Spacers are inserted between bearings in each wheel and are utilized in skates, scooters, waveboards, and nearly anything that rolls and contains bearings.
It's essential to match the appropriate spacers with your wheels. Without spacers, bearings may experience excessive stress, not perform well, and potentially fail quickly. Using incorrect spacers can result in bearings not being secured properly, allowing them to shift laterally as the wheel rotates.
Types of Spacers
The primary spacer options include:
- 6 mm spacers
- 8 mm spacers
6 mm Spacer
6 mm spacers feature an "extra ring" at the centre. These are suitable for use with 6 mm axles.
Always paired with 6 mm axles, this spacer is inserted between bearings to keep them tightly positioned and reduce the bearings' internal diameter to 6 mm.
Learn how to remove bearings with a 6 mm spacer in the wheel
8 mm Spacer
Fitting snugly between bearings, 8 mm spacers show no "extra ring" from the side and are used with 8 mm axles.
Always suitable for 8 mm axles, this spacer sits loosely between bearings, aligning the wheel bolt during installation and minimizing stress on bearings.
Discover how to remove bearings from a wheel using an 8 mm spacer
Spacer Materials
While most spacers are metallic, some are plastic. However, plastic spacers lack the durability of metal ones and can break easily. It is recommended to opt for metal spacers.
Mini / Micro (688) Bearings
Certain skates come fitted with mini/micro bearings, necessitating specific spacers. With their reduced diameter, micro bearings are incompatible with standard spacers. SkatePro does not supply micro bearings or their compatible spacers.
