Abstract: A fastening system for attaching a wheel to the shoe portion of an in-line skate, which includes a pair of first and second opposing walls that depend from the shoe portion, each having a bottom edge. A pair of opposing slots formed in the walls, each having an open end at the bottom edges of the walls. A safety recess is formed on each of the first and second walls adjacent the slots. Two frame spacers each include a flange portion surrounding a raised shoulder plug. The plug and flange portions having a through-hole formed therethrough. Each of the flange portions have a safety protrusion formed thereon adjacent the plug. The plugs are inserted into the slots such that the safety protrusions removably engage the safety recesses. A wheel having an axle hole formed through its center of rotation is positioned between the pair of slots.