HOW TO ROTATE INLINE SKATE WHEELS
Rotating inline skate wheels is not a difficult or complicated job. All you need is a skate tool to remove the wheel from its axle and to put it back on.
INLINE SKATES WITH THE SAME WHEEL SIZES
In a standard four-wheel arrangement with identically sized wheels, swap the wheels in the first and third positions and the wheels in the second and fourth positions.
Remember to flip your inline wheels 180 degrees so the current right side of the first wheel becomes the new left side of the third wheel, and so on. You can mark them before you take them off.
INLINE SKATES WITH DIFFERENT WHEEL SIZES
On a skate with different wheel sizes —a hi-low set-up, for example—the rotation process is a little different. Instead of rotating between different positions on the same skate, this time, rotate to the same position on the other skate. So, the wheel in the first position on the right skate is flipped 180 degrees and becomes the first wheel on the left skate, etc.
- 1L to 1R
- 2L to 2R
- 3L to 3R
- 4L to 4R
INLINE SKATES WITH FIVE WHEELS
For skates with five wheels of the same size, simply exchange and flip the wheels in the third positions from one skate to the next. Rotate and flip the wheel in the first position from skate one with the wheel in the fourth position from skate two. Then, rotate and flip the wheel in the second position from skate one with the wheel in the fifth position from skate two.
- 1L to 4R
- 2L to 5R
- 3L to 3R
- 4L to 1R
- 5L to 2R
When remounting your wheels, make sure not to over-tighten them on their axles. We’ve outlined our favorite rotation patterns, but any wheel movement/flip will prolong inline wheel life. If you’re going to follow a different pattern, just be sure to swap only same-sized wheels.
WHEN TO ROTATE INLINE SKATE WHEELS
There is no set time to rotate your inline hockey wheels—you should rotate them when you notice signs of uneven wear. Wheel wear is affected by several factors, including skating surface, skating frequency, a skater’s weight and skating style, and wheel hardness and quality. When wheels are not rotated, they wear unevenly, forming a silhouette like the base of a cone. A properly and regularly rotated wheel should not be misshapen.
Rotating wheels will extend their life, help them perform better, and save you money. But they’ll still break down eventually. You’ll know this has happened when the wheel surface begins to crack, peel, or show signs of pitting. Then it’s time to buy inline replacement wheels.
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