Learn Your Own Skate Maintenance

I'll open my own doors and my own beers, thank you. The same goes for adjusting my skate parts. I'm the least technically inclined person ever. I have no desire to fix a car or a computer. But my wheels feel loose? Toe stops need to be out further? Want to tighten my trucks? I'll do that myself.

I thought about titling this post: "Fix your own f***ing skates." So there. That's how I feel about skate maintenance. Everyone should know the basics!

There are two basic tools. I keep them in a little bag with my outdoor wheels. If you're smarter than me, you'll buy one tool that has all these elements.

The tools are a skate tool (black) and toe stop wrench (silver).

One side of the skate tool can be used to tighten or loosen your wheels. Righty tighty, lefty loosey. I wouldn't remember otherwise.

The other side can be used to tighten or loosen your trucks.

The toe stop wrench is used to tighten down your toe stops, which you will need to do regularly. You'll also at some point want to make them higher or lower, I'm sure.

Love your skates!

After taking these photos, I spotted a little spot where the stitching has come undone. Sadly, I cannot fix this myself. But basic maintenance? Self-sufficiency all the way!