Do you ever hate it when your roller skate wheels to stop spinning right when you are in the middle of an adventure? We know that we do. How do you get them to start spinning again? You have clicked on the right article. Here are all the right tips and facts you need to know about your roller skating wheels.
RELATED: Indoor Vs. Outdoor: Can You Skate Outside with Indoor Wheels?
How Long Do Roller Skating Wheels Last?
Roller skating wheels could last up to a year depending on what conditions you put them through. Some roller skates have a different design and function. It’s essential to take care of your roller skates. Without them, you won’t be able to do those fun activities or commute to places.
How Worn Down are the Wheels?
A reason behind why your wheels stopped spinning is because they are worn down. If the wheels ever wear out Consider swapping you wheels around to counterbalance the wear and even them out. Don’t buy new skates yet.
What Type of Wheels Should I Use?
Urethane composition in the wheels can vary between roller skates, so their hardness isn’t always the best way to compare between wheels. Go by others’ experience, too. Reviews and opinions matter.
- Speed Wheels: These types of wheels are designed for speed. Most inline skates use speed wheels. High-performance skaters use them. However, they do not roll on all surfaces.
- Derby Wheels: They are similar in speed but they have a very different design
What Causes Wheels Not to Spin Fast?
- The Wheel Nuts are Too Tight
When the wheel nuts become too tight, they rub against the bearing. When that happens when friction occurs. Friction is the reason why your bearings and wheels don’t spin fast. During skating or when being manufactured, Many roller skates wheel nuts are overly tightened during production. The manufacturers prioritize the safety of the skaters, and thus, tighten wheels so that they don’t fall off while skating.
- Surface
The type of surface that you roller skate on is everything. Certain types of wheels operate on specific surfaces, are designed specifically, and are made of different materials.
- Indoor Skating: Need hard wheels because the wheels give you a better roll on smooth surfaces like the rinks. Rinks are hard surfaces. While they are only an indoor skating wheel they guarantee a softer ride
- Outdoor Skating: For outdoor skating, it is required to have softer wheels because they roll better on non-smooth or uneven surfaces.
- Age
How long have you been using your wheels? Are they fresh from the store or they something that your relative gave after they used? Over time, Wheels wear down. When that happens, they are less likely to spin fast, which results in slower speed.
Upon the discovery that the nuts of your roller skates are freeing themselves on their own, it’s time that you remove them and put them back. Don’t do this just once, rather a few times.
- Size of the Wheel
The size of the wheels has the greatest effect on the speed of the skate. While larger wheels spin faster, smaller wheels comprise more grounds. If you have smaller roller skate wheels you should not expect them to roll as fast.
- More Damage to the Wheels
The fifth possible reason for the wheels not spinning correctly is that there is more damage to both the wheels and bearings. Check out the bearings every so often. If they are damaged, then replace them with the correct or original parts.
- Dirt and Debris
If you are not inspired yet to clean out your roller skates whenever you should, we have that we are inspiring you more. Dirt gets caught in the wheels every time you go skating. The buildup of dirt and debris block the wheels from rotating correctly and it affects the bearing.
- Expertise
We all roller skate at different levels. Some of us are at the expert level where they are wearing down the wheels faster than someone who is just starting. Take your skill into the degree and make sure that you are taking proper care of them.
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Tight or Loose Wheels?
Good question indeed. Should the wheels be tight or loose? It all depends on the roller skater. If you want to slow down the wheels, then tighten the axle nuts. It creates more friction. The wheel nuts should be tight enough so that the wheels spin freely.
However, if you loosen the wheels they will spin faster. To loosen them, use the right tools. If the nuts aren’t as tight, use your hands to loosen the nuts. If it’s a skateboard. Apply pressure to the wheels and they will snap off from its position.
First Sign that the Wheels are Wearing Down
Most skaters don’t realize that their wheels are wearing out right under their feet. When a wheel becomes uneven, it becomes a problem. The wear of the wheel affects the speed of the skate when it brushes against the bearing.
The first sign of slow wheels is the increase in the size of one wheel compared to the other. The wheel starts to wear out on the edges and will become worn out the more your skate on them.
When Should I Replace Roller Blading Wheels?
You use the wheels of roller skates the most on your adventures. They’re what’s going to wear out first. Change the wheels immediately if you see a split in them.
What Signs to Look Out For
- If you take the wheels out, flip them to the other side, and change them from the back to the middle and front, you’ll notice that the wheels are smaller but there are more wear and tear.
- The toe and heel of the wheels will be the first to show wear.
- Don’t let the wheels wear too much before you replace them. More spits and scratches develop which is dangerous to skate on.
Pay Attention to the Bearings
Whenever the wheels are not spinning fast enough, usually the bearings are the issue. The bearings are one of the most important components in roller skates. If you don’t know what the bearings are they are located inside your roller skate wheel. They make your skates turn and spin.
How to Check the Wheels
- Tighten the wheels until they can no longer move
- Turn the tool a full 90 degrees to the left
- Do you hear a noise? If you don’t hear a noise the then you have a good slide on your skate axle. The wheel should not be sliding up and down on the axle.
Types of Bearings
Stay with it here. We have to talk a little about bearings so that when these time your wheels are not spinning correctly, you can fic them. The types of bearings that you have to affect the speed and how fast your wheels spin. Here are the different types of bearings.
- ABEC 1-3: Barely roll or turn even when fresh out of the box
- ABEC 3-5: These bearings do not last forever
- ABEC 5-9: They are the best wheels to roll. These wheels will last longer out of any wheel
- Swiss: Made from special technology developed in Switzerland. Last a while, but they are expensive
- Ceramic: Best wheels you can come by. The fastest wheels that you are ever going to see. While they are expensive, they are also very delicate.
Problems with the Bearings
Similar to taking care of the wheels of your roller skates, it is very necessary to look after the bearings. Reasons, why the wheels won’t spin, are due to dust, dirt, or rust covering the bearings.
RELATED: Can You Skate Outside With Indoor Wheels?
How to Clean the Bearings
Step 1: Using a skate tool, remove your wheels from your skates.
Step 2: Take the bearings out of the wheels with a bearing tool. NOTE: Never remove your bearings with another sharp metal object as it can damage their casings.
Step 3: Clean the wheels with warm, soapy water. Use a cloth, too. Pay close attention to any build up in the cavity where the bearings usually sit.
Step 4: Use a small pin to take the plastic covers off your bearings.
Step 5: Put your bearings in a small, lidded container with some wash. Use enough water to cover the bearings. Then shake vigorously to remove dirt particles that have clogged up materials.
Step 6: Remove the bearings from the water and dry the wheels on a lint-free cloth or towel. You can also let them dry on a paper towel.
Step 7: Make sure they are completely dry before placing them back onto the roller skate. Skating with wet wheels is not the best.
Step 8: Implement a tiny drop of bearing lube to each bearing. Spin each of the bearings to see if they are rolling smoothly. If not, then it’s time to replace them.
Step 9: Place the bearings back in your wheels and then put the wheels back on the skates
Step 10: Have fun roller skating!
