Sprung Hockey

[iceburg19 1]

trox_355,yeah the epoxy works real good for filling holes,i got that idea from a kid that works at a hockey shop.he mounted my first two sprungs.i did mount my graf 705s,im going tommorow to check them out.have a happy holiday,check back soon.

[Bazan110584 0]

Just got them mounted on a pair of RBK ice skates. Tried them out. Holy sh**, they worked as advertised. It was so beautiful, I broke down crying.

[iceburg19 1]

oh yeah,so lets hear the feed back,first thoughts?what RBK skate#?.

[Bazan110584 0]

OK. Skates were RBK 4k, originally ice skates (as stated). As soon as I got them home, it started to lightly rain, so I wasn't able to put them through a thorough test. But I put them on, and skated around in a newly blacktopped empty lot.

There's not much to say except that it really felt like I was skating on ice. When I was little that's all I skated, but now I only do inline. Compared with my other skates, which are a pair of CCM (forgot the model #, but it has the Tri-Di chassis, or whatever it's called, you know, the one that's 72/76.76/80. Sprung is all 76mm). The skates had give to them, I guess is how I'd put it. It felt like I was skating on a pair of rockered ice hockey skates, which is drastically different when compared with the CCM, which felt like I was skating on a board. All I can say is, I'm a believer in Sprung hockey.

And I don't know if I'll have the chance to try them again until the summer. I live near Buffalo, so it's pretty unusual that I could try them outside, and eventually we're going to get dumped on by the snow. And as for rinks, there's nothing really close by.

[iceburg19 1]

the srpungs are pretty fun to skate with,the smoother the surface the better they are.im not wasting my time with other frames,sprungs are just way ahead of any other frame. for what im useing them for(crossover training)and inline hockey.anything else is taking steps backwards.

[Bazan110584 0]

iceburg19, the boots I mounted them on were RBK 4k ice hockey boots. No, they aren't the pump version, but overall a solid boot. Nice and stiff, plus I like the lace-lock (or whatever it's called). Really nice.

And also, couldn't agree more. You said it best, they are pretty fun to skate with. Can't wait to try em out this summer.

[trox_355 0]

I got some time today to finally test them out.

It's been years since I've been on any inline skate, so I really wasn't used to the difference in grip. Just trucking around the street, I was definitely able to tell the suspension kicking in. Smooth, but not over-noticeably so.

Because I'm so used to ice and so un-used to inline on pavement, I don't want to give impressions of how this frame works just yet.

Mounting the frames worked out pretty much as I expected. I had the soles measured and marked before receiving the frames, so I just needed to mark the holes and begin drilling. I marked the heel first using a fine-point Sharpie. I took the frames off to drill some small pilot holes and make sure the holes were aligned. After double-checking, I drilled through the heel, attached them with #6-32 tee nuts and screws. After getting the heel attached, I drilled through the frame to attach the toe.

left skate

both

[sdcopp 1]

So I'm still waiting on my boots to come in the mail (damned blizzard) but I did receive my frames today so I can at least give the skeptic review of the product itself.

First, the Pros:

- great design, parts are easily interchanged.

- plastic feels like heavy duty automotive parts type plastic and has reinforced sidewalls and all without weighing a ton.

- wheelbase is close to size Med Mission Vanguard Hi-Lo on my existing skates, only slightly longer and will probably be compensated for by suspension

- frames are universal, no L and R. Mounting is easier this way, at least from my perspective

- suspension is stiff enough that bending by hand is very difficult.

and now the Cons:

- changing the rocker arms requires different tools than wheel changes

- (probably my biggest concern) the pivot pin is very thin. I know that it is to be beefed up on new model, but it has me a bit pensive right now. I weigh 200-205, so it will show sooner or later if it is a valid concern

- frame has to be custom mounted as opposed to OEM item on any sort of boot, time may solve this problem though. It would be nice to see one of the companies that has tryed to get into the roller market take a chance on these, or even CCM or Bauer to help simplify their productions instead of leaving us with three wheel sizes to work around.

as I said though, skating on them may make me love them, or one of my buddies who only has played ice might be getting a late x-mas gift from me so I can get him to play roller.

