New top end skates versus custom

[gman 0]

Question,

With the new advancements in inline technology, is it still necessary to convert ice boots to inline for a top end performance? I assume that in the past this process was done because the high end ice boots were so vastly superior to inline boots. Also it was nice to be able to put the hi end chassis on whatever boot was top end.

I realize that fit is also a huge issue. I am sure that there are some ice boots that just plain fit like gloves and no inline boot from another manufacturer will give the same foot higging confindence of your favorite ice boot. So except for the fit issue, are ice to inine conversions still superior to the Mission 10k's, 9500's, Reebok's or any other top end stock inline skates? Or is the ice to inline conversion scene fading into the sunset?

If you answer that some selected conversions are superior, please share which ones and why.

[yipperzz 28]

Question,

With the new advancements in inline technology, is it still necessary to convert ice boots to inline for a top end performance? I assume that in the past this process was done because the high end ice boots were so vastly superior to inline boots. Also it was nice to be able to put the hi end chassis on whatever boot was top end.

I realize that fit is also a huge issue. I am sure that there are some ice boots that just plain fit like gloves and no inline boot from another manufacturer will give the same foot higging confindence of your favorite ice boot. So except for the fit issue, are ice to inine conversions still superior to the Mission 10k's, 9500's, Reebok's or any other top end stock inline skates? Or is the ice to inline conversion scene fading into the sunset?

If you answer that some selected conversions are superior, please share which ones and why.

for me, i bought my skates at the time where there weren't many choices for inline skates. the custom skates felt a lot better. i thought times changed and bought a new pair a few years ago because my custom skates were a little small. i still feel like my custom skates are more comfortable than the one i bought off the shelf.

[steve66 45]

Personally I prefer the fit of Bauers, furthermore I think bauers top end Hockey skates are superior to their skates offered for inline, therefore I have to convert at the moment.

[gman 0]

Some folks are saying that the custom skates are still better and not because of fit. Why???

[sdcopp 1]

Some folks are saying that the custom skates are still better and not because of fit. Why???

it really is only for fit and the customization of it all. Other than that, the pre-built are just as good if not better in some cases.

[steve66 45]

Some folks are saying that the custom skates are still better and not because of fit. Why???

Some people will fit the top end inline skates, but believe that converting say an XXX, Vector pro, 10.0... and so on are better because those are superior skates in their eyes.

[althoma1 575]

I'm converting a pair of ice boots into inline skates this year because:

1. I got a great deal on the boots

2. I haven't seen the top of the line 06 Inline Skates in any LHS in the GTA so cannot try them on to even see if they fit. I could try on the Ice Boots locally.

3. I'm used to the tuuk rocker now and think I want to stick with those - no current skates use the rocker chassis stock

So for me it came down to price, the ability to try on the boot locally and personal preference. I'm sure many of the top of the line inline skates are fantastic skates, but I can't try them on locally, I'd have to adjust to a new chassis I'm not sure is that much better, and I know I'd end up paying more for them if I bought them locally then I will putting a chassis on the boots I have (If I found them on ebay or something for a good price that may not be true, however; I don't know what size I'd need in the top of the line inline skates...I have an educated guess, but I don't know for sure).

[yipperzz 28]

it could also be that some people had bad experiences with the made skates before and are reluctant to try something new and spend more money. i know i am a little nervous about throwing some cash down for a new pair of top end skates because of my last pair.

[Patrick67 1]

I have always had custom skates for fit, but now you get more skate for the money by buying a top-end inline skate now.

e.g. 8kPump Inline vs. 9kpump converted

The boot is exactly the same execpt color, and they cost similar, + you get wheels and bearings and don't have to spend money for a chassis and/or mounting.

Right now I have a converted Inline skate, since I have alloys on my 8kpump's

But buttom line, I like the CCM/Rbk fit, so buying a top-end inline is the better choice.

Pretty much all brands besides Bauer apply the same sentence.

[MDE3 0]

Personally from what I have seen about the latest developments in pure inline performance skates, I think the top of the line inlines compete favorably with best of custom skates.

That said, many kids like the sense of being "elite" (read cooler)by having a custom made ice to inline conversion....even though in my experience the cost is usually about 30 - 40% greater, than buying a top end inline skate "off the shelf"...if you add all the various costs and if you go for top of the line conversion components.

No question that if you have found an ice boot you simply love, and if the outsole and boot construction (a major question in years past) is suitable for conversion some will simply like to maintain that fit when switching over....but I think this is maybe only 25% of those who make these conversions. Many are done simply for economic reasons where they already own a usable boot, and can find a decent "bargain" on a chassis to extend the use of this older boot...These are more likely to be less exotic conversions however, and done for economic convenience, rather than being driven by pure performance.

[ash_96 0]

I got Custom skates because i got them pretty cheap from here. the main reason i wanted them was because Ice boots are generally much stiffer than roller boots and tend to break down slower.

But this is all changing, the latest mission line looks incredible. IF shops in England actually had these in, then i probably would have gone with some 7500's or 9500's. i think you get a much better deal for your money that way!

