Composite Stick for a Newb

[black hills tj 5]

Looking for a decent composite stick on a budget. I don't need anything crazy. I just play beer league 1-2 times a week, and I'm just getting into hockey. Is the Easton Synergy Elite 2 in a 65 flex with zetterburg curve worth anything? What do you guys suggest? College kid just getting into hockey so I'm trying to get the best bang for the buck.

[tamtamg 12]

Nothing wrong with getting a solid wood stick like the sherwood 5030. Your development and your wallet will thank you.

[Scotty 8]

There are now better mid-range offerings in composite sticks than there have ever been. You can get sticks for fairly "cheap" (in terms of one-piece stick prices) that rival what used to be the high-end sticks. You mentioned a 65 flex stick, but mentioned that you're in college? That's an intermediate level stick, so unless you're an extremely tiny guy for your age, you're going to most likely need something bigger/stronger.

[Machinehead2k5 32]

Bauer x40 sells for about 100 bucks. Pretty good stick for a beginner.

[goaliemanshark 6]

Also im assuming the Synergy Elite 2 is the Easton SE2.

[lib310 0]

I would go with the 2 piece route. Good performance and you can play around with patterns. You can get a good beginner shaft for around 60 dollars. Wood blades are cheap and you can get mid range composite blades for around 35 dollars

[Machinehead2k5 32]

I would go with the 2 piece route. Good performance and you can play around with patterns. You can get a good beginner shaft for around 60 dollars. Wood blades are cheap and you can get mid range composite blades for around 35 dollars

That's not a bad way to go either. I first started out that way with a Z-Bubble and wood blades.

[coolpeoplearewildfans 0]

hockeytron brand sticks are a good deal. if you buy the middle grade one you can add a basic grade one to your cart for free.

[black hills tj 5]

Nothing wrong with getting a solid wood stick like the sherwood 5030. Your development and your wallet will thank you.

I currently have a wooden CCM Vector 85 flex, and, honestly, it will work just fine for me for a while until I get better. Just considering my options.

There are now better mid-range offerings in composite sticks than there have ever been. You can get sticks for fairly "cheap" (in terms of one-piece stick prices) that rival what used to be the high-end sticks. You mentioned a 65 flex stick, but mentioned that you're in college? That's an intermediate level stick, so unless you're an extremely tiny guy for your age, you're going to most likely need something bigger/stronger.

I'm 5' 8" 150lbs. Just looking to try some different flexes.

hockeytron brand sticks are a good deal. if you buy the middle grade one you can add a basic grade one to your cart for free.

I'll take a look at it. Do you have to use a discount code or anything to add the basic one for free?

[Scotty 8]

I'm 5' 8" 150lbs. Just looking to try some different flexes.

Considering you're about my height, you'll likely have to cut most sticks down a little bit, effectively making them stiffer. I'd look for something in the 75 flex range if possible. Easton, Warrior, and Bauer (the big 3 brands of sticks) all make sticks in that flex.

Someone else suggested going the shaft/blade route and that's honestly a great idea. In the craze and common use of one-piece sticks now, not many people even consider shafts much. Personally, I prefer a shaft/blade combo. If you could find a used composite shaft for cheap in the right flex, it's probably your best best along with a wood blade. That way you can experiment with different curves once you get a good feel for things and it will also be a bit cheaper.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

I started with an X40, and then moved up to a One80 once I decided I actually did like hockey. I think the next thing I'm gonna do is go get an EQ50 shaft, because Easton has wood blades that are pretty inexpensive so I can experiment. Once I find what I like, I'll buy one of the more expensive composite blades in that pattern. If I were starting over, I'd honestly go buy a hockeytron shaft and a couple different blades.

The one thing I'm unsure of now is whether I want to go with grip or not... I like the feel in my bare hands, but I'm not sure what advantages or disadvantages there are of grip vs non-grip.

[Chadd 916]

Nothing wrong with getting a solid wood stick like the sherwood 5030. Your development and your wallet will thank you.

If you replace wood sticks when they go soft or crack, you will spend more on wood sticks than on composite.

[Zombies #77 10]

I alternated between an Easton SE2 and a wood Easton Sy50 (both Zetterberg curve)for almost 2 years (once a week) and loved them both. The blades gave out on both, but they were great while they lasted. I now use a 2 piece Dolomite with an easton hybrid blade and am even happier with this set up.

