Sprung Hockey

[bill33 0]

sdcopp

Just out of curiosity what floor are you playing on. Im wondering how much difference the wheel choice is making.

[sdcopp 1]

well, the initial runs were at an outdoor rink that is known for being a very loose surface that necessitates the softest wheels you can find, as well as in my garage.

It has since been refinished at the park, and that will be one place the new ones get a test run at. I will also be testing them out at the skating rink, which is a roll-on floor and necessitates a slightly harder wheel. It was a real toss-up between Grippers and Formula G's since both come on a 78a hardness, which is ideal for a roll-on surface as well as the new finish at the outdoor rink.

[Sprungster 5]

I thought it would be fun to look at the 8K mountup along with 9K mashup.

[Spreedizzle 1]

Good lord. That 9K has to be the best look skate that I have ever seen. Simply unreal.

Are you currently working on any type of factory negotiations about having Sprungs mounted from the factory on their boots? Or is this mainly toying with the idea currently?

[Sprungster 5]

I thought it would be fun to look at the 8K mountup along with 9K mashup.

"Good lord. That 9K has to be the best look skate that I have ever seen. Simply unreal.

Are you currently working on any type of factory negotiations about having Sprungs mounted from the factory on their boots? Or is this mainly toying with the idea currently?"

Sometimes the best of all worlds sort of co-exists with the one we live in. ;)

[Spreedizzle 1]

(non-chalantly cleaning up the pool of drool on my desk here at work) :P

[mattzilla 0]

the 9k looks pretty nice... but that 8k is the sexiest thing ever. the more black the better. eventually im gonna have completely blacked out gear... and i'll be the sexiest man alive.

[Grinder 2]

Keith,

I'm still getting used to the feel of the frames, but I can't say enough good things about your product. I'm wondering if I've got the frames a little too far forward (pic on pg 106, the ugly missions). I put them 3/8" back of center, but it feels like I can't really dig in with my toe when I'm accelerating hard. That could be just getting used to the all 76 wheel size vs my old 80/72, but I'd like to know your opinion.

Thanks in advance!

[Sprungster 5]

Keith,

I'm still getting used to the feel of the frames, but I can't say enough good things about your product. I'm wondering if I've got the frames a little too far forward (pic on pg 106, the ugly missions). I put them 3/8" back of center, but it feels like I can't really dig in with my toe when I'm accelerating hard. That could be just getting used to the all 76 wheel size vs my old 80/72, but I'd like to know your opinion.

Thanks in advance!

They look a little toeish. Since you mounted them with t-nuts you can stretch the holes toward the heel some with a Dremel barrel grinder and probably get them just right. I've done this a few times when I missed. It is sort of hard to line the frames up with your eye at the center, because of the angle of the frame and boot sole in the center. The t-nuts are very forgiving, though.

The true test is having the wheels in the frame and double checking the front to rear placement.

[bill33 0]

grinder.

I noticed that you used some sort of epoxy on your missions. what kind of epoxy. What kind is it and how is it holding up?

[Spreedizzle 1]

I do the same thing to guard against wear of the boot. Just any standard 2 part plastic based epoxy works great.

[Rick 0]

Keith,

I guess I am never satisfied but I was wondering. I have a like new pair of CCM 655 Tacks boots. When I got them they had had an ice blade removed. Then I mounted a chassis, didn't like it and removed it and filled the holes with epoxy and mounted an E-Frame. Now I'm thinking that I would like to try my Sprungs on that boot but it would be chassis or mount # 4 for those boots. Is that a bad idea? I don't want to ruin the integrety of the boots sole.

Thanks

Rick Henry

[Sprungster 5]

Keith,

I guess I am never satisfied but I was wondering. I have a like new pair of CCM 655 Tacks boots. When I got them they had had an ice blade removed. Then I mounted a chassis, didn't like it and removed it and filled the holes with epoxy and mounted an E-Frame. Now I'm thinking that I would like to try my Sprungs on that boot but it would be chassis or mount # 4 for those boots. Is that a bad idea? I don't want to ruin the integrety of the boots sole.

Thanks

Rick Henry

It sort of depends on where the new holes are. If they fall right between old ones or at the edge, it gets pretty dicey. I have two pair of good boots that have been mounted too many times and I don't trust the soles anymore. They have a perforated line that looks like the center of the sole would punch right out of the boot.

[Rick 0]

Keith,

Thats what concerns me about my 655's. The boots are good right now but making another chassis change may push them over the edge. I think I will leave well enough alone with those boots.

Thanks Again,

Rick Henry

[Spreedizzle 1]

Keith,

Thats what concerns me about my 655's. The boots are good right now but making another chassis change may push them over the edge. I think I will leave well enough alone with those boots.

Thanks Again,

Rick Henry

Usually when boots have been punched through as many times as you are mentioning it is best to either let them be, or you could try using all copper rivots as they have a larger pull surface on the interior of the boot, thus distributing the loads of the chassis better thoughout the sole of the boot. It is a thought you could potentially pursue.

[Grinder 2]

grinder.

I noticed that you used some sort of epoxy on your missions. what kind of epoxy. What kind is it and how is it holding up?

It's actually a product called 'Shoe Goo," and it's about $5 a tube. It's a little soft, but it wears well and it's light in weight. Once a patch wears thin, I just put another blob over it. It sets overnight, and doesn't stink up the whole house. As you can tell by my boots, I play a rough and tumble game, and this stuff adds another season onto my skates.

