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Rotating Wheels on Inline Skates
This guide covers wheel rotation for inline skates with either 3 or 4 wheels. Typically, the front and rear wheels wear down faster than the middle ones, and the wear pattern varies between the right and left skates. By rotating your wheels correctly, you can maintain a flat wheel setup and extend the lifespan of your wheels.
The methods provided here are guidelines. They are simple yet effective for maintaining a flat wheel setup and prolonging the life of your wheels. There are various ways to rotate wheels on inline skates, and as you gain experience and refine your technique, you'll likely develop your own preferences.
Overview
How to Rotate Wheels on 4-Wheel Skates?
The most common method for rotating wheels on 4-wheeled inline skates involves swapping the two rear wheels on one skate with the two front wheels on the opposite skate, as shown in the image above.
You can use a small piece of masking tape on each wheel and note its original position to ensure you don't mix anything up in the process.
Original wheel positions:
| Left skate | Right skate |
| 1 Left | 1 Right |
| 2 Left | 2 Right |
| 3 Left | 3 Right |
| 4 Left | 4 Right |
Wheel positions after rotation:
| Left skate | Right skate |
| 3 Right | 3 Left |
| 4 Right | 4 Left |
| 1 Right | 1 Left |
| 2 Right | 2 Left |
Note: Each wheel should be flipped. If the graphics were facing outward before rotation, they should be facing inward when remounted.
How to Rotate Wheels on 3-Wheel Skates?
A good method for rotating wheels on 3-wheeled skates is shown in the image above. The goal is to ensure even wear across all six wheels to increase their lifespan.
There are various ways to rotate wheels on 3-wheeled skates. If you are new to triskates, this rotation pattern is a great starting point.
You can use a small piece of masking tape on each wheel and note its original position to ensure you don't mix anything up in the process.
Original wheel positions:
| Left skate | Right skate |
| 1 Left | 1 Right |
| 2 Left | 2 Right |
| 3 Left | 3 Right |
Wheel positions after rotation:
| Left skate | Right skate |
| 3 Right | 3 Left |
| 1 Right | 1 Left |
| 2 Right | 2 Left |
Note: Each wheel should be flipped. If the graphics were facing outward before rotation, they should be facing inward when remounted.
What Tools Do I Need to Rotate Roller Skate Wheels?
You'll need a 4 mm Allen key or Torx tool to remove and remount the wheels. Often, you'll need two keys – one for each side of the wheel – to simultaneously hold both the female and male sides of the wheel bolts.
Skate tools are incredibly handy for rotating wheels, as they typically include everything you need to assemble and disassemble your skates. Find one here:
Learn how to remove the wheels in this guide:
How Often Do I Need to Rotate Wheels on Inline Skates?
The frequency with which you need to rotate your wheels depends on how frequently you skate, the surfaces you skate on, and your technique.
You'll know it's time to rotate your wheels when the centerline starts to shift away from the middle. For some skaters, this could mean rotating the wheels after each session, while for others, it may only be necessary a few times during the season.
It only takes five minutes to rotate your wheels once you've gotten used to doing it.
If you're wondering whether it's time to get new wheels or new skates, you could check out the following guide:
