Dialing in my stick flex in Bauer TO NXG

[endomaniac 2]

Hello MSH. First post and need some help.

Been loyal to the Bauer Supreme 95/Total One/NXG stick line. Experimented a TON with with varying stick lengths and flexes. Variables that I am now set on and will NOT change are:

stick length = 57 inches (cut senior by 3 inches)

Blade = P88

Flex profile= TO (not Nexus or Vapor/Apex line)

Here's the issue. I am stuck between full length Intermediate 75 (feels too noodly, pucks bounce off on hard passes, wrist shots hard but tendency to go high, passing and shooting not accurate) VS Senior 77 cut done to 57 inch/88 flex point (significant loss of shot velocity,harder to do quick/short range type saucer passes)

In essence, I'd really prefer something right between the effective 75 and 88 flexes.

I know I'm a picky guy. Any suggestions? Thx

[XveritasX 13]

Maybe cut down a SR 77 flex more than you normally would and put a Ogie grip in it? Conversely you could cut down an intermediate by a few inches and add a wood extension. Either of these solutions will only effect the flex by a couple of points though.

[Souldriver 64]

i wouod go with the senior and grow into it. making it even a half inch longer would keep the flex down a bit and it seems like youre still growing so youll grow into it.

[endomaniac 2]

Thx for the suggestion. I would try it but I don't have good experience with adding extensions (get loose after a while) andcutting down would also be ireeversible.

My sweet spot is really in low 80's for the Supreme line. I've thought about other Brands (Warrior or Easton) but don't want to spend the $ experimenting (I only buy top of line sticks).

I aint growing (adult).....maybe if I work out a bit more but that'd be too much work LOLThe senior is the lesser of the two evils right now. One inch longer for thje senior gets me to a closer but slightly stiff 84, but then my skating suffers (less aggressive stance/knee bend and don't turn as sharp).

I know, I know. I'm finicky.

[Chadd 916]

I would order up a custom oggie grip and install in the senior to add more flex. If you don't want to do that, then all of the issues with the intermediate can be solved with practice. The issues with the senior on the other hand will require some time at the gym.

[endomaniac 2]

Thanks Chadd!

Trust me, I really want the intermediate to work! Played half a season with it so far and love the lightness and effortless wrist shots. But I squeeze the stick too hard come crunch time when I NEED a goal and end up goalie headhunting.

I think I might try both options here (Oggie grip with SR and practice with Intermediate)and see how it goes. I've been going back and forth a while.....so the "feel" is hard to get accustomed to. Maybe I should just stick with the Intermediate. Sorry for the above contradictions but that's where I'm at right now.;)

[jbatafuco 6]

Order from myBauer or the customizer on Great Skate. You can order an 82 flex

http://www.greatskate.com/9619/MyBauer-Supreme-TotalONE-NXG-Sr-Flex-Custom-Composite-Stick/detail.html

[KoT 2]

Chadd

How the Ogi Grip can affect flexibility?

[endomaniac 2]

Thx Jbat

The custom 82 flex is 60 inch pre-cut. ( I need 82 flex at 57 inch)

At my ideal stick length (57 inch), the jump from 75 to the 88 is too big.I don't know why Bauer doesn't cover this gap.

[Souldriver 64]

i know flex is a big preference but i think if you do a little more work at the gym and a bit more technique wise the slightly higher flex will be no problem at all. and imho may improve your game in other areas too. not trying to say youre bad now or anything just saying thats the best for this situation imho.

i use a vapor apx thats originally 87 flex but i cut it down (im only 5'7") to the point the shaft reads 107 flex and its great. makes playibg with my old uncut 95 flex cyclone feel lok a noodle that i cant get any energy on.

im even thinking of buying a ai9 aubban prostock thats rated at 100 flex but i thi k after cutting down a pro length stixk itll be too much... hut thats just me.

[endomaniac 2]

Souldriver,

Yeah, stick flex is very much pp. I'm 5'9 and 190lbs and in great shape for a relatively old guy (high 30's)..I was kidding about the gym. Play 3-4x/week all year rd for 15+ yrs. I have a really good wrist shot with either the 75 or 88 flexes but I KNOW I could be better with an 82ish flex.

[Chadd 916]

I don't know why Bauer doesn't cover this gap.

To do that they would need to add:

Half a dozen curves

RH and LH

Grip and no Grip

That would be 24 additional models to produce and there would still be someone out there that would have an issue with them not offering enough options. It's roughly the same thing I said before they added the 77 flex senior option.

[Souldriver 64]

yeah then i think the best thing is manipulate stick length a little . a tiny bit more length for a lower flex or vice versa. on the off shot have you tried other brqnds that may have a flex that works with your length. but then again theyll all have flexes at different points. the blade pattern should be easy to get a comperable shape from a differnt manufacturer.

[endomaniac 2]

Chadd, makes sense from Bauers business point of view. Too bad that I happen to be stuck between the flex offerings.

