How to Maintain Rollerblades

Inline skating is an excellent way to exercise, but when your Rollerblades aren't maintained, they don't work as well and their lifespan is drastically reduced. The exterior decorations don't require much maintenance, but the wheels need to be rotated and the bearings cleaned regularly.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Towel
• Allen wrench
• Bearing lubricant

Cleaning the Bearings and Rotating the Wheels

1. Remove one wheel using an Allen wrench. Note which side of the wheel was facing out, as you will replace the wheel with the opposite orientation.

2. Wipe down each bearing with a dry rag or paper towel, removing any dirt on the surface.

3. Add lubricant. Spin the bearings after applying to help work in the lube and wipe off any excess.

4. Replace the wheel with the opposite orientation as mentioned in Step 1; that is, if the logo of the wheel was facing the inside of the boot, it should be replaced facing outside. Screw in the bolts as tightly as possible while making sure the wheel still spins freely.

5. Repeat steps 1-4 with the remainder of the wheels.

Tips & Warnings

• Wheels may not need to be rotated as frequently as they are cleaned; only rotate when there is a noticeable difference in wear between the inside and outside edges of the wheel. If your Rollerblades have removable liners, they should be removed and washed.

References

• Rollerblade Maintenance, Care, and Cleaning

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!