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Marsblade

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Posts posted by Marsblade

  1. Posted · Report reply

    5 hours ago, YesLanges said:

    I'll try the fix that Per sends, but I'm thinking that as between reducing the amount of pivot (which undermines the main purpose of the whole design concept) and keeping that same pivot but adjusting the profile, the latter would be preferable.

    Reducing the movement doesn't undermines the purpose of the concept as even a small movement makes a big difference. All skaters are of course also different and prefer different settings, just like with sharpening. So looking back, it's obvious that you should be able to set the amount of movement. Also, even if you in the end prefer the amount of movement you have now, if you would have had the possibility to add movement step by step it's likely that you wouldn't have had the initial frustration and bad experience. Hope that makes sense. //Per 

  2. Posted · Report reply

    8 hours ago, Coldclay said:

    FWIW my son's Sz 263 Marsblade holder weighs 380g each.

    We're waiting until after this weekend's State finals to install the Marsblade on his pair of CCM FT1, then we will post a review, but only after at least 3-5 hrs of ice time, in order to give it a fair assessment.

    His current Sz 7 CCM FT1, with Massive Blade and Speed Plate 2, weights in at 826g.

    I'd be happy to send you the components I've described earlier to be able to adjust the rocking movement. So you can play around and test different setups to allow an easier transition. Would you like that? //Per

  3. Posted · Edited by Marsblade · Report reply

    Sounds good to me @YesLanges ! As you mention others can learn from our conversation as well, good point!

    I totally understand the frustration if things don't feel good. When you love skating and playing hockey, even one skate with a bad experience makes you frustrated. It might take some patience but at the end I'm very convinced that you'll enjoy the game even more when you're dialed in with our technology. Converting to our holder is certainly a bigger change than going to a combo radius and FBV so the transition period might be longer but the upside greater. 

    The body has a strong muscle memory and as you've been skating a certain way your whole life, pushing of at a certain angle, with certain joint movements at a certain speed. This needs to be adjusted slightly. If you continue to perform the exact same movement at the exact same time and speed you're not going to find support for pushing off where you're used to, you're not going to find optimum glide where you're used to and your movements will feel off. You've certainly experienced other changes in your hockey equipment that felt strange (even if it's not as strange as you've experienced now). A stick that is couple of mm too short/long or with a blade with a new curve. Testing a new sharpening on your skates (as you mention), it can feel very strange even just a slight change. But once you've used it for a couple of skates, the feel goes from "I can't used this" to "I'm never going back". At least I've had those experiences... And just mentally new protective gear that doesn't directly effect performance can make you frustrated just because it feels stiff and bulky. To not mention new skates... 

    That being said, I think it's a combination of having a couple more hours on them to make some small changes in your movement pattern, along with starting at a smaller rocker movement. I suggest I send you the components for you to get a more gradual transition to the movement. It's bushings with different outer diameters that you add to the rear heel sprint to reduce the movement slightly. 

    I don't think you should change the profile yet.

    What's your shipping address? Or I can take your backer ID and find the info there. If I get your info today I'll ship tomorrow and you should have them by mid next week. 

    Looking forward to dial you in! //Per

  4. Posted · Report reply

    5 hours ago, Nicholas G said:

    @Marsblade I asked a few of the players who tried the holders and switched back to their stock ones about changing the dynamics of the holders and each player turned down the offer. They said even if we could get the feeling dialed in they consider the weight of the holder as too big of a hinderance. I can pass them your information if you would like and they can contact you directly if they prefer. 

    @Nicholas G Ok, thanks for talking to them anyway! //Per

  5. Posted · Report reply

    7 hours ago, YesLanges said:

    After waiting almost 2 years, I finally got the chance to try them out. They're on a pair of Langes, but those are the only skates I wear, so that shouldn't be a factor since I'm comparing apples to apples. I also had them radiused and profiled by the same shop (No-Icing Sports in New Hampshire) to the exact same specs as all of my other steels: combo 8'/13' radius, aggressive forward pitch, shaved heels and toes, and FBV 95/1. The installation was perfectly centered and the one thing about Langes is that there's no issue of getting used to another pair, because they don't have to be broken in at all and I purposely used my favorite liners from my current skates instead of different liners to eliminate any other variables. So, I'm confident that the only variable being tested was the new blades. 

