A tool for removing a wheel assembly from an in-line skate is provided. The in-line skate has a boot portion and a blade frame having opposing apertures and mounted to the boot portion. The wheel assembly has a wheel axle releasably mounted within the apertures ofthe blade frame and a wheel rotatably mounted on the wheel axle. The wheel axle has first and second axle ends end movable toward each other and biased away from each other. The tool comprises a flexible substantially U-shaped member having a main body portion and first and second tip ends contactable with the respective axle ends. A gripping mechanism on the main body portion grips the wheel wherein flexure of the main body portion causes the gripping mechanism to grip the wheel and the first and second tip ends to contact respective axle ends causing the first and second axle ends to move toward each other freeing the first and second axle ends from the apertures. A blade frame for an in-line skate is also provided. The blade frame comprises a mounting wall mounted to the boot portion and a pair of parallel side walls perpendicular to the mounting wall. At least one rib extends along each of the side walls. A recessed portion surrounds each of the apertures with the recessed portion sized to receive a fingertip to depress the first and second axle ends toward each other freeing the first and second axle ends from the apertures. IMAGE
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