How To Make Roller Skate Wheels Spin Faster (Solved)
Do your roller skate wheels seem to be spinning slower than they used to? If so, you can do a few things to make them spin faster again.
Roller skating is a great way to stay active and have fun, but it can be frustrating if your wheels aren’t spinning fast enough. There are a few different things that can cause your wheels to spin slower, but luckily, you can also do a few things to fix the problem.
In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to make roller skate wheels spin faster and help you enjoy skating even more.
What Causes Roller Skate Wheels To Spin Slowly?
Before you learn how to make roller skates faster again, it’s also essential to understand what makes them spin slowly so that you can avoid the problem in the future.
There are many things that can make roller skate wheels spin slowly, but some of the most common causes include:
Dirty or old bearings: If your bearings are dirty or old, they won’t spin as fast as they used to. Bearings can get dirty from dirt, dust, and even just regular wear and tear.
Incorrectly installed bearings: If your bearings aren’t installed correctly, they won’t spin as fast as they should. Make sure your bearings are installed tight and level to spin correctly.
Worn out wheels: Over time, your wheels will start to wear down and become less smooth. This can cause them to spin slower than usual.
Dirty or slippery floors: Skating on a dirty or slippery floor can make your wheels spin slower. Try to skate on clean, dry surfaces for the best results.
Nuts and bolts that are too tight or too loose: If the nuts and bolts on your roller skates are too tight, the wheels can spin slowly. On the other hand, if they’re too loose, it can cause the wheels to come off entirely. Ensure all nuts and bolts on your skates are tightened or loosened as needed.
Wheels according to your riding style: Not all wheels are created equal. If you’re a rough road rider, you’ll want to get wheels that can handle the terrain like soft wheels. You can use the traditional hard wheels if you’re an indoor rider.
Wheels Size: If you own larger wheels like 60 – 70mm, you can feel the roller skates going faster because it covers more ground per rotation. Whereas the smaller wheels, like 50 – 60mm, it’s going to feel slower because it covers less ground per rotation.
Wheels Type: The two main types of wheels are indoor and outdoor. If you’re skating on indoor wheels in the indoor skating rink, you might notice that your wheels are faster because they are made of a harder material. Whereas the outdoor wheels are made of a softer material to grip the road better, which can make them feel slower.
Your Riding Skill Level: As a beginner, you might find that your wheels feel slower because you’re not used to the speed. However, as you get more experienced and learn how to skate faster on roller skates, you’ll be able to go faster, and your wheels will feel more quickly.
How To Make Roller Skate Wheels Spin Faster
If you want to make your roller skate wheels spin faster, you can do a few things. Below are some of the most effective methods you should do to make your roller skate wheels spin faster again.
1. Clean your roller skate bearings
One of the most common reasons why roller skate wheels spin slowly is because the bearings are dirty or old. Over time, dirt and dust can build up in the bearings and cause them to spin slower.
To clean your roller skate bearings, you’ll need:
- A toothbrush
- A small bowl
- Some white vinegar
- Some water
Instructions:
1. First, remove the bearings from your roller skates.
2. Next, mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in the small bowl.
3. Dip the toothbrush in the mixture and use it to scrub the bearings.
4. Rinse the bearings off with water and dry them with a clean cloth.
5. Finally, put the bearings back in your roller skates.
If you’re a beginner at skating, you can also learn how to take care of your roller skates in our previous article to make them last longer.
2. Lubricate your roller skate bearings
Other than cleaning, you can also try lubricating your roller skate bearings. This will help them spin faster and last longer.
To lubricate your roller skate bearings, you’ll need:
- A clean cloth
- A small brush
- Some lubricant (preferably bearing grease)
Instructions:
1. First, remove the bearings from your roller skates.
2. Next, use the small brush to apply a thin layer of lubricant to the bearings.
3. Once the bearings are coated with lubricant, use a clean cloth to wipe off any excess.
4. Finally, put the bearings back in your roller skates.
3. Replace your roller skate wheels
If your skate bearings are still not spinning correctly after cleaning and lubricating, it might be time to replace them. If you have old or worn-out wheels, they can cause your bearings to spin slowly.