    I didn't feel too far back on my heels, but it wasn't a positive experience at all. They felt like they had way too much blade on the ice and they definitely slowed me down instead of improving my straightaway speed. I did concentrate on my stride and tried to find a way to get them to work with me instead of against me, with little success. The only potential positives were: (1) they seemed to promote a noticeably-lengthened cross-under; (2) I was surprised that they felt a little more stable skating backwards than my usual skates. (3) It's possible that they facilitated a slightly sharper turn, but that could also be that they were freshly sharpened. I'm going to see whether I can cut as sharply on my regular steels on Friday after a few passes with a my edger, just for comparison, because I was consciously testing how sharply I could cut yesterday, which isn't something I normally do. (4) A few times, my lead outside edge caught the ice in a way that felt like I might be able to work on a cut-stop or front-foot brake-turn, which isn't something I can normally do; so I'm also going to test that on my regular skates for comparison. That's it for the positives, and I'm being as generous as possible. Now, for the negatives:

    (1) Slower straightaway speed, as mentioned above. (2) Too much blade on the ice, as mentioned above. (3) My forward crossovers required deliberate concentration and I couldn't get any hop into them at all. (4) Shooting off my inside leg required me to first transfer all of my weight onto that leg very early and shoot from a flamingo stance. This wasn't something I did consciously at all; it just happened naturally. After an hour on them, they felt no better (in any respect) than they did after the first 10 minutes.

    It's possible that reducing my radius would counteract the sensation of too much blade on the ice, but I'm thinking if that's the case, what's the point of the technology if I have to do that just to get back to a normal feel? I'll be skating on my regular blades on Friday and don't even know that I'll be skating on these again if a full hour on them provided none of the advantage they're supposed to offer.

    I take full responsibility for taking the gamble (roughly $400 when you factor in their cost and the cost of mounting and profiling them); but to be perfectly honest, I'd have to say that the promotional videos (now) seem deceptive to me and I'm just being 100% honest based on my hour on them. I just don't see how it's possible for anybody to slip these on for the first time and instantly recognize an immediate and obvious benefit after 3 or 4 strides the way all the pros featured in them describe.

    The most benign and innocent explanation would be the placebo effect based on their expectations and what they were told they'd experience. Frankly, I don't know that I really believe the most benign and innocent explanation is more likely than the less benign and less honest explanation that they simply said exactly what they were being paid to say to promote a product. Of course, this is perfectly legal as "puffery" and no different from testimonials for myriad other consumer products featuring celebrity spokespeople, but it would be much more believable to me if those pros described a benefit only after some time on them and after some time dialing in their blade specs. Based on my experience, I just can't believe that anybody laced them up for the first time and noticed the tremendous benefit that all of them describe in those videos.

    I may try them again, but I only get to practice once or twice a week and I hate wasting an hour of practice the way I felt like I did yesterday; and no way I'm playing in these the way I skated in them. I'm sorry, Per; but this was my experience and these are my genuine thoughts after an hour on them. I wouldn't have made the investment in them if I hadn't been hoping to be able to share a much more positive experience, obviously. I even rushed to get them installed so that I'd be able to try them out in time to order a second set of steels for them before the backers-only sale ends this Friday if they worked for me. I do appreciate the effort that went into the technology, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel somewhat mislead by the promotional videos for the reason explained above. If you have any suggestions, I'm open to them. Thank you.

    Respectfully,

    -Charles

      

     

     

     

    Hi Charles, 

    Very sorry to hear about your negative experience. I do however appreciate the feedback. For some players we've lately learned that there can be somewhat of a learning curve to adapt to take advantage of the technology depending on skating style, balance etc. But a majority also feel the advantages quickly. I'd be happy to share some of all the very positive in depth reviews we've received from other Kickstarter backers if you would like to see that. You can also check our Instagram and Facebook pages. That being said. It's a continues development and we are making some changes to allow a more gradual transition, adding movement step by step for players that prefer that. I've just recently made some components for our Kickstarter backers to make this adjustment and I'd be happy to send you them if you'd like try that out. 

    Please feel free to e-mail me at per@marsblade.com to discuss further. I really hope to be able to work with you to make you happy with the investment. 

    Best regards Per Mars

     

     

  6. Posted · Report reply

    7 hours ago, tricore said:

    Received my Marsblades Feb 18th but had to wait on my custom True skate order which arrived Mar 6th. My previous 2 pair of VH skates were pro returns. My local Pro Hockey life store installed them today with a flat bottom 5 sharpening, after heat moulding yesterday. With only out of the box settings they are amazing though 85 g heavier per skate. The added suspension gives me more edge control and turns are way better. Only needed 10 minutes on ice time to adjust to them. Thanks Per for the revolutionary innovation! Fast order time is because the skates are made here in Winnipeg!

    Thanks man! Glad to hear! Let me know if you have any questions going forward //Per

  8. Posted · Edited by Marsblade · Report reply

    6 hours ago, Deke said:

    Per,

    I am not one of the above mentioned guys but I am feeling like it is too easy to get too far back. The compensation is to continuously focus on driving forward which I think is negating the benefit of the rocker. I sent you an email.

    Deke

    Ok! I'll be happy to send you some components to adjust the rocker. I replied to your e-mail. 

    //Per

  10. Posted · Report reply

    On 2/25/2019 at 2:11 AM, Nicholas G said:

    Out of the 10 holders I have installed 9 of the players have gone back to their previous holder. Not a lot of positive feedback so far.... What other feedback are others seeing? 

    Hi Nicholas, 

    I'm surprised to hear this as the general feedback we've received has been very good. Of the roughly 1000 pairs we've sent out I've only had contact with two guys that are not all dialed in yet. I'm makings some adjustments for them now and I'm confident that will turn them around. 

    That being said this is a First Edition and we are constantly working on improvements. You mentioned in a comment a delay in response and guys feeling to far back on their heels. One thing we'll adjust for the coming version is the possibility to start with a smaller rocker movement to allow a less drastic transition. Although many guys prefer quite a lot of movement once they've used them a while, some don't have the patience to adjust. This will smoothen the transition. 

    It would be great to get in contact with the customers you mentioned that went back to their old holders as I would be more than happy to make some adjustments I'm confident would turn them around. 

    If you're interested in discussing further I'd like to connect with you via e-mail. It's important for us to gather as much feedback as possible to improve the product and you certainly seem very engaged in improving players performance. I tried to find your e-mail through your site but didn't find it...

    Best regards Per Mars, Inventor

    • Like 2

  11. Posted · Report reply

    On 2/26/2019 at 6:51 PM, Dave P said:

    So does Marsblade help these guy's out, or is it   " thanks for your purchase, sorry you hated it" ?

    Seems like a pretty high failure rate, people that buy new tech usually really want it to work and

    don't admit to a bad choice easily.

    Dave 

    We certainly do. We are more than happy to help out if there's anyone that is in need for that. //Per Mars, Marsblade

  15. Posted · Report reply

    Thanks Per. This answers my question just fine. I will use a straight 72mm set up until im ready to experiment with the 68mm in front. Its really nice of you to offer yourself to the general public and be able to answer questions for an average enthusiast like myself. I will certainly recommend your product to others not only because its a great product, but also because this type of customer service just isnt found in todays world anymore. I will share my experience more once I get more skating sessions in. Unfortunately i have an "upper body" injury at the moment. Thanks again!

