Advice on Skates

[John_S_Osborne]

Well, I haven't seen the "Which skates should I get?" thread in a while, so I figured I'd rehash it...

I presently own a pair of 1999 Mission Proto VSi's which are becoming quite worn. I purchased them in September of last year and I'm now having problems with eyelets pulling through the boot. I'm shopping the market and weighing my options right now, and I was looking for some advice. Here's some stuff to take into consideration:

- I'm about 6"1', 200-210lbs (give or take a few here or there), and I think some skates have a problem holding up with my size. I broke two Mission chassis, and I now have a Kuzak Split Pro on my VSi boot.
- I would like to get the best possible skates for my money. If this includes mounting my Kuzak frames on a boot that I can purchase, I am open to doing it.
- If it's possible to get Mission to take my skates back on warranty (I guess I'm asking if this IS possible), I'm open to doing so if they indeed will take them back and not sit on my skates for two weeks just to send the darn things back to me. I play 2-3 times a week, and losing my skates for a while would be pretty painful.

With that said, anyone have any good advice as to what I should do? Anything will help.

Thanks!




---
John S. Osborne
Drexel University Roller Hockey Club

[poptart]

Hi...Well Im not sure about mission taking the skates back..but I do know they are very good about customer service and helping out when they can...Just give them a call...As far as skates I have Bauer 5000 boots on a tuuk frame.. I am lighter than you at 165 But I am positve the boots and frames will hold you...They are well made and will last you a long while...You might want to check out inlinesports.com they always have great deals on skates(best Ive seen on the net) if you want to go with a new skate..Hope this helps...




Travis Holloman
East Carolina University Roller Hockey Club

[calihockey]

My Step Brother is 6-5 265lbs. He and I looked all over for strong boots that will hold weight. We found out the old Proto V's (which he wears) and The '98 MOD 4's hold up the best.

[poptart]

Hi...You might also want to check out a frame that rocket hockey puts out, which has a clix system that mount the wheels to the frames instead of a bolt going through the wheels and bearings...I have a pair of the frames and they are great..It takes no time to change your wheels or clean your bearings, like with reguler frames where you spend alot of time takeing screws out and putting them back in...The frame itself is very light weight, the lightest I have ever skated on..The frames are very durable and strong they will definatly hold up your body frame...They have a web site rockethockey.com...Check it out...Hope this helps....




Travis Holloman
East Carolina Hockey

[Sherwood77]

Hey Os,

Guess what, once again, I get to vetoe your choices on skates... lol

Well, you know I hate the fishbones for personal reasons... But trust me, do not get those clicky things. Over the summer, in the colliseum league, one of the opponents players had a set of them. I took a shot from the point, and the puck hit the chasis of his skate. The little clip thing popped out from the force and his wheels went everywhere...

So lets count it up, that makes what, 4 pairs of skates I have personally destroyed ??
- clippy thingys
- vfomrs
- the old ccm reversable chasis
- the original mission line...

Keep the tally goin big guy...


Oh yeah, the Bauer 5000 are a good recommendation, a little hard to break in, but anything good is worth waiting and crying for....

Bill Sherwood
Drexel University Roller Hockey
Captain - #77

[poptart]

Hi...About the post on the rocket clixs frames...I think you might be talking about the frames where the part that holds the wheels in is all one piece...This is a diffrent frame all togather...The clixs frames are seprete pieces for each wheel...I dont think a slap shot would knock them loose or out of place...I think you may be mistaken about the frame...check out rockethockey.com...And see if it is the same frame...If it is that must have been a one time deal...The rocket frames I have, have had some pretty hard shots that I have taken off the frame and it held up fine...Just my 2 cents.....thanks


Travis Holloman
East Carolina Hockey

[chrisg21]

I know this is not the commercial board, but I have to tell you about the deal I found on the Easton F5's recently. The F5's are Eastons top of the line roller hockey boot, it has a magnesium big wheel chassis which is similar to a hi lo in theory, but with a different way of acheiving that theory. Some like the Big Wheel ( myself included ) others not so much, but it certainly doesn't elicit the extreme swings in reaction that say a Vform would. I have skated with the Bauer 5000's and an older pair of Missions. The Eastons are definately my favorite, they were comfortable from the start with good support. As for the chassis strength it is Magnesium which is supposed to be stronger and lighter than aluminum. I am about 205, and have never had a problem with either the chassis or boot. The stock wheels are a little too soft for my liking, but thats an easy swap. When they first went on sale earlier this year they listed for $489, Hockey Giant has them on sale for $159. I realize they are not 2001 skates, but if you would like a really good skate at a great price this is it. You might want to check them out here: www.hockeygiant.com/

Hope this helps,
Chris

[froburn195]

go to www.inlinesports.com and call them. although it isnt on the website, they have easton z-airs for 149. That is the ice boot they orignally had. It is much better quality, made in canada. It also comes witht he smae big wheel frame, but better wheels. It is a greta boot. I also see that u r a big guy, the boot is EE so it wont kill ya eether

[zamboni]

Doesn't surprise me in the least about the Missions, never have I seen so many skates have faults on a consistent basis. But hey, they still are a popular choice. If they are not that old, you may get them replaced if you ask nicely. I use Bauer 5000, sometimes up to 5-6 hours a week, once they break in they are great. I have had mine now 2 seasons and push 200lbs as well
Good luck