Roller blading,
or in-line skating, is a great way for the whole family to have fun and
exercise together. According to studies, it burns as many calories as
running, but is much easier on the joints. No matter what your skill
level, you can have loads of fun with this activity!
In order to keep your roller blades in top shape and get the longest
life out of them, you will want to perform regular care and maintenance
techniques on them. It will extend their life and ensure the safest
skating experience for you. You should inspect your them, either before
or after, each and every time you skate.
WHEELS
At some point you will start to notice your wheels wearing down. The
amount of time it takes for this to happen will depend on the type of
surface you skate on most often. Usually they will be worn more on one
side than the other. The first sign of this may be slower skating and
performance. To get the most life out of your wheels, you will want to
rotate and flip them over at the first sign of a substantial amount of
wear. Serious, frequent skaters may do this as often as every day, but
most recreational users will rotate them much less often. Consult your
user's manual for your specific type of skate's rotation instructions.
BEARINGS
There are two types of bearings - shielded and sealed, or serviceable
and non-serviceable. A lot of skates have shielded/serviceable
bearings, but some believe that the sealed/non-serviceable kind are the
best to have. The shielded bearings have some degree of protection from
outside elements getting in, such as dirt and grime, while the sealed
bearings are completely protected from these things.
Exposure to certain things, especially water, will require a cleaning
and re-lubrication. Tell-tale signs of needed maintenance are metallic
sounds or vibrations coming from the wheels. If the bearings become
rough from not being properly cared for they will need to be replaced
entirely.
Follow your user's manual on how to remove the bearings. Once they are
removed you can soak them in a grease-solvent solution to remove all
dirt and grime. After that, completely dry and remove all traces of
water - this is crucial! Now you will want to lubricate the bearings
with your favorite lubricant, and reassemble the bearings according to
your user's manual.
BRAKES
Brake pads should be inspected to make sure that they are securely
attached, and that there is plenty of padding left. Brake pads usually
have a "wear line" that will warn you of when they need replacing. Be
sure to replace them before they get to this line, not after.
LINERS & BOOTS
Removable liners can and should be washed. Hand-washing with a mild
detergent is usually the best and most recommended way of doing it, and
then hang them to dry. The outer boot can be wiped clean with a damp
cloth. Be sure to avoid getting the wheels and bearings wet.
Also inspect all buckles and fasteners to make sure they securely snap
closed. Never try to skate with broken or damaged fasteners because you
could hurt yourself or further damage your roller blades.
Inspect the outside boot surface for cracks or damage, too. If repairs
are needed, it is best to find a reputable roller blade repair shop to
ensure it is done properly and according to the manufacturer's
speculations.
With proper care and maintenance, your roller blades will last a long time, and keep you skating safely.
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