gosinger

Picked up my R1 from UPS as-well, can't wait to mount them on some skates. The box is high quality, the chassis looks and feels great.

7.5EE in Vapor 1X (always been a Vapor footshape), 7.5R in True, might be able to go down to 7.0 in the True post-bake. Details were posted here.

So, another day in the TF9, 2nd time on ice, 4h in total now. After replacing the tongue to the classic VH, ditching the footbed for my Superfeet Yellow, and getting waxed laces there is no significant difference in fit/feel my custom VH/True. The holder/steel took a bit of getting used to (will probably have to go shallower on the hollow), but now I really start to like it. I'm fairly confident on my edges, protection from shots seems good (although no full-on clappers to the side yet), starts and stops feel good, leading a power-skating session today without any issues. So far I am very happy - I will still do some DIY inserts into the toecap to reduce negative space (moving the tongue forward always created pressure points on the side of the boot) in the toe-cap, but the new TF9 will relegate my custom (2nd hand) True/VH to the backup-skate slot. I think True has a winner in this skate, even if the pricing is not as competitive in Europe as it is in the US/Canada. Even played with the idea of ordering another two sets in the US with that awesome deal mentioned earlier in this thread 😄

The older toe caps I have on the customs are slightly smaller in height than the TF9, but for both I use DIY powerfoot inserts. Width appears similar, I use the same cut for my inserts on both without any noticeable gaps.

7.5R TF9: 263mm 8.0W TF9: 272mm The MK2 was quite a while back, after running and dropping some weight I dropped an entire size, so very hard to compare today. I used to skate in 8.5EE Mako 2 at the same time as 8.5EE Vapor XXXX/x:60/x7.0, went to 8.0EE in 1X (1st gen) and then 7.5EE in 1x (1st gen as-well). So sadly no current comparison, but I remember how the boot felt very well.

So I had the first skate on my TF9, so here are some quick thoughts: Baking had quite the impact on length - before baking I was feathering the toecap even when knees-over-toes, after I don't feather them even sitting upright. The new standard tongues don't work for me - created an instant pressure spot on the top of my instep, both before and after baking. Switching the footbed (didn't bother with the inserts for arch support and went for Superfeet Yellow) and tongue (classic VH felt) to what I was used to from my custom VH, the fit of the skate was very similar. Not sure what to think of the symmetric Shift holder and Steel after a single session. I didn't bottom out, the edges felt responsive, but top speed was lacking. Will try again in a few days. Comparing my TF9 7.5R to my Vapor 1x (1st gen) 7.5EE, I'd describe the fit as follows: Length: Pre-bake very comparable, Post-bake the TF9 feels longer. On the Bauer I couldn't go for 7.0, on the True I think I could pull it off post-bake. Width forefoot/toes: Pre-bake the TF9 felt narrower (constant pressure on the pinky), post-bake the TF9 ended up feeling slightly wider. Width heel: Don't remember pre-bake, post-bake the TF9 even untied does provide good heel lock, while the 1x needs to be tied down heavily in the 3rd & 4th eyelet. Comparing my TF9 to my True_V1 (1st gen under their banner, integrated shot blockers) and VH_V2 (2nd gen) custom skates I'd say: The felt tongue feels superior to the new stock tongue. The lateral stiffness of the True_V1 is significantly higher, of the 2+ years heavy used VH_V2 is about identical. The facing containing the eyelets is more "relaxed" (more gradual) on the TF9, but the eyelet positions seems to be essentially the same. The soft edge ("comfort edge" with other manufacturers) is slightly bigger on the TF9 Fit and finish on the TF9 is excellent, while with the custom skates you have loads of excess glue, blemishes in the clear-coat, etc. Visual: The carbon fiber on the customs looks to be a significantly "smaller" weave Visual: The 1st gen VH had a completely "flat" bottom between the front and rear tower mounting surfaces, while the 2nd gen forward had a raised area (also containing the drainage holes) that probably increased stiffness, while the TF9 has a "flat" bottom again. Tomorrow I'll maybe have some time on my hands and will measure, weigh and so on, but from a purely subjective PoV: The TF9 feels like a very good skate, with thermo-formability that more than rivals my Easton Mako 2 (that one I had to clamp down to achieve comparable heel lock), and stiffness slightly lower than the custom model. After switching the laces, tongue and footbed to what I was used to, they felt like my 2nd hand custom skates. It hugs your feet in an incredibly comfortable way, and will surely soak up plenty of the 2nd hand custom model market. I just got myself a True_V1 set in good condition in a similar size, but with the VH+Step holder. Will I switch to the TF9? Right now the Step holder and steel felt better, but I have not had the TF9 profiled yet (since no-one over here does profiling.....). So while the first impression was that the custom with different holder+steel+profile performed better, I'll give the TF9 a couple more tries.

I finally got my TF9 in the right size (7.5R) and hope I can try them on-ice tomorrow. Also got a second pair that was too wide and large (8.0W) that will go back to the shop. I'll try to do a quick comparison to my two sets of custom 2nd hand VH/True skates tomorrow as-well.

True just went live with their website for the TF9 and TF7. Including a video on those: I am soooo looking forward to the TF9....already emailed most hockey stores within a days driving distance to test-fit them when they come in (for once we're first in Europe - huraaaah!)

Since this hasn't been posted yet, world hockey blog has a short writeup (mainly marketing re-formated) on the TF7 at http://www.hockeyworldblog.com/2020/06/26/true-tf7-skates/ which includes pricing. Fiberglass one-piece shell.

