Graf skate question

[akravetz 29]

I own a pair of 2011 Ultra G5s and everything that I have read talks about a forward pitch to the skate holder. Yet, I find that when I doing a tight turn, I feel like I am leaning back on my skates and rather than pitched forward, I am leaning back. I have tried to self-consciously correct but in a game, that's too much for me to consider.

I asked a buddy and he thought it could 1. my posture is terrible and it's me or 2. that they do have a forward pitch and my body just self-compensating. Thoughts?

I ask because I notice I lose edges more on the back of the skate than on the front so I think it is true that I am leaning back. I try to lean forward as far as I can but well, maybe I don't really.

Andy in Peoria

[jazzyjoey 2]

that's normal. your weight should be on your heels during a tight turn.

[arcsinice 6]

On balance (no pun intended) Graf appropriate a forward pitch on their blades, not their holders (great holders, btw). Their boots such as the G5 do have a bit of a forward pitch but not so much so as opposed to at least two other brands as to be that significant. Graf's forward pitch is again in the runner via the raised heel. If you examine the runner you'll readily note a greater amount of height in the heel of the runner to that of the toe and this is what more than anything pitches you fractionally forward which some have no problem with, others, especiallly those coming from the Bauer/TUUK set-up which place your weight more on the heels notoriously take a long time to adjust to.

Typical sensation............. You feel on the glide stroke that the entire rear half of the blade is floating and not making contact with the ice, right? And/or that the entire rear half of the blade is not making contact during your power stroke, right? If this is the sensation(s), I would suggest having the runners profiled (and ONLY by a shop that has TEMPLATES as profiling/radiusing cannot be done without a template no matter who purports they can "profile" without templates and if they do........, run, run hard and fast away, period). I would suggest going with a neutral pitch (0mm) for starters and staying with Graf's factory 11 foot radius for the moment. See if that does not calm things down. If you still are experiencing floating in the rear afterward (and give the change a good three to five hours minimum over three or four days to make the adjustmment on your part........), then consider re-radiusing from the neutral 0mm to a -.3mm to an absolute maximum -.5mm from center pitch point which puts you more back on your heels. Smart money says the neutral shift will make matters right.

In the future if you want to play around you could lengthen or shorten the radius depending upon your height/weight, your general needs, have the heel and toe fractionally and I mean fractionally at most "softened" (rounded) but, of course, still keep the balance/pitch point where it has been. Profiling for the neophyte is a work in progress and many times it takes about five to six variations to get an idea of what works best for you and yes, you will be eating through blades but it's all a part of the process. The beauty of Graf's blade design is such that removal - replacement is easy (always coat the male/female interface of the bolt and nut with a teflon lubricant - Finish Line dry teflon bike chain lube - and do not overtighten) and you can mark a given match set of radiused runners with magic marker (and make notes, too) so that if you swap out blades you know what you're on, e.g., radius, pitch point, etc.

I favor longer radius, much flatter hollow to that of the status quo.................

If no one (a shop) in your area exists (I have no idea who is rummaging around your neck of the woods) that can do this work as it must be performed as aluded to early on - template only, I know of one operation in the country who can and do and I'll recommend them as per your request. They're v. good, you're looking at around $40.00 after all is said and done with a one day turnaround.