To replace your roller skate wheels, you’ll need:
- A new set of roller skate wheels
- A skate tool to perform the task
Instructions:
1. First, remove the old wheels from your roller skates. If you’re unsure how to do this, consult your skate’s manual or ask a professional.
2. Next, line up the new wheels with the holes in your skate’s frame.
3. Once the new wheels are in place, use the skate tool to tighten the axle nuts.
4. Lastly, test your roller skates to ensure the wheels are spinning properly.
4. Check your roller skate trucks
If your wheels and bearings are in good condition, but your roller skates are still not rolling as fast as they should, then the problem might be with your trucks. Over time, the screws on your trucks can loosen and cause the skates to roll slowly.
To check your roller skate trucks, you’ll need:
- A skate tool
- A hex key (if needed)
Instructions:
1. First, use the skate tool to remove the wheels from your roller skates.
2. Next, use the skate tool or hex key to tighten the screws on your trucks.
3. Finally, test your roller skates to make sure they’re rolling correctly.
5. Adjust your roller skate trucks
Another thing you can try if your roller skates are still not rolling as fast as they should is to adjust your trucks. Depending on how your trucks are adjusted, they can affect the speed of your roller skates.
Hence, you can play with truck tightness or looseness, depending on your riding style, to make your roller skate wheels spin faster. Also, note that slight adjustments can make a big difference.
6. Push longer strides
Sometimes the wheels are fine, and the trucks are adjusted perfectly, but you’re still not rolling as fast as you should. If this is the case, then it might be your skating technique that needs some work.
One skating technique you can try is to push longer strides. When you skate, make sure to push off with your toes and not your heels. This will help you gain more speed.
7. Try a different skating surface
If you’re still not satisfied with the speed of your roller skates, then you can try skating on a different surface. The type of surface you skate on can significantly impact your skating speed.
For example, skating on a smooth concrete surface will be much faster than skating on grass or gravel. If you have the opportunity, try skating on different surfaces and see if that makes a difference.
8. Get the right size skates
One final thing you can try if your roller skates are still not rolling as fast as they should is to make sure you have the right size roller skates. If your skates are too big or too small, it can affect your skating speed.
For example, if you’re looking for a skate for 2-year-old, then you need to get smaller sizes like the best roller skates for 2 year old as they have smaller feet.
Additional Tips
Here are a few additional tips that can help you make your roller skate spin faster:
- Always clean and lubricate your bearings after skating. This will help them last longer and spin faster.
- Avoid skating in wet or muddy conditions as this can damage your bearings.
- When storing your roller skates, make sure to keep them in a dry and cool place.
- If you’re not using your roller skates for long, it’s best to remove the wheels and bearings. This will help prevent them from rusting.
FAQs
How do I make my roller skate bearings faster?
The best way to make your roller skate bearings faster is to clean and lubricate them regularly. You should also avoid skating in wet or muddy conditions as this can damage your bearings.
How often should I replace my roller skate wheels?
How often you replace your roller skate wheels depends on how often you skate. If you skate regularly, then you should replace your wheels every few months. However, if you only skate occasionally, you can replace your wheels every year or two. You can easily identify when your wheels need to be replaced as they will start to show signs of wear and tear.
Should roller skate wheels spin freely?
Yes, roller skate wheels should spin freely. If your wheels are not spinning freely, then it’s likely that your bearings need to be cleaned or replaced.
How often should I clean my roller skate bearings?
If you skate regularly, then you should clean your bearings every few weeks. However, if you only skate occasionally, you can clean your bearings every month. You can easily tell when your bearings need to be cleaned as they will start to make noise or feel rough when you skate.
Conclusion
If you apply the tips and tricks shared in this article, you will surely see an improvement in the speed of your roller skate wheels.
To get rid of asking every time how to make roller skate wheels spin faster, take good care of your skates by avoiding skating mistakes shared in this article and keeping them clean and lubricated. This way, you can enjoy skating at high speeds for a long time to come!
I am Mary, the founder of skatesidea.com. Skating (Roller skates, Inline skates, Rollerblades) is my passion, and I have years of teaching experience in this field. Our vision and mission is to provide you with accurate information on everything related to skates.