Editing Flywheels

{{factions|decepticon|ascenticon}}
{{disambig2|the sometime Titan Master "Skytread"|the ''Beast Wars: Uprising'' Headmaster|Skytread}}
:''Flywheels is a [[Decepticon]] [[Duocon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Flywheelsboxart.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Howitzer'd!]]
 
'''Flywheels''' (aka '''Skytread'''<ref name="skytread">"Skytread" is a substitute name used by Hasbro for new toys representing the ''Generation 1'' Flywheels character, ''presumably'' because the name "Flywheels" is currently not available as a [[trademark]], first used for a [[Titan Master]] figure from the [[Titans Return (toyline)|''Titans Return'' line]] released in 2016 and subsequently also for a Deluxe Class figure from the ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege]]'' line released in 2018. Furthermore, it was also used in ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'', where [[Skytread]] was a [[Nebulan|Nebulon]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] that was binary bonded to Flywheels.</ref>) tries to keep it together and stay upbeat, he really does, but it's hard when your mind (and often your body) is literally divided in two. A split personality would be trouble enough, but to add injury to illness, Flywheels' two halves are very jealous of each other and basically hate each other's guts. They spend more time fighting one another than the Autobots. It doesn't matter whether they're unified in robot form or not, Flywheels' two halves go right on arguing, which can be disconcerting to others around him, to say the least.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Sixshotg1marvel.jpg|upright=0.6|thumb|"Hi. We're off to do other things now... elsewhere. Without you. Bye!"]]
Flywheels was a part of [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]'s army of Decepticons on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Upon learning the co-ordinates of the planet [[Nebulos]] from [[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]], requesting the Decepticons help in ridding the [[Autobot]]s from his world, Scorponok ordered his army to lay siege to the alien planet. Flywheels was seen in jet mode as part of a battalion carrying Decepticons from their spacecraft to the surface of Nebulos, where he remained out of sight, away from the main events. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}} Later, every Decepticon on the planet left Nebulos in pursuit of the Autobots to planet Earth. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[File:Zombieskalis.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9]]
''Back on Cybertron, Flywheels appeared in a brief battle against [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and the [[Sparkabot]]s. He was knocked out of the air by Ultra Magnus and was captured by the [[Autobot]]s. As a prisoner, he was soon forced to fight with his captors against a horde of [[zombie]] Transformers in [[Kalis]]. Though the Autobots had taken away his blaster, Flywheels was still able to pull his own weight in destroying the encroaching horde by using his tank mode. After he realized that they were slaughtering former Autobots, Ultra Magnus ordered a cease-fire, hoping they might instead come up with the means to revert the zombies to a fully-living state. Flywheels disobeyed Ultra Magnus' order, but soon stood down when his captors threatened to blast him next. The group retreated to a nearby building, where they puzzled out that they were indeed fighting the dead, but the zombots hadn't been risen through supernatural means; rather, a powerful radio-signal was controlling the motor functions of Cybertronian corpses. With this information in mind, Flywheels led Ultra Magnus to the [[Baird Beaming Transmitter]] so they could jam the signal. Reluctantly, Ultra Magnus returned Flywheels his weapons, so that the Decepticon could watch his back while he worked on shutting down the zombies. This proved fortuitous for Magnus, as Flywheels saved his life from a zombie who had managed to sneak up on him, just as he was finishing up his task.'' {{storylink|City of Fear!}} ''Ultra Magnus then allowed Flywheels to go and get reinforcements, though he had little expectation of the Duocon's return.'' {{storylink|Legion of the Lost!}} ''Surprisingly, Flywheels did come back with [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] to give the remaining zombots a good stomping, and force his way into the inner sanctum of the crazed scientist, [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]], responsible for the entire Kalis incident.'' {{storylink|Meltdown!}}

[[File:Catilla flywheels retreat time wars.jpg|upright=1.7|thumb]]
''He later joined the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] and took part in their joint attack with the [[Wrecker]]s on [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. He was one of only three Mayhems to escape alive from the gruesome twosome's base, but was killed by Galvatron after the retreat to the Decepticons' [[Decepticon heavy transport|heavy transport]].''<ref>Although Flywheels's death is not shown, Galvatron [[:File:Galvatron flywheels.jpg|grabs him by the right arm]] during his and Megatron's assault on the Mayhems' ship, and his corpse (with the right arm torn off at the shoulder) [[:File:Time wars casualties.png|can be seen on the ground]] just before Rodimus Prime and the other Autobots intervene to save the remaining Wreckers and Mayhems. It's pretty clear what happened off-panel.</ref> {{storylink|Time Wars}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
Flywheels took part in [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s attack on the [[Baird Beaming Transmitter]] in [[Kalis]], where he berated [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] for making too much noise. {{storylink|Counterpoint}}

====''Transformers '84''====
[[File:TF84 FlywheelsDullBot.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2]]
Flywheels, along with [[Battletrap (G1)|Battletrap]] and [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]], was part of a Decepticon unit under [[Wingspan]]'s command.  They followed the Autobots [[Fastlane]] and [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]] to [[Earth]] in [[1017]], intent on locating the long-lost [[Ark (G1)|Ark]].  Eager for action, Flywheels and Battletrap headed off to scout the terrain, leaving Wingspan alone with Counterpunch.  When the Duocons returned they found Wingspan had been ''mysteriously'' killed and, blaming the Autobots, the three Decepticons headed off to confront them.  In the ensuing battle, Flywheels was able to gravely wound Cloudraker, but was in turn shot down by Fastlane.  {{storylink|Transformers '84 issue 0|'84 #0}}
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===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Yūki Satō]] (Japanese)|[[John Culkin]] (English, Omni Productions dub)}}
[[File:DuelAsteroid Flywheels.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|What is this ominous light that threatens to engulf us?]]
Flywheels, alongside [[Battletrap (G1)|Battletrap]], worked under [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], who first sent them into battle when the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting over a [[Floppy disk|disk]] containing data on the [[Master Sword]]. The Duocons' double amount of vehicle modes was enough to overwhelm the Autobot [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]], and the Decepticons quickly grabbed the disk and retreated. {{storylink|The Master Sword Is in Danger!!}} Flywheels soon appeared again to defend Scorponok as he used the disk's data to manufacture the [[Zarak Shield]]. {{storylink|The Zarak Shield Turns the Tide}}

The Duocons' next mission was to hide a time bomb on the asteroid [[Juno]], so that Scorponok could blow up [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] and [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] when the two arrived for their duel. {{storylink|Duel on the Asteroid}} Flywheels later participated in the climactic battle against the Autobots at the [[Arctic|North Pole]] and retreated into space when Scorponok put his plan to destroy the [[Earth]] into motion. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}
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====''Legends'' comic====
[[File:LegendsManga Vol40 Flywheel.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
In 2021, Flywheels was among Scorponok's Decepticons who battled [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]]'s Autobots near a [[black hole]], where he got his butt handed to him by [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]. Scorponok's detonation of the black hole caused the combatants to lose their bodies, and they were forced to convert their heads into small [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] forms and travel to the [[Legends World]] in search of new ones. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}} Flywheels joined up with the [[Astrotrain Transport Company]] for a free body, only to be enslaved by [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] until he and the other Headmasters were able to escape. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 40|Bonus Edition Vol. 40}} Now unemployed, Flywheels used his speed to pick pockets until he met [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]], an alternate version of Scorponok from another dimension. Tempted by his offer of a new body, he figured any Scorponok was worth being loyal to and agreed to recruit additional soldiers to his cause, convincing [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] and Brawn to join him at his "new workplace". When Zarak moved to conquer the world, however, Flywheels was punched out by an angry Grimlock, then swatted into the distance by Zarak for daring to suggest he could help by forming Scorponok's head. {{storylink|LGEX Headmaster Set Chapter}}

