Should I Go For a Longer Holder/Runner?

[Jason 65]

I ordered my custom Total Ones with 272mm holders unmounted because I wanted to mount them myself. My right skate is an 8C/AA and the left is a 7-3/4 in the same width. My last pair of skates were custom One95's which had 272's on them and I installed Step XL steel which is even longer than the LS2.1 steel.

I'm wondering what you guys think about mounting a 280mm holder on these skates if I can fit them without any overhang. Would they be too long? They appear to fit okay. I was thinking of putting on regular Step steel instead of the XL and then going XL on my next set of steel if I think I can go even longer. Does this seem like a minimal change? I'm liking the way I'm skating now with the 272 XL, but I'm always looking for that extra edge to take my game to the next level. Any input is appreciated.

[Chadd 916]

A 9' radius is a 9' radius, no matter how long the steel is. It won't put any more steel on the ice, even if you go up five sizes of holder.

[Jason 65]

I'm on an 11' radius right now. It seems to me that the with the radius only being on the middle 3/4 of the blade that you could potentially have more blade on the ice if there was less taken off of the toe and heel when profiling. When I went from LS2 to LS2.1 to Step and then Step XL, it seemed like I was getting a bit more blade on the ice, but that was probably because the steel was on a longer profile. I've increased it from 9' to 11' in increments over the years.

I was thinking more about the final portion of my stride when pushing off of the toe or in a sharp turn when my weight is on the heel of the blade. It would feel different it seems to me because you're sort of outside of the profiled area in those cases. I used to round off the toe and heel quite a bit and now I leave them way flatter. I think it has improved my stability, stride length and top end speed. Once again, it could be due to lengthening the profile radius, but I think it's more than that.

Chadd, do you honestly think that a skater would feel the same skating in a 306 on a 9' radius and a 272 on a 9' radius? I would think it would matter more what you did with the rounding of the toe and heel, which as I said, I leave pretty flat.

[Chadd 916]

Chadd, do you honestly think that a skater would feel the same skating in a 306 on a 9' radius and a 272 on a 9' radius? I would think it would matter more what you did with the rounding of the toe and heel, which as I said, I leave pretty flat.

Only one of those is going to be sized appropriately for the skate, using the other would result in an awkward stride.

I'm on an 11' radius right now. It seems to me that the with the radius only being on the middle 3/4 of the blade that you could potentially have more blade on the ice if there was less taken off of the toe and heel when profiling.

11" will put the same amount of steel on the ice, no matter what length the steel is.

[Jason 65]

Okay Chadd. So, I guess my question is... If it ain't "broke" with a 272mm, should I "fix" it by going to a 280mm? Which, in your opinion, is the "proper" size for a size 8 skate?

I apologize for all the quotations.

[Jason 65]

I've added a poll now so everyone can quickly voice their opinions.

[Chadd 916]

Random, drive-by votes in an online poll are always the best way to make a decision

[vaporboy12 0]

I was in the same boat on the 272 280 holder size one skates. I tried the 280 didn't really like the way it felt went back to the 272. I work at a shop so its not a hard or expensive fix. I would say its mind over matter on which you feel like. I sure if I skated on 280 more I would have liked them but didn't really give them a shot. Don't let a poll make your decision thats stupid just pick one and go with it

[skyscrape 5]

I was in the same boat on the 272 280 holder size one skates. I tried the 280 didn't really like the way it felt went back to the 272. I work at a shop so its not a hard or expensive fix. I would say its mind over matter on which you feel like. I sure if I skated on 280 more I would have liked them but didn't really give them a shot. Don't let a poll make your decision thats stupid just pick one and go with it

I have skated on 296 and 306. It is a different feeling. Albeit my 306 have custom profiling and a forward pitch and when I get really, really low(for me). I sometimes catch the extra steel in my stride. Not like a drag, just enough to notice I would like things trimmed up. I would recommend what ever fits the boot.

As for Radius. HUGE Difference in that department. The best way to explain this for me is, you are balancing on a hard curb, this is the custom radius 9/13 side for me. The 11 foot side is like a bosu ball when I am making hard transitions or in the corners. The 9ft. side!!!!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH It is a freaking tight rope! I feel like a beginner out there! The smallest changes make a huge difference!

I can not wait to have a pair of skates that FIT MY FOOT! That have the right radius and hollow!

[Jason 65]

I definitely won't make my decision on the poll alone. I was just curious to see if one choice would be the overwhelming favorite. That would weigh into my decision a little. I looked at my On95's last night and the 272's seem to be a pretty good fit on there. A person could definitely to 280, but then the heel would be sticking out quite far. How would that affect a persons skating? I would imagine it would improve stability a bit, but transitions and tight turns might be affected negatively.

[skyscrape 5]

I definitely won't make my decision on the poll alone. I was just curious to see if one choice would be the overwhelming favorite. That would weigh into my decision a little. I looked at my On95's last night and the 272's seem to be a pretty good fit on there. A person could definitely to 280, but then the heel would be sticking out quite far. How would that affect a persons skating? I would imagine it would improve stability a bit, but transitions and tight turns might be affected negatively.

Same thing I said above. I have skated on 296 and 306. It is a different feeling. Albeit my 306 have custom profiling and a forward pitch and when I get really, really low(for me). I sometimes catch the extra steel in my stride. Not like a drag, just enough to notice I would like things trimmed up. I would recommend what ever fits the boot.

When I say catch the toe I am not talking toe dragger bender dragging. I am talking extra in the front sucks! Go with what works for the size skate? What do you expect to get from going longer?

