Larry54

I'm pretty similar but I skip the top 2 eyelets and lace them moderately and evenly tight from top (3rd eyelet) to bottom.

The idea of having the longer wear of black steel is nice in theory. But even with regular Step steel, I very rarely reach a point where I need a sharpening because of regular wear. Before reaching that point, there always occurs some edge damage from playing which requires sharpening. And while black steel wears longer, I don't think it's much less susceptible to damage. So, to me the longer wear of black steel isn't worth the extra expense.

Sock liners. https://foxsox.com/collections/mens-liners/products/wick-dryr-alturas-ultra-lightweight-crew-liner?variant=31529246294059

Just an observation, in this picture Orr's top 3 eyelets (if there isn't a 4th under the tape) are unlaced but his tendon guards and tongues are taped against his upper ankle. 🤔

I remember having those eyelets with the small thin laces on the tendon guards. They added no support whatsoever. I think their purpose was to keep the tendon guard against the tendon. And with all this talk about maintaining lateral support while having forward flex, one could argue that lateral support is not that necessay if you have proper skating technique, though it might still be good to limit lateral movement just enough to prevent injury. 🤔

To keep busy while in covid confinement, I learned to use Shotcut video editor and made a video of "myselves". There's even a small hockey reference in it.

Maybe you can look at it this way: The price they charge is just for the boot. If you want their holder, they give it to you and install it free of charge as a bonus to promote it. 😄

I skip the top 2 (pairs of) eyelets when I play. I often practice with the laces untied though.

Derek Aucoin

Get an old pair of Reebok pump skates and fill the bladder with spray foam instead of air.

I might be mistaken but those socks look thick. I recommend wearing thinner socks or sock liners, and bake the skates wearing those thinner socks. You weren't wearing those socks when your feet were scanned, right?

Leslie West

I don't know what it's like today since I don't follow roller hockey anymore, but in the old days during the RHI league, some of those pro players had their frames mounted so far back that the rear wheel stuck out and the front wheel didn't. When I got Sprung frames, the mounting instructions said to mount the frames 1/4" back from center, and I got used to switching from ice to roller without to much balance problems so I think that mounting the frame a bit rearward makes sense if you don't overdo it. I think the balance point is more important than whether the front wheel sticks out or not.

I agree with the idea of your post overall but not with the actual figures. Going from 80/76 to 76/72 will only shorten it by 4mm overall because you have to look at the difference in wheel radius and not the difference in diameter. The axle doesn't change position. The edge of an 80mm wheel is 40mm away from the axle. The edge of a 76mm wheel is 38mm away from the axle, or only 2mm less per wheel. So that sort of strengthens your case for wanting the smaller frame. I'd probably do the same thing, though a frame designed for 76/72 with the smallest possible wheelbase might be more desirable, but unfortunaely it doesn't seem to be an option here.

In the instructions supplied with the original VH skates, it was 200F in a convection oven for 8-10 minutes, or 180F in a conventional oven for 15-20 minutes (or until soft). In fact at that time they also recommended watching the following video. But this was pre-2016 before True acquired VH, so use this info at your own risk.

Stevie Lee

Washers or lock washers? Neither are needed. Regular washers that are smaller than the diameter of the head of the crew would serve no purpose here, and blue Loc-tite would be preferable to lock washers. Looks great though!

https://www.tournoipee-wee.qc.ca/en/publication/news/annulation_du_tournoi_2021.html

I always thought those zippers were for those who tie their skates before putting their pants on.

6 holes out of 14 is 42.3% so...

You have the right idea. (1) shorter. (2) longer.

Saku Koivu had equally thick black shims on front and back towers of the holder which this picture shows.

I'm going to wait a while. I care too much for my loved ones to risk carrying the virus home to them.

VH Footwear (True) used to make custom cycling shoes, too.