Flywheels was unfortunate enough to be hanging around in [[Akihabara]] when [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] landed on top of it. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 43|Bonus Edition Vol. 43}} When Scorponok arrived in the Legends World, he had Flywheels sneak into the local [[Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department|police station]], steal the keys to the jail and break out [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]], [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]]. After stealing [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]'s [[transtector]], he also broke [[Katsu Don]] out to aid in Scorponok's plan. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}} Flywheels was on board Scorponok's [[Majin Zarak]] during the final battle for the Legends World. When the other Headmasters abandoned ship, Flywheels was apparently still on board when Scorponok and Majin Zarak were blasted into a dimensional void, trapping him as well. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two}}
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===''Transformers in 3-D''===
Flywheels and the Decepticon [[Clone (subgroup)|Clones]] volunteered for [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]'s mission to make [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s weekend more interesting. Whether they succeeded was never recorded. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}
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===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Duocons from MtMtE -8.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"It is only logical that there will be no side-effects from this whatsoever."]]
[[Battletrap (G1)|Battletrap]] and Flywheels were created by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] as early prototypes for his [[Triple Changer]] fascination. Instead of achieving three alternating modes, however, they gained the ability to separate into two different alternate modes at once. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye#Issue #8|More Than Meets The Eye #8}}
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===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Rules of Disengagement (issue)|''More Than Meets The Eye'' #7]]}}

Flywheels was a "twitchy [[Neoprimalism|neoprimalist]] with big feet" who suffered from a possibly made-up form of psychosomatic hyperflexia that caused him to change form when he lied. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}} During the war, he was stationed at [[Grindcore (prison)|Grindcore]], where he outfitted new prisoners such as [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] with nasty transformation-hindering [[inhibitor spike]]s. {{storylink|Speak, Memory: Part 1}}

[[File:KillAllCons-TheForagers.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
At some point he was captured by the Autobots and imprisoned in [[Garrus-9]]. After [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]]'s sacking of the prison, Flywheels was allowed to leave as part of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s crew. Not far out of the [[Elba System]], their ship was intercepted by the [[Decepticon Justice Division]]. Flywheels and [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] used the ship's comm system to eavesdrop on the communication between Shockwave and [[Tarn (DJD)|Tarn]], discovering that their liberator was willing to sell them all out to save himself, as pretty much everyone on the ship was on "[[The List]]" of transgressors to the Decepticon cause. When Tarn rejected the offer and began to use his weaponized voice, they cut the eavesdropping and, along with [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]], abandoned ship, figuring that ejecting themselves without direction in space presented better odds of survival. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}} Floating aimlessly in the direction of the [[Dark Nebula]], Flywheels began praying for salvation, which came in the form of [[Krok (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|Krok]] and [[Spinister (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|Spinister]], and their [[Weak Anthropic Principle|hijacked prisoner escort ship]]. He joined the hodge-podge crew, though he wasn't taken with their name for themselves. {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}}

[[File:Flywheels tesarus whos afraid of the djd.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|left|Flywheels about to feel the agony of "de feet."]]
Flywheels became part of Krok's ragtag Decepticon crew along with [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]], Spinister, and [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]]. Searching for [[energon]] and supplies on the planet [[Clemency]], Flywheels mistook the still-living body of [[Fulcrum]] firstly for a miracle and then for a [[zombie]] and an affront to [[Primus]]. Once that misunderstanding had been sorted out the group then chanced upon a P-6 [[Worldsweeper]], a type of [[Starship|ship]] that Flywheels noted was famous only for "crashing". What they found on board the ship, such as aborted [[protoform]]s, disconnected [[brain module]]s and a robot apparently made out of wood was disturbing enough, but then they were contacted by the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] through Flywheels' [[communicube]] and given an ultimatum to surrender one of their number so that the other six could watch him die. As there were only six of them the group reasoned that the D.J.D. must have miscounted, until Krok discovered that the ship also contained [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] in a [[stasis pod]]. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}}

After agreeing on the seemingly-suicidal plan to fight their way out, the Scavengers spiked Grimlock's stasis pod with [[circuit speeder]]s and left him out for the D.J.D. to find. While [[Tarn (DJD)|Tarn]] battled the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] leader, the rest of the Decepticons tried to slip away but were ambushed in turn by the rest of the D.J.D. When Flywheels's feet proved too big for [[Tesarus (DJD)|Tesarus]] to do his usual "grind them up feet first to make the death last longer" bit, he simply stuffed the praying Flywheels into his grinder head-first, leaving only his lower half intact. After the D.J.D. abandoned the fight for a new priority target (believing their primary target, Fulcrum, was dead) the surviving Scavengers looted Flywheels's remains for spare parts and [[energon]]. Eighteen months later, what little of him was left was examined by the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]. {{storylink|Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|Who's Afraid of the DJD?}}

