What is the best way to clean the bearing? I have used orange cleaner, but a few of the bearings now don't turn. I noticed my speed was a lot slower the last few practices, this could explain it!

Is it best to take the bearings out of the wheels to clean them?

Is there any oil or graphite lubricant that should be used?

Orange Cleaner works well although any degreaser will work. If your bearings have a retainer cap, remove it (usually with the help of a pin) and flush the bearings completely to remove any old lubricant and contaminants. Let the bearings air dry, then lubricate them completely before reinstalling the retainer cap.

If your bearings are not designed to be disassembled (as is the case with most outdoor bearings), all you can really do is soak them in cleaner, spin them repeatedly in an attempt to flush out any contaminants, and lubricate afterwards. However, if the bearings are not designed to be disassembled, they probably won't take much to the preceding procedure either.

For roller derby, the most popular bearings are the Bones Swiss which can be disassembled, cleaned, relubricated and reassembled fairly quickly. Remind me and I'll show you a set at practice.

Would it be possible to have a workshop someday on skate maintenance? A day other than a practice day perhaps? I am clueless when it comes to cleaning bearings, or how to take them apart for that matter!

I found a web page on skate maintenance. This is the bearing cleaning page:
http://web.skatefaq.com:81/bearings.html#BearingClean2

Great thanks!

Hey claire-

Thanks for the link but would still love to see a workshop- I am a hands on/visual person and pick up things much quicker that way.

Marney

I found this link re water and bearings that I thought would interest others:
http://www.geocities.com/skatesizing/maintenance_bearings.html

This is another area I may be able to be of assistance with. Although most of my career has been spent in commercial printing, I do have a few years invested in the precision bearing manufacturing industry with both Timken out in Keene and New Hampshire Ball Bearing in Laconia.

I would be willing to work with Phil to do the hands-on demonstrations that Marney is recommending. And, for any girls that prefer, I will volunteer to simply take their skates and do the maintenance for them to ensure it is done correctly.

edit: Also, I have a bit of an issue with the advice in the above-referenced article that says, "I recommend removing" the retaining walls that are "not designed to be removed". We design them that way for a reason....

They will probably need you to do this after today's skate in the rain and puddles. Thank you for your willingness to help!

Ill diffently be at that work shop, hands on is all me..u can tell me a hundred times but shoe just once and im good!! im a lil unside down sometimes or most of the times... whateva
chicana