Sent Wrong Flex...Break Easier?

[Zamboni 6]

My son received a 77 Flex from Bauer as a warranty replacement. He was using an 87 Flex Senior, big kid (about 180) but doesn't take a lot of slapshots. He wants to use the 77 flex, I'm for returning it....thinking it will break when he 'loads up' for wrist shots? Its practices when he has time to really lean into the stick that concern me.

Anyone have insight on this, will the 10 points of flex compared to 87 allow him to bend the stick too much? Its a Bauer Vapor APX, expensive stick or I'd just let him go ahead without asking.

[steelnation248 102]

If he has never used a 75/77 flex stick, I would say let him try. I prefer that flex range even. Instead of leaning into my shots more with a higher flex, I can load them up just as much easier and quicker. It's all personal preference though. To your original question though, I have used flexes from 67-95 to find what I like and I haven't broken a stick yet (I am newer to the sport though)

[Anjin-san 29]

Are you cutting the stick down at all? If so that will increase the stiffness.

[gerbe3:16 19]

Just my personal opinion, I don't think the 10 points will be that much of a deal as far as him breaking it upon flexing on a perfectly unflawed stick, especially if he is not breaking 87 flexes just from simply loading up and shooting. When it breaks, it'll probably be because it had a weak point after getting slashed or taking a good nick from a skate and at that point when it does break, perhaps in the act of shooting, I would think a 77 and and 87 would both break no matter what anyway.

Just my 2 cents.

It's a shame these things are so expensive that we get to this point but it is what it is.

[Raft 0]

A number of Pro's use this flex profile and break stick at the same pace as players who use 112, it is all about preference. As Anjin-san Said if you are cutting it down it will increase the stiffness of the stick.

[skyscrape 5]

My son received a 77 Flex from Bauer as a warranty replacement. He was using an 87 Flex Senior, big kid (about 180) but doesn't take a lot of slapshots. He wants to use the 77 flex, I'm for returning it....thinking it will break when he 'loads up' for wrist shots? Its practices when he has time to really lean into the stick that concern me.

Anyone have insight on this, will the 10 points of flex compared to 87 allow him to bend the stick too much? Its a Bauer Vapor APX, expensive stick or I'd just let him go ahead without asking.

I am 300 lbs and used 112 flex then 102 flex regularly. I recently switched to 87/90 flex and I have a much quicker shot and have not seen any issues with durability due to the flex. If he wants to try it...I say go for it. It may take a second to feel it out, but it might be better for him.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Actually it is the opposite...people think stiffer sticks last longer. But they are designed to bend less.

[fatwabbit 93]

I started out with a medium flex, then went with a stiff flex... At one stage I deviated and went with a 75 flex (down from 110). There was obviously more flex, but didnt affect the durability of the shaft/stick. Only sticks Ive broken were due to one having a hard slash, and the other was my primary for over 2 years before it just popped.

[Chadd 916]

The only time a lighter flex becomes an issue is when someone has a shooting motion that involves an extreme amount of down force to load the shaft. If you have to put everything you have into making a 100 flex stick load (usually on a slapper) and use the same motion with a 75, you're going to break it. If you actually feel the stick load and release, you aren't going to break it with your shooting motion.

[tareatingrat 4]

He also, you know, might not like the 77-flex.

I've tried a good chunk of the flexes out there, and 77 felt waaaay too noodly to me.

Hate to waste that money on a stick he may not like.

[Chadd 916]

Hate to waste that money on a stick he may not like.

That is irrelevant because:

My son received a 77 Flex from Bauer as a warranty replacement.

One thing that nobody has mentioned is that:

I'm for returning it....thinking it will break when he 'loads up' for wrist shots?

They usually give you the closest thing they have in the warehouse. I have never seen them take back a warranty replacement and give you something different. There is no guaranty that your warranty replacement will be exactly what you originally purchased.

[Zamboni 6]

That is irrelevant because:

One thing that nobody has mentioned is that:

They usually give you the closest thing they have in the warehouse. I have never seen them take back a warranty replacement and give you something different. There is no guaranty that your warranty replacement will be exactly what you originally purchased.

Good point; I should have realized that....Bauer probably sent us the closest stick to requested they had. Glad there weren't numerous posts of people breaking lighter flex sticks when they tried one...I'll let him use the 77 flex.

Big tourney, draft year....good to see he's not feeling any pressure and willing to try a different flex etc

[CvO 0]

They usually give you the closest thing they have in the warehouse. I have never seen them take back a warranty replacement and give you something different. There is no guaranty that your warranty replacement will be exactly what you originally purchased.

A few years back I received a 100 flex from Easton when I sent them an 85 flex. I contacted them about the issue and they asked for proof that I sent an 85. I resent my receipt that had the stick listed as 85 flex and they sent me another stick. They also sent a fedex label for me to return the 100 flex.