Reebok Ai9 or 11K Input?

[Mathyou 0]

Okay so as of right now I am between the TotalOne and the S19. I love the durability of the S19 but I dislike the flex profile and the feel of the stick. I love the TotalOne's feel but I have issues with the durability of the shaft becoming too soft way to quickly (TotalOne lasts me 5-7 games before it is unusable for me).

I cannot find any feedback on the Reebok Ai9. How is the puck feel and how durable does the stick seem? Also looking at possible trying the 11K.

[raganblink 82]

11K will be low-kick like your S19.

Ai9 will be closer to performance and feel like your TO.

If you like the feel of the TO but hate its durability because it becomes too soft, a) go up in flex with TO, or try out Ai9. You wouldn't like 11K based on what you've said.

[Scotty 8]

5-7 games before you supposedly whip out a TO? Something's not right with that picture....

[Mathyou 0]

I play with a 102 Flex TotalOne and I cut it down 1.5 inches. I am really strong and hard on my sticks. I am 5'9'' and a solid 210 pounds, I play defense and I play really hard (really not afraid to play aggressive along the boards with my stick). I rip a lot of slap shots and I get my full weight into the shaft. Normally the mid flex point in the total one shaft gets really soft on me.

The totalone also seems to open up more than I like on slap shots (the blade). My S19s blade is really good at staying stiff and allowing me to get more on my shot but like I said I hate the flex profile of the stick. I also take a ton of snap shots.

Basically I am looking for a stick similar in feel to the TotalOne that can be a bit more durable and doesn't allow the blade to open up on slap shots as much.

[skyscrape 5]

The APX doesn't open up nearly as much as the total one. The profile is slightly different, but I went from 102 flex total one to a 95 flex APX. I get a lot more out of my shots with the apx and it is much more accurate than the total one as well. As far as whipping out...who knows.

[HockeySavants 5]

I'm about the same height/weight and unload a lot of power in my shots too, but no way do my sticks only last me 5-7 games.

There is definitely something in your shooting technique that is the cause for the premature breakdown of your stick.

I haven't seen your shot technique but all signs point towards it.

I have an Easton ST for almost 7 years and still shoots strong.

The flex shouldn't have that much of an impact on your wear either, consider how your slap shots are taken to see if you unloading the power on the puck and not slamming it on the ice.

I've much better luck with snap shots anyway, I can shoot just as strong and all the power goes straight to the puck.

This is not the best video but will best demonstrate a decent snapshot:

Some people have the impression that a slapshot requires you slam the blade on the ice. Snapshots also allow you to use more of your heel vs your toe and can be a lot more accurate.

If you take tons of slap shots, work on your technique so that you can create that consistency.

[AIREAYE 248]

5-7 games before you supposedly whip out a TO? Something's not right with that picture....

Agreed, the T1 is supposed to be quite a durable stick, perhaps you got one from a bad batch? The Ai 9 was just released into the market last month so you probably won't get a good idea as to the durability of the stick.

[icewalker_bg 126]

The 11k is not very durable if compared to the 808, the ai9 is supposed to be the new 808 from my understanding so it should be much more durable than the 11k

[Rockingsquat 4]

The durability of the TO is shit compared to its predecessor that's nothing new and pretty expected considering as light as hell it is. I found the 2011-2012 TO models to be a lot more durable.

The APX completely outruns the TO in my book, vapor's shape shaft, dual flex zone, good blade feel.. a rare case where the specs translate on the ice ! but at 250 a piece they can stick them up theirs.

About the Ai9, it's slightly heavier and not as balanced as the TO. The shaft is too thick and boxy for me. The graphics look cheap ... anyho pretty disappointed just messing with it in the shop. Maybe on the ice it's a different story tho

If I were you I would go for a x60, a versatile stick. Plus you'll get the latest versions and they are on sale now.

Everyone hates the blade but it's always better than the TO.

Don't bother with the 11k, you'll probably destroy it in no time and for the Ai9 let the golden kids enjoy the teething troubles.

[Mathyou 0]

I did own an X60 at one point in time but never used it much because the one I acquired had a blade pattern I could not stand.

My understanding is that the APX has the same blade as the TO? But the APX won't open up as much when I unload a shot? How have APX's been holding up?

Basically I need a stick that has great puck feel, has a ridged blade that doesn't open up from slap shots, and is good for ripping snap shots as well, and is decently durable. Weight is not a huge issue as any stick over $150 are plenty light for me. I am open to suggestions from any stick manufacturer. I also prefer mid flex sticks rather than low kick sticks.

I really appreciate all the input so far guys. I really just want to be informed when I spend my next $500-$700 bucks on my next batch of sticks.

