RBZ vs. RBZ 60 (and new member intro)

[Surly D 2]

Pro stock would be another option, but you have to know what you want and do your research.

I'm curious about this statement. I understand there is no manufacturer warranty on pro stick sticks and that sales are final. I understand pro stock curves may vary compared to retail sticks. Is there something else I need to know?

Forgive me if this is a beginner question, but I want to make sure I'm not committing some common pro stock beginner mistake. Thanks.

[XveritasX 13]

I'm curious about this statement. I understand there is no manufacturer warranty on pro stick sticks and that sales are final. I understand pro stock curves may vary compared to retail sticks. Is there something else I need to know?

Forgive me if this is a beginner question, but I want to make sure I'm not committing some common pro stock beginner mistake. Thanks.

Those are both true. The biggest thing with pro stock sticks is that they are great value, but there is no guarantee you will find that stick ever again.

[Xero117 7]

I'm curious about this statement. I understand there is no manufacturer warranty on pro stick sticks and that sales are final. I understand pro stock curves may vary compared to retail sticks. Is there something else I need to know?

Forgive me if this is a beginner question, but I want to make sure I'm not committing some common pro stock beginner mistake. Thanks.

Some sticks may not be what it actually looks like (eg. mako's painted to look like stealths) so when buying pro-stocks try to get them at the same time. This is to guarantee that you will be using a stick with the same curve and flex if one breaks so you don't have to worry about adjusting to a stick with a different curve or flex.

[Surly D 2]

I tested some more sticks at my LHS today. Here's what I determined after a few short minutes:

I shot lasers with the TotalOne NXG. This sick is light without feeling flimsy and the balance is superb. I'm going to buy one as soon as they go on clearance or when I get a hefty gift card, whichever comes first.

APX was also nice, but I didn't like the mid-kickpoint as much for wristers.

Easton RS2 was also nice, but I didn't like the feel of the shaft as much as the NXG.

There weren't any Reebok sticks to shoot with, but I held a few that were on the rack (20k, 14k, Ai9). They all felt very blade heavy! This quickly made me lose interest in the 9k/11k option.

I checked out the Warrior Widows on the clearance rack and I was very pleased with the feel and balance of them. I walked out with a 75 flex in a Zetterberg curve. This will be my whippy stick for messing around at sticktime.

EDIT: I ended buying a Warrior Diablo, not a Widow.

[907amiller 0]

I tested some more sticks at my LHS today. Here's what I determined after a few short minutes:

I shot lasers with the TotalOne NXG. This sick is light without feeling flimsy and the balance is superb. I'm going to buy one as soon as they go on clearance or when I get a hefty gift card, whichever comes first.

APX was also nice, but I didn't like the mid-kickpoint as much for wristers.

Easton RS2 was also nice, but I didn't like the feel of the shaft as much as the NXG.

There weren't any Reebok sticks to shoot with, but I held a few that were on the rack (20k, 14k, Ai9). They all felt very blade heavy! This quickly made me lose interest in the 9k/11k option.

I checked out the Warrior Widows on the clearance rack and I was very pleased with the feel and balance of them. I walked out with a 75 flex in a Zetterberg curve. This will be my whippy stick for messing around at sticktime.

Just an FYI, the NXG is the mid kick stick for Bauer; whereas the APX is a lower kick profile.

[Surly D 2]

Just an FYI, the NXG is the mid kick stick for Bauer; whereas the APX is a lower kick profile.

You are right. For some reason I had them mixed up in my head. I did like the NXG more than the APX in either case.

[907amiller 0]

You are right. For some reason I had them mixed up in my head. I did like the NXG more than the APX in either case.

Oh for sure. In the end it all comes down to preference, that why it was of a clarification that anything else. I mean no matter what you think it is, if you shoot better, then you shoot better. For me personally, I have a TotalONE and don't like it at all, especially for wristers and snap shots; I do think if I had a different curve I would love it. Right now I use an RS and an 11k and I love them both, the low kick feels great for me in my wristers and snapshots.

