The Story Behind the Custom Choice Cruiser
Where It All Began
Every great product has a story, and the Custom Choice Cruiser is no exception.
Prior to the Sugar Glider Get Away (SGGA) in July 2008, The Glider Initiative (TGI) approached Bourbon Hackworth with a request to create an exercise wheel that could be offered to sugar glider owners.
Bourbon accepted the challenge—but not at the expense of quality or safety.
Rather than simply creating another exercise wheel, she set out to design one that reflected how sugar gliders naturally move while using materials that would stand the test of time. She carefully studied the wheels available at the time, considering their strengths and weaknesses while evaluating safety, durability, ease of maintenance, and the natural movement of sugar gliders.
Sugar gliders do not move through the wild on rigid, flat surfaces. They leap, climb, grip, and travel through branches and vines. Bourbon wanted to create a wheel that better reflected those natural movements while providing a safe, durable, and enriching exercise experience.
After months of research, trial, and refinement, the first Custom Choice Cruiser was ready.
The Cruiser made its public debut at the Sugar Glider Get Away in July 2008, where it was introduced for the very first time.
Only a few months later, TGI stepped away from the project, leaving the Cruiser solely in Bourbon's hands. She continued building the Cruiser, maintaining the same focus that guided its creation from the beginning: thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship, and putting the well-being of sugar gliders first.
A New Chapter
In 2025, Bourbon entrusted the Custom Choice Cruiser to me.
Before that transition, I spent two months working alongside her in person, along with countless hours of video calls, learning the details of the Cruiser's construction, assembly, and the reasoning behind the design choices that make it unique.
My goal was never to reinvent the Cruiser. It was to preserve the wheel Bourbon created and the standards she established.
The Custom Choice Cruiser made its second debut during OGG in October 2025, continuing the legacy that began seventeen years earlier.
Since taking over production, I have remained committed to maintaining the same quality, craftsmanship, and integrity that Bourbon brought to every Cruiser she built.
The only design change I have made is upgrading the center bolt to stainless steel for enhanced longevity, while preserving the original design and function of the Cruiser.
Built on a Legacy
The Custom Choice Cruiser has always been about more than just an exercise wheel.
From its beginning in 2008 to its continued production today, the Cruiser has been built around thoughtful engineering, intentional design, and a commitment to providing sugar gliders with a safe and enriching way to exercise.
The goal remains the same as it was when Bourbon first created it: build a wheel that respects the natural behaviors of sugar gliders while giving owners confidence in the quality and craftsmanship behind every Cruiser.
Warranty and CraftsmanshipA product built with this level of intention deserves a commitment to stand behind it. In honor of Bourbon's original standard, I proudly offer a lifetime warranty covering manufacturer defects and workmanship on every Custom Choice Cruiser—and this lifetime warranty also applies to any wheels originally built by Bourbon herself.
From our stainless steel upgraded center bolts and dual precision bearing assemblies to our sturdy freestanding design, every wheel is crafted to withstand years of active use. If you ever have questions about maintenance, replacement parts, or need assistance under the warranty, we are always here to help keep your gliders rolling safely.
Where It All Began
Every great product has a story, and the Custom Choice Cruiser is no exception.
Prior to the Sugar Glider Get Away (SGGA) in July 2008, The Glider Initiative (TGI) approached Bourbon Hackworth with a request to create an exercise wheel that could be offered to sugar glider owners.
Bourbon accepted the challenge—but not at the expense of quality or safety.
Rather than simply creating another exercise wheel, she set out to design one that reflected how sugar gliders naturally move while using materials that would stand the test of time. She carefully studied the wheels available at the time, considering their strengths and weaknesses while evaluating safety, durability, ease of maintenance, and the natural movement of sugar gliders.
Sugar gliders do not move through the wild on rigid, flat surfaces. They leap, climb, grip, and travel through branches and vines. Bourbon wanted to create a wheel that better reflected those natural movements while providing a safe, durable, and enriching exercise experience.
After months of research, trial, and refinement, the first Custom Choice Cruiser was ready.
The Cruiser made its public debut at the Sugar Glider Get Away in July 2008, where it was introduced for the very first time.
Only a few months later, TGI stepped away from the project, leaving the Cruiser solely in Bourbon's hands. She continued building the Cruiser, maintaining the same focus that guided its creation from the beginning: thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship, and putting the well-being of sugar gliders first.
A New Chapter
In 2025, Bourbon entrusted the Custom Choice Cruiser to me.
Before that transition, I spent two months working alongside her in person, along with countless hours of video calls, learning the details of the Cruiser's construction, assembly, and the reasoning behind the design choices that make it unique.
My goal was never to reinvent the Cruiser. It was to preserve the wheel Bourbon created and the standards she established.
The Custom Choice Cruiser made its second debut during OGG in October 2025, continuing the legacy that began seventeen years earlier.
Since taking over production, I have remained committed to maintaining the same quality, craftsmanship, and integrity that Bourbon brought to every Cruiser she built.
The only design change I have made is upgrading the center bolt to stainless steel for enhanced longevity, while preserving the original design and function of the Cruiser.
Built on a Legacy
The Custom Choice Cruiser has always been about more than just an exercise wheel.
From its beginning in 2008 to its continued production today, the Cruiser has been built around thoughtful engineering, intentional design, and a commitment to providing sugar gliders with a safe and enriching way to exercise.
The goal remains the same as it was when Bourbon first created it: build a wheel that respects the natural behaviors of sugar gliders while giving owners confidence in the quality and craftsmanship behind every Cruiser.
Warranty and CraftsmanshipA product built with this level of intention deserves a commitment to stand behind it. In honor of Bourbon's original standard, I proudly offer a lifetime warranty covering manufacturer defects and workmanship on every Custom Choice Cruiser—and this lifetime warranty also applies to any wheels originally built by Bourbon herself.
From our stainless steel upgraded center bolts and dual precision bearing assemblies to our sturdy freestanding design, every wheel is crafted to withstand years of active use. If you ever have questions about maintenance, replacement parts, or need assistance under the warranty, we are always here to help keep your gliders rolling safely.
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This was the taken at the 2008 SGGA where the Cruiser made its first debut. It didn't take too long for Bourbon to change that front cover.
Note: this photo came from a post on Glider Central. |
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The Cruiser today.
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