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When I was in grade school, we went to the roller skate rink for our birthday parties. We'd roller skate around for hours and then the DJ ( who I am now filled with pity for) would proclaim that it was time for Couple's Skate. This DJanical proclamation would essentially clear the roller rink of all us libidoless third-graders. We'd sit on the sidelines eating red-rope licorice, playing Pac Man and waiting for Couple's Skate to end. Times sure have changed. These days, I won't go to the roller skate rink, because I want girls to like me.
But if I did still go roller skating, I'd make sure to take care of my roller skates. Because practicing proper maintenance is a surefire way to extend the life of your sporting goods. This practice saves money and makes a dent in landfill growth. Roller skate wheels are made of non-recyclable material, non-biodegradable materials. So make sure to take care of those skates!
How to Take Care of Roller Skates
1. Clean the dirt and debris off skates after using them. Use a damp cloth with warm water. Pay close attention to the bearings.
2. Before riding your roller skates, make sure the toe stopper is tight.
3. You should also check your wheel nuts. Make sure they are tight, and that they do not hinder the movement of the wheel.
4. Rotate your wheels every 40 miles. Or as often as you'd like. Check your owner's manual.
5. If you are an avid skater, you should probably change your bearings once a year. You'll know when to change them by the bumpy ride and the noise.
From Free Library:
How to Change the Bearings
1. Using a wrench remove the axle and pull out the front wheel.
2. Pop off the bearings from both sides of the wheel.
3. Place the new bearings onto the wheel and replace the wheel in the frame.
4. Re-tighten the axle with the wrench. For aluminum spacers tighten the bolts as much as possible. For plastic spacers tighten as much as possible then slightly loosen.
5. Check that the wheels can spin freely. If necessary loosen the axle bolts slightly. Tighten the bolts more if wobbling occurs.
6. Repeat the steps for the back wheels.