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===''Titans Return'' marketing material===
An ancient [[Titan Master]], Skytread could team up with other bots to grant them the ability to create a clone decoy of themselves. {{storylink|#Generations|''Titans Return'' Skytread online bio}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
When the Decepticon-[[Hive (G1)|Hive]] alliance developed the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] process, [[Skytread]] and Flywheels became one of the first Headmaster pairs, escalating the conflict on Nebulos with their power. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[The World In Your Eyes Part Two|''Transformers'' issue #2]]

[[File:TheWorldInYourEyesPart3 AscenticonGuardVolunteers.jpg|right|upright=1.6|thumb]]
Skytread was a supporter of the [[Decepticon|Ascenticons]], and attended a rally held by [[Megatron (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|Megatron]] in [[Tarn (polity)#2019 IDW continuity|Tarn]]. As Megatron delivered his speech, unknown assailants attacked, seemingly trying to assassinate the Ascenticon leader before vanishing. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}}

Using the attack and the recent murder of [[Brainstorm (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]] as justification, Megatron formed his own private [[Ascenticon Guard|security force]], comprising Skytread, [[Elita One (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|Elita-1]], [[Reflector (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|Refraktor]], and [[Quake (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|Quake]], drawing the concern of [[Security Operations]] and [[Autobot]] senator [[Optimus Prime (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]]. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}}

[[File:TheCracksBeneathYourFeetPt1 SkytreadRefraktor.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0]]
After the murder of the newly-forged [[Rubble]] and a [[Voin]], Quake disappeared from the Guard. Rubble's mentor, [[Bumblebee (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] joined the guard shortly afterwards, claiming that he wanted to be part of a solution to Cybertron's current chaotic state. While Elita-1 welcomed him, Skytread and Refraktor greeted him with hostility, obliquely threatening to "break" him if he double-crossed them. Despite Bumblebee stating that Ascenticon second-in-command [[Soundwave (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] had left it to Elita-1 to allow him in, Skytread became more aggressive, insulting Bumblebee for his poor record in Security Operations and his failure to keep Rubble safe, and even pushing him. Enraged, Bumblebee punched Skytread in the face. When Refraktor attempted to attack Bumblebee from behind, he received an elbow to the face before Skytread tackled Bumblebee, only for the new recruit to sweep his legs. Angered by the behaviour of her comrades, Elita-1 quickly broke up the fight. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part One}}.

As unrest continued, the Ascenticon Guard gained more recruits, including [[Barricade (IDW)|Barricade]], a former member of Security Operations who had been implicated in the murders of Rubble and the Voin. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Three}} Security Operations soon reached Ascenticon headquarters, and [[Prowl (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|Prowl]] requested that he be allowed to question his former comrade. Flanked by Skytread and [[Acid Storm (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|Acid Storm]], Soundwave refused. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four}}

As Security Operations cordoned off [[Ascenticon Headquarters]], Megatron and Soundwave discussed the truth. Brainstorm, had been killed by The Rise, a terrorist group that Megatron publicly opposed, but was actually in charge of. The Voin had witnessed the murder, and had been killed by Quake based on information from Barricade. Rubble had stumbled upon Quake, and was quickly murdered himself. Aware that Barricade's capture could expose him, Megatron ordered The Rise’s direct commander, [[Shockwave (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], to carry out a false-flag attack on Ascenticon Headquarters to evacuate Barricade. 

[[File:TheChangeInYourNaturePt1 BumblebeeBeatsSkytread.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2]]
As a secret member of The Rise, Skytread guarded Barricade as he prepared to be extracted, only for Bumblebee, himself secretly spying on behalf of Orion Pax, to join them. Despite his best efforts, Skytread was unable to get the spy to leave. As [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]], [[Whisper (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|Visper]], and [[Storm Cloud (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|Storm Cloud]] breached the building, Bumblebee attempted to stun Visper, only for Skytread to shield his fellow Riser with his body. While he lay stunned, Bumblebee attempted to fight off Visper and Sixshot, only for Skytread to recover and stun the interloper, allowing Barricade to escape. Later, Skytread was present when Megatron used the attack as justification for the Ascenticons taking a more aggressive approach, and unveiling the movement's new insignia. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five}}

