Bauer TUUK Lightspeed Fusion Edge Runners...

[jimmy 194]

Any particular reason why that you are aware of? Has bauer found that coated steel does nothing?

It's more likely that Powertek has the Patent on DLC coated steel which is the best coating. There are other coatings, like what CCM uses. Not sure about patents on those.

[markush 12]

Stepsteel is also successfully using coated runners.

[uclaman 6]

Stepsteel is also successfully using coated runners.

That was going to be my reply. So it cannot be the patent.

Is there another reason?

[jimmy 194]

I'm not sure if Step is producing under license from Powertek, but I will say their coating is nothing like Blackedges, that could be how they got around the patent.

[JR Boucicaut 3759]

PowerTek doesn't have a license or a patent, hell, they're just distributing the product. If there's anyone to mention, it's TS Labs.

As far as Bauer is concerned, finishes on steel have been studied/investigated. However, I can't/won't comment on their thoughts/findings/plans at this time. Sorry.

[kingofnooyork 30]

Cant be worse than making a huge investment in R&D for the fusion runners. IMO they are just part of a "weight war" to have one of the lightest skates. I think the actual performance value is trivial at best. Since i've switched to the LS3 i notice no difference. LS3 steel actually feels better. Fusion steel felt "tinny" from the first skate.

It feels like Bauer is charging double to cover costs in the design/production of these things. Seems sort of self serving with minimal value passed to the customer.

[jimmy 194]

PowerTek doesn't have a license or a patent, hell, they're just distributing the product. If there's anyone to mention, it's TS Labs.

As far as Bauer is concerned, finishes on steel have been studied/investigated. However, I can't/won't comment on their thoughts/findings/plans at this time. Sorry.

PowerTek likely has applied for a patent, PAT Pending is stamped on their blades. The marking serves to notify potential infringers who would copy the invention that they may be liable for damages (including back-dated royalties), seizure, and injunction once a patent is issued. What the Patent Pending designation does is let all other competitors know that, in a relatively short amount of time, the product (along with the design and manufacturing ideas) will be the exclusive property of the patent holder. Other companies can continue to produce similar products right up until the official patent is issued and the markings on the patented product are changed. Perhaps this is what Step is doing. Much easier for them to stop making it than a big skate manufacturer who is putting/marketing it on their skates. I suspect this is why CCM didn't use DLC. I doubt TSLabs has applied for the patent. There are many DLC coaters out there who have been coating various things for many years. It's possible they were the one who applied. I have a close friend in the patent office, I'll have her check to see who submitted the application.

[Amiroo39 121]

Another example, compare the stock runners out of a pair of Vapor X80, X90 or X100 to the runners out of a pair of Supreme 180.

Note the difference. 180 will have better (in my opinion) steel.

Really?? That's very interesting. You'd think that an LS2 runner is an LS2 runner. I mean, yes there is always some differences among batches of any manufactured good, but to think that Bauer is saving the "good" LS2 runners for the Supreme line is somewhat unrealistic.

[jimmy 194]

Really?? That's very interesting. You'd think that an LS2 runner is an LS2 runner. I mean, yes there is always some differences among batches of any manufactured good, but to think that Bauer is saving the "good" LS2 runners for the Supreme line is somewhat unrealistic.

Some of the cheaper Bauer models have a cheaper steel, not LS2, same shape but not same steel. Chinese garbage as opposed to Chinese standard.

[JoshV 20]

Really?? That's very interesting. You'd think that an LS2 runner is an LS2 runner. I mean, yes there is always some differences among batches of any manufactured good, but to think that Bauer is saving the "good" LS2 runners for the Supreme line is somewhat unrealistic.

I don't think they necessarily are trying to put "better" steel on Supreme skates, I just think they started making the steel in a new factory or something changed in production.

I don't know if that information is 100% true, but take a look at the two and tell me if I'm wrong.

Not hard to notice the difference even if you aren't a sharpener

[z1ggy 81]

So is it just the OP who feels the Fusion steel isn't that great, or is that a common feeling here? I am looking to order some skates from VH and I need to specify which holder and runner I'd like. I'm currently on LS2 holders and runners, and thought about making the switch up to fusion edge holder and runner. Sounds like though it might not be worth it? I still want the 9' radius.

[kingofnooyork 30]

So is it just the OP who feels the Fusion steel isn't that great, or is that a common feeling here? I am looking to order some skates from VH and I need to specify which holder and runner I'd like. I'm currently on LS2 holders and runners, and thought about making the switch up to fusion edge holder and runner. Sounds like though it might not be worth it? I still want the 9' radius.

I would say it depends on what type of player you are.

Dangler/Finesse player - 9' fusion

Power/Speed player - 10' LS3

[markush 12]

So is it just the OP who feels the Fusion steel isn't that great, or is that a common feeling here? I am looking to order some skates from VH and I need to specify which holder and runner I'd like. I'm currently on LS2 holders and runners, and thought about making the switch up to fusion edge holder and runner. Sounds like though it might not be worth it? I still want the 9' radius.

I'd go with The Edge runners and LS3 steel for sure. Better Steel and better performance (try the 10ft radius)

[z1ggy 81]

I would say it depends on what type of player you are.

Dangler/Finesse player - 9' fusion

Power/Speed player - 10' LS3

I'm more of a smaller agile player..And I've been on the 9' radius for the last 7 yrs

I'd go with The Edge runners and LS3 steel for sure. Better Steel and better performance (try the 10ft radius)

Right, but as above, the performance is relative. I may get better speed, but my turning and agility will decrease. Maybe if I ask VH he can give me some advice when I order the custom skates. It seems like there's no clear cut answer as to what the best radius is in general.

[mickz 107]

Really?? That's very interesting. You'd think that an LS2 runner is an LS2 runner. I mean, yes there is always some differences among batches of any manufactured good, but to think that Bauer is saving the "good" LS2 runners for the Supreme line is somewhat unrealistic.

Bauer's newer runners will have a shinier finish compared to previous years'.

[markush 12]

I'm more of a smaller agile player..And I've been on the 9' radius for the last 7 yrs

Right, but as above, the performance is relative. I may get better speed, but my turning and agility will decrease. Maybe if I ask VH he can give me some advice when I order the custom skates. It seems like there's no clear cut answer as to what the best radius is in general.

I am also a smaller player (center) focused on agility. Have been using 9 radius for many years and was very glad to change to 10.

In general it's more about profiling your skates to the best setting for you. Was excited about the insights provided by Pro Skate Balance. You could also use a combo radius like 9,5 front and 10,5 back or try using a different center point etc.

[z1ggy 81]

Why did you like the switch to 10' ? Not saying I would not, but I know I feel much more clunkier on my roller blades which have a really high radius (guessing more than 10').

I could try out 10' then get it profiled back to 9' if I hated it. Is the only difference between the LS3 and LS2 steel that the LS3 is taller? Does it hold an edge better, etc? I don't care about levels of shine...Just want a durable blade that holds an edge well. I think my LS2 has held up incredibly well.

Also I find it odd that the 190's come with LS3 steel on a 10' radius, but the MX3's come with Fusion steel on a 9' radius (according to hockey monkey). Seems like Bauer is still putting their top end skates on 9' radius. (Nexus is on Fusion steel, too... And 180's are on LS2.1 w/ 9' radius)