I played my first game in my Sprungs last night. We play in a smallish barn - tight checking games with a lot of stop and go. I was concerned about whether the longer wheelbase of my Sprungs (about 3/4" longer than the RL's stock chassis) would hinder manoueverability and acceleration (not that I have a ton of either). Not a concern! The Sprungs are fantastic. Improved grip, and much easier transitions from forwards to backwards. My skates were holding firm through tight turns, instead of slewing and skidding. I liked the feeling that I was playing on a rockered blade that carved a steady track through turns. I can't prove it, but I felt like I was maintaining a higher speed throughout the game. We play on a painted but bumpy cement surface, and the vibration through the skates usually leaves the ball of my foot sore and soreness in my knees. That was not present after the game last night, and I'm guessing it's from the suspension taking the edge off the vibrations. Once I move the frame back another 1/4", I think I'll be set.

Quite a few of the guys there had a look at the chassis, and were really impressed with the construction and design. Thank you, Keith, for a terrific addition to the game.

[97dad 0]

Will any of the frames fit on a Graf junior size 3?

[bill33 0]

I just got back from my first game on the sprungs.

I had no warm up and had not even tried them around the house because of having them mounted.

I really thought that there would be a big adjustment period, but I felt totally comfortable on them right out of the gates. Normally play D with a little O mixed in as the team gets tired or have a real opportunity. I was able to really cut and push against people and there was no slippage. Really happy with that. Did not notice any lack of speed forwards or backwards and transitions were great. Actually felt like my backwards skating was greatly im proved.

Ended up playing a second game and started getting even more comfortable on them.

They feel great.

I cant wait to see how they feel as I get even more comfortable with them.

[sdcopp 1]

got my Tour boots a few days ago, Sprungs came in today and both went to the shop for mounting. They'll be done before I get my wheels in the mail Friday, so this weekend, possibly Monday I'll have pics up.

The TR8000 boot is still good after a decade, it's just a tad shorter than last yrs Wicked boots and a tad softer outside and in than my Wicked 7's. The memory foam and soft leather is like wrapping a pillow around your foot. The boot itself has a real aggressive forward pitch, so I know I'll have a good knee bend in them :lol: . I'll update with pics and probably a review as I plan to get to the rink this weekend and do the 5-8yr old obstacle course

in lieu of some of the color schemes I've seen people put together, mine are going to look simple. Black and White boot, with just a hint of red trim, white frames and new red Formula G's. The Bones Reds I couldn't get to seat in the Trinity's on my Boss skates will hopefully also make the cut. I'm looking forward to another go round.

[sdomm 0]

damn you keith you highjacked my skate before i could post pics, i have the all black and silver look going on my grafs with the rink rats and black laces. showed my ass up. chassis are amzaing, never thought i could get so much power into my turns while skating backwards as well transitioning so quickly and smoothly from foward to back. it took me about 15 mins to get use to them, i don't know if it's because i've been on hummers for the past year, but i was really surprised at how comfortable i felt so quickly. after 14 years of hockey this is only the second product that i'm 100% positive is making a serious impact on my game, ops's being the only other. thanks for all the product help pver the past few months and excellent customer service, eventually i'll get a picture up.

[Abilectic 0]

Judging by the reactions in some of those posts I may have to give these a whirl some time in the future. Although I am pretty happy on my Hum'ers

[sdcopp 1]

mine are here, they're done and.....voila

initial impression of the new model is much better than the old, looking forward to taking them for a good spin in the next week or so and reviewing after

[nyrmetros 0]

I thought it would be fun to look at the 8K mountup along with 9K mashup.

wow. those are both incredible.

Does anyone have a picture of the sprung frames on a Rbk 4k or 5k? I have both models, so I was just curious.

[sdcopp 1]

Judging by the reactions in some of those posts I may have to give these a whirl some time in the future. Although I am pretty happy on my Hum'ers

you know, I'm really happy on my Vanguards, but these are definitely worth a whirl. The worst case scenario now that I have the new ones is they will be beater skates for outside (wheel swap of course) or taking to the outdoor rink to go smash some pucks.

I did roll around the house a bit last night, and the new model is more in line with what I expected. The frames are much more solid feeling than the old ones are, no more nose dives. Trying to stand still on them is next to impossible though, as every little shift in stance or weight distribution gets a reaction from the frame. The wheelbase is looooong at a standing position with your weight in the suspension. The turning is a bit sharper than a standard frame, as the near V shape urethane marks on my kitchen floor shows. I feel confident in really testing this model now, the old one was almost immediately apparent in the garage that it was far too soft for me. There are two areas I am most concerned about, mostly due to my skating style:

-The big first and second steps. When I first started playing hockey many many moons ago, I was also speedskating. If you ever watch speedskaters from a dead stop they have a few big steps to burst and then settle in to their stride. While not entirely practical, playing stop and go hockey can lead to situations where your suddenly stopped and needing to burst up the floor. The suspension may soak up some of the push given my size and the strength/power/effort(whatever you want to call it) that I put into those big steps. I may not be fast, but I've always been quick with those and it is a key for me when I play seriously as opposed to pick-up park hockey.

-East-West skating on D. The cutting of the Sprung is great, but the longer wheelbase leads me to fear clipping my other skate on a backwards crossover playing D. Hummers made me feel like once I had commited to a side, I couldn't cut back the other way to make the play if a good forward decided to deke. I have less fear of this on the Vanguards as the wheelbase is enough shorter to not be an issue. The Sprungs may excel, or may leave me on my back.

Overall the A6 model is an outstanding product, and I'm not disappointed with my purchase. It may not turn into my go-to skate (skating them will tell), but in a bind to get out on some wheels the Sprungs wouldn't be something I would pass on.

[Rick 0]

Keith,

Do you still have some of the new A8 chassis in stock? If so are they all white or are their other colors?

Thanks

Rick Henry