After being branded with the new insignia, Skytread was confronted by Bumblebee for his behaviour during the attack. Refusing to tell him anything, and stating that he should be thankful for stopping Sixshot from killing him, Skytread was blinded by Bumblebee's headlamp before being punched and kicked in the face. Once again, Elita-1 broke up the fight, and claimed that Skytread had saved Bumblebee's life by accidentally stunning him. Bumblebee, however, questioned how much she actually knew about her Guard. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part One}}

After Elita-1 was removed as leader of the Guard, Soundwave promoted Skytread to the position, who quickly began sadistically flaunting his new authority over Bumblebee.  In the aftermath of the [[Tether]]'s fall, Skytread ordered Bumblebee to search the ruins of a collapsed structure for survivors on his own, secretly knowing that he was sending the spy into [[Treadshot (G1)|an arranged ambush]] to be eliminated at Megatron's behest. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|All Fall Down}}

When [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] and her Security officers attempted to gain access to Ascenticon HQ again, Skytread confronted her personally, backed by hundreds of Ascenticons who barred their path.  {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Swindle's|Swindle's}}  After Quake was apprehended by Security, [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] ordered the killer paraded through the streets in chains.  Skytread seeded the crowd with Ascenticon sympathizers and upon receiving Soundwave's order, had them start a riot to cover for Quake's escape.  {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Prisoners|Prisoners}}     

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===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Philip Bache]] (English)|[[Cédric Ingard]] (French), [[Vlad Chiriac]] (German), [[Roberto González]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Carlos Hernández]] (Latin-American Spanish)}}

[[File:Siege-Ep3-Mirage-is-a-bad-spy.jpg|thumb|300px]]

Skytread served as part of an ambush set up for the Autobots, who were searching for the Allspark. He attacked alongside his teammates, tangling with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] himself, yet the Autobots escaped, and [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] was buried under rubble and left for dead, leaving Skytread, [[Barricade (IDW)|Barricade]] and [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] to report the failure back to Megatron. {{storylink|Siege episode 2}}

Skytread and Spinister were standing by in their sector when the Autobot Mirage arrived, disguised as a Decepticon and spinning the lie that he was searching for an Autobot encampment. Skytread and Spinister decided to join the hunting party, as they both desired to add to their kill count, and revealed a dozen Autobots, dead on pikes ahead of them. Both found their work amusing. However, Skytread caught onto Mirage's trick when his hologram started to fail, revealing his true Autobot status. Before he could attack, he was shot in the back by [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]]. {{storylink|Siege episode 3}} Skytread was part of the Decepticon force that attacked Autobot Command as the ''Ark'' prepared to launch. In the battle, Skytread shot [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] off the ''Ark'', before he was knocked out by the other Autobots. {{storylink|Siege episode 6}}

Horrified by Megatron's spark extraction of various Decepticons, Skytread opted to help [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-1]]'s team of Autobots escape from the arena. Chromia knocked him out at his request, hoping to avoid arousing suspicion. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 2}}

{{spoilers|Earthrise episode 6|January 31, 2021}}

Skytread remained on Cybertron under Shockwave's command after Megatron and most his forces left aboard the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. Skytread was part of a team that ushered the captured members of the Autobot resistance to Kaon when an injured Chromia shot the other guards from afar. Skytread spotted her and panicked, saying he had helped them, but Chromia shot him in the head anyway. Not long after, Elita-1's bombs went off, presumably destroying the area along with Skytread. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}

==Commercial appearances==
[[File:FlywheelsCommercialAndSeason4Intro.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Flywheels's appearance on the battlefield caught the Autobots by surprise when they first thought that a jet was about to crash into a tank, only for the two vehicles to transform into one robot! The element of surprise quickly wore off, however, and Flywheels had to contend with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] pouncing on him. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Duocons and Throttlebots|Duocons and Throttlebots commercial}}
{{note|Animation from this commercial was recycled for the [[title sequence]] of [[The Rebirth|season 4]] of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 animated series]], even though Flywheels himself didn't appear in the show.}}
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==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{Note|Flywheels is a non-playable character. He appears among the legion of Decepticon duplicates in the Autobot campaign.}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
Flywheels and [[Black Shadow (Victory)|Black Shadow]] encountered the D.J.D. on Clemency. They both died. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (Legends)|Rules of Disengagement}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:G1-toy Flywheels.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"Hey, you know what they say about guys with big feet, right?"]]
*'''Flywheels''' (Duocon, [[1987]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-97'''
**''Accessories:'' "Laser cannon" pistol
:Flywheels' [[robot mode]] is made from the combination of two separate vehicles that make up his [[alternate mode]]: a maroon [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#F-4 Phantom|F-4 Phantom II fighter jet]] and a brown self-propelled howitzer of vague origin. Pressing the jet onto the tank's turret via friction-hold tabs triggers a spring-loaded [[autotransformation]] into the combined robot mode. Splitting the robot into the two vehicles is an entirely manual affair, however.