[DavisP 0]

What size are those tacks?

[trox_355 0]

What size are those tacks?

10

[iceburg19 1]

first off, trox_355 those are some nice skates,good luck and have fun. second-sdcopp,yeah you want to have a 3/8s nut driver and small pliers and extra rocker on hand.for my sons team we keep them on the bench for quick repairs (if needed)for my skates i have them in my bag.my son broke his rocker during a game,we replaced it inbetween shifts.as far as custum mounting,you basically line them up the same as any other frame,just move back 1/4in back from center.in some cases you might not have to move them back that far.mounting the frames were easier then i thoughti should have mounted all my frames sooner.as for your ice hockey bud playing inline with you,well that would be excellent for you.im 41yrs old and still play ice and roller with most of my friends i went to school with,it makes the game that much more fun.hope the frames work out for you.

[sdcopp 1]

One way or another these frames will see some play, I'll just have to tell my friend where to get them if they work out for me.

As far as the custom mounting comment, I meant that as opposed to an OEM spec on a factory produced skate. It would be nice to have it where Sprungs come on a decent boot that you can open the box, pop em on your feet and go play instead of taking the time to mount them yourself or have a LHS do it. Even if I don't fall in love with these, I like seeing variety in the marketplace so I'd love to see a company sign some deal with Keith to add these as a production model skate chassis.

[iceburg19 1]

that would be excellent if a skate co. picked up the sprung idea.i see ice skates with something called t-blade.its a thin surgical steel blade that doesnt require sharpening.you replace the blades after so many games,someone came up with that blade design,i saw them on graf and ccm skates on some hockey sites.i would hope sooner or later you would be able to order a pair of skates with the sprung design.

[sdcopp 1]

that would be excellent if a skate co. picked up the sprung idea.i see ice skates with something called t-blade.its a thin surgical steel blade that doesnt require sharpening.you replace the blades after so many games,someone came up with that blade design,i saw them on graf and ccm skates on some hockey sites.i would hope sooner or later you would be able to order a pair of skates with the sprung design.

Last I heard though, T-Blades went under. I'd love to see CCM/RBK get on the wagon with Sprung, or possibly NBH since both companies aren't a threat of disappearing. Like I said, I like to see variety in the marketplace to keep it competitive and prices reasonable.

[Datsyukiandeek 0]

One way or another these frames will see some play, I'll just have to tell my friend where to get them if they work out for me.

As far as the custom mounting comment, I meant that as opposed to an OEM spec on a factory produced skate. It would be nice to have it where Sprungs come on a decent boot that you can open the box, pop em on your feet and go play instead of taking the time to mount them yourself or have a LHS do it. Even if I don't fall in love with these, I like seeing variety in the marketplace so I'd love to see a company sign some deal with Keith to add these as a production model skate chassis.

Graf producing a line for Inline hockey with Sprung Frames would be amazing.

[DangleSpud 0]

One way or another these frames will see some play, I'll just have to tell my friend where to get them if they work out for me.

As far as the custom mounting comment, I meant that as opposed to an OEM spec on a factory produced skate. It would be nice to have it where Sprungs come on a decent boot that you can open the box, pop em on your feet and go play instead of taking the time to mount them yourself or have a LHS do it. Even if I don't fall in love with these, I like seeing variety in the marketplace so I'd love to see a company sign some deal with Keith to add these as a production model skate chassis.

Graf producing a line for Inline hockey with Sprung Frames would be amazing.

Great Idea. Graf would make a great vendor being that they cater to Ice, and the sprung is so much better of a crossover chassis. That would be a damn nice setup...

[sdcopp 1]

One way or another these frames will see some play, I'll just have to tell my friend where to get them if they work out for me.

