New Reebok Stick Line

[Jarick 5]

I hear that. You need the most variety in the minimum amount of patterns, otherwise there's inventory problems. And I'm sure that's what happened with the Smyth curve.

A 5 lie Recchi type mid-toe curve (squarer toe) and a 6 lie Lindros type mid-curve (rounder toe) covers the bases pretty good. If you've also got the Modano, Sakic, and Drury (or Lidstrom) clones, that's probably all you need.

[K9 Unit 1]

just as long as you don't change the p38 (my perfect curve...including the toe) lol...i do agree that rbk doesn't have as many of those open faces curves though

[NWoodhockey17 0]

isn't the new spezza curve supposed to be similar to the drury/AO curve?

[OllieCCM 1]

isn't the new spezza curve supposed to be similar to the drury/AO curve?

Yes. The Reebok Spezza curve is the same as the popular CCM Ovechkin curve.

[OllieCCM 1]

A quick reminder that Friday will be my last day answering your questions. After that, I may pop in once in a while but I'll leave the discussions to you.

Here's my final question to the group. What's the #1 change, addition or improvement you'd like to see with Reebok sticks next year?

Thanks in advance for all your comments.

[ovechkin_368 0]

I have never used the retail version so i dont know how much the pro stocks differ, but personally i believe the graphics are the best part, it is simple but it gives such a sleek futuristic look to the stick. The weight it also very well preportioned very light but not too light to affect your stickhandling. All in all it is a very good improvement of the the sickick.

[Gummer12 134]

First of all, Thanks for putting up with all of us. As for changes, I would only say to keep the people you have in place. The step you took from last year to this year is a huge one in the right direction. Just keep up the good work, and don't be a stranger, feel free to pop in anytime.

[JGraz15 55]

I would like to see the addition of a high end tapered shaft that mirrors the quality / performance of the 10K.

The retail Sakic curve would be nice to have as well. Thanks!

[Jarick 5]

Here's my top three for what I believe would make Reebok more successful at retail:

1. Have a price point OPS under at $99.99 retail that is decent (most guys I know won't spend more than that)

2. Get a Sakic clone at retail

3. Keep doing what you're doing; it seems like everything's moving in the right direction, and you have to build a fan base

Here's my top three that would make me personally try a Reebok product:

1. High end tapered shaft and blade combo

2. A Recchi and/or Lindros pattern

2. A solid price point OPS at $99.99 retail (I'll probably check out the 6k if they go on sale or something)

[TBLfan 25]

Tapered shaft.

Probably the best way to get me to by a retail stick would be an optional warranty. Whereas no warranty means cheap, high-end stick.

[K9 Unit 1]

well for me would be

price...any high end ops thats cheaper than the others would definitely grab my attention

i love for rbk to keep the looks going...especially the rbk logo at the heel of the blade

and the fine line between durability and performance, not many companies have found the perfect balance yet but some are getting close =)

[SirJW 207]

$99 or less price point stick is a great suggestion and I still stick w/ my suggestion that an exact Synergy Gaborik clone would sell out.

[Chadd 916]

$99 or less price point stick is a great suggestion and I still stick w/ my suggestion that an exact Synergy Gaborik clone would sell out.

They couldn't give away Gaboriks in my area. There are major differences from region to region.

[stuie7 6]

1. High end tapered shaft and blade combo

+1, definitely.

[Jarick 5]

I don't think the tapered combo would be a huge seller, but I certainly like them. Seems to me on my beer leagues, half the team would use price point OPS, a handful would use high end OPS, a couple would use a combo, and a couple use wood. And most of the combo guys are using cut down broken OPS with a wood blade.

[OllieCCM 1]

well for me would be

price...any high end ops thats cheaper than the others would definitely grab my attention

i love for rbk to keep the looks going...especially the rbk logo at the heel of the blade

and the fine line between durability and performance, not many companies have found the perfect balance yet but some are getting close =)

Here's Reebok's best kept secret for 2009...the new 8k. It was built to offer high-end performance at a lower price. It's actually lighter than pretty much every other high-end stick in the marketplace but less expensive.

$99 or less price point stick is a great suggestion and I still stick w/ my suggestion that an exact Synergy Gaborik clone would sell out.

The 6k and 5k are both $99 or less and offer good performance for intermediate level players. For recreational players, I typically recommend the 4k but the 5k offers a couple of nice upgrades.

[DEATHTRON 19]

Here is one that I think will get alot of users in your lineup. Offer an extended warranty or no warranty at all.

60 day warranty. Ive seen first hand it sold Mission quite a few sticks around my area, just educate the staff on it, extended warranty for no rise in price will sell sticks (or should).

