Inline Skate Maintenance

I recommend if you have standard wheels like me to rotate them round so the front is facing inwards (or back outwards again) about every 1 to 2 months. Also if you are a heavy skater you will probably find you will need to rotate your wheels more often. Rotating your wheels ensures your wheels get even wear on both sides & you do not end up with wheels are sloped to one side & look like recreational wheels. Also about every few months I recommend swapping the front wheels with the back ones, you may even want to put them on the other skate (e.g. left back wheel is put on the right front), this ensures the wheels on your dominant foot do not end up smaller than the rest.

Bearing Care
I wipe my bearings clean of dirt every time I rotate my wheels. You may also want to clean them with some product. I find speed gel, available from your local skate shop, works really well for this & you often do not need to bother with bearing cleaner, just squirt some of this stuff in & wipe the dirt off with a tissue or something similiar. Although I have been told citrus cleaner works really well as well.

Oiling your bearings just with a few drops of 3 in 1 normal oil works really well & gives them good speed performance. However I have read that using thick grease on them makes the bearings last longer. That BSB/Castrol bearing lubricant looks fairly good but I have never used any.

BRAKES
Check the wear on your brake pad before & after every time you go out. Make sure the brake is firmly attached; if your skate employs advanced brake technology (such as cuff-activated or disc brakes) make sure all brake components are functional. Brake pads have a "wear line" which indicates how much life is left in the brake. It is critical to replace your brake pad BEFORE this wear line is reached. Adjust the position of the brake so it does not interfere with normal skating.

UPGRADES
Eventually the rolling components (wheels, bearings, hardware) will wear out & need replacement. This is a great opportunity to select a different set of wheels &/or bearings with the design characteristics that can fulfill the performance needs (speed, maneuverability, handling) of your preferred inline activity. When selecting a wheel some things to consider are: diameter (size), durometer (hardness) & profile (shape). When selecting a bearing the most important factors to consider are: Serviceability, ABEC Rating (precision), Lubrication (speed/maintenance/protection), Materials (rings/retainers/shields), Internal Geometry (shallow vs. deep groove).

CUSTOM FITTING
Because every foot is a little different, some people may encounter fit related problems (blisters, foot moves inside skate, chaffing, etc.) causing discomfort or performance issues. These can usually be corrected by using additional fit pads or inserts. Check with your local skate or ski shop to find an experienced custom boot fitter.

REPAIRS
Most items on your skates can be repaired or replaced. Even things like buckles, liners & frames. Check with your local inline skate dealer or call your skate manufacturer for a dealer in your area that performs repairs.

PROTECTIVE GEAR/LINERS
Most protective gear and skate liners can be washed. The recommended method is usually hand washing in a mild detergent & air drying. Check with your specific skate manufacturer for care/washing instructions on your specific skate model.