I've experimented a ton already across the Bauer line (TO, APX, NXG), 77 SRs, 87 SRs, 75 intermediate, different stick lengths (1inch below chin, at the chin, at the mouth on skates etc etc)........ hasn't been a cheap process! Now that I've dialed in to exactly what I want......Bauer does not produce it.

I am open to other brands if there is a close alternative.

Again, my ideal stick is 57 inches, p88 type curve, mid-kick (TO type of flex profile), effective flex of 82 bauer after cutting to 57 inches. I get confused comparing flexes across different brands and just wary going on an expensie wild goose chase.

Any suggestions? I use only top of the line sticks (i'm a hockey snob ;)

I was thinking along the lines of Warrior AX1.

[Souldriver 64]

i think the TO is a more mid flex stick right? when i tried them i didnt like the bulky corners, i love the round apclx. easton rs sticks have that shaft feel but they wont have a comparable pattern to the p88 close ut not perfect.. ive been wanting to try the ccm rbz stick as its said to have a very hard shot, i think there is a thread on here saying the difference between the rbz and less expensive rbz60 is the blade foam.

but ty to gwt to a wtore and try them out. when trying the flex pu your top hand wherr it would be if it were a 57" er and feel it

mqn my phone typibg is horrid

[ktang 34]

Have you tried candy-caning the Intermediate 77 flex with fibreglass tape (wound counter to your blade torque)? It might add just enough stiffness and extra weight / balance for receiving the hard passes etc., while still allowing for the wrist-shot shaft flex.

[endomaniac 2]

Ktang,

I'm willing to try it. Doubt it can add 5+ to the flex rating but worth a shot. Thx!

A few more of my observations:

1) the NXG version of the 75 Intermediate was already stiffer than original TO 75 Int...but still not enuf for my liking.

2) Would have tried 75 Int APX since it is supposed to be stiffer being low kick profile.....but Bauer does not manufacture

3) The original 77 SR total one was the closest flex to my liking. Was hoping I would find them at Sports Check blowout like they did with Supreme One95's....but that did not happen and now they are next to impossible to find. Should have loaded up when I had the chance!

[Souldriver 64]

bauer says their apx has some multi flex point stuff in there, all i know is i still cant take a slapper for my life with that. i alewys can do it with my wood stick.

i do hope gou can find something suitable for you, the premium stick gake is a high priced one

[XveritasX 13]

If you can get a hold of a Nexus in 77 SR maybe try that. The flex profile is a true mid kick and from what I hear they load easier than most sticks.

[x-axis 44]

Reebok AI9 is a midkick and starts shorter(58) than the rest of their Senior line at 75 flex. It will be really close to what you want.

[endomaniac 2]

bauer says their apx has some multi flex point stuff in there, all i know is i still cant take a slapper for my life with that. i alewys can do it with my wood stick.

i do hope gou can find something suitable for you, the premium stick gake is a high priced one

Sounds like the apx's may have been too stiff. Stick technology doesn't help much if you aren't dialed into your proper flex.

If you can get a hold of a Nexus in 77 SR maybe try that. The flex profile is a true mid kick and from what I hear they load easier than most sticks.

I have this stick too :)Loved the balance and the feel, it did load very easy too but I found that I did not get the shot hardness and accuracy compared to 77 SR Original TO's (wrist shots). I attribute that to my preference for fully loaded wrist shots whereas Nexus promotes quick wristers/snappers. Even though Nexus is a mid-kick as well, I find that TO's slightly higher kick point helps my accuracy by keeping my shots down (my tendency is too high). Overpowering my Nexus 77 really caused ballooning of shots and blade opening. Never tried Nexus 87 SR though.

Reebok AI9 is a midkick and starts shorter(58) than the rest of their Senior line at 75 flex. It will be really close to what you want.

Ahhh! I remember liking this one a lot when shooting in a rapidshot simulator. I used 75 sr Datsyuk.I couldn't pull the trigger at the time though (as I had no issues with original 77 TO) and also maybe bc I was too loyal to the Bauer Supreme line. Didn't realize they came in 58". I will take another look. THX for reminding me!!!

[Souldriver 64]

looks like we have a winner with the ai9. HM has some prostock if you can find a real low flex and a patern close to what you want. take a look there may be close to or over 50 different options there.

[endomaniac 2]

Reebok AI9 is a midkick and starts shorter(58) than the rest of their Senior line at 75 flex. It will be really close to what you want.

Darn it..... I just checked Icewarehous and its actually 60 inch for the senior 75. In which case, it may not be much different than 77 NXG

[flyguy1 1]

Not all sticks add the same flex after cutting 3". I'm not familiar with Reebok but maybe you can find a Reebok flex chart and see what it will be after cutting it.

[x-axis 44]

Darn it..... I just checked Icewarehous and its actually 60 inch for the senior 75. In which case, it may not be much different than 77 NXG

That's a typo. I've compared and have seen it in person. It's 58. Try calling IW to verify. They have a bunch of typos on their site, fyi.