:His only robot-mode articulation is the sideways-swinging movement of his arms at the shoulder, but thankfully his rifle has a [[5 mm post]] on the back end so it can at least point forward in robot mode, even if he has to hold it like a sword to do so. The rifle can also be mounted on the tank's front end or on the underside of the jet nosecone. 

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Decepticon/Flywheels/flywheels.htm More information on Flywheels at TFU.info]''
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===Generations===
====Titans Return====
[[File:TF-Titans-Return-Skytread.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Oh sure, Battletrap gets a cool exclusive Voyager class and a new Legends Class toy! I lose my name! I lose my body! What do I get? A little more articulation and a little vehicle to ride around in. Huh.]]
*'''Skytread''' (Titan Master, [[2016]])
**''Accessories:'' Tank accessory
:A [[retool]] of ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' [[Horri-Bull#Generations|Terri-Bull]], Skytread (presumably renamed for [[trademark]] reasons) is a small robot who can transform into a Flywheels head that is compatible with any Deluxe-or-larger ''Titans Return'' figure. He is packaged with a small vehicle accessory redecoed from Terri-Bull's, which can form a tank for Skytread to ride in robot mode, a [[5 mm post|5mm]] gun for larger figures to wield, or combine with Skytread to form a jet. Due to the sculpt of the head mode face, it can be difficult to get Skytread himself in and out of the jet configuration.

:The gun barrels connect to the tank turret via 3mm [[C joint]]s. This allows them to pivot up and down, as well as clip onto other compatible figures.

:As with Terri-Bull, the upper portion of Skytread's legs has been installed backwards. Due to this, his legs have a problem folding down in head mode if not fixed. This appears to have been fixed in the Australian release. 

:This toy also doubles as the separate ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' character [[Skytread]]. It was re-issued along with Nightbeat for the fourth wave of Titan Masters alongside [[Shuffler#Generations|Shuffler]] and [[Repugnus (G1)#Generations|Repugnus]], which unfortunately became prominent shelfwarmers.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Decepticon/TRSkytread/skytread.htm More information on ''Titans Return'' Skytread at TFU.info]''
{{TRTerri-BullMold}}
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====War for Cybertron: Siege====
[[File:WFCS-Deluxe-Skytread.jpg|thumb|300px|All right! All that's left is my name... Wait, you guys don't have the trademark for the name? Damn it.]]
*'''Skytread''' (Deluxe Class, [[2018]])
**''ID number:'' '''WFC-S10'''
**''Japanese ID number'': '''SG-11'''
**''Japanese release date'': '''[[March 30]], [[2019]]'''
**''Accessories:'' "HV Electron Breacher," EM24 IR Laser Launcher" (combine to form "LRRF Suspension-Ray Super-Launcher")

:Part of the first wave of ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' Deluxe Class figures, Skytread consists of a jet and Cybertronian tank which can transform and combine to form his [[robot mode]]. He includes the "EM24 IR Laser Launcher" and the "HV Electron Breacher," two guns compatible with the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], which can combine to form the "LRRF Suspension-Ray Super-Launcher," form his tank barrels in vehicle mode or be added to the jet mode. Unlike his fellow [[Duocon]] ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' [[Battletrap (G1)#Generations|Battletrap]], Skytread's components do not have their own robot modes, although this results in a noticeably more stable figure. Skytread does however use the same connection port and plug system as Battletrap, allowing for mixing and matching between the four components. Skytread features far fewer battle damage paint applications than the rest of the toyline, they are all on the tank mode/lower legs. He features multiple hardpoints all over himself and his weapons to accommodate "Fire Blasts" from the [[Battle Master]]s assortment, which can be used to simulate blaster fire or explosions.

