A Comparison: Louet S10 Concept vs. Louet S17 DT Spinning Wheel

Choosing a spinning wheel is personal. It's not just about specifications and price, it's about how a wheel feels under your feet, how quietly it hums as you spin, and how well it fits into the way you like to work. Louet, known for thoughtful engineering and spinner-focused design, offers two wheels that are often compared: the S10 Concept and the S17 Double Treadle.

At first glance, they seem to sit at opposite ends of the market. The S10 Concept (or S10C) is Louet's long-standing, highly modular classic. The 'C' stands for Concept, reflecting how much you can customise it. The S17 DT is a more affordable, less customisable starting point. But look more closely at the double-treadle versions of each, and the comparison gets more interesting than you'd expect.

This guide walks you through both wheels in detail: design, mechanics, spinning experience, and long-term value, so you can make a confident choice. We stock both at Thread Collective, and we're happy to talk you through it if you'd like a hand deciding.

Louet: A Shared Design Heritage

Before looking at each wheel separately, it helps to know what they have in common.

The S10C and S17 both belong to Louet's first generation of spinning wheel designs. Both use:

• A single belt bobbin drive
• An adjustable flyer brake
• Smooth, quiet operation (both use maintenance-free ball bearings in the main hub and footman connection, no lubrication needed)
• A design that suits beginners without limiting more experienced spinners

This shared foundation means you can produce a real range of yarns on either wheel, from lofty woollen singles to finer, more refined yarns with the right setup.

The difference is in how that foundation gets built on, and how much flexibility you want.

The Louet S10 Concept: A Wheel That Evolves With You

A 50-Year Legacy, Refined

The Louet S10 is the wheel that started Louet. Developed over 50 years ago, it's been continuously updated based on real spinner feedback—not redesigned from scratch, but steadily improved.

The result is the S10 Concept: a modular spinning wheel built to grow with you.

Double Treadle Balance and Comfort

The double treadle version adds another layer of comfort. With both feet moving in rhythm, many spinners notice:

• Less fatigue during longer sessions
• A smoother, more consistent drive
• Better posture and body alignment at the wheel

For spinners who are sensitive to repetitive strain or who simply love a rhythmic, meditative treadle action, the double treadle setup can make a real difference.

Scotch Tension: Precision and Control

Spinning wheels use different tension systems to control how yarn is drawn onto the bobbin. Scotch tension (ScT) uses a separate brake band on the bobbin, giving you precise control over take-up. Irish tension (IrT) drives the bobbin directly and simply, and it is the system the S17 uses.

The S10 Concept can be configured with either.

The Scotch tension version is popular for good reason. It allows micro-adjustments to take-up, a smoother yarn intake, and excellent control when spinning fine or delicate fibres; merino, silk, alpaca, or blends where subtle changes make a real difference.

The ScT flyer offers ratios of 1:6 / 1:8.5 / 1:12.5 / 1:19 - a wide enough spread to move comfortably between bulky singles and fine laceweight spinning.

Design Choices and Customisation

What really sets the S10 Concept apart is how much you can make it your own. Rather than buying a fixed wheel, you design it:

• Base: single treadle or double treadle
• Tension system: Scotch tension or Irish tension
• Flywheel style: Classic S10 wheel, Julia-style 3-spoke, or modern 5-spoke
• Flyer: hooks, sliding guides, or art flyer

And if your spinning evolves, or you just change your mind, you can swap components later. Add a second treadle, switch your flywheel for a fresh look, change the tension system, and upgrade the flyer. The S10C is a platform, not a fixed object.

Ongoing Improvements and Thoughtful Updates

Louet updated the S10 in 2022 with practical improvements. A new bearing system for the orifice, resulting in a better adjustment of the take-up. A Flyer clip was added to help secure your yarn and prevent it from unravelling when stepping away. A small change, but genuinely useful. And the sliding guides were redesigned for smoother movement and better yarn distribution.

These are the kinds of updates that come from people who actually spin.

Portability and Modularity

Despite its solid build, the S10 Concept is fully disassemblable and fits into a dedicated carry bag (available separately). It's a good option for guild meetings, workshops, or fibre festivals — it goes with you without being a hassle.

Technical Specifications: Louet S10 Concept

The S10 Concept is available with three different flyer setups, each with its own ratio range and bobbin capacity, so the specs vary depending on the configuration you choose.

• Scotch Tension flyer — ratios 1:6 / 1:8.5 / 1:12.5 / 1:19 | bobbin capacity 393 cm³ (25.1 cu in)
• Irish Tension Standard flyer — ratios 1:5.5 / 1:7.5 / 1:10.5 | bobbin capacity 670 cm³ (42.4 cu in)
• Irish Tension Art Yarn flyer — ratios 1:4 / 1:5 / 1:6 | bobbin capacity 1,240 cm³ (75.4 cu in)
• Finish: Lacquered
• Flywheel: Classic, 3-spoke, or 5-spoke
• Treadle: Single or double

For most spinners, we recommend starting with the Scotch Tension flyer. Its ratio range covers the majority of spinning styles and yarn weights, from medium wools to finer fibres. If you're working with bulky or art yarns, the Irish Tension Art Yarn flyer is the better fit, with its larger bobbin and slower, chunkier ratios. And if you prefer a stronger uptake with slower to moderate speeds, the Irish Tension Standard flyer is worth a look. You can also purchase this wheel “fully loaded”, which includes the 3 flyers mentioned and more.

