Ric_Flair

Update: Just went with the stock Power Profile on 254mm (Quad XS, 17mm PP/pitch) in my True Customs this morning for 1.5 hours. Tho I didn't feel a HUGE diff from the Ellipse 0 (on a 263mm), perhaps too early to tell(?), there was a noticeable diff, specifically with how my feet felt "lighter" when doing button-turns and coming out of all swings/crossovers in general. Even in fwd-backward transitions tho I didn't do a lot of those today. Next mission now will be to try maybe a Ellipse XS or even XXS on a 254. Anyone care to weigh-in on what size Ellipse would be closest to the Quad XS in 'feel'? Early assessment, comparing the two mentioned, I like the quad more; more agile and didn't feel any/(very minimal, if so) loss of straight line speed, and was compensated for with linear-crossover ease. I'll be back with more updates as I continue to experiment... this is so much fun!

Well said @kkskate, makes "perfect" sense. Thanks for ringing in! Have an awesome day everyone.

Yes, the specs would tell us so. Maybe it was something like "optimal amount of blade in contact at all times." Here's a quote from @kkskate webpage, maybe this is what I am remembering, tho I thought I read/heard as I stated above: "Quad profiles are designed with four different radii's which are strategically placed on the same blade profile to provide perfect blade contact with the ice in ALL situations." Maybe I'm confusing "perfect blade contact" with "most...."? In any event, thanks again PBH.

Cool. Thanks @PBH; as always, much appreciated.

Does the True Custom boot come with more of a natural pitch to the boot then say, the Hyperlite? Within short I will be trying the same blade on both boots, but wonder in advance is there more of a natural pitch to either? Don't know what is on my True Customs (254mm) right now (bought blades from someone, didn't know their profile, pitch, hollow, etc.) and while I like the profile and hollow, I feel much more pitched forward than when skating on 2X Pro (263mm) Ellipse 0 (also which I don't know the pitch of). Anyway, anyone know if these boots would be similar in pitch? Thanks @PBH, @hockeydad3, @kkskate, @mojo122, @HockeyTactics.

Interesting. Because Pro Sharp claims that the Power Profile (ie. Quad) has the most blade in contact with the ice at all times throughout whole stride (albeit I think that claim may have been made prior to the birth of the ellipse). I can't remember if I read it, or was on one of their YouTube vids.

Hi @kkskate. Yea, that's the boat I fall into. I've just in past few months discovered profiling (been away from the game for 15+ years) and have been doing a lot of alternating. Found the Quad great as well, though have been leaning towards the Ellipse when considering my last 6-8 hours have been on it. I will very soon have both profiles on a 254 holder, will try them often interchangeably and will certainly be sharing all my opinions here; this stuff is so much fun! And you folks who have more experience with them, yourself, @PBH and some others' opinions are so very much appreciated. Thanks again to you all.

Yea, but they are not you. If you can get your hands on an ellipse, give it a shot!

Wow, interesting. I'll be this week trying a Quad XS on a 254mm holder; I'll report back then.

FWIW I love the ellipse.

Hi @HockeyTactics, I’ve been asking a lot of questions here also. I like both the profiles you’ve mentioned; starting to sway towards the ellipse now, just feels really good for me in all scenarios. I’m on a 263 runner at the moment and I THINK it’s an ellipse 0 (the guy I borrowed from doesn’t know, just had his equipment guy do it), I also don’t know if there is any pitch added to it (standard prosharp ellipse 0 would have 20mm forward pitch). This is what I’m in the process of finding out now. in all, I like both, but prefer the ellipse.

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Hi @hockeydad3. You think both size 5.5, fit 3, and size 6, fit 2 have the same length boot? I've been measuring them several times and they are very close, perhaps millimeters in diff, but have noticed some diff. nonetheless. And of course can feel slight differences. When I look at the outsole as well, there is an evident difference in length there as can been seen by where the blade holder sits in relevance to the lip at the front and back; again millimeters. Do you know if there is a diff in flex of the boot, materials or overall construction as mentioned in my previous post? Thanks.

@PBH, @kkskate. Hey guys. I've noticed a pretty big difference in the "components" if-you-will, of the Hyperlites size 5.5 and size 6. It seems to be a border where Bauer uses bigger components (tendon guard and tongue very obvious, and overall boot size when you look at them). In addition, the inside/insole of the skate. If you take out the stock liners, or whatever we call them, and actually compare at the foot beds, the 5.5 has a white almost wooly-type appearance, while the 6 has a silver-colored 'graphite' look. Can't figure out how to post the pics here... Either of you folks know what happens regarding the construction and hence the differences of these two half-size-differentiated skates? I'm asking because I am caught in between buying size 6 fit 2, or size 5.5 fit 3 (both have 254mm runners which I want to stay at)? I'm about 5'9", 175-180 and would consider myself an advanced skater; would one hold up better that the other, one softer than the other, etc.? Again, many thanks in advance folks.