:Many Skytreads have an issue where the tank mode turret will not tab together properly, and there is not enough clearance to securely mount the tank barrel in position. This is due to a set of raised ridges on the inside of the legs, just above the ankle joints, that are a bit too tall and push the robot waist in tank mode up ''just'' enough to prevent proper connections. Carving these ridges down a bit will fix the issue. On some examples of the toy, the leg panels do not peg into the waist properly, though this can be amended by pressing it down with a hammer's head. Repeating this method during transformation will finally fix this issue.

:Skytread was retooled into [[Slamdance (G1)#Generations|Slamdance]].

::*''[http://www.transformers-universe.com/i.php?ID=7463&Sprache=0 More information on Skytread at Transformers-Universe.com]''
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===Legends===
{{anchor|HeadmasterSet}}
[[File:TF-Legends-LG-EX-Headmaster-Set-Flywheels.jpg|thumb|"OK Takara, now you fixed my legs; where's my larger body? Oh, it's above me..."]]
*'''Headmaster Set''' ([[2017]]-[[February 19|02-19]])
**''ID number'': '''LG-EX'''

:Released as a Wonder Festival 2017 exclusive, this Headmaster version of "Flywheel" is a repaint of the ''Titans Return'' mold above, without the vehicle accessory, and features extensive paint apps. Unlike the Hasbro release, this Flywheel features correctly assembled legs.

:Flywheel was released along with [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Legends|Grimlock]], [[Chromedome (G1)#HeadmasterSet|Chromedome]], [[Duros#HeadmasterSet|Hardhead]], [[Brawn (G1)/toys#Legends|Gong]], and [[Arcana#HeadmasterSet|Brainstorm]].

{{TRTerri-BullMold}}
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==Merchandise==
===Transformers Trading Card Game===
[[File:W4RaiderSkytread.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Raider Skytread, Special Ops-Soldier''' (2019)
**'''Skytread (Plane), Special Ops-Soldier'''(2019)
***'''Wave 4: War for Cybertron: Siege II''' 
***''Rarity: '''''UT'''
***''Card Number: '''''T48/T52'''
***''Stars: ''6
**'''Skytread (Tank), Special Ops-Soldier'''(2019)
***'''Wave 4: War for Cybertron: Siege II''' 
***''Rarity: '''''UT'''
***''Card Number: '''''T49/T52'''
***''Stars: ''6

:Raider Skytread, Special Ops-Soldier was released as part of Wave 4 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], War for Cybertron: Siege II. In order to depict the character's Duocon origins, Skytread begins the game as two separate cards in Alt Mode, one depicting his tank half and the other depicting his plane half. Once one of the two Alt Mode cards is KO'd, his '''Revenge''' ability activates, allowing the player to combine the two Alt Mode cards into one Combiner Mode, depicting Skytread's robot mode. 

:The artwork for the card is based on the ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' Skytread toy, with the art for both Alt Modes being reused from said toy's packaging art.
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==Notes==
*It's often speculated that Battletrap and Flywheels' names were mistakenly swapped during production, as the rollers of tank treads are not generally thought of as wheels. Their names are even swapped in the ''Headmasters'' episode "[[The Master Sword Is in Danger!!]]".
*In IDW's original G1 continuity, Flywheels is a [[Triple Changer]] as opposed to a Duocon, changing between a jet and a tank similarly to Blitzwing. 
* In the ''War for Cybertron: Siege'' cartoon, Skytread has been scaled up to approximately match characters based on Voyager Class figures. This is prominently noticeable when he is [https://twitter.com/JaAmfan/status/1288759142392270848 standing next to] [[Spinister (G1)#War for Cybertron cartoon|Spinister]], who [https://twitter.com/InflatableDalek/status/1226062982691590144 towers over him] in the toyline.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Flywheel''' (フライホイール ''Furaihoīru''), '''Skytread''' (スカイトレッド ''Sukaitoreddo'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Fēilún''' (China, 飞轮, "Flywheel"), '''Tiānjiàn''' (Taiwan, ''Siege'', 天踐 "Skytread")

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Mayhem Attack Squad]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Titan Masters]]
[[Category:Titans Return Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise Decepticons]]<!--cartoon only-->
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Siege Decepticons]]