Scooters
Skates
BMX
Boards
Winter Sports
Apparel
Surf
On Sale
Rotating Wheel Positions on Inline Skates: A How-to Guide
This tutorial explains the process of rotating the wheel positions on inline skates, whether they have 3 or 4 wheels. Wear tends to be more pronounced on the front and rear wheels compared to those in the middle, and it differs between right and left skates. Using the correct rotation pattern, you can maintain a flat wheel configuration and prolong the lifespan of your wheels.
The outlined methods serve as recommendations. They are straightforward yet efficient for keeping a flat wheel arrangement and enhancing the longevity of your wheels. Various techniques exist to rotate wheels on inline skates, and as you become more adept, you will likely develop personal preferences in your approach.
Overview
What is the Method for Rotating Wheels on 4-Wheel Inline Skates?
The typical procedure for repositioning wheels on 4-wheel inline skates involves switching the two rear wheels on one skate with the two front wheels on the other skate, as illustrated above.
To avoid confusion during the process, consider affixing a small piece of masking tape to each wheel and noting its original position.
Initial wheel positions:
| Left skate | Right skate |
| 1 Left | 1 Right |
| 2 Left | 2 Right |
| 3 Left | 3 Right |
| 4 Left | 4 Right |
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 inverted. If the graphics faced outward before rotating, they should face inward once remounted.
What Technique is Used to Rotate Wheels on 3-Wheel Inline Skates?
A suggested method to rotate wheel positions on 3-wheel inline skates is depicted above. This method aims to achieve uniform wear across all six wheels, thereby increasing their usage period.
Diverse methods exist for rotating wheels on 3-wheel skates. For those unfamiliar with triskates, the following rotation strategy is an excellent starting point.
To prevent any mix-ups, you can label each wheel with its original position using a small piece of masking tape.
Initial wheel positions:
| Left skate | Right skate |
| 1 Left | 1 Right |
| 2 Left | 2 Right |
| 3 Left | 3 Right |
Positions after rotation:
| Left skate | Right skate |
| 3 Right | 3 Left |
| 1 Right | 1 Left |
| 2 Right | 2 Left |
- Note: Each wheel needs to be flipped. If the graphics were outward-facing prior to rotation, they should face inward upon remounting.
What Tools are Required to Rotate Inline Skate Wheels?
A 4 mm Allen key or Torx tool is needed for removing and remounting the wheels. Typically, you'll require two keys—one for either side of the wheel—to secure both the female and male portions of the wheel bolts at the same time.
Skate tools are extremely useful for wheel rotation on inline skates, as they generally provide all necessary items for assembling and disassembling your skates. Discover one here:
Learn about removing inline wheels in this guide:
How Regularly Should Wheels Be Rotated on Inline Skates?
The necessity to rotate wheels is influenced by the frequency of skating, the surfaces you skate on, and your style.
You will need to rotate your wheels when the centreline begins to drift from the middle. For some skaters, this might involve rotating after every skating session, whereas others might only need to do so a few times over the course of a season.
Once familiar with the process, it only takes five minutes to rotate your wheels.
If you're contemplating whether to buy new wheels or skates, check out this guide:
