Miller55

Not sure why baking the skate is such a big deal? I think the opposite is true. Baking the skate will give the best fit and the best chance of selling the skate, whereas not baking it will pretty much guarantee you won't sell it. I'd like to believe it's purely economics, but I was explicitly told otherwise. I've heard from multiple owners that they would like to carry them and think they would sell, but don't want to hurt their Bauer relationship. I heard from one manger that their Bauer rep "strongly encouraged them" not to stock True retail. That's a direct quote. I think the True skates are a good product with an excellent value proposition and Bauer is definitely threatened and they're doing what they can to keep their business. Not saying they're doing anything wrong, it's business. But I've definitely seen this story more than once with Bauer. And it has more to do with keeping their bloated margins than anything else. They own the retail market and want to keep it. Some might call it playing cheap, others can call it using your leverage. Everyone is entitled to their view. Mine is that Bauer cares more about money than hockey. Not a crime, but not something I care to support. I haven't gotten a pair of True retails to try on yet, but I am getting a check tomorrow... if the finish and fit are good, I'm willing to gamble on the durability of the initial release, although typically I'd wait for the first batch to go and the kinks to be resolved, but I'm interested enough.

True ought to be including that, but it seems that there are quite a few areas where the shops are not carrying the TFs, probably out of loyalty to Bauer/CCM and some hesitation to see if there are qc issues with the Trues. Locally, the best few shops (all smaller) are not carrying the Trues and have stopped doing customs because they were just one headache after another. They stock Bauer, CCM and Graf (Owner is an old school power skating instructor, swears by Graf). Then there are the big boxes carrying Trues that probably have no idea how to fit them properly. And then there are some shops that will order TFs to try on, but aren't stocking them. And there's a few big boxes that aren't carrying them at all, most likely because if the Bauer dominance.

Pretty much echoing what althoma said, but Mission sounds release new line start if next year. If you're set on roller boots, I'd wait for the new release and at least then you might score some FZs for discount. Otherwise look into True TF boots or other ice boots that you like. Personally, I try to support the roller brands as much as I can because I want to see them do well and stick around, but at this point it's just Alkali and Tour, and Alkali is Tron now, and Tour boots are hit or miss and will never be the stiffest, so I end up with ice boots usually.

My thoughts exactly. Very interesting design. Hope it proves to be durable, otherwise it could be more trouble than it's worth even.

Yeah, these Trues have their work cut out for them to break into the market. It would be a bummer if they don't sell well because stores don't push a bake as an integral part of the fitting. Ultimately it's on True to get that information out to the public and to the stores that are carrying it. It's definitely a must.

I think the bigger issue is the combination of sealing without destroying moisture wicking.

Clarino is synthetic so leather products will not work on it. I believe it is a nylon based product. In my experience the best way to clean and restore synthetic suede is by cleaning it with a damp brush. I don't think you will be able to seal it, as I don't know if a product that will adhere and bond with synthetic leather or suede

Still is

I'd be down for Sherwood to release all their comp sticks with wood graphics packages. The ek15 was sick with the wood graphic

This pretty much describes my sentiments. I don't really understand this from a business perspective either. Is it because the costs of running multiple brands is too much. In my mind it seems like a non issue for Bauer. Let Mission run and do it's own thing, and even Easton and everyone else they've bought, itech etc, and let everyone think they're getting all these choices and it all ends up in your pockets anyway. Is there any reason not to do that? I'm far from a business man so I don't know the ins and outs, but it seems better than just gobbling up all the brands into one entity. I mean, Mission was big. Now they basically put out inline skates and crappy hockey pants that are like joggers with elastic waistbands...

I would be very surprised about this. I don't see the point in combining the two, as Bauer and mission basically completely dominate roller sales, especially in high end. From what I see they are very popular, so I don't see why they'd go anywhere. I would love to see mission put out some good roller pants and gloves one day.

The price of Mako used resellers is a decent indication in part. Obviously the price is higher because they're harder to come by and all you need is one guy who loves them to pay 4-500 bucks, but they regularly sell above 350 in decent shape in the common sizes. I know this is a small indication, but if they got rid of the Nexus I think there's definitely room for Bauer to release a Mako type skate. Maybe TF9 sales will be a good indication of the retail market for that type of skate

I mean, I guess it doesn't need a seal, but it would limit a lot more of what's expelled...

For some reason I'm skeptical about that mask actually fitting well and having a decent seal with the chin cup inside. Something about it just looks a bit off, like it will end up just sitting a bit away from the face and not being worth very much.

Basically yeah. They could be the beer league heroes

I agree it isn't the same as the bigger brands, but I thought it was pretty close at a significantly lower price point. I will always appreciate Sherwood for the BPM 120 le tan leather gloves, but I think this is going in a weird direction

Didn't realize they raised prices. It's also hideous. It's a shame because Sher-Wood is awesome. The m90 is a great stick and a great value. The BPM 120 glove was great all around. Sherwood could honestly do great business by just being good and a bit cheaper

This. And also, I heard this top end code stick shoots like crap

This brings gear nerding to a whole new level. I love it. I have shot every stick on that list except the ultrasonic and the ft3 pro (used the ft2 and the 2s pro before, but I think they changed the kick point from the 2s pro) and I would definitely agree with most of the conclusions. I liked the as2 a lot. I would say the Nexus is preferable to the flylite to me because of the balance, but that's mostly because of the flylite blade, which I found to have a weird balance relative to the stiffness

That's surprising, given that the scanner are often pretty far off with their results. And I'm surprised shops even make enough on the customs to warrant them. Doesn't sound like custom is the most lucrative option for a shop. Personally, I'd take a good footing from a human being over the scanner every day of the week.

I disagree, personally. I find that the 3 piece index helps with stick feel and control. The middle finger helps with grip. Despite this, I wear one piece fingers, so really anything would be better.

Not sure about the function of the bolt in the R1, but obviously it has to have a bolt to keep the lower attached to the upper part of the frame.

I played with a Trilage. Got used to it quickly and never had an issue. Inno was big back then, maybe too official. Combat. Gear was I think a hockey giant brand. Hespeler made a shaft around 2003 that was pretty light. But the original grip lite was awesome. The was the first stick that I ever cracked square in the middle of the shaft. Dang

I would love a few pairs of the eagle h35s in tan with three piece index and middle fingers. I'd be set for life of they put those out

I believe that the GX was the last model year before the Bauer buy. If I remember correctly it was released in 2016, which was the year of the purchase. Edit: BTW, getting into discontinued brands is a slippery slope. As someone who still uses Easton sticks, I dread the day when I will have to find something else. Might want to nip it in the bud before it gets too difficult