SKATE MAINTENANCE

Before you can maintain your skates, you need to know what they are made up of! Check out the Anatomy of a Roller Skate, care of Roller Skate Nation

BEFORE SKATING: It is important to do a quick check before skating – especially of your toe stops and wheels. You shouldn’t be able to move either toe stop with your hands. If you can, tighten the toe stop nut. Wheels should spin freely for 10 seconds and not slide along the truck. If they do, tighten the axle nut until there isn’t any sideways movement.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: That’s everything other than your skates – helmet, mouth guard, elbow pads, wrist guards and knee pads. The main area of maintenance is for your pads. You will know when they need cleaning as they will STINK. We have all been there…

To wash, fasten all clasps Velcro and pop them straight in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. We recommend using some kind of sanitising agent (vinegar or tea tree oil work well) to help them stay fresher longer, then allow them to air dry in a sunny, well ventilated area.

After maintenance on your PPE is done, check that all areas that could come in contact with the floor are covered in Teflon or Felt. Teflon can be found at most skate shops, while felt can be found in craft shops or spotlight.

BEARINGS: Each wheel on your skates has two bearings; one on the inside and one on the outside. If your wheels feel clunky or aren’t rolling smoothly, it’s most likely because your bearings need a good clean and lubrication. To access your bearings, just remove the axle nut and slide each element off.

First, we clean. Take a degreaser (we recommend Orange Power Sticky Spot and Goo Remover, or WD-40 Citrus Degreaser) and cover bearings, then let it sit. Just for a little bit, then wipe off using lint-free cloth or newspaper, then leave to dry.

Then, we lubricate. Use a couple of drops of bearing oil on each bearing, then spin between your fingers. If possible, reassemble your skates, then head out onto the track to really spread that lubricant through the bearings.

If your bearings don’t have any life left in them, we recommend Better Bearings, as they support UN Women who work to prevent and respond to violence against women across the globe!

STORAGE: We spend a lot of time on our skates, yet what we do when they aren’t on our feet is just as important! Store your skates away from moisture, ideally not in the same bag as your PPE (easier said than done, we know), and not in your car. This is because moisture can ruin your boot, and extreme temperatures can affect how tight your nuts and screws are.

Skate Maintenance

It's extremely important to check out our roller skates regularly, to make sure they are safe to skate on. Roller skate maintenance ensures longevity, so we can keep skating on them for as long as possible!

Each skate session:

Before you skate:

  • Check your toe stops to see if they are tight, secured and in the right position, using the three finger rule.

  • Wheels shouldn't jiggle. Make sure they are secured by tightening the axle nut.

  • Spin a wheel, they should be able to roll smoothly for about 10 seconds. If they have some resistance, they may need to clean your bearings!

  • Make sure your laces don't have any tears or fray’s, they can become thin after prolong usage. This may course your laces to rip during a session and could tip you over.

  • The insole should be perfectly flat and fit within the skate. It might cause some discomfort or slipping around within the boot.

Essentially, you're ensuring all the parts are working properly :)

 

While skating:

  • Sometimes toe stops can loosen up as you brake. Check regularly!!! You don't want them missing when, you’re mid-game, at skate fit, skate rink, or you're at the skate park!

  • Avoid puddles when skating outdoors or indoors with leaky roofs. They can rust up your bearings.

  • If you've made any new adjustments or upgrades to your skates, make sure your wheels don't touch your plate when you turn or that the kingpin doesn't drag on the floor.

 

After you skate:

  • Unlace your skates, loosen the laces enough to pull the tongue out, to air out and dry your skates. This reduces any funky smells.

  • Check out how your toe stops have worn down. One toe stop might be more used that the other, switch the skates they're on once in a while for even grinding down.

Monthly maintenance:

Bearings

  • You want to see a smooth spin on the bearings. Over time skating, dirt gets built up. Information on how to clean your bearings can be found here (personal option. If you choose to clean your bearings, please follow all the steps)

  • Check pivot cups haven’t cracked or broken.

  • Check cushions haven’t cracked or broken

  • Take wheels off and clean any dirt and derbies off

  • Make sure wheel washers are still there and not cracked. Wheel washers keep the axel and wheel nut from squashing the bearing.

  • Check tightness of tracks

  • Check toe stops, including toe stop washer between lock nut and plate when securing toe stops (if fitted), toe stop bolt and nut, and if you have taken your plate off your boot you can also check the toe stop block/nut (where your toe stop screws into)

  • Check plate for cracks, chips or anything thing abnormal

  • Check plate screws are tight.

  • Check boot, laces, eye lets, tongue toe guard (if fitted).