Or

Offer no warranty and lower price...that would help sell sticks, but to be honest, Ive seen alot of broken RBK/CCM sticks and would probably lose customers...so maybe do the extended warranty.

Zach

[1stLiner91 0]

Are there ever going to be toe curves manufactured by Reebok?

Smyth is probably the only toe curve out there when it comes to retail.

I absolutely love my 10k.

[tamtamg 12]

Are there ever going to be toe curves manufactured by Reebok?

Smyth is probably the only toe curve out there when it comes to retail.

I absolutely love my 10k.

was the smyth curve really a toe curve? I thought it was mid-toe at best. I guess my definition of a toe curve is different than most.

[HattrickSwayze 3]

The Smyth wasn't even close to a real toe curve. It looked more like a mid-banana if anything. This picture is from someone who was just selling a Smyth curve. I don't know how Warrior could call this a toe.

[Lemieux 66]

A quick reminder that Friday will be my last day answering your questions. After that, I may pop in once in a while but I'll leave the discussions to you.

Whoa! That means I need to get in my questions quickly! :)

-What is the function of the Power Ports? The recent literature talks about being aerodynamic. Seriously?? If I remember correctly, the Power Ports in the 9K O-Stick also served to reinforce that area, reduce shaft rotation, etc. Why is Reebok not mentioning all of that "ACCURACY" stuff this time? Not a marketing focus? Not enough space for the advertisement? Not the purpose of the technology to begin with?

-What exactly is the new "matrix weave construction" and how does it increase shaft stability? Is the material exceptionally resilient against torsion? How come you decided to use a materials approach instead of a design approach (e.g. Easton S17, Warrior Kronik, CCM Octogun?) to reduce torque?

-Can you explain how having individual carbon fibers maximizes energy transfer? How much benefit do individual fibers add to the overall contribution of the shaft shape/design?

I realize that my questions are very "techy", but it's not every day that I get to talk to a stick product manager. Any time I talk to a rep I just hear the same stuff that I can read out of a catalogue. I just want to understand the R+D that exists beneath the marketing jargon.

[bekster 0]

Hey Ollie,

are you also in charge for the euro Reebok sticks? If so, can you tell me if there is any difference in the construction or if they are made in a different factory?

The patterns are totally different. Curves are 5, 10, 11 and 19 and for wood (rbk 3k) also 4, 23 and 32.

As far as I know the 3K is made in Finland, is that true?

My suggestion/wish for the euro reebok sticks ;) :

- make the #23 pattern available in OPS or comp blades! Would be a BIG seller over here! (Its a nice 5 lie mid-toe)

If you are not in charge for the euro line:

- more 5 lie curves

- 5 lie toe curve (or a 5 lie modano with a toe hook)

[OllieCCM 1]

A quick reminder that Friday will be my last day answering your questions. After that, I may pop in once in a while but I'll leave the discussions to you.

Whoa! That means I need to get in my questions quickly! :)

-What is the function of the Power Ports? The recent literature talks about being aerodynamic. Seriously?? If I remember correctly, the Power Ports in the 9K O-Stick also served to reinforce that area, reduce shaft rotation, etc. Why is Reebok not mentioning all of that "ACCURACY" stuff this time? Not a marketing focus? Not enough space for the advertisement? Not the purpose of the technology to begin with?

-What exactly is the new "matrix weave construction" and how does it increase shaft stability? Is the material exceptionally resilient against torsion? How come you decided to use a materials approach instead of a design approach (e.g. Easton S17, Warrior Kronik, CCM Octogun?) to reduce torque?

-Can you explain how having individual carbon fibers maximizes energy transfer? How much benefit do individual fibers add to the overall contribution of the shaft shape/design?

I realize that my questions are very "techy", but it's not every day that I get to talk to a stick product manager. Any time I talk to a rep I just hear the same stuff that I can read out of a catalogue. I just want to understand the R+D that exists beneath the marketing jargon.

Concerning the Power Ports, we're simplifying the message with the 808. The basic concept is that air flows through the shaft, reducing drag, increasing swing speed and power. The 808 still offers accuracy but we wanted to focus on the power story.

The matrix construction reduces torsion, not the material. The material we used reduces weight without sacrificing durability.

Finally, in most OPS sticks, the blade and shaft are built separately and then connected together using various techniques. Essentially, the carbon fibers in the shaft don't connect to the ones in the blade reducing energy transfer. With Pure Fiber Technology, the stick is molded as one. As a result, the same fibers that run through the shaft run all the way down to the blade maximizing energy transfer.

I hope that clears up your questions.

[Jarick 5]

What's the difference between the 6k and 8k sticks? Are both true one piece? And does one or the other have a stiffer or more durable blade?

[deadmanjolt 1]

Any plans to offer the IW or MS curves in a comp blade/stick?