Wheel Replacement for Rollerblades
Wheel Replacement for Rollerblades
Wheel Replacement for Rollerblades
I was asked a question the other day about replacing wheels for inline skates. To set the table, the individual told me that one of there wheels was worn out and that they wanted to know if they could replace just the one wheel, if new wheels came with bearings, and if they could remove the worn wheel and skate without it.
I told this person that while I couldn't diagnose their wheel as worn out or not without seeing it, that they could replace the one wheel if they found a shop that sold them in singles. It likely wouldn't match the other wheels, but it was possible. I also told them that wheels don't typically come with new bearings, unless they buy a wheel/bearing combo kit. Some companies manufacture these, but typically it's wheels and bearing separate. I also told them that they could skate remove the one wheel and skate without it, provided it wasn't the first or last wheel on the frame, but that I didn't recommend it because it could damage the frame.
But all in all, this got me to thinking about the days when I was younger and had some of the exact same questions. While this person was about my age (I'm 27), it hit me that wheel replacement and proper maintenance is not commonly understood by many people who skate. Therefore, I decided to write a little article covering some of the basics.
A common question about replacing wheels on inline skates is how do you know when it's time to replace your wheels? Honestly, there is no set time table because the real answer is dependent on unknown variable such as how often you skate and how often your rotate your wheels to prevent uneven wear. However, this image illustrates the various stages of breakdown for skate wheels.
This image breaks down as follows:
A.) Perfectly new or relatively unworn wheel will look similar to this. At this point you do not need to do anything.
B.) Early stages of a wheel with uneven wear. Consider rotation and flipping at this point. This will help to even out the wear and increase the longevity of your wheels.
C.) Advanced stages of a wheel with uneven wear. The wheel has been rotated and flipped several times and is beginning to show wear on both sides, indicated by the sharp tip being created in the middle. Should consider replacement if skating is becoming difficult.
D.) Severely warn wheel that needs to be replaced. Skating is surely difficult at this point and skating any longer may result in the core and hub cracking.
Now, the breakdown above mentions rotating and flipping your skate wheels. This should be done in a specific way depending on the wheel setup of the skates. This can vary, so rather than try to explain, I decided that it would be best to link to the rotation section of this great guide on buying inline skate wheels.
If you scroll through the guide you'll find some extremely good information on things to account for when shopping for replacement wheels, but most importantly you'll get step-by-step information on proper wheel rotation. This will extend the life of your skate wheels, keep your ride smoother, and also keep more money in your pocket.
I hope this helps you when you're trying to determine when you should rotate, flip, or replace your skate wheels.
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