    Sound good Casey! Good ambassadors like yourself is important for us so thanks for helping us spread the word about us. Good luck with your training and look forward to hear your experience going forward. //Per

  16. Posted · Report reply

    after re-reading the whole thread i got my answer on the wheel set up. I will switch back to all straight and get used to it. Im just curious as to the advantages of that though. Considering the chassis is on a rocker, wouldnt putting smaller wheels in the back simply change the pitch and center of gravity of the skate? Since the chassis rockers, it seems like all four wheels will continue to touch at the same time and it would not mimic a straight chassis where two wheels would be off the ground. I noticed that when i used a hi lo set up, i still got the feeling that i would fall on my face if i leaned too far forward or shifted my center of gravity too forward. I was also still shifted into a forward pitch, even more so than my ice skates put me in. Or is this more or less the whole idea of the Marsblade? Make roller skating more difficult and including muscle activation so when you switch to ice skating its actually easier (opposed to the other way around which is what straight roller hockey chassis will do)? My biggest concern is that if i continue to skate on marsblade and then go back to ice, im wondering if being on ice would make me feel like im being put on my heels since the forward pitch is much more exaggerated on marsblade.

    Hi Casey,

    I would not recommend using 72,72,68,68 as the frame is not designed for that. With time some wheels will wear down more that others. Seems like the back 72 and back 68 would wear down a lot faster than the other two. If you want to change the pich it is better that you include a shim in the front. If you will go through that extra work that is... If not you can certainly keep that wheel setup.

    The purpose of Marsblade is to force you into using a proper stride and it seems like you have felt the effects of that in the way I intended. If you don't use a proper push and knee bend, and "cheat" trying to push with the toe to early you will (almost) fall on your face. This is done intentionally to give direct feedback and force you into the correct position. With the "advanced setup" (smaller front wheel (68,72,72,72mm) will force you even more to a proper stride. I have not heard anyone that had an issue of ending up on his heels when going back to ice so I'm pretty sure that you won't have that problem. The problem with the traditional rigid frame is that you have support on the toes all the time and since the body is lazy you will use that support. Then as you go back to ice you won't have that support and feel very unstable. Removing the toe support that we have done with Marsblade forces you to only activate the toes during the end part of your stride, as on ice. By removing even more support, as with the advanced setup, you will have to work even harder with the proper stride and deep knee bend so when switching back to ice it will feel like you have more support and can perform a more powerful stride. The reason that you don't want to activate the toe push early is that you in that phase start using the calf muscles that are not very powerful. You want to use that large powerful muscle groups (like the glutes) as long as possible during the stride and that is achieved with a deep skating position.

    That being said I think it's best if you try the different setups and try going back and forth ice/roller to see what works best for you.

    Not sure if this answers all your questions. Please feel free to ask if you have more.

    //Per

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Thanks Per, I have another question. I decided to do the mount myself. So far so good but I only have one skate mounted so far. I put one ice skate and and one inline skate on and the forward pitch seems much more exaggerated on my inline skate compared to that of my ice skate. Is it possible to experiment with say two 68mm wheels in the back and two 72mm wheels in the front to neutralize the pitch at all?

    I'm trying to accustom myself to the forward pitch on my grafs since I'm used to skating in bauers but the forward pitch with the marsblade seems a little extreme

    I've used shims before on the front of my grafs and somehow it seemed to have zero effect on how my foot felt positioned

    The pitch aggressivness is somewhere in between the TUUK holder and CCM holder. You might be thrown off by the height of our frame since it is higher than the ice holder. I would say you try the standard setup to start with, using all 76 or 72 depending on chassis size. If you then feel off balance you can experiment with switching the wheels. I've had other guys that asked if they should use a shim but once they tried it without the did not feel the need for the shim.

