Spinner Bag with Detachable Wheels to Maximize Space
 

Especially with the differences between US, international, and budget airlines, it would be great to have a spinner bag with detachable wheels to maximize space and avoid gate check fees.

The only product I found is this old post from Delsey but it doesn't look sold anymore:
https://shop.delsey.com/delsey-tips/...able-wheels/27

I'd settle for a bag with wheels that could be removed via allen key since I don't anticipate it happening often.

THAT is a genius idea. Forget the allen wrench and just make them like on the old Delsey model you mention. Then you can quickly pop them off if measurements are required.

It's a nice idea in theory, but detachable wheels introduce some very vulnerable failure points to the bag. After taking a look at the pics of the Delsey luggage, I don't think I'd trust those plastic wheel housings or the thin metal spindle to not break. I suspect that the fact that the bag's no longer for sale indicates that it wasn't a successful design.

Solid versus detachable requires some clearance/play, that becomes the weak point and stressed as wheels will be, good luck with doing that design for cheap enough to make it business viable feature.