Anatomy of an Urban Inline Skate
At Inline Warehouse, we’ve been helping beginner skaters get up to speed with skating equipment since the very beginning. One of the most popular questions we get is, “What are all the different parts of a skate?” Although skates may seem like just a boot with wheels, there’s a lot more to the anatomy of an inline skate than meets the eye. Follow along as we explain each part of an urban inline skate so that you can determine the parts that you may need to replace or update later on.
The Parts of an Urban Inline Skate |
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| 1. Cuff: Most cuffs are made of plastic however, there are some that will be made of carbon to keep weight just a little lighter. They may vary in shape and size depending on the skate. Cuffs are there to support your ankles and add stability to your strides. | 10. Wheel: Wheels are round things that you roll onto surfaces with. They vary in size and hardness as well as shape for different disciplines. |
| 2. Carry Strap: Also known as a "pull strap" or "pull tab". This little loop of material helps you pull your skates on as well as carry them around while they're off your feet. | 11. Axle: The axles secure the wheels and bearings onto your frames. You should check them regularly to be sure that they aren't coming loose. They usually come as a single or two-piece. |
| 3. Cuff/Top Buckle: It enhances stability and works with your cuff to pull the skates around your ankles for a secure fit. The straps should wrap with the buckle firmly but they shouldn't be too tight or you might restrict your shins. | 12. Frames: Frames come in very many lengths and materials. They hold everything that allows you to roll. Some may be riveted with unremovable mounting, or they may be integrated into the boots somehow. Usually, there are mounting bolts that allow you to remove them and replace them with other frames. |
| 4. Liner: Sits inside your boot, this inner boot provides comfort with padding and may or may not be removable. Most hard boots have removable liners. | 13. Shell: The shell is the outer body of the skate. They are designed to protect your feet and the liners within the skate. |
| 5. 45-Degree Ratchet Buckle: This is the strap that keeps your heel in and back into your boot. Helps with preventing your heel from slipping and also makes the fit a lot better. | 14. Brake: Brakes are not always included in Urban or Aggressive setups but there are options sometimes. This is what allows you to stop smoothly, especially if you are a beginner. |
| 6. Laces: Laces wrap around like normal shoes but help pull together the boots as well as the liners sometimes. | 15. Brake Pad: This is the part of the brakes that will touch the ground and stick to abrasion, allowing you to gently stop. |
| 7. Bumper/Slider Protector: Very popular in urban, slalom, freestyle or aggressive boots. They help protect your boot from intense abrasion in certain areas. They are usually removable and replaceable so that you can keep your skates intact for a longer period of time. | 16. Brake Mount: The brake mount is what holds the brake pads and attaches to the skate axles. |
| 8. Bearings: Each wheel requires a bearing on each side. Bearings consist of an inner and outer ring with balls in between which allow for motion. The balls are then covered by shields, some are removable whereas others are not. Most skate bearings have an inner ring that is 8mm in diameter and most skate axles are 8mm in size as well. | 17. Mounting Screws: This is the hardware that attaches your frames to the boots. |
| 9. Spacer: You may find a spacer in between your bearings or on either side. They help the bearings and wheels to stay in place. They are great for keeping the longevity of your bearings life as well. | 18. Cuff Bolts: Cuff bolts are there so that you can remove and replace your cuffs when needed. There are also some that may allow you to position the cuffs to your liking. |
Not all components of an inline skate are replaceable but there is still a lot of room to improve, customize, or update your skates so that they will last longer and look more unique. Little things like bearings can take you a long way if maintained or replaced properly, you may even save the surrounding parts! We have seen plenty of people damage their skates fully by neglecting even just one little part. So it is important to be able to identify the parts so that you can better care for them and ride until the wheels fall off!