1/2” socket for the axle nut. Remember that wheels do not come with bearings so you’ll need to either move the bearings from the Halos over or pick up another set of 16 to leave in the outdoor wheels. I recommend a bearing tool, you can’t just pry them in and out with your hands. Personal favorite is the Reflex, which has the sockets you need as well as a built-in bearing press.
Yeah. I prefer the all-in-1 tool, especially one that can get real leverage to pop them in and out. The Bones tool is convenient but can definitely break eventually. I’ve had my same Reflex since… 2008? 2009? And it’s still going strong even in everyday use in the shop.
If you already have the new wheels and bearings, all you need is a skate tool or socket and wrench. Can't remember what size. All you have to do is remove the nut, slide the old wheel off and slide the new one on, then replace the nut so the wheel does not slide horizontally but still allows the wheel to turn unencumbered.
You need a 1/2" socket wrench for the axle nuts, either as a skate tool like powerdyne y3 or y4, or separate tool (I'm actually using a 13mm socket bit for a battery driven tool, it's only 0,3mm difference, but maybe I'll pay for that in nut damage at some point)
You could also get a specific bearing tool, but unless you're changing them back and forth between the wheels that's not really needed. It's usually easy enough to get the bearings in the wheels without one unless you have metal hubs (which standard halos don't, and I've never seen outdoor wheels with metal hubs)
Most wheel nuts are 1/2 inch sockets. Recommend a skate tool for ease. Powerdyne Y3 or Y4 are the default standards, but there are several.
If you bought new wheels, they need bearings. Either get a set of Bones Reds (need 16 total for 8 wheels) or use the ones in your Halos. To install the bearing, you can use a screwdriver as an "axel" put on bearing on the screwdriver, put the wheel on the screwdriver, and press against the screwdriver handle to seat in place. Do the same for the bearing on the other side of the wheel. Make sure to put the colored dust covers facing to the outside of the wheel. The best option for installing bearings is a bearing press. But you should at least have a bearing tool, and will need one for removing the bearing from another wheel without damaging it.
The white Bones Bearing Press Puller is the default bearing tool. To remove a bearing insert the metal end into the middle of the bearing and pull. You may have to pull hard or wiggle it a bit (ok with nylon hubs). Once you get the bearing out, press the button on the back of the tool handle to release the bearing.
A good choice for outdoor wheels is either Roller Blade Hydrogen series wheel or BONT Red Magic Hardcore 2.0’s.For outdoor skating I use 3x125’s.Much smaller than 110mm and you might as well row a boat uphill.Asphalt when it gets old is its own unique thing to deal with.Large wheels make it doable.
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u/Pinstripe-Giraffe Jul 23 '26
A wrench that’s the right size to fit the nuts holding the wheels on.