Pablo's Skate Build Diary: Bauer Flexlite 1.0 on Sure-Grip Avenger Magnesium Plates
Another Flexlite conversion has rolled out of the Pabloskates workshop, this time combining a pair of Bauer Flexlite 1.0 hockey boots with lightweight Sure-Grip Avenger Magnesium plates.
The older Flexlite range continues to be one of our favourite choices for converting ice hockey skates into quads. They're supportive without being excessively rigid, comfortable to skate in and make an excellent foundation for a custom roller skate build.
Pair them with the incredibly responsive Avenger Magnesium and you've got a seriously capable set of custom quads. 🛼🔥
The Boots: Bauer Flexlite 1.0
There's a reason you see so many Flexlites coming through our workshop.
While modern hockey skate design has moved towards increasingly stiff and heavily structured boots, many of the older Bauer models offer a little more flexibility.
For ice hockey, stiffness can be desirable.
For quad roller skating, however, the ability to move naturally through the boot can make a huge difference.
The Bauer Flexlite 1.0 offers a great balance. There's plenty of ankle and foot support, but the boot remains comfortable and forgiving enough to work brilliantly as a quad.
It's also a great-looking classic Bauer boot.
So rather than leaving them sitting unused once their days on the ice are over, we can give them an entirely new purpose.
Removing the Ice Hardware
Every conversion begins with stripping the boots back.
The original blade holders are carefully removed, leaving us with the hockey boots themselves and allowing us to inspect the soles properly.
This is where the real conversion work begins.
We're not simply looking for somewhere to drill four mounting holes. We need to consider the construction and condition of the boot, how the new roller skate plate will be supported and where everything needs to sit underneath the skater's foot.
Getting this stage right creates the foundation for everything that follows.
Reinforcing the Boots Properly
Where required, our hockey skate conversions are strengthened using custom-fitted carbon fibre reinforcement plates.
Rather than dropping a generic carbon insert into the boot, our plates are individually fitted to match the shape and contour of the particular pair of skates.
They're then properly riveted into position.
Riveting helps pull the reinforcement into the contour of the boot and creates a strong, rigid foundation underneath the foot.
The roller skate plate can then be mounted through this reinforced structure.
You won't see much of this work once the skates are finished, but it's one of the most important parts of building a conversion properly.
Sure-Grip Avenger Magnesium Plates
Underneath these Flexlite 1.0s we've fitted Sure-Grip Avenger Magnesium plates.
These are a very different animal from a conventional 10-degree roller skate plate.
The Avenger uses Sure-Grip's DA45 double-action truck system, producing considerably more truck action and giving the skater a highly responsive setup.
The Magnesium version takes that same distinctive Avenger geometry and packages it into a lightweight magnesium baseplate.
That's particularly useful on hockey skate conversions.
Hockey boots naturally carry more structure than traditional roller skate boots, so using a lightweight performance plate underneath helps keep the overall weight of the finished setup under control.
Responsive Plate, Supportive Boot
The combination of a Flexlite boot and Avenger plate works particularly well because the two components bring different characteristics to the finished skate.
The Flexlite 1.0 provides the support.
The Avenger provides the movement.
That gives the skater a secure hockey-style boot around the foot and ankle while retaining plenty of agility and response underneath.
For skaters who enjoy a lively setup and quick direction changes, it's a cracking combination.
Wheelbase and Axle Position Matter
Plate selection isn't simply about matching the overall length of the plate to the sole of the boot.
In fact, that's one of the least useful measurements when we're deciding exactly how a custom conversion should be set up.
We're much more interested in wheelbase and axle position.
In particular, we look closely at where the front axle will sit in relation to the ball of the foot.
That position can dramatically change the characteristics of the finished skate.
Moving the setup forward generally increases agility and manoeuvrability. Moving it backwards can provide additional stability.
Neither approach is universally correct.
It depends on the boot, the plate, the skater and how the finished skates are intended to be used.
Individually Fitted and Mounted
Once the correct position had been established, the Avenger Magnesium plates could be mounted to the prepared Flexlite boots.
This is why we describe our conversions as custom fitted.
We're not simply taking an off-the-shelf plate, placing it in the middle of a boot and drilling holes.
Each pair is individually measured and aligned before the final mounting position is established.
Even our centre markings are a guide rather than an absolute rule. The final position can be adjusted depending on the shape of the boot and the characteristics we're trying to achieve from the finished skate.
It's a much more involved process than mass-producing a pair of roller skates.
But that's exactly how we like it.
From Bauer Ice Skates to Custom Quads
The finished result is another great example of why we love converting older hockey boots.
The Bauer Flexlite 1.0 retains its original character, comfort and support, but everything underneath has been completely transformed.
With the ice hardware gone and Sure-Grip Avenger Magnesium plates sitting underneath, these are now a unique pair of lightweight, responsive custom quad roller skates.
Built individually.
Mounted properly.
And ready for an entirely new life away from the ice. 🛼🔥
Got an old pair of Bauer, Nike Bauer, Nike or other suitable hockey skates you'd like converted? Get in touch with Pabloskates and let's see what we can build.
Every skate featured in our Build Diary is individually hand-built in the Pabloskates workshop. Since we use pre-owned hockey boots, each pair is unique and no two builds are ever exactly the same.
Browse our latest converted skates or get in touch to discuss your dream setup only at Pabloskates.com.
Pre-Built Retro Skates - https://www.pabloskates.com