As far as the custom mounting comment, I meant that as opposed to an OEM spec on a factory produced skate. It would be nice to have it where Sprungs come on a decent boot that you can open the box, pop em on your feet and go play instead of taking the time to mount them yourself or have a LHS do it. Even if I don't fall in love with these, I like seeing variety in the marketplace so I'd love to see a company sign some deal with Keith to add these as a production model skate chassis.

Graf producing a line for Inline hockey with Sprung Frames would be amazing.

Great Idea. Graf would make a great vendor being that they cater to Ice, and the sprung is so much better of a crossover chassis. That would be a damn nice setup...

The only problem I see with Graf is they make sooo many skates for so many types of feet, and the main lines run higher in price. It would require a bit of an alteration in offerings bootwise from Graf, though I'm sure it'd be nice skates all around.

Mission isn't a likely candidate, nor is Tour for the proprietary technologies they use. Bauer seems to not care about inline, which is sad since they are market leaders for ice and with a little work could give rollers big two some stiff competition, they also already utilized a different style of chassis to cult like following for those who loved it. RBK/CCM would be a good fit to help strengthen their number 3 spot in roller with a third, unique proprietary offering to help distinguish themselves more than an emergency Hi-Lo knockoff in the Tri-Di.

There are other companies that lurk about in hockey that could make a decent enough boot and have enough name and presence to make a run for it. Flite appeared in roller 8 yrs ago, people loved their boots and then they disappeared seemingly overnight. Salming has show a good boot as well, just lame how they ended Jason's job as the US Distro person. Nexed actually produced some very nice prototypes to replace their lineup before they decided to call it quits and not do anything hockey anymore. Two guys here ended up with those skates and I'm still envious. V-Form made extremely comfy boots as well.

There are other options, but it either takes a big name taking a chance, or Sprung taking a chance on a proprietary boot or a smaller manufacturer. There's always the option of a big name creating a new brand name to try out and do market testing, like NBH using an old Canstar brand or Adidas using their own name instead of their RBK/CCM lines. Hell, New Balance/Warrior could give it a go with their new supposed skates.

It'd be nice to see the little guy win out in this one though, otherwise the products stay stagnant unless they have a bad year. Mission is still trying to get away from the debacle two years ago, and last years and this years lines are proof that they at least care and want to stay on top with the masses, but I'd personally like more than two companies who care that much.

[nzcap 0]

im in a bit of a hole here and need some advice.

i play inline and ice at the same time during the year(here in new zealand we play inline and ice in winter). In march i go into ice training camp for u18 world champs for 3 weeks and when i get back i go off on an inline nz u18 team to aussy. i was wondering, since ill only be able to play ice hockey untill april if i should get the sprungs so i have an easyier transition from constant ice back to inline.

My problem is i wont have any inline untill the time i go away. so i wont have time to get used to the sprungs either.

so will i be better with my old chassis that ive used before or the apparent ice paralled sprungs?

sorry if i just repeated myself a few times there

[iceburg19 1]

get the sprungs when you can.once you have them your going to want to use them.it wont take long to get used to them.i would recommend these frames to anyone that plays inline hockey,not just the ice players that cross over and play inline.

[SickLife 2]

hey iceburg, plaza sports says $95 to mount the sprung chassis on a boot i supply, that sound about what they charged you? thanks.

[sdcopp 1]

hey iceburg, plaza sports says $95 to mount the sprung chassis on a boot i supply, that sound about what they charged you? thanks.

holy frak that's pricey. My shops here all charge 20-40 for a mounting.

[DangleSpud 0]

I agree, $95 is WAY to much. Pay no more than $40. My rink used to do them for $25. For $95 you could buy yourself a drill, the bits, and the hardware with money left over. The pics I posted in another thread I mounted around 8 years ago. I was nervous at first, but if you take your time, it's not to bad.

[hockey1 0]

I paid 10, 95 is rediculous.

[trox_355 0]

Before deciding to mount them myself, a LHS I called quoted me $30 for the pair.

[Patrick67 1]

Pay $25 for a mount.

$95 <- what a rip-off shop...