[ktang 34]

I like the blade to overhang the toe for backwards starts and acceleration. And I also like the sharpeners to not round off the front part of the blade for the same reasons. So, 280 for me.

I have 272 on size 7 1/2 8090s, and 263 on my son's size 7 1/2 One90s. I definitely miss the extra toe overhang on the backwards starts when he lets me use his skates. Going forwards and with forward starts I don't notice any difference.

[Jason 65]

What do you expect to get from going longer?

More top end speed. The potential for a longer stride due to a slightly longer toe. More stability due to the overall longer length. I'm really torn right now. I don't have time right now to get my hands on a set of 280's and compare. I will probably do it tomorrow or Thursday and make a decision then. Thanks for the input so far.

[skyscrape 5]

More top end speed. The potential for a longer stride due to a slightly longer toe. More stability due to the overall longer length. I'm really torn right now. I don't have time right now to get my hands on a set of 280's and compare. I will probably do it tomorrow or Thursday and make a decision then. Thanks for the input so far.

Do you have the 280 holders as well?

I actually felt faster in the 296 runners than I do in 306.

[Jason 65]

Interesting. No I do not have the 280's. I can get my hands on a set in minutes though. I just haven't had time in the last few days.

[epstud74 24]

What may have worked for Yvan Cournoyer probably wont work for you

I had a hard time adjusting to transition in longer steel

[SolarWind 23]

I ordered my custom Total Ones with 272mm holders unmounted because I wanted to mount them myself. My right skate is an 8C/AA and the left is a 7-3/4 in the same width. My last pair of skates were custom One95's which had 272's on them and I installed Step XL steel which is even longer than the LS2.1 steel.

I'm wondering what you guys think about mounting a 280mm holder on these skates if I can fit them without any overhang. Would they be too long? They appear to fit okay. I was thinking of putting on regular Step steel instead of the XL and then going XL on my next set of steel if I think I can go even longer. Does this seem like a minimal change? I'm liking the way I'm skating now with the 272 XL, but I'm always looking for that extra edge to take my game to the next level. Any input is appreciated.

I'm really not sure 280 would fit on 7 3/4 C/aa?!

the smallest size Bauer normally puts 280 is 8.5 E, and even 8.5 D they start putting 272, and of course there's a bit room left but not much

for my customs I've upsized the holders from 272 to 280, but my smallest skate is size 8 1/4 D and the holder is taking all the lenght end-2-end so have you looked into the feasibility of this whole idea?

[skyscrape 5]

Interesting. No I do not have the 280's. I can get my hands on a set in minutes though. I just haven't had time in the last few days.

Well there you go. just re-profile. You will be carrying less weight on the skate. It feels kinda awkward to skate with steel that is too big! And that is too big! I wear a 14.5 running shoe but I stuff my feet in a 11.5 ee. So I actually go down in size to keep them feeling nimble. Longer steel is like skiing with race ski's vs hockey skates. I can haul ass straight line, but high speed cornering or hard full speed turns at the blue line are work when you use longer steel. You may not be using that part of the runner, but it is still out there somewhere. Plus I bet if the holder is too big it will change the way the boot flexes. Kinda like spreading the wheels out on a sports car. You need some seriously strong legs to make the high speed theatrics on those skates! I am now going to a smaller boot, smaller holder, smaller steel, and...........smaller radius. New holders are 50 a pair and steel is at least 50.00 a pair. Then there is labor 30.00 for the holder work and just to be nice a free sharpening. Oh, and a profiling if you are deserving. So with the bro deal it is 130.00 to give it a shot or just reverse it if you order custom skates when you might switch back to the holder you are skating on now. Just a thought.

[Jason 65]

What may have worked for Yvan Cournoyer probably wont work for you

I had a hard time adjusting to transition in longer steel

Did "The Roadrunner" use longer blades on his skates? If so, it sure did work for him.

[skyscrape 5]

Did "The Roadrunner" use longer blades on his skates? If so, it sure did work for him.

Good luck with it! But I believe a different profile will net you more straight line speed before the extra steel will. Let us know!

[Jason 65]

I'm really not sure 280 would fit on 7 3/4 C/aa?!

the smallest size Bauer normally puts 280 is 8.5 E, and even 8.5 D they start putting 272, and of course there's a bit room left but not much

for my customs I've upsized the holders from 272 to 280, but my smallest skate is size 8 1/4 D and the holder is taking all the lenght end-2-end so have you looked into the feasibility of this whole idea?

I didn't even think about it until my boss and a coworker told me that the unmounted 272 holders looked small for the boot. I think they are a tiny bit short. The outsoles on supremes seem to be a bit short in the heel. If I put a 280 on it will go from the very front of the outsole to the very back with maybe a hair of overhang at the heel. I still haven't decided, but I'm leaning towards staying on 272.

[skyscrape 5]

I didn't even think about it until my boss and a coworker told me that the unmounted 272 holders looked small for the boot. I think they are a tiny bit short. The outsoles on supremes seem to be a bit short in the heel. If I put a 280 on it will go from the very front of the outsole to the very back with maybe a hair of overhang at the heel. I still haven't decided, but I'm leaning towards staying on 272.

Have you thought about the 2.1 power? That supposedly gives you more steel at the same holder size. That with a different radius(11ft. stock) like 9/13 combo or 10/15, would put more steel in contact with the ice.

[Jason 65]

I'm already using Step XL steel which is longer than 2.1.

[Jason 65]

Despite the poll telling me to go longer, I decided to stay at 272. I'm really liking the way I'm skating lately on my One95's, so... Thanks to everyone who offered an opinion or voted. Cheers.