[Surly D 2]

For me personally, I have a TotalONE and don't like it at all, especially for wristers and snap shots; I do think if I had a different curve I would love it. Right now I use an RS and an 11k and I love them both, the low kick feels great for me in my wristers and snapshots.

I noticed when trying out sticks that, for me, blade pattern affects my shot more than flex does. Flex plays a part in how I shoot, but an aggressive curve to me is more difficult to adapt to than a different flex.

For example, I tried a low flex (75 I believe) Mako with a relatively straight curve and I loved it. It was a little too whippy for my liking, but I was accurate with the curve pattern it had.

When I tried the 85 flex (which I tend to prefer for wristers) with a more aggressive curve, I hated it. I had to really try to keep my shots down. I couldn't hit low corners or 5-hole without rotating my wrist towards my forehand, sort of "cupping" the blade over the puck before I shot. It was uncomfortable to use with my particular shooting style.

[907amiller 0]

I noticed when trying out sticks that, for me, blade pattern affects my shot more than flex does. Flex plays a part in how I shoot, but an aggressive curve to me is more difficult to adapt to than a different flex.

For example, I tried a low flex (75 I believe) Mako with a relatively straight curve and I loved it. It was a little too whippy for my liking, but I was accurate with the curve pattern it had.

When I tried the 85 flex (which I tend to prefer for wristers) with a more aggressive curve, I hated it. I had to really try to keep my shots down. I couldn't hit low corners or 5-hole without rotating my wrist towards my forehand, sort of "cupping" the blade over the puck before I shot. It was uncomfortable to use with my particular shooting style.

I would agree for the most part, the pattern really does make a huge difference, but I have found a curve that I really like so now it is all about flex profile and flex rating.

[icewalker_bg 126]

There's a few things wrong with that post yes. The 20k is far, far from blade heavy, very solid, durable, lightweight and very well balanced stick.

[Surly D 2]

There's a few things wrong with that post yes. The 20k is far, far from blade heavy, very solid, durable, lightweight and very well balanced stick.

I'm sorry if my opinion of the 20k doesn't agree with yours. I found it to be blade heavy.

In fact, every Reebok stick I picked up felt blade heavy to me. Several reviewers on Hockey Monkey seem to share my opinion.

The Monkey Sports employee who was helping me said Reebok sticks haven't been selling well because most people who pick them up say they are blade heavy. Look at all the Reebok sticks on clearance at Hockey Monkey's website.

To each his own.

[AIREAYE 248]

I'm sorry if my opinion of the 20k doesn't agree with yours. I found it to be blade heavy.

In fact, every Reebok stick I picked up felt blade heavy to me. Several reviewers on Hockey Monkey seem to share my opinion.

The Monkey Sports employee who was helping me said Reebok sticks haven't been selling well because most people who pick them up say they are blade heavy. Look at all the Reebok sticks on clearance at Hockey Monkey's website.

To each his own.

I'm with icewalker; that sounds incredulous. The 20K is a very well balanced stick.

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/reebok-hockey-stick-20k-full-grip-sr.html

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/reebok-hockey-stick-20k-dual-grip-sr.html

There was only 1 person out of 7 who said anything about the 20K being blade heavy, and that person has perviously used APXs, T1s, S19s etc. Exceptionally well balanced sticks themselves. It should be of no surprise when that perosn compares them. It's relative and I believe that you are biased from reading reviews about these other Reebok sticks.

[TeamHonda401 54]

In fact, every Reebok stick I picked up felt blade heavy to me. Several reviewers on Hockey Monkey seem to share my opinion.

The Monkey Sports employee who was helping me said Reebok sticks haven't been selling well because most people who pick them up say they are blade heavy. Look at all the Reebok sticks on clearance at Hockey Monkey's website.

To each his own.

Picking up a stick in a store and actually playing with a stick are two completely different things. If I were to judge my 9k's just by how they feel when they were untaped and I was just standing in my living room holding it, I'd say it was blade heavy too. However, the second I step on the ice and start playing with it, it feels perfect to me. Similar scenario with trying on skates versus actually playing/skating in them. I've read a ton of threads on here saying that when someone bought their skates they felt great in the store, but when they got them on the ice they hurt like hell and had to exchange them for something else.