But i still love my S500 carbons converted :P

[yipperzz 28]

Personally from what I have seen about the latest developments in pure inline performance skates, I think the top of the line inlines compete favorably with best of custom skates.

That said, many kids like the sense of being "elite" (read cooler)by having a custom made ice to inline conversion....even though in my experience the cost is usually about 30 - 40% greater, than buying a top end inline skate "off the shelf"...if you add all the various costs and if you go for top of the line conversion components.

No question that if you have found an ice boot you simply love, and if the outsole and boot construction (a major question in years past) is suitable for conversion some will simply like to maintain that fit when switching over....but I think this is maybe only 25% of those who make these conversions. Many are done simply for economic reasons where they already own a usable boot, and can find a decent "bargain" on a chassis to extend the use of this older boot...These are more likely to be less exotic conversions however, and done for economic convenience, rather than being driven by pure performance.

you are right. if you get all the top of the line parts (chassis, bearings, wheels) it can cost more than an off the shelf skate. so for the value, the top end skate will be better. but with anything custom, you get exactly what you want and can mix and match parts that you want. where if you buy a top end skate, you have to get the bearings, wheels, chassis that the skate came with.

[sdcopp 1]

I think the biggest issue with custom anymore is the availability. It was alot more open before Mission acquired the rights to the Hi-Lo design. Since that happened and the 3 big inline companies all went to seperate unique designs, I've seen alot less being offered out there. The Hummer can be a pain to mount if you don't have someone near you that is skilled enough to dremel out the boot and you can't go without skates to send them in. Hi-Lo production is now Mission's alone, and they don't sell seperate frames so companies like Red Star have nothing to offer, and CCM doesn't offer their Tri-Di frame seperately either. The last option I see available is the old 76mm flat frames, and most people don't want those anymore so it wouldn't be good business for anyone to make and market those. My understanding of everything that happened was that Nexed had a design patent that was safe for their 2 degree hi-lo frame, but they went out of business so we'll never know if that could've been a frame only opportunity like Red Star did for several years. With all of these frames becoming more and more difficult to find, buying a new top inline is probably the best way to go for most unless you just trash your boot and still have wheels, bearings and a frame you like and have a good shop to do the work for you. A couple of my LHS will trade ice holders for the labor of mounting an inline chassis so long as it's unsharpened and unused, so it's not a bad deal here, but it does vary from place to place.

[gman 0]

Bump: Only 26 people on this entire forum have an opinion? This seems like a major item of discussion in this sport. I am interested in hearing everyone's opinion. What about rockered skates?? The only way to get them is purely custom right?? Isn't Tuuk the only way to get a new production rocker-able chassis? What about something called us hockey research?

[sdcopp 1]

Bump: Only 26 people on this entire forum have an opinion? This seems like a major item of discussion in this sport. I am interested in hearing everyone's opinion. What about rockered skates?? The only way to get them is purely custom right?? Isn't Tuuk the only way to get a new production rocker-able chassis? What about something called us hockey research?

There are a few ways to rocker your skates, with a few different chassis. The Rocker chassis is designed this way, the Sure Grip 405 has adjustable spacers to rocker, and any skate can be rockered by using a smaller front wheel. the Rocker chassis is probably the best way to acheive this anymore, and it has to be custom done now since BNH has gone to the one-up chassis. The question that has to be asked, is it any better than a Hi-Lo? Sales numbers say it's not. i would gladly put the Mission 10k, CCM PF10, RBK 8K pump and Tour Code1 against any custom setup in terms of weight, durability and performance, and it would probably be a dead even challenge in the end, with personal preference winning out.

[malcb33 99]

It would be quite hard to give an good opinion on this matter because those how use a custom currently may not have used a current equalivant skate. You can't judge a old Mission D1 (2003?) to a Bauer xxx (2005) because it would be a unfair competion. However if you have tried a newer Mission 10k and a new custom (say xxx) set-up that would be a great comparison, but how many people have done that? Also those of us you like softer type skates like S500 or graf's don't really have a stock comparison, old tours maybe (beamers?)?

[Hockeypunk 0]

I prefer the conversion, I found that I like a softer boot and in roller hockey no one really offerst that. I was using Pure Flys with red star e-frames. I loved them. But now I out the old runners back on for ice hockey. I want to get some s500's and put the e-frames on them. Its all really preference. And I agree that you cant compare high end roller to high end conversions unless you own both. Technology is ever changing so if your comparing your D-limiteds to some XXX's or something its a totally different ball game.

[Shorthanded67 0]

I think ice to inline conversion is almost obsolete. I still do it and probably always will as long as the CCM Tacks lineup is intact. I only do it because my foot fits perfect in the boot. Out of all the players I play with/against at my local rink, I'd say less than 5 % use an ice boot converted to inline. Locally here in St. Louis, Tour is huge and most players have been buying the upper to mid range models of them for years. And of course, Mission is a close second.

[Eazy9 0]

I use a pair of Graf 501s converted. They are so old, but they are still a solid skate! I also used the Hi-Ho silvers before and they lasted me just under a year, and for the price they were, thats ridiculous! I reckon ice skates converted is so much better because like a lot of people have said, they are stiffer and last longer quite simply because they are deigned to last longer!