How to Rotate Rollerblade Wheels: Easy Inline Skate Maintenance

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Last Updated: December 12, 2021 References

For rollerblades (also called inline skates) wheel rotation is a super important process that can help you maintain a smooth ride. The practice can save tons in wheel replacement costs too, and luckily, it’s pretty easy to do.^{[1]
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Research source} We’ve outlined some effective, classic ways to rotate rollerblade wheels below. That way, you can get back to the part you really love, rollerblading!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Choosing a Rotation Pattern

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Use the 3-wheel rotation pattern If your inline skates feature three wheels of the same size. You’ll want to swap your right skate’s first wheel with your left skate’s second wheel (R1 to L2 & L2 to R1). Next, you’ll rotate your left skate’s first wheel with your right skate’s second wheel (L1 to R2 & R2 to L1). Last, you’ll switch the right skate’s third wheel with the left skate’s third wheel (R3 to L3 & L3 to R3).^{[2]
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- When you’re using the 3-wheel rotation pattern, don’t flip the wheels around when you rotate them. The side of the wheel on the left should still be on the left after you move it to the other skate, and vice versa.
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Use the flat 4-wheel rotation pattern for skates with four wheels of the same size. For this pattern, you’ll want to swap the front wheel of your left skate with the third wheel of your right skate (L1 to R3 & R3 to L1). Next, switch the second wheel of your left skate with the fourth wheel of your right skate (L2 to R4 & R4 to L2). Now, swap your right skate’s first wheel with your left skate’s third wheel (R1 to L3 & L3 to R1). Last, switch your right skate’s second wheel with your left skate’s fourth wheel (R2 to L4 & L4 to R2).^{[3]
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- When you’re using the flat 4-wheel rotation pattern, don’t flip the wheels around when you rotate them.
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Use the 5-wheel rotation pattern for rollerblades with five wheels of the same size. For this pattern, you’ll want to start by swapping the first wheel on your left skate with the fourth wheel on your right skate (L1 to R4 and R4 to L1). Next, you’ll switch the second wheel on your left skate with the fifth and final wheel on your right skate (L2 to R5 and R5 to L2). You’ll repeat the same switches on the opposite side, meaning your first right wheel will switch with your fourth left wheel and your second right wheel will switch with your fifth left wheel (R1 to L4, R2 to L5, L4 to R1 & L5 to R2).^{[4]
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- Don’t flip the wheels around when you rotate them using the 5-wheel rotation pattern.
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Use the Hi-Lo 4-wheel rotation for inline skates with four wheels of different sizes. The Hi-Lo 4-wheel rotation switches wheels on the same skate at the first and second positions (R1 to R2, R2 to R1, L1 to L2, & L2 to L1). Next, switch wheels at third and fourth position, still rotating only within the same inline skate (R3 to R4, R4 to R3, L3 to L4, & L4 to L3).^{[5]
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- These skates are a standard pick for roller hockey enthusiasts. This rotation pattern differs from the flat 4-wheel pattern because the varying wheel sizes limit the amount of possible swaps.
- Because the Hi-Lo 4-wheel rotation swaps wheels within each inline skate individually, you should manually flip each wheel 180 degrees before refastening it.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Rotating Your Rollerblade’s Wheels

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Locate a 4 mm-wide Allen wrench. Typically, the appropriate tool will come with a new pair of rollerblades. Wheel removal can be performed by a general Allen wrench or Allen key, as well as T-Handle skate-tool.^{[6]
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Research source} If you bought used inline skates or can’t find your own wrench, you can easily find one online, at a specialty skate shop, or at your local hardware store. Check the sides of your rollerblade’s wheels to determine whether you’ll need two wrenches or just one.^{[7]
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- If you notice two separate bolts on the center of both sides of each wheel, then you’ll need to find two wrenches.
- If you only notice one bolt on a single side of the center of each wheel, then you’ll only need to find one.
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Use the Allen wrench or key to remove your first wheel from the inline skate. For wheels held in place by a single bolt, insert one Allen wrench into the bolt’s only cavity and twist to loosen. For wheels held in place by two bolts, repeat the process with two wrenches inserted into two cavities on either side of the wheel. Turn clockwise with one and counterclockwise with the other to loosen until the bolt can be easily removed.^{[8]
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- Keep a careful eye on your bolts so you have everything you need when it’s time to refasten your wheels.
- If there were two to remove from each wheel, keep both bolts stored in separate locations on either side of you in order to easily keep track of where the bolts belong on the rollerblades.
Depending on your chosen rotation pattern, identify the rollerblade wheel that will switch places with the first removed wheel. Using the step-by-step process outlined above, now remove this wheel from its location on the inline skate.
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Refasten each removed wheel in its new position. Place the first wheel you removed inside the skate’s frame in the position previously held by the second wheel you removed. Ensure it’s facing the correct direction inside of the skate. Line up the wheel’s center cavity with the bolt’s designated space inside the frame.^{[9]
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- Slide the bolt through the wheel’s central cavity and if relevant, twist its opposite screw into the other side.
- Use either one or two Allen wrenches inserted into the bolt on one or both sides and turn to tighten.
- Turn with the wrench until the bolts are tightly fastened. Check the wheels to ensure they can spin freely.
Continue removing, switching, and refastening your inline skate wheels until you’ve completed your rotation pattern.

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Tips

As you get a bit more familiar with your own personal skating style, you might want to dip into some more advanced or individualized ways to rotate those wheels. Anything from wheel choice, skate technique, or terrain can wear out your wheels in unique ways and call for an altered pattern.^{[10]
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To understand when to start rotating wheels, look for any wear and tear. This can occur right away, or until months of skating. Look for asymmetrical damage on the wheels. As soon as you notice that one wheel or multiple wheels have experienced more wear than the rest, it’s time to rotate!^{[11]
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Even with consistent rotation, eventually it will be time to replace your wheels. Eventually, one wheel, multiple wheels, or every wheel will be too worn to use safely and effectively. Specifically, if your skates are becoming hard to use due to the quality of your wheels, if your skates don’t ride evenly across smooth surfaces, or if the wheels feature severe angles, it’s time to replace them.^{[12]
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