How something feels in a store is only half of the picture.

p.s. I wouldn't put too much weight behind those HockeyMonkey reviews. I don't know how many of those I've read only to come upon something like this in the last sentence of a review, "overall this (insert item here) is probably the best I have ever used, and I plan on buying one soon".

[Surly D 2]

There was only 1 person out of 7 who said anything about the 20K being blade heavy, and that person has perviously used APXs, T1s, S19s etc. Exceptionally well balanced sticks themselves. It should be of no surprise when that perosn compares them. It's relative and I believe that you are biased from reading reviews about these other Reebok sticks.

Check the reviews for the 9k and 11k too and you will find more complaints about those sticks being blade heavy. I held with my own hands a 20k, a 14k, and an Ai9. They all didn't have the balance I look for in a stick.

I was actually excited to see positive reviews for both sticks on this thread, seeing as the 9k is about $100 on clearance. I know it's not the best comparison, but in handling a few Reebok sticks in the store, in my opinion they were blade heavy.

I wouldn't say I am biased. The way I see it, my experience matches a few of the reviews I read. The store employee even agreed. I feel I gave them a fair consideration.

This is all subjective though, so it's pointless to argue. All I know is based on what I've seen of Reebok sticks, they're not for me.

Again, to each his own.

Picking up a stick in a store and actually playing with a stick are two completely different things. If I were to judge my 9k's just by how they feel when they were untaped and I was just standing in my living room holding it, I'd say it was blade heavy too. However, the second I step on the ice and start playing with it, it feels perfect to me. Similar scenario with trying on skates versus actually playing/skating in them. I've read a ton of threads on here saying that when someone bought their skates they felt great in the store, but when they got them on the ice they hurt like hell and had to exchange them for something else.

How something feels in a store is only half of the picture.

I'll grant you that. But in my experience no other stick has felt as unbalanced as Reeboks in the store. Key words: "in my experience."

For what it's worth, the Warrior Diablo I picked up felt well balanced both in the store before I bought it and taped it up, as well as after when I played with it.

I'm not trying to rag on you guys who like Reebok sticks or complain to those who suggested I check them out. I'm a believer in updating forum threads to reflect my findings. I was documenting my experiences for two reasons:

1. For me to be able to come back later and read my initial impressions, and

2. For anyone else who may have been in my situation and wants additional insight.

Sorry if I struck a nerve with Reebok fans.

[icewalker_bg 126]

I am no Reebok fan. And have just about every high end stick on the market right now in my closet to compare to my 20K, and unless I am having issues feeling things, saying that the 20k is VERY blade heavy just sounds ridiculous. You can have an opinion, but in your case its just like saying Ferraris are VERY slow cars.

Depending on how you held and where you placed your hands on the 20k, or even the 11k, it might feel being slightly blade heavy at times to you, but something is definately not right to suggest that they are very blade heavy, doesnt make sense to me sorry. Good luck with the Diablo.

[bolt91 31]

From my experience, Reebok sticks are blade heavy as well. Like you said, to each their own.

[Surly D 2]

I am no Reebok fan. And have just about every high end stick on the market right now in my closet to compare to my 20K, and unless I am having issues feeling things, saying that the 20k is VERY blade heavy just sounds ridiculous. You can have an opinion, but in your case its just like saying Ferraris are VERY slow cars.

Depending on how you held and where you placed your hands on the 20k, or even the 11k, it might feel being slightly blade heavy at times to you, but something is definately not right to suggest that they are very blade heavy, doesnt make sense to me sorry. Good luck with the Diablo.

I held the Reebok sticks the same way I held all the other sticks.

I agree. If saying the 20k is "very blade heavy" would be ridiculous, then it's a good thing I didn't use the extra adjective myself. You took it upon yourself to add that in.

[icewalker_bg 126]

I tested some more sticks at my LHS today. Here's what I determined after a few short minutes:

There weren't any Reebok sticks to shoot with, but I held a few that were on the rack (20k, 14k, Ai9). They all felt very blade heavy! This quickly made me lose interest in the 9k/11k option.