[skyscrape 5]

The apx blade is not the same as a total one blade. The composition of the core is different and the feel is different. I think it does not open up due to where the flex zones of the stick are. I would say with the power you must be putting into your shots, you should be able to flex both flex zones so the stick will not completely feel like a low kick stick. Just an idea. I love taking slap shots, but take more snap shots now with this stick. For me it is worth the extra 20 bucks.

[bubaloo 6]

Apx gets my vote as I am very similar to you. 5'9 210 pounds and a slap shot junky. However, I blew a the apx in 20 days and about 6 ice times. Im not sure if it was a bad stick or durability issue.

I dont think your going to find everything your looking for as I have been since i started playing. Something will always be sacrificed.

Dont buy an AI9 I have one and think its a POS :)

[Rockingsquat 4]

The TO is extremely well balanced, light as fuck, the way it loads and kicks/pops is unique (it almost shoots by it-self). BUT it has a shitty blade, you trade the amazing one95 blade feel for "lightness". It spoils it all.

The APX has a decent blade feel, excellent shaft geometry, a dual flex-zone that works great. BUT it's not as well balanced as the TO, you don't get this amazing pop.

Overall the APX is a better stick, more complete.

I strongly NOT recommend you to crack your bucks on a stick that has just hit the market, go for something that has been on the market for a while on which issues have been addressed.

You may wanna try the new U+ CL, dynasty and RS too.

The stick you want was the one95 and it's nearly impossible to find anymore.

[skyscrape 5]

The TO is extremely well balanced, light as fuck, the way it loads and kicks/pops is unique (it almost shoots by it-self). BUT it has a shitty blade, you trade the amazing one95 blade feel for "lightness". It spoils it all.

The APX has a decent blade feel, excellent shaft geometry, a dual flex-zone that works great. BUT it's not as well balanced as the TO, you don't get this amazing pop.

Overall the APX is a better stick, more complete.

I strongly NOT recommend you to crack your bucks on a stick that has just hit the market, go for something that has been on the market for a while on which issues have been addressed.

You may wanna try the new U+ CL, dynasty and RS too.

The stick you want was the one95 and it's nearly impossible to find anymore.

The new CL is garbage! Shooting is horrible. Torques open more than any other stick I have ever used. As far as the pop goes, I noticed that with the same flex the Total one has more pop, if you step down in flex the apx has more pop. I still agree with the guys on here about mechanics though. I am 6'6 300 lbs and lean into all my shots and my total one's hold their pop better than my one95's did.

[Mathyou 0]

Okay so I am not the only one who feels the TotalOne's blade opens up (torques) too much when you take a slap shot? I get phenomenal power in my wrist and snap shots with it though. But unless I am in perfect position for a slap shot the blade opens and causes the shot to flutter too often (and playing mens B league not every 1 timer pass is perfect so I can't use perfect form on every shot... also don't blade this problem on me because this does not happen with my S19s at all).

So what I am hearing is the APX should be a good fit for what I am looking for but the durability has not been tested because it is a fairly new stick on the market?

[skyscrape 5]

Okay so I am not the only one who feels the TotalOne's blade opens up (torques) too much when you take a slap shot? I get phenomenal power in my wrist and snap shots with it though. But unless I am in perfect position for a slap shot the blade opens and causes the shot to flutter too often (and playing mens B league not every 1 timer pass is perfect so I can't use perfect form on every shot... also don't blade this problem on me because this does not happen with my S19s at all).

So what I am hearing is the APX should be a good fit for what I am looking for but the durability has not been tested because it is a fairly new stick on the market?

I feel you on the one timers. It is my new favorite by far. All personal preference though. I will let you know about the durability. I play 3-4 times a week so I will get past 6-7 uses pretty fast.

[bubaloo 6]

Okay so I am not the only one who feels the TotalOne's blade opens up (torques) too much when you take a slap shot? I get phenomenal power in my wrist and snap shots with it though. But unless I am in perfect position for a slap shot the blade opens and causes the shot to flutter too often (and playing mens B league not every 1 timer pass is perfect so I can't use perfect form on every shot... also don't blade this problem on me because this does not happen with my S19s at all).

So what I am hearing is the APX should be a good fit for what I am looking for but the durability has not been tested because it is a fairly new stick on the market?

Try an Apx for sure, go with a 112 flex if you think it will help. i found the 102 to be pretty easy loading at my size and the 112 to be a little harder to get snap shots off.

but dont quote me on the durability. like i said i busted one pretty quik. I hope it was a one time thing. Its an awsome stick though despite that.

[romdj 26]

If you like everything about your s19 except for the flex profile then why not going withthe eq line?i think that taking it with an extra 5-10 flex on it since it's not a lowkick with the same blade will really give you full satisfaction...