Description
Sold as a set of 8 wheels.
The Bont FX1 roller skate wheel combines a lightweight hub made specifically for 688 mini bearings with high-rebound urethane for responsive indoor skating. Designed for roller derby and rink sessions, it helps reduce weight at your feet while supporting quick acceleration and lateral movement. Its 60 mm diameter, 38 mm width, and 92A hardness make it a performance-focused choice for skaters who want a lighter setup.
Key Product Points
- Dedicated mini-bearing hub: Designed around 688 mini bearings to reduce wheel-and-bearing assembly weight.
- High-rebound urethane: A responsive compound that supports efficient roll and a lively feel under load.
- Quick changes of pace: Lightweight construction helps when accelerating, stepping, and moving laterally.
- Indoor-ready specification: A 60 mm diameter, 38 mm width, and 92A hardness for roller derby and rink skating.
- Clear bearing compatibility: Uses 688 mini bearings, or compatible 167 mini bearings for 7 mm axles; standard 608 bearings do not fit.
Less weight, designed into the hub
The FX1 starts with a specific design decision: build the hub for mini bearings. The bearing seat is made for the smaller format, allowing the hub and bearing system to work together as a lightweight assembly. That matters because a wheel is more than its urethane. The hub, bearings, and outer tread all contribute to the weight you carry and move every time you skate.
A dedicated design makes the mini-bearing fit central to the wheel's construction. When you choose this wheel, you are choosing a matching system of hub and bearings. That is why bearing compatibility deserves the same attention as wheel diameter and hardness. The FX1 is designed specifically around 688 mini bearings, with compatible 167 mini bearings providing an option for skates with 7 mm axles.
Why weight at your feet matters
During a derby bout or rink session, your feet are constantly changing speed and direction. You lift a skate to step, bring it through a crossover, and place it back under your body. Reducing the weight of the wheel-and-bearing assembly can make these repeated movements feel less cumbersome. The benefit is especially relevant to skaters who value quick footwork and a responsive setup.
The original FX1 specification quotes a bearing weight saving of 12 grams per bearing, or 192 grams (6.8 oz) across the 16 bearings in a pair of quad skates, compared with the conventional 608-bearing setup used for that comparison. Actual savings depend on the bearings being compared. This figure describes the bearing comparison, not a separately measured reduction in hub weight or a guaranteed reduction for every skate setup.
A lighter setup for acceleration and lateral movement
The lightweight hub and mini-bearing format complement the wheel's high-rebound urethane. Together, they support the fast acceleration and quick lateral movements the FX1 was designed to deliver. For derby skaters, that means a wheel aimed at repeated changes of pace and position. For rink skaters, it means a responsive option for starts, crossovers, and active footwork.
No wheel replaces sound technique or a properly adjusted skate. Bearing condition, axle adjustment, floor surface, and the skater's movements all affect how a setup feels. The FX1 gives you a lightweight foundation to build on, with a dedicated mini-bearing hub as the defining feature of its construction.

High-rebound urethane that earns its place
The quality of the urethane is just as important as the weight of the hub. The FX1 uses a high-rebound compound selected for responsive skating. Rebound describes how the material recovers after it deforms under load. As a wheel rolls and a skater pushes through it, the urethane continually compresses and recovers. A lively compound helps the wheel respond through that cycle.
On the floor, the aim is a combination of efficient roll and a responsive feel when you put power down. The urethane works with the hub as part of the complete wheel. The hub supports the tread, while the urethane provides the contact with the skating surface. Both parts need to suit the way you skate, which is why the FX1 combines its weight-focused construction with a performance-oriented compound.
More than a hardness number
A durometer rating describes hardness, but it does not tell the whole story of a wheel. Compound formulation and rebound also influence the skating experience. The FX1's 92A urethane is intended for indoor use, with its high-rebound character supporting the lively response that makes this wheel suitable for roller derby and general rink skating.
Grip will vary with the floor, skater weight, technique, and surface conditions. A 92A wheel can feel different on two indoor surfaces, even when the skate setup is identical. Consider the floor you use most often when choosing your wheels. The FX1 is a useful choice when you want its lightweight mini-bearing construction and an indoor compound in this hardness.
A practical size for derby and rink sessions
60 mm diameter and 38 mm width
The 60 mm diameter and 38 mm width give the FX1 a defined footprint for indoor quad skating. These are the dimensions to compare with your current wheels when planning an upgrade. Diameter affects the space the wheel occupies beneath the skate, while width affects its overall profile. Check that your plate, trucks, and boot provide suitable clearance for the wheel throughout their normal movement.
For derby, the combination is aimed at skaters who need to accelerate and reposition repeatedly. For rink sessions, it offers a lightweight option for general skating and active footwork. The FX1 can be fitted to skates from different brands when bearing and axle compatibility, wheel clearance, and the rest of the setup are suitable.

Choose the correct mini bearings
688 for 8 mm axles, 167 for 7 mm axles
Match the bearings to both the wheel and your skate axles. Bont 688 mini bearings are the option for an 8 mm axle. For a 7 mm axle, use compatible 167 mini bearings. Both are mini-bearing formats used by the FX1. Standard 608 skate bearings do not fit this hub, so check the bearings in your current wheels before planning to transfer them.
A pair of quad skates uses eight wheels and two bearings per wheel. Plan your bearing setup accordingly, and use installation tools suited to mini bearings. Seat the bearings correctly and adjust the axle nuts so the wheels turn freely without excessive side-to-side movement. If you are unsure about your axle size or bearing fit, confirm those details before fitting the wheels.
Designed primarily for indoor skating
The FX1 is intended for indoor roller derby and rink skating. Although it can be used outdoors, it is not a dedicated outdoor roller skate wheel. If rough paths and uneven pavement are your main surfaces, choose a wheel designed for those conditions. For indoor sessions, keep the wheels and bearings clean and check them regularly so the setup continues to work as intended.
Choose the FX1 when you want a lightweight wheel built around mini bearings, backed by high-rebound urethane and Bont's experience in roller skate wheel development. Check your axle size, select the correct mini bearings, and upgrade your indoor setup.
Technical Specifications
- Application: Indoor roller derby and rink skating
- Diameter: 60 mm
- Width: 38 mm
- Hardness: 92A
- Urethane: High-rebound compound
- Hub: Lightweight design dedicated to mini bearings
- Bearing compatibility: 688 mini bearings or compatible 167 mini bearings
- Standard 608 bearing compatibility: Not compatible
- Quantity: Set of 8 wheels
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the FX1 designed around 688 mini bearings?
The dedicated hub uses the smaller mini-bearing format as part of a lightweight wheel-and-bearing assembly. Reducing weight at your feet supports the quick acceleration and lateral movements the wheel is designed for.
Can I use the bearings from my current roller skate wheels?
Only if they are the correct mini-bearing format for the FX1 and your axles. Use 688 mini bearings for 8 mm axles or compatible 167 mini bearings for 7 mm axles. Standard 608 bearings do not fit.
What is the FX1 urethane best suited to?
The high-rebound 92A urethane is intended for indoor roller derby and rink skating. It offers a responsive feel and efficient roll, with grip depending on the surface and skater. It is not a dedicated outdoor wheel.