Everything about bearing spacers


Short answer

Bearing spacers keep your bearings aligned and improve your skating performance by reducing friction and preventing wheel misalignment.


What are bearing spacers?

Bearing spacers are small metal or plastic cylinders that sit between the two bearings inside your inline skate wheels. They ensure that the bearings stay aligned and help your skates roll smoothly.


Why are they important?

When you tighten the axle of your inline skates, pressure is applied to the inner race of the bearings. Without bearing spacers, this pressure transfers to the balls inside the bearing, increasing friction and slowing you down. Using spacers prevents this issue by absorbing the pressure, allowing the wheels to spin freely.

If you don’t use bearing spacers, several problems can occur:

  • Over-tightening the axle can stop the wheel from spinning.
  • Loosening the axle may seem like a fix, but it increases the risk of the axle coming loose while skating.
  • Bearings can wear out faster due to excessive movement.
  • Wheels may vibrate or feel unstable.

Types of bearing spacers

Not all bearing spacers are the same. Choosing the right type depends on your skates and wheels. Here are the most common types:

8mm cylindrical spacers
  • The most widely used for modern inline skates.
  • Provide excellent support and stability.
8mm self-centering spacers
  • Have an extra ring that helps with alignment during installation.
  • Not compatible with all wheel cores.
6mm spacers (old-school standard)
  • Used in older skates and some children’s skates.
  • Less common today due to their weaker axle design.
6.3mm spacers (Roces standard)
  • A variation found mainly in Roces skates.
  • Slightly different size than the standard 6mm version.

Common problems with bearing spacers

Even with bearing spacers, some issues may arise:

  • Incorrect size: If spacers are too short, they won’t provide proper support, leading to loose or misaligned wheels.
  • Plastic spacers: Some budget skates come with plastic versions, which are less effective and should be replaced with metal ones.
  • Manufacturing defects: Occasionally, spacers may be slightly off in size. If you notice a performance issue, swapping them for a correctly sized set can resolve the problem.

Special types:

Some unique spacers are designed for specific uses:

  • Integrated spacers: Found in high-end bearings, eliminating the need for separate spacers.
  • Adjustable spacers: Allow for fine-tuning to achieve a perfect fit in different wheel cores.
  • Magnetic spacers: Used in LED wheels to generate power for built-in lights.

How to replace them:

If you need to change your spacers, follow these steps:

  1. Remove the wheel: Use an Allen key or skate tool to take out the axle.
  2. Take out the first bearing: Insert the axle slightly into the wheel and pry the bearing out.
  3. Remove the spacer: Once the first bearing is out, the spacer will come loose.
  4. Take out the second bearing: Repeat for the other side of the wheel.
  5. Install new bearings and spacers: Place one bearing in the wheel, insert the spacer, and then add the second bearing.
  6. Reattach the wheel: Tighten the axle securely.

Conclusion

Bearing spacers are essential for inline skates, ensuring better control, smoother rolling, and a longer lifespan for your bearings. The best choice for most skaters is 8mm cylindrical spacers, but some older skates may require 6mm or 6.3mm spacers.

For optimal performance, always use metal spacers instead of plastic ones. If your wheels feel misaligned or noisy, checking and replacing your spacers can make a big difference. Need new spacers? Check out our collection here:
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