I've purchased VH/True skates second-hand, and have been rather happy with the thermoplasticity of the boot, and was in Makos beforehand. I expect a highly thermo-formable boot in "classic" sizes (half-size steps) and widths (D and EE - however this might not even be necessary) that will fit a wide range of people. Again, just my expectation which is based upon pure speculation. The reason I am excited is that in my country there currently (to the best of my knowledge) is not a single True fitter where I could even order from, so a "cheaper" retail alternative that I could get (and service) locally would be greatly appreciated.

True posted on their social media: This is great news - I'm already putting aside some budget 😄

* Could you outline the operational principles behind the exchangeable rocker inserts compared to the screw-adjustable rocker on the O1? I assume it "limits" the rocking range available differently in the front/rear, rather than the combined front/rear limit on the O1? * Could you describe material choices (aluminium, magnesium, steel, abs, ...) and its pros/cons for this type of chassis? * Does the R1 allow for a similar training effect as the O1 with the smaller wheel in front or is it strictly a high-low chassis?

Most likely no-one here has tried the R1 chassis, but with the O1 I've used a size L chassis on both size 9 and size 8 Bauer skates and had no problem even though the chassis slightly exceeded the outsole.

Just pre-ordered mine, very interested in this version. Got 2 original Marsblade going strong for multiple years, plus 1 Sprung, so this will be very interesting to compare.

I have not tried the x2.7 myself, but moving from x:60/X7.0 to the 1X Vapor I went from 8.5EE to 8D, so to me it felt like the fit had changed (YMMV). I'd definitely try the curv-based skates in store first.

@Toby thank you for sharing this! My first thought was "but wouldn't that require unnecessary additional tooling?", but since the sticks are built from the inside-out that might mean (to an outsider looking in) that they simply use a little less material (fewer layers? thinner threads?) for those INT sticks but potentially on the same assembly line. Interesting thing to think about 🙂

Perspective makes it a little hard to say, my $0.02 (Winger, not a D): The Ds are both very predictable in a straight line, let the forwards make the first move but then didn't react. Had the carrier dropped the puck back the strong-side D wouldn't have a chance to block / intercept as he was no where near the shooting lane, but he also didn't engage the carrier when he moved past as he waits too long to open up. Good positioning (inside the dots) but minor details - would suggest something like hip-opener / mohawk to avoid turning fully but still engaging the player so he can initiate contact when he decides to blow by but still not being caught off-guard when he drops back. The weak side D is "covering" the slot but keeps his eyes on the puck, not forcing the weak side F to move by occupying the passing lane between carrier and weak-side F with the stick. If the puck gets out somehow its a 50/50 between him and the forward, and potentially the second forward. Don't get me wrong, this is played better than ppl on my level, and I certainly wouldn't do a better job at all. Just that on the couch everyone is a coach 😉 Looking forward to this thread, will be interesting picking other ppls brains 🙂

It depends on the t-nut, if you get one with a small enough diameter and shorten the teeth you can always go back. On my skates I did a T-Nut and bolt with size M4, didn't have to enlage the hole so I could always go back to a copper rivet.

I'm still planning the opposite direction - got a pair of goalie skates for cheap, removed the loop, made my own tendon guard, mounted via T-Nut. Still have to mount some holders.

Interesting, thanks for showing! How did you stitch the foam and the D3O onto the pad? As it is stretched on the inside of the outer shell, I doubt there is much room without having to remove the shell, stitching in the pads and re-stitching the shell?

I switched on my LS2 holders to LS3 before step became widely available in Europe, and the LHS commented upon initial sharpening like "wow, thats some quality iron you got there" - LS3 had always matching profiles on both blades, the steel always felt pretty neat. The LS2/LS-Fusion/etc was always sold/given away instantly 🙂 Just checked my stock, Tuuk LS3 steel for the LS2 holder states "TUUK LS3 STEEL PKG (2) Canada" and "Printed in Canada", same as a Tuuk LS2 steel for the LS Edge holder, so at least no difference on the packaging - don't have any LS2 steel for LS2 holder to compare to.

Not trying to derail anything, but: Is this better steel composition for LS3-Edge only or also for the "old" LS3 steel for the LS2 holder? (Which would also mean that Bauer had recognized this earlier than I thought)

This might sound like a stupid question, but are we talking about grip between insole and foot (so coating the top of the insole to prevent the foot from sliding) or between insole and skate (coating the bottom of the insole to prevent the insole from moving)?

The old XXXX, x:60, x7.0 style boot is a "regular" pro-stock option, in the past few years it was called the Nexus V-Cut (a Nexus styled skate with a Vapor Cut and essentially identical to those older models). So they didn't have to be one-off models made upon request, but also came as team-stock, essentially "retail for teams only". Of course the regular custom options (different tongue, different skate lengths, holders, etc) were still available to the teams. Very few players actually get additional effort to make their older model dressed up like a newer model, only signature players like Connor McDavid. So consider this the one "readily available" re-dressed skate family, everything else is very uncommon, even if pro players request them (which is why many skated on older Rbk models even when Rbk got merged into CCM).

Lets get a few answers to the common questions: Did you bake the skates? Did you stand up baking the skates? Did you add any customization steps like different insole, shims etc? Are those "regular" skates or some pro-stock / pro-return / custom skates? Can you provide a picture of the holder alignment? (A picture of the skate "from the bottom" where we can see if the holder is mounted more towards the inside side) Do you usually supinate or pronate (description)?