Reebok Ribcore v Bauer APX2

[lovejotd 1]

I am big Bauer fan and been using the lop of the line vapors for the past 5-7 years. I got my hands on a reebok ribcore at a demo day, and found it to be very nice. What do you think the differences between those two sticks? I haven't used the APX2 yet but had about 6 APXs over the past couple years. Has anyone used both and can tell me the differences?

[hckysticks 1]

I have the Ribcor and I love it.

[Rockingsquat 4]

The ribcore is definitely the stick to buy this year, it has essentially RBZ kick with a very decent blade. It's an "easy" stick.
The apx2 is very similar to the first APX ; I even found the blade to be not as good as the original APX, same goes with the RBZ stage 2 that still has a terrible blade (down to PP ofc, but it's an "extreme" blade that does not forgive with 0 feel and extremely thick and stiff, it's a bit better than the RBZ mark1 but it's still really poor) and it has lost the massive kick of the original RBZ.
It's been a long time RBK hasn't pull out a stick of that quality, I would support them if I was in the hunt for a new stick.

The Mako2 was excellent as well last year, havent tried any new easton ever since tho.

[ChrisMolnar 14]

I love my APX2's, but they're not stock/retail models. I ordered 9 custom models that seem to have a much stiffer blade than stock ones that I've tried. As for the Ribcore, I really wasn't a fan. I found it to be actually TOO lite to use. I couldn't get a good feel for the puck and kept just completely missing it while stick handling.

[lovejotd 1]

The ribcore is definitely the stick to buy this year, it has essentially RBZ kick with a very decent blade. It's an "easy" stick.

The apx2 is very similar to the first APX ; I even found the blade to be not as good as the original APX, same goes with the RBZ stage 2 that still has a terrible blade (down to PP ofc, but it's an "extreme" blade that does not forgive with 0 feel and extremely thick and stiff, it's a bit better than the RBZ mark1 but it's still really poor) and it has lost the massive kick of the original RBZ.

It's been a long time RBK hasn't pull out a stick of that quality, I would support them if I was in the hunt for a new stick.

The Mako2 was excellent as well last year, havent tried any new easton ever since tho.

I thought the only difference between apx and apx 2 was improved blade? are you saying the blade is worse? I have the apx and I think the blade is by far the worst part of that stick

I love my APX2's, but they're not stock/retail models. I ordered 9 custom models that seem to have a much stiffer blade than stock ones that I've tried. As for the Ribcore, I really wasn't a fan. I found it to be actually TOO lite to use. I couldn't get a good feel for the puck and kept just completely missing it while stick handling.

How did you get custom models? 9? damn...

[IPv6Freely 2097]

Is the "pre-loaded" thing a load of marketing crap or does it actually have some science backing it up?

[tricore 4]

Evidently, HockeyMonkey did a review of the top 5 stick just out and gave the Ribcor the win.

http://www.totalhockey.com/support.aspx?pg_id=5009&cp=mp_main&ad=botb

Ultimately if Reebok is ahead of the tech curve we'll see the competition out next year with their versions, right. I have the Ribcor 85 flex with Crosby P87A and it beats my Easton V9E 85 flex E3 and CCM RBZ Stage 2 85 flex Nugent-Hopkins P19 easily.

[lovejotd 1]

Evidently, HockeyMonkey did a review of the top 5 stick just out and gave the Ribcor the win.

http://www.totalhockey.com/support.aspx?pg_id=5009&cp=mp_main&ad=botb

Ultimately if Reebok is ahead of the tech curve we'll see the competition out next year with their versions, right. I have the Ribcor 85 flex with Crosby P87A and it beats my Easton V9E 85 flex E3 and CCM RBZ Stage 2 85 flex Nugent-Hopkins P19 easily.

I read this story about five times trying to figure out how legit it was, I am still on the fence about it. The key to me, is that they did not use the same curve on each stick. So I know for a fact if I used a different curve on a new stick, It would not be a good test if the new stick was better. I think change in curve makes a lot more difference then the other things. But if you read it, it sounds like ribcore wins so dominantly, that maybe that doesn't matter either.

Two things got me on the track of looking into this comparison, 1 was the article you posted and my displeasure with the apx blade, and the durability of the blade. Also, a reebok rep came to our rink and i talked to him a little bit. He said there isn't a lot of difference between the 25k and the ribcor. Does anyone know if this is true? I am not a grip guy and the 25k doesn't come in clear, so its probably not an option for me anyways...

[Souldriver 64]

This was brought up in the new covert thread, check it out there as well. The warrior rep gives a little insight on things

[Chadd 916]

Evidently, HockeyMonkey did a review of the top 5 stick just out and gave the Ribcor the win.

http://www.totalhockey.com/support.aspx?pg_id=5009&cp=mp_main&ad=botb

Ultimately if Reebok is ahead of the tech curve we'll see the competition out next year with their versions, right. I have the Ribcor 85 flex with Crosby P87A and it beats my Easton V9E 85 flex E3 and CCM RBZ Stage 2 85 flex Nugent-Hopkins P19 easily.

This comment alone makes it nearly worthless:

But first, a few words of caution about the testing process: First, even with 28 sticks it was impossible to have all the preferred patterns or flexes for each of our testers. In some cases they simply had to use a pattern or flex that was unfamiliar or less than optimal.

I thought the only TM "tech" was in the blade design?

In testing, TaylorMade technology is evident immediately. From the responsive blade to the nearly perfectly balanced shaft, the influence can be felt, if not seen, throughout the entire stick.

Appearance also shouldn't have any factor in a "best stick" competition, as every individual is going to have their own opinion and in several cases it appears that appearance was a significant factor in the rankings.

[TeamHonda401 54]

The visuals were worth the same amount of points as every other category in the test. Credibility out the window.

