5 Steps to Inline Skate Maintenance

Hello Friends!

I awoke to a steady downpour this morning after a night of off and on rain.  My first reaction was, "Rats, now I can't skate today!"  My husband Marty, helpful soul that he is, suggested that I could always go to the club instead (the 24 Hour Fitness in Moraga that I dutifully pay for every month and pass over in favor of skating 99% of the time!).  I grumpily agreed he had a point.  I resigned myself to this far-less-appealing second choice, but found a dozen other things to do first.

After three hours of procrastinating going to the club, I received an optimistic sign:  the clouds suddenly parted, the sun is streaming down, and my thoughts are happily back to skating.  I still haven't put the new bearings and wheels on one of my pairs of skates that lie useless in my garage, so this could be just the motivator I need to get that task done and head for the trails.  (Of course, I'm writing this instead so I guess now I'm procrasti-blogging!)

Why do you need to perform maintenance?  The reasons for skate maintenance are basically to lengthen the life of your wheels (by rotating them), to make your skating easier (by cleaning or replacing the bearings as crud builds up in them), and to allow you to stop easily when needed (by replacing the brake if you have one).  

So, I get out all the new parts I bought, my three pairs of skates, and I realize that this is a job I should take some care with.  Here are some tips I'd like to share:  

Step 1. Assess and buy the right parts.  Check.  I buy most of my replacement wheels and other accessories from this site:

Inline Warehouse

They have a great selection, good prices, and lots of helpful information about how to select what you want and then how to install products you buy.  My last order include wheels, bearings (the part that go in the center of the wheels), new axles, a bearing cleaning kit, and lubrication for the bearing after you clean them.


Step 2: Make sure you have the right tools.  The best tool you can get (and practically the only tool you'll ever need) is one of these 3-way skate tools:

It has an Allen wrench, a Phillips-head screwdriver and a special tool for removing/replacing the bearings in your wheels without damaging your bearings.

I broke the end off a screw driver the last time I tried to remove the bearings without this tool!  I have a couple of these 3-way tools, I just couldn't find one and didn't want to take the time to look.  Trust me, if you're going to skate, invest $10 in one of these.


Step 3: Be prepared to get dirty.  The wheels and bearings get pretty dirty skating outside.  You will get dirty too, so spread newspaper on your table and wear something appropriate.

Step 4:  Know what you're doing and take your time.  Whether you're rotating your wheels, cleaning or replacing the bearings, or installing a new brake, it's SOOO much easier if you find out what you're doing BEFORE you start taking things apart.  Trust me on this point...learn from my mistake!  I'm kind of a plunge-right-in kind of gal, but the site I linked to above has very good information about how to do all of these tasks.  Of course, it you are like me and don't always listen to this kind of advice, let me get ready with my "I told you so" dance!  (Email me if you want any help.)

Step 5:  (this is my favorite) When you're all done, put on your skates and try them out around the house.  This is big fun and gets all kinds of funny looks and comments from your family members.  (Only recommended if you have hardwood or other smooth floor surfaces--and watch your speed!)  There's no real reason you have to do this step, it just makes me giggle skating inside the house. 

For today, I settle for installing new wheels and new bearings on the pair of skates that my sister Jill gave me.   For good measure, I also put on a new brake pad.  That's enough for one day...I want to leave some time for the biggest fun of all--the actual skating!

Yee-haa!

Keep skating (or whatever you like to do)!

Warmly,

Nancie ♥

P.S. Turns out there is a 6th step:

*Step 6: Try not to leave your favorite skates outside overnight in the rain!  While I was working on getting my second pair in good working order, I accidentally left my favorite skates outside in the pouring rain.  The skates should be fine, but I may need to clean and lubricate the bearings...moisture/skate bearings is not a good combination!  Unlike me, you probably already knew enough not to need this step!  

Nancie Zimmerman

NamiZuni Jewelry Design

Expressing Your Inner Goddess

http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com

My last skate:

3/31/13

Skate #52 of 200

Lafayette Morga trail 6.18 mi