Any confirmation on what profiles come with that size? I've got 254 Power Profile runner, what "Quad" do I have? @blueshirts, @start_today Thanks

Hi @puckpilotand thanks for weighing in. Certainly makes sense. For me I think I am liking getting up onto my toes quicker (from an acceleration POV) And I haven't found a big diff thus far. I actually starting to think I may have skated on a 254 all those years back and mistakenly bought skates sized with 263 back in the spring. I know this experimenting is fun, especially hearing other stories from peeps like you. many thanks again.

Thanks, will do. Tho I'm currently using Speed Plates, so I don't see that as a parameter change, so will be going ahead with that. Yer the best fellas.

Hi @hockeydad3, and thanks for weighing in. I have a few sets of blades, so yes I certainly will be leaving the "power profile" alone and trying it. It's the other sets that I am curious as to what to profile them at. But OK, I'll try the route as you mentioned, going from 0 to XS if need be. And regarding the skates, well... they are both 'kinda' new to me. Just started playing again back in the spring and picked up a sparsely used pair of 2X Pros; now I'll have glove-like fitting True Customs (also not brand new, but formfit very well to my foot), and a brand new pair of Hyperlites which I plan to bake of course. Also plan to use Speed Plates 2.0 in both skates. @kkskate, you mentioned above about using diff insoles. Have you tried the Speed Plates and if so do I need to order 1-size up. Have read several places that is the case. Thanks to all for your input.

A lot of what you wrote, I am doing/finding the same, tho I am less structured as I have access to only limited amount of profiles across the sizes with just about all the profiles I've tried thus far are on the 263. Without too much of your effort (as you've been pretty generous thus far to describe to me your experiments and findings), in your humble opinion, If I am wearing a size 7 (263) now, heel locked and have about 10-11 mm of "extra space" left in the toe cap (which is why I am moving to size 6 which gives me very snug fit), what ellipse would/should give me the same skating experience? Just off the ice now using 263s with an Ellipse 0... I love it. And is it easier on the blades (re: which takes more steel away) to first try the 0 and if I don't like go to the advised XS, or the other way around; start with the XS and if I don't like go to 0? Many, many thanks @kkskate, come to one of these turbo-beer league tournaments in Europe one day and I'll owe you one!

I'll add, I was recently informed by the shop I borrowed the quads I was on (and also liked) is a Quad 2... I want to avoid the unstable feeling and not having a lot of blade down where I can pick up straight-line speed. TIA

OK. I am playing in Sweden, bigger ice so like my straight-line speed; I'm good enough skater that I can negate the quickness differential (or, what do you mean when you say you gained a lot of quickness?). Understand these are your preferences, but from following your threads and based on yer comments I think you're the closest to "my findings" thus far, so I'll use you're opinions/findings as my benchmark 😉 What do you mean about loosing the senior pitch offset? I don't like much being pitched forward... do you mean I'd be pitched further forward on the XS? Many thanks in advance @kkskate //BM

This I can agree with. Found Zup much diff, too far forward, less agility... much diff. Quad and Ellipse are quite similar IMHO. Can almost agree with how some people describe the "smooth, natural" feeling of the Ellipse. Now to figure out whether to use a Ellipse 0 or XS on my 254s. Have used the Ellipse 0 recently on a 263 and it felt great. What's yer thoughts there @kkskate?

@kkskate, @PBH, @mojo122 I've switched back n forth between 263 and 254 recently, tho only a few times yet. Hard to discern a big diff. I think the main thing I want to eliminate was the extra space in the toe box of my size 7 skates (now fit into 6s easily enough). I did that with some sponge foam, but still can feel the extra boot length. I'll continue to experiment with both before I decide to put 263s on my size 6s or not. If I skate on an Ellipse 0 on the 263s (which is the recommended ellipse for the 263 size 7-8 skates) and really liked it, when dropping down a blade size to 254 would you recommend the Ellipse XS (recommended for the 254, sizes 5-6) or would I be better served going with the Ellipse 0 on them as well; anyone have experience with this? Thanks

I've switched back n forth between 263 and 254 recently, tho only a few times yet. Hard to discern a big diff. I think the main thing I want to eliminate was the extra space in the toe box of my size 7 skates (now fit into 6s easily enough). I did that with some sponge foam, but still can feel the extra boot length. I'll continue to experiment with both before I decide to put 263s on my size 6s or not. If I skate on an Ellipse 0 on the 263s (which is the recommended ellipse for the 263 size 7-8 skates), when dropping down a blade size to 254 should I go with the Ellipse XS (recommended for the 254, sizes 5-6) or would I be better served going with the Ellipse 0 on them as well; anyone have experience with this? Thanks //Nature Boy

Great. I’d like to know what each offers in terms of speed, acceleration, maneuverability etc. Slightly similar, does that mean more different then? and which of these do you prefer and why? Thanks! I appreciate your insight