Upgrading my Easton S15's Lacing

[interpathway 9]

Just purchased Easton S15's on closeout ($315 all said and done) and have been very happy with them. I came from RBK 9Ks (pre-Reebok name change), my favorite part of which were the lace-locking system. I prefer a tight lower foot, think the first 7 eyelets, followed by a loose top 3 or 4 to aid in my forward flex.

Without the lacelock this was a challenge, so I decided to transfer my 9K locks onto my S15s.

A single phillips head screw driver will take off the lacelocks. I then used a slim bolt to go through the S15 eyelet of my choosing, attached it using a single nut (nut placed outside of skate, bolt head placed on the inside of the skate) and used a rivet clipper to take off the remaining bolt. Below are photos of the hardware needed and the finished product.

Have pictures, will upload them in a bit. Thanks for reading!

:edit:

The Hardware.

Flat head placed through the boot, from the inside.

Finished, aside from clipping the bolts down to size.

Laced up.

Finished product.

I am hoping to skate at pick-up tonight at 9:45, and will update this post with my thoughts.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

Just purchased Easton S15's on closeout ($315 all said and done) and have been very happy with them. I came from RBK 9Ks (pre-Reebok name change), my favorite part of which were the lace-locking system. I prefer a tight lower foot, think the first 7 eyelets, followed by a loose top 3 or 4 to aid in my forward flex.

Without the lacelock this was a challenge, so I decided to transfer my 9K locks onto my S15s.

A single phillips head screw driver will take off the lacelocks. I then used a slim bolt to go through the S15 eyelet of my choosing, attached it using a single nut (nut placed outside of skate, bolt head placed on the inside of the skate) and used a rivet clipper to take off the remaining bolt. Below are photos of the hardware needed and the finished product.

Have pictures, will upload them in a bit. Thanks for reading!

:edit:

The Hardware.

Flat head placed through the boot, from the inside.

Finished, aside from clipping the bolts down to size.

Laced up.

Finished product.

I am hoping to skate at pick-up tonight at 9:45, and will update this post with my thoughts.

Let us know how it works out. I'm think about putting these on my u+ reloaded.

[chippa13 1844]

I've been considering doing the same thing to my SE16s.

[ZombieAttack27 1]

Looks fantastic... great work

[cptjeff 0]

As I'm sitting here with a sewing awl upgrading the velcro on the bottom of my pants zippers, I have to say it looks great. Much more professional then the job I'm doing, though if you cover the entire strap with tape you can't tell I have no clue what pattern I should stitch in.

Not that I really would use 'em, but I wonder if THC sells those on their own.

[stevelknievel 51]

looks good i did the same thing to mine. i took some old helmet hardware and put them in the backside of the laceloop so it was flush in there and threaded a button head screw from the outside

[interpathway 9]

Just got off of these at my weekly Tuesday night pickup.

Zero heel movement. Zero lace slipping. I am very happy with them so far, and will certainly elaborate with more thoughts as they are formed.

I was pretty sure I wasn't the only one thinking about doing this to my skates, and it looks as though I am right. One thought though, could I have the locks riveted in? I imagine this would be the ideal method of connection...

[cptjeff 0]

You could. You would just need to find the right size rivet.

[krimsanavenger 0]

Nice job, they look great.

[lurkndestroy 1]

i was pretty bummed my new skates didn't come with lace locks. Ive got a pair of destroyed 8K's w/lace locks collecting dust in my garage. thanks for the idea.

[Hooah4 12]

that looks great. what size screw were you using? Please keep us updated on the status of the tongues, etc...if there's any wear.

[stick9 896]

Just got off of these at my weekly Tuesday night pickup.

Zero heel movement. Zero lace slipping. I am very happy with them so far, and will certainly elaborate with more thoughts as they are formed.

I was pretty sure I wasn't the only one thinking about doing this to my skates, and it looks as though I am right. One thought though, could I have the locks riveted in? I imagine this would be the ideal method of connection...

Very cool, nice work too.

Ideal method might be to press-fit a threaded insert into the opening using a short screw threaded in from the outside to mount the lace-lock down. That way it's easy to replace. A little loctite on the screw to stop it from backing out, of course.

Always loved the lace-lock.

[interpathway 9]

that looks great. what size screw were you using? Please keep us updated on the status of the tongues, etc...if there's any wear.

Not sure, just found four identical ones in my father's collection drawer. The bolts were an inch and a half long, with a diameter that let them easily slide through the eyelet.

No such wear on the tongues, so far. I think the flat head on the inside of the boots sits nearly flush with the liner, so I hope none will develop. Will keep posted, though.

[start_today 773]

Wow, those do look great. I've always wished there was some after-market way to attach these. I don't think I have the technical skillz to do all that you did, but you give me hope.

I think lace locks were the best recent innovation in skate technology, I wish they had continued them on CCMs.

[dsjunior1388 81]

Anyone know where I can find a set of these? Or do I just have to go to Play it again and barter a set off some old RBKs?

[JR Boucicaut 3803]

I think an online retailer sells them, I think HockeyX.

[wildebeest 0]

Have you noticed if you've gained any more volume in that part of your boot? Seems like you would get a pretty decent amount by moving the lace holes forward what looks like 1/8" or so each.

[ZombieAttack27 1]

I think an online retailer sells them, I think HockeyX.

Confirmed:

http://www.hockeyx.com/hockey/product.asp?...mp;dept_id=3131

[rtwng20 0]

Instead of using the nuts on those try going to a local hardware store. I don't know what they are called but the nut part would be flat with little locking things on them. The threaded part would goon the inside of the skate and the phillips head would be on the outside. I'm sure if you take your skate with you and kind of describe what you want they will have what I'm talking about. Sorry I couldn't come up with a name for you if I do I'll post it for you. By the way they are really cheap.

[interpathway 9]

Have you noticed if you've gained any more volume in that part of your boot? Seems like you would get a pretty decent amount by moving the lace holes forward what looks like 1/8" or so each.

Not at all. The plastic lace lock itself is a bit flexible and acts as little more than an extension of the lace itself. The point of contact between laces and boot is still the hardware through the boot's eyelet itself, so with the slightly flexible plastic they react virtually the same.

Also considering that the amount of volume gained from a potential 1/4" addition is nonexistent noting the close proximity of the neighboring eyelets.

Still liking the skate tremendously...

[Jarick 5]

Will definitely try this on my next pair of skates, brilliant!