger wheel of the Rose gives you higher ratios with the standard head, so faster spinning for lace or high production. The rose is decorated with a Rose, the Suzie is decorated with a clematis. I heard Glynnis Poad say one time that she wouldn't use the high speed head on the Rose as it is hard treadling, I plan on assembling the high speed head on the rose in a couple videos out to see what that is about. Hope this helps. I don't envy you having to make a choice, because they are both absolutely breathtaking wheels.
Oh and another thing - the Rose comes with more kit - two flyers, 4 bobbins, a lazy kate and 2 whorls. The Suzie is pretty minimalist (1 flyer, 1 whorl, 4 bobbins) and then you build your accessories based on your preference. Suzie has a 2 bobbin storage bar integral to the wheel (not a separate item). OK I think that's it!
I actually watched this video to see an easy way to put the drive band back on ... my grandkids seem to pop it off occasionally. I am also told to take it off when not spinning. I am reluctant because it takes me a bit to put it back on. I was disappointed that you edited that out in your video. Do you have an helpful tips? ~ Karen
Hi Karen - sorry I neglected to include that in this video. Here is a link to a video I made about changing the drive band - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FHOKhQlvUkw.htmlsi=g1arEB-ZHkigEdGN. Thanks!
