EX10798 – Push Button Wheel Lock Stainless Steel Optimist Trolley

The Optiparts EX10798 push button wheel lock is the original spare part designed for the Optimist class trolleys manufactured by Optiparts/Windesign. It is a small but crucial safety component that holds the wheels in position on the axle, preventing them from sliding off during overland transport between storage and slipway.

Technical specifications

• Material: marine-grade stainless steel, fully resistant to saltwater corrosion and UV exposure.
• Pin diameter: 8 mm, the standard size for Optiparts axles (and most aluminium axles used on Optimist trolleys).
• Release system: push button (spring-loaded) — simply press the central button to insert or remove the pin in seconds, no tools required.
• Function: locks the wheel on the trolley axle preventing accidental sliding off.
• Manufacturer code: EX10798.
• EAN: 7438206957942.

Compatibility

Primarily designed for Optiparts Optimist trolleys fitted with aluminium axles (e.g. complete trolley EX1076 and replacement axle EX10797). It is also suitable for older Optimist trolleys or trolleys from other brands with the standard 8 mm axle: in some cases the axle holes may need to be slightly enlarged with a drill bit so the new pin fits. Also compatible with Topper trolleys thanks to the same dimensional standard.

Why choose it

• Original first-fitment spare part: same quality as the lock supplied with new trolleys.
• 100% stainless steel: it will not rust even after dozens of saltwater dunkings, unlike galvanised pins that corrode and seize after a couple of seasons.
• Fast operation: one-handed, no spanners or Allen keys to remove the wheels (handy for compact storage or shipping).
• Beach security: once inserted it holds the wheel firmly, avoiding the classic "pin lost in the sand" that leaves a trolley stranded with a loose wheel.

Care and maintenance tips

• Rinse the pin in fresh water after every saltwater use, particularly the push button and the internal spring: salt crystals can clog the mechanism over time.
• Lubricate periodically (every 4–6 weeks of intensive use) with a silicone spray or a light marine spray oil. Avoid thick greases such as bearing grease: they trap sand and dust, jamming the button.
• Visually check the internal spring once a season: if the button starts to return sluggishly, it is time to replace the pin.
• Store spare pins in a dry place and always carry a spare in your sailing bag — this is the classic part that goes missing during transfers.
• Do not force the pin: if it enters the axle holes with difficulty, the hole is too tight (enlarge it with an 8.2–8.5 mm drill bit), not the pin.

Trivia

Stainless steel push button pins are an international standard used in aviation and military fields too: the same mechanical principle holds removable components that must be released quickly without tools. On Optimist racing trolleys, the push button design became the standard around the early 2000s because it halved wheel fitting times compared to older split-pin or clip systems.