Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for use in a conventional, in-line skate wheel. These enable one to interchange such a skate wheel's bearing assemblies in order to minimize their weight so as to allow for the wheel's increased operational speeds and performance. In one embodiment of the present invention, an improved, interchangeable bearing assembly comprises a replacement bearing spacer and a pair of cylindrical-shaped sleeves sized to accommodate a replacement bearing that has a smaller, outer diameter than that bearing usually found in the conventional in-line skate bearing assembly.