[s_franchise 5]

I still like my x40, for the price you cant beat it. i hope maybe the 4.0 coming out will have a better feel though. 100$ you cant beat the features and weight.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

I still like my x40, for the price you cant beat it. i hope maybe the 4.0 coming out will have a better feel though. 100$ you cant beat the features and weight.

I unfortunately didn't know what flex was when I bought my stick, so I ended up with I think its a 102... before I cut a bunch off. I can't flex the thing even if I lean on it. Live and learn, I guess. Its just a backup anyway.

[black hills tj 5]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm really considering a Tron Legacy and a basic if they are still offering the buy one get one deal. I'll get a couple different curves to try them out if I go that route. Or I may just get one of their shafts and find a couple wooden blades to try

[AIREAYE 248]

Good luck finding a senior 75/77 flex shaft though. You can take a look at some 70 flex Warrior intermediate shafts.

[regularjoe 1]

Good luck finding a senior 75/77 flex shaft though. You can take a look at some 70 flex Warrior intermediate shafts.

I haven't bought one or looked for one in awhile but doesn't Warrior put out a 75 flex shaft or has that changed?

[AIREAYE 248]

I haven't bought one or looked for one in awhile but doesn't Warrior put out a 75 flex shaft or has that changed?

Yeah they offer 75 flex SR shafts but for the OP at his height, a higher flex INT setup would work better.

http://www.hockeydawgz.com/servlet/the-52182/Warrior-Shaft-Only/Detail

actually good luck finding this too lol. IIRC we also have a Warrior Johnson shaft at 70 flex INT.

[steelnation248 102]

Good luck finding a senior 75/77 flex shaft though. You can take a look at some 70 flex Warrior intermediate shafts.

Reebok, CCM, Warrior, Sherwood, and Bauer all make senior 75/77 shafts. Easton makes a senior 70 flex.

[AIREAYE 248]

Reebok, CCM, Warrior, Sherwood, and Bauer all make senior 75/77 shafts. Easton makes a senior 70 flex.

I honestly haven't seen a lot of 75s in any shops around here. better luck online I suppose.

Easton makes 70 SR? Wow I didn't know that lol which models

[steelnation248 102]

I honestly haven't seen a lot of 75s in any shops around here. better luck online I suppose.

Easton makes 70 SR? Wow I didn't know that lol which models

Oh yeah, I looked online. I agree that they are much easier to find online rather than in stores. Haha

The EQ50 shaft is a 70 flex senior. I believe Warrior offers the Dolo shaft in 70 flex INT. That is easier to find online as well though.

[s_franchise 5]

I unfortunately didn't know what flex was when I bought my stick, so I ended up with I think its a 102... before I cut a bunch off. I can't flex the thing even if I lean on it. Live and learn, I guess. Its just a backup anyway.

I moved down form a 100flex total one to an 87flex x40. i can tell the difference in my accuracy based on not having to flex so hard.

[black hills tj 5]

I'm pretty short, so depending on the stick I may have to cut the stick down. So if I need to cut it down, I need to start with a lower flex than what I want to get the flex I need. The wood CCM Vector I have now is labeled as an 85 flex, but I'm not convinced the thing flexes at all when I shoot.

[ponder 0]

I honestly haven't seen a lot of 75s in any shops around here. better luck online I suppose.

Easton makes 70 SR? Wow I didn't know that lol which models

75/77 flex senior shafts are readily available at the better hockey shops near me (Vancouver), but yeah, agreed that the OP might be better off with a stiff intermediate. Especially when learning I think it's important to use a fairly whippy stick, if you can't flex a stick you end up compensating with poor technique (just relying on blade speed instead of using the flex in the shaft for power like all good shooters do), and as a beginner it's tough to flex sticks because you haven't got the weight transfer/timing/mechanics down. Hell, I'm 6', 180-185 lbs, have been playing hockey at various levels for nearly 20 years, and my snapper is still better with a 75/77 than an 85/87.

I'm pretty short, so depending on the stick I may have to cut the stick down. So if I need to cut it down, I need to start with a lower flex than what I want to get the flex I need. The wood CCM Vector I have now is labeled as an 85 flex, but I'm not convinced the thing flexes at all when I shoot.

Yeah, give an intermediate a go, at 5'8" you'll likely be chopping off a few inches even on an intermediate, something in the 70ish flex range should be stiff enough, and even a 65/67 flex should be fine for you IMO. It'll help you learn to really use the flex of the shaft when you shoot, just make sure to put some good pressure on your bottom hand when shooting, whippy sticks shoot best when you get a nice bend out of them.