iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
A CircuitPython POV bike wheel uses LEDs that flash in timed patterns as the wheel spins, making an image appear to hang in the air. Adafruit’s current build is a double-sided display with three spokes of paired LED strips, a Feather RP2040 controller and a Hall-effect sensor that tracks wheel speed. It is an advanced soldering project, not a ready-made wheel or a beginner kit.
How the POV wheel display works
POV means persistence of vision: the LEDs illuminate in a carefully timed sequence while the wheel rotates. Your eyes perceive the changing points of light as an image. Because the wheel’s speed can vary, this CircuitPython design uses a magnet and a TMAG5273 Hall-effect magnetometer to sense rotation and adjust display timing.
The current Adafruit design places LED strips on three spokes and is intended to show the same image on both sides of the wheel. The project guide includes starter code and sample graphics; the announcement says you can load its graphics or add artwork saved to the Feather, with an image format described as fitting 36 pixels. See the CircuitPython POV Bike Wheel guide for the implementation and image-creation details.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Parts and tools for this build
The current guide’s parts list names these electronics:
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
- Adafruit Feather RP2040
- Adafruit DotStar digital LED strip, white, 144 LED/m
- Adafruit TMAG5273 (A2) 3D Hall Effect Magnetometer and a high-strength magnet
- STEMMA QT/Qwiic JST SH cable
- USB Type-C breakout and cable
- Flexible silicone-cover stranded wire and JST SM cable sets
The wiring design calls for six strips arranged as three pairs—one pair per spoke, with the paired strips wired identically so both sides show the same image. The parts page lists the strip in one-meter lengths and shows two in its parts panel; do not assume one strip is enough for the specified double-sided layout. If considering a substitute, verify its LED protocol, density, physical width and electrical compatibility rather than relying on the similar-sounding product name.
Assembly supplies include clear self-fusing silicone tape, clear heat-shrink tubing, hot glue and glue sticks, a heat gun, zip ties, and soldering equipment and accessories. The parts page’s availability and displayed prices can change; it showed the magnet out of stock when accessed.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How the wiring is arranged
The Adafruit wiring diagram specifies the connections for the six-strip layout:
- Connect every strip’s VCC wire to VBUS on the USB breakout.
- Connect all strip grounds together and connect them to Feather ground.
- Connect the strips’ clock wires to Feather SCK.
- Pair the strips’ data wires by spoke and route the three pairs to A1, A2 and A3.
- Connect the TMAG5273 sensor to either STEMMA port on the Feather.
Follow the guide’s diagram for the physical arrangement and detailed assembly. The wiring is distributed around a moving wheel, so secure connections and careful strain relief matter as much as making the electrical connections correctly.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Difficulty, mounting and riding considerations
Adafruit labels the build advanced. Guide author Erin St Blaine warns, “There’s some tricky soldering required to get everything wired neatly and securely in place, so this is not a beginner build.” The project also involves components and wiring mounted on a rotating wheel. Assess your soldering ability and make sure the electronics are firmly secured before riding; the guide’s difficulty warning is project guidance, not a safety certification.
Plan the mounting and weather protection as part of the build, rather than assuming the electronics are ready for road use. The current guide lists silicone tape, heat-shrink tubing, zip ties and hot glue among its supplies, but the cited material does not establish a weatherproof rating for the finished wheel.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
How this differs from the older Adafruit bike-wheel POV
Adafruit’s older Bike Wheel POV Display is a separate design, published in 2015 and last edited in 2025. Its components and assembly should not be mixed into the current CircuitPython build.
| Design | Controller and software | LED arrangement | Wheel sensing | Power and build notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current CircuitPython POV Bike Wheel | Feather RP2040 running CircuitPython | Six strips in three pairs for a double-sided display | TMAG5273 Hall-effect magnetometer and magnet; sensing tracks wheel speed for timing | Current guide’s wiring uses a USB Type-C breakout; advanced soldering and secure mounting are required |
| Older Bike Wheel POV Display | 5V Pro Trinket | Two DotStar strips, one facing each direction | Not stated in the older guide’s description cited here | Waterproof 3xAA battery pack near the hub; the guide stresses strong construction and warns a detached battery pack can cause an accident |
The older guide’s battery pack and controller do not apply to the current parts list. For the current design’s exact hardware and connections, use the current CircuitPython guide and its wiring page. Adafruit’s September 29, 2026 announcement also explains the sensor’s role in adjusting timing as wheel speed changes.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
