Cages...

[vek 0]

My old Itech i2 (white inside, black out) is rusting pretty badly after a good 4 years of use.... I was doing a search, and the latest and greatest seems to be the new Bauer 9500.

To fellow cage wearers - should I try the 9500, or will I miss the i2 contrast going from it to the bauer? Are the thinner bars better for visibility/puck tracking than the white colour?

[woody15 0]

Neither, switch to the ccm 480, it's amazing.

[starsfan71 9]

I had a 480 and hated it on my nikebauer helmet it was fine on my 652 get a 9500 i picked one up 2 nights ago it's sweet. I would get an itech honestly it wil fit the best.

[Nico 0]

I went from 8500 cage to the 9500. To me, it was a noticeable difference, the 9500 was lighter and the bars were definitely less obstructive.

My vote is for the 9500 cage

[interpathway 9]

+1 for the 480, either Jofa or CCM.

[CapsFan 5]

I'm a fan of my 8500, but I've never tried the 9500. The bars are thin and light.

[althoma1 575]

I like my Itech Titanium (bought used...I don't think I could stomach paying the $200 Canadian it goes for around here), however; I haven't tried the Bauer 9500. Bauer claims it offers 20% more visibility than other premium models, but I don't know how they tested that. If someone actually has used both I'd certainly be interested to here their feedback...I wasn't looking to change, but if the 9500 actually does offer 20% better visibility I may consider it.

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

I'm pretty happy with my Itech Titanium.

[jrhky36 1]

480 also.

[dangler16 0]

when I had to wear the bird cage it was a 480 WHITE.

[Theodoras 0]

i love the I2. great for the price as well.

[HattrickSwayze 3]

I just recently got a 9500 as well. I like it a lot. The bars are nice and thin, and the cage is pretty light. When I'm skating I don't even notice it's there.

What's so great about the 480??

[Somemeat 0]

i went from the bauer 8500 to the 9500 and i also notice the difference..i like the 9500 a lot better

[theWB 2]

If you are concerned about weight, get the 9500. I don't know exact measurements but its pretty darn close (if not the same or lighter) to the titanium when it comes to weight and its like one third of the price. If vision if your primary factor, get the white CCM FM480 or stay with the I2. I've tried both and like them equally. Hope this helps.

[interpathway 9]

What's so great about the 480??

My favorite part is that the chin cup is not attached to the helmet buckles. The 480 seems to have been around forever and I think alot of people just like the way the bars are set up.

[CheesePlz 0]

the 480 is pretty light, but cosmetically it looks the nicest

[wetwilly17 6]

you could always salvage your existing rusty cage. i've done this before and it works great. ask your buddies who has access to a sandblaster. sandblast all of the old paint and rust off. use spray primer and paint - rustoleum works great. the process is cheap and easy to do.

[Doctor Hook 0]

I've rocked the 480 in every color, currently in chrome. I agree that this is the best looking cage aesthetically. It's the college cage of choice.

Definitely try out a cage in a store if possible. Other cages have a horizontal bar that runs right across my eyes, but the 480 has perfect alignment for me.

[starsfan71 9]

To me 480's are nasty looking but great in performance. I think it just looked bad on my 5500 but I bought a 9500 along with an 8500.

[duch 0]

Another vote for the Jofa/CCM FM 480 cage. I'm rockin with the chrome model. Real sweet cage.

[slipslap 0]

I had a 480 but the chin cup kept getting knocked out of place and my chin would make contact with the actual cage part. Finally it hit the cage hard enough to split my chin open so I switched to a 9500. I've been loving everything about it accept that it doesn't look nearly as cool :P but besides that its great!

[cptjeff 0]

I'll add another recommendation for the 480. Bars are set up well, and the cage fits on the face just right. I borrowed a 5500 with an older Bauer cage recently, the thing just didn't fit. It was too short, I had to play with my chin out of the chin cup for it to work. Really a pain.

The 480 may not be the lightest, but you know what you're getting and it's a pretty sure bet.

[boogaard 0]

the 480 in white is sick and the vision is good

[Too Old 1]

Is there any worth to having old cages redone? The reason I ask is I'm able to get metal parts refinished and coated with an aluminum suspended in polymer material. Very similar to chrome. Also a black color finish is available.

[Neal 41]

Is there any worth to having old cages redone? The reason I ask is I'm able to get metal parts refinished and coated with an aluminum suspended in polymer material. Very similar to chrome. Also a black color finish is available.

Would depend on cost. $10 to have my old cage refinished and I'm in. $15 maybe, $20 probably not, $25 no way.