Bauer SFL XI

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Are these good skates. I tried on a pair of their EE's on saturday, and they seemed ok. But I don't know much about skates. They guy at the shop said he would include baking and sharpening in the price.

I looked at the 2005 catalogue, and couldn't find them, so I assume they are from last year, which may also be why he is offering the baking and sharpening with the price, which isn't bad, $185 (at least I don't think its bad).

Are these a good skate, or should I go for something else.

I have wide feet and am a beginner skater

[jimmy 194]

It is a good skate, last years model, replaced by the XIV. Sold for $199.99 new. You said you are a beginner, it's a good skate for you, not more than you need. I'd try to talk them down to $150. That's what I closed mine out for.

It can be heated but it is not thermoformable. Curious, doesn't your shop give free sharpening and heating with a skate purchase? Odd.

[DarkStar50 679]

Allsmoke

If the dealer won't drop the price(I would on last year's model & discontinued) then spend another $20-$30 for the 2005 XIV. No need to spend $185 on last year's product, when for a few more $, you get current year's product. And Jimmy is right: any dealer who "adds" sharpening and baking for free as a "bonus" needs to be re-evaluated. Those two things aren't add-ons. They are part of the deal at any well-run shop.

[ShaneyB 0]

they are fine skates. ive been using them since january and no problems so far

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Cheers lads, seems like I was getting the shaft there then so. He could probably see me coming and thought he would convince me I was getting a great deal.

Thanks for the help.

Whats the difference between heating and thermoforming?

[jimmy 194]

Cheers lads, seems like I was getting the shaft there then so. He could probably see me coming and thought he would convince me I was getting a great deal.

Thanks for the help.

Whats the difference between heating and thermoforming?

not to mention that closeout E and EE's usually go for a lot less than D's, much harder to find a customer that they will fit.

[thunderbirds_are_go 0]

I wouldn't necessarily be too hard on the shop guy for mentioning the free sharpening and baking - if he's mentioning them in the context of buying skates off the internet then he's likely showing why it's better to buy from a LHS than online. It could easily be that the last guy he served tried to get him to match an online price and he wanted to show what a LHS has to offer to balance out the often lower online prices.

Then again maybe they do normally charge extra for those services on skates they sell - in that case you were getting a shaft!

[thunderbirds_are_go 0]

I wouldn't necessarily be too hard on the shop guy for mentioning the free sharpening and baking - if he's mentioning them in the context of buying skates off the internet then he's likely showing why it's better to buy from a LHS than online. It could easily be that the last guy he served tried to get him to match an online price and he wanted to show what a LHS has to offer to balance out the often lower online prices.

Then again maybe they do normally charge extra for those services on skates they sell - in that case you were getting a shaft!

[jimmy 194]

Whats the difference between heating and thermoforming?

Some model skates have heat activated foams/gel pacs that can cure to the shape of your foot. Other skates, while they can be heated to soften the leathers, etc, they don't have the "thermoformable" materials. Some skates can't be heated at all because of the matierials used (plastic and carbon).

Just because a skate isn't thermoformable, doesn't necessarily mean it's not a good skate or won't be comfortable.