    Let me know how it feels when you have tried them. //Per

  18. Posted · Report reply

    Going to post an update here for reference. Just received my Marsblade chassis in the mail yesterday. I ordered it from hockeygiant without the wheels and bearings. My concern regarding chassis placement became irrelevant once i lined it up on the bottom of the boot. I wear a size 7 and am currently skating in Graf Ultra G7's and ordered a medium chassis. The chassis lines up perfectly. The length of the wheel base is almost identical to my cobra holder. There is a little bit of play (maybe less than a quarter inch) to position the chassis either more toward the toe or more toward the heel depending on preference, but it may be irrelevant at the end of the day and one might not be able to tell the difference regardless. I also love how the holes on the chassis are all on the outside edge of the frame. The bottom of a Graf skate makes it difficult to mount certain frames because they only have plastic that borders the outside edges of the sole. With the marsblade, every single hole lines up perfectly with the plastic sole of a Graf skate so theres no issues with having to drill through the fabric part of the sole. The chassis also does not stick out on the sides either. Its literally a perfect fit. I will post more updates once they are mounted and i skate on them, but for anyone who skates in Grafs and is worried about a proper fit, i think you should have no issues with a mount. Thanks to everyone for their feedback. Heres an awful quality picture with the boot sitting on top of the chassis (not mounted).

    Casey,

    Realized I never answered your last post but it seems like you have it all figured out, awesome! Please let me know if you have any questions going forward.

    //Per

  19. Posted · Report reply

    Hmm. I always find this to be a dilemma with roller hockey frames if you don't wear a size skate that's fits the chassis perfectly. Wouldn't centering the frame almost defeat the purpose of the marsblade if the front wheel is sticking out too far?

    Hi Casey,

    Can't really figure out how to post a pic here. Did you not get a folder with mounting instructions and info regarding placement of the chassis? Please e-mail me at per@marsblade.com and I can send an illustration. However I will be travelling and will be off line until sunday unfortunately.

  20. Posted · Edited by Gummer12
    removed contact info     · Report reply

    Before I did it myself my LHS said they could do it. I would still kinda read up on how to do it so you can give them instructions exactly how you want it.

    The biggest thing is lining up the wheels to be exactly where the blade was. I marked the spots on my boot even before taking my holder off, so maybe you could do the same before they do it.

    The other thing is centering it correctly from back to front. With sprungs you had to mount kind of towards the back of the skate - marsblade has no specific instructions like this afaik. My guess would be that you are supposed to get it as close to center as you can - but I like my skate a little more aggresive so I moved it slightly backwards (barely moved at all).

    Try to get someone whos experienced. I dont trust half the kids I see at hockeyshops to sharpen my skates, let alone drill into my boot.

    I was going add a picture of some instructions but could not figure out how to attached it... Please let me know if you guys have any questions on how to mount the chassis. Best regards // Per

  21. Posted · Report reply

    Per, not sure if this has been asked before, but do the marsblades need to be soaked from time to time (because of the plastic)?

    I know it was recommended for sprungs to be soaked every so often - should i do the same with these?

    No, there's no need to soak the plastic.

    All the best //Per

    The manual says you should take them apart every so often to clean. What is the best stuff to use for cleaning Per? I use bearing fluid cleaner on my bearings maybe every month or so... But I don't have enough to spar to use on the chassis, too.

    Yes, it might be good to clean the rocking surfaces from time to time. You don't need bearing fluid cleaner, you can just take a brush to get rid of the dust that is stuck. Or if it's really stuck a suitable metal tool.

    All the best //Per

  24. Posted · Report reply

    Skated on the Marsblade chassis last night. Wow, this is going to take some getting used to!! I'm not used to being in such an aggressive stance while skating on a hard surface. Felt like I was falling over my toes the whole time. Started feeling myself getting used to it, but I'll definitely need a few more hours of skating to feel comfortable on it. I think though this will be a good thing for me, I can tell this will probably make the transition back to ice much easier.

    Definitely no need for a shim to make them feel like my Mako's, haha.

    Yes, good thing you did not start of with the shim :-) Remember that it is designed to help you improve you skating technique so the fact that you are falling over your toes is what most players do. This helps you get deeper down in you skating position and focus on a proper skating stride with full extension. I'll be surprised if you don't feel that the transition back to ice is much easier. Let me know how it goes! //Per

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