Not sure which setup suits your spinning? Get in touch, and we'll help you work it out.

The Louet S17 DT: Accessible, Practical, and Surprisingly Capable

Designed With New Spinners in Mind

The S17 has been Louet's budget-friendly option for a while, and in 2024, they added a double-treadle version. The S17 DT is built to be affordable, easy to assemble, and easy to learn on. It strips away the customisation options of the S10 in favour of simplicity — and that straightforwardness is exactly what makes it appealing to many spinners.

Unfinished Wood: Trade-off or Opportunity?

To keep costs down, the S17 DT is delivered unfinished and made from laminated birch plywood. All wooden parts are pre-sanded, and the edges rounded off, but a small piece of sandpaper is included for any finishing touches. You can leave it natural, though we do recommend lacquering, waxing, or staining it yourself.

For some spinners, that's a drawback. For others, it's a chance to personalise the wheel right from the start.

Double Treadle Performance

Like the S10 DT, the S17 DT offers a balanced, two-footed treadle action that helps with rhythm and reduces strain. The feel is more utilitarian than the S10, but it's smooth and responsive. And because both wheels share the same ball bearings in the main hub and the footman connection, the S17 is notably quiet and low-maintenance for its price point.

Spinning Mechanics and Compatibility

The S17 is mechanically identical to the Irish tension version of the S10 Concept. That means all S10 Irish tension flyers and bobbins are compatible with the S17. The wheel comes as a complete kit, including:

• Flyer with sliding guides
• Lazy kate
• Three bobbins with three whorls each (giving you three ratio options)

Ratios and Yarn Range

Ratios run 1:5.5 / 1:7.5 / 1:10.5. These are well suited to medium through some finer yarns. High-speed sets and specialised bobbins are also available if you want to push into laceweight spinning, and conversely, an art yarn flyer, along with bobbins, is available for those wishing to pursue bulky and art yarn spinning.

Considerations and Limitations

The S17 DT offers excellent value, but there are a couple of practical things to know before you buy. The back post is thicker than earlier S17 models (32 mm), which means the original, discontinued, S17 skein winder won't fit — you'll need a standalone skein winder instead. And while the S17 is compatible with S10 Irish tension accessories, customisation options are overall more limited than on the S10 Concept.

These aren't deal-breakers, but they're worth factoring in if either is important to you.

Technical Specifications: Louet S17 DT

• Main wheel diameter: 50 cm
• Ratios: 1:5.5 / 1:7.5 / 1:10.5
• Orifice: 12 mm (½")
• Height: 70 cm
• Weight: 5 kg
• Material: Unlacquered birch plywood

Head-to-Head: What are the Differences and Similarities?

To help you quickly see the differences and similarities between the Louet S10 Concept DT and the Louet S17 DT, the table below compares their key specifications side by side. From treadle style and tension systems to ratios, materials, and included accessories, this overview makes it easy to understand which wheel best suits your spinning goals and budget.

Louet S10 Concept DT vs Louet S17 DT

Which Wheel Is Right for You?

Choose the Louet S10 Concept if you:

• Want a wheel that adapts as your skills grow. The modular design means you can swap tension systems, treadle options, change the flywheel, or upgrade the flyer without buying a new wheel.
• Value fine tension control, especially for spinning merino, silk, alpaca, or other fibres, where small adjustments make a big difference.
• Prefer a finished, polished wheel that's ready to use straight out of the box.
• Enjoy customising your setup: the S10C is genuinely one of the most configurable wheels on the market.
• Spin across a wide range of yarn weights. Truly a wheel to meet you at any stage in your spinning journey.

Choose the Louet S17 DT if you:

• Are you newer to spinning or working with a tighter budget? The S17 delivers reliable Louet quality at a more accessible price.
• Want a straightforward wheel without having to make a lot of decisions about configuration.
• Like the idea of finishing or personalising the wood yourself.
• Plan to spin more traditional to heavier-weight yarns. The S17's ratios and stronger uptake, a trait of the Irish tension system, make it well-suited to slower, heavier-weight spinning.
• Want access to S10 accessories down the line: the full Irish tension flyer and bobbin range for the S10C fits the S17.

Two Excellent Wheels, Two Different Journeys

The S10 Concept and the S17 DT aren't really competing with each other; they're designed for different moments in a spinner's life. The S10C is an investment in flexibility: a wheel you can configure now and reconfigure later, built from decades of spinner feedback. The S17 DT is about getting started without barriers, on a wheel that shares the same core mechanics and performs well above its price.

Both will give you smooth treadling, reliable mechanics, and the quiet pleasure of yarn forming under your hands. The right choice comes down to where you are right now and where you'd like to go.

You'll find both wheels in our spinning wheel range at Thread Collective. If you're not sure which is the better fit, get in touch - we're happy to help you work it out.