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Spacers and axles

50 products

The spacer between the bearings must match the wheel hub to a tenth of a millimetre — otherwise the bearings bind. We can measure it for you.

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What a spacer is for

A spacer keeps the two bearings in a wheel at a fixed distance, so that a tightened axle doesn’t squeeze them from the sides. With a spacer that’s too short, the wheel slows down when you tighten the axle. With one that’s too long, the bearings don’t seat properly and the wheel has side-to-side play.

How to check whether the length is right

Tighten the axle fully and spin the wheel. If it turns as freely as with a slightly loosened axle and has no side play, the spacer is fine.

The nominal spacer length with 608 bearings is about 10.25 mm. However, wheel hubs from different manufacturers differ by tenths of a millimetre, so precision spacers come in several lengths. If you have nothing to measure with, we’ll do it with a micrometer as part of our wheel hub measurement and spacer matching service.

8 mm and 6 mm axles

Most skates have 8 mm axles and spacers shaped like a plain tube. With 6 mm axles the spacer has flanges that go into the bearings and reduce the bore. Measure your axle before you order.

Axles are matched to a specific frame: length, thread and mounting method all matter, so the surest option is to give us your skate model. Light-up wheels have their own magnetic spacer. More on bearings and spacers: inline skate bearings: ABEC, ILQ, Swiss.

Frequently asked questions

Is a spacer in the wheel necessary?

Yes. Without it a tightened axle squeezes the bearings from the sides and the wheel stops spinning freely.

How long is an inline skate spacer?

Nominally about 10.25 mm with 608 bearings. Wheel hubs differ between manufacturers by tenths of a millimetre, so it’s best to measure the distance between the bearing seats.

How can I tell if a spacer is too short?

The wheel spins freely with a loose axle and slows down noticeably after you tighten it. A spacer that’s too long gives the wheel side play.

How do I know whether I have 6 or 8 mm axles?

Measure the axle diameter with a calliper or look at the spacer. A spacer with flanges that go into the bearings is for a 6 mm axle, a plain tube for 8 mm.

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