[IPv6Freely 2097]

I agree with credibility of the overall results being out the window, but still nice to get some comments and opinions. Just have to take it all with a grain of salt.

For me, I'm really just wondering "is it worth trying the ribcore?" and from this thread and that "study", I think it's a pretty big yes.

[lovejotd 1]

This was brought up in the new covert thread, check it out there as well. The warrior rep gives a little insight on things

Do you have a link to this thread, I cant find it...

[noodle3872 40]

I tried both the Ribcore, DT1 LT and the APX 2 yesterday at The Hockey Shop's shooting gallery. I used the P87A and W03 in 85 flex grip and P92 in 87 flex in grip. The Sakic style curve isn't my favorite but for comparison sake it works. I use the full length stick so I didn't have to compensate by choking down. I found the Reebok and DT1 LT to be a nice sticks but they lacked "pop". The APX 2 on the other hand hummed the puck.

I came away so impressed with the APX 2 that I did a MyBauer order for a pair of them with my beloved P89 curve.

[Stewie 721]

I wasnt at all impressed with the APX 2 when i tried it at Summerjam. skated with it about 20 minutes and put it away. It wasnt my preffered blade pattern, but a lot of it had to do with the feel and not so much my shots or passes etc. take that with as much or no stock that you want.

The Ribcore I played with for a while at Total Hockey. I originally was looking at the stage 2, but the ribcore just felt so good and the puck kicked off my blade really nicely. I definitely felt as though the pre loading wasnt just technical mumbo jumbo. In my understanding the main difference between the 25k and the ribcore is in the carbon grade itself, not the manufacturing. It will weigh more, but I think they were trying to keep most of the other performance on key. It feels nice too, but yes, the grip may be an issue for me too.

[lovejotd 1]

Has anyone used both the ribcor and 25k? Is the only difference the weight? or is there also a performance difference?

[Cavs019 710]

The visuals were worth the same amount of points as every other category in the test. Credibility out the window.

If anything they should have done a blind "taste test" and sprayed all of the sticks black. There's going to be some user bias if one of the testers has been a Bauer guy/girl their whole life, etc.

[Souldriver 64]

If anything they should have done a blind "taste test" and sprayed all of the sticks black. There's going to be some user bias if one of the testers has been a Bauer guy/girl their whole life, etc.

This, but iI feel some would see enough differences in the shaft and know what it is.

[Stewie 721]

who has been a reebok guy/girl their whole life, ;)

[TeamHonda401 54]

They should have allowed some kind of comment portion regarding looks, but to make that an actual category worth as much as any kind of performance attribute is pretty stupid.

[Mario123 2]

Was looking at the 25K at my lhs today. It would be great if anyone that has tried one to get some feedback. Looked at the Ribcor as well. The Ribcor is twice the price!

[Rockingsquat 4]

You guys should keep in mind that playing with those high end sticks can be truely harmful for your game.

I see it more and more with this new generation of kids who grew up knowing nothing else but top of the line ops. These new technologies really compensate for lack of skills sometime. When I see how their game is affected when I put a traditional (old school) stick in their hands that doesn't have "freakishly awesome" kick nor crazy curve nor <500g ; their shots, their stickhandling, their passing everything goes down...

I believe until they reach junior, it's very reasonable to go to trainings with a normal stick that has a moderate curve (P91A/drury/kovalev), not too light, and with none of these technologies in the shaft or the blade that make hockey easy.
Save your fancy stick for game day. If you can play with an antique stick, you'll be superman when these state of the art ops, you might actually even end up liking the old better than the new.

And about the article on the 5sticks, (havent tried the warrior and the easton), but I totally agree with the comments and the ranking of the other 3. Great review!

[Stryker 37]

You guys should keep in mind that playing with those high end sticks can be truely harmful for your game.

I see it more and more with this new generation of kids who grew up knowing nothing else but top of the line ops. These new technologies really compensate for lack of skills sometime. When I see how their game is affected when I put a traditional (old school) stick in their hands that doesn't have "freakishly awesome" kick nor crazy curve nor <500g ; their shots, their stickhandling, their passing everything goes down...

I believe until they reach junior, it's very reasonable to go to trainings with a normal stick that has a moderate curve (P91A/drury/kovalev), not too light, and with none of these technologies in the shaft or the blade that make hockey easy.

Save your fancy stick for game day. If you can play with an antique stick, you'll be superman when these state of the art ops, you might actually even end up liking the old better than the new.

And about the article on the 5sticks, (havent tried the warrior and the easton), but I totally agree with the comments and the ranking of the other 3. Great review!

I have a hard time understanding why one would want to restrict themselves when playing hockey. Isn't the idea to be the best that you can? Is winning as fun as losing? Didn't think so.

On top of that, with kids being able to be drafted in the major bantam years now, it is imperative they are using the best they can before they even hit that age bracket to ensure they will be performing at the best of their ability.

Is it fair that more money "makes the game easier?" probably not, but money drives everything in society, so it stands to reason that this is true.

[Souldriver 64]

Well what he says makes sense. A better stick will perform.better.

The truth comes out if it turns out they don't have the skills to play right. A pro player with a cheap stick won't perform as well as one that has a top one.

With my dt1 if I don't shoot right then my shot won't be good. It won't do it for me, nor will it win my revelers, or send out the defense.

[mcne0101 16]

its the archer not the arrow. Someone with an awesome shot with a top of the line stick will still have a good shot with an old crappy stick. Someone with a crappy shot with a top of the line stick will have a crappy shot with an old crappy stick.

That said you may as well put a one piece in their hand when their in their teens so they can get used to taking a snapper by letting the flex of the stick do the work for them. Equipment isn't going to hamper someone's development plain and simple.Why don't we just have our kids play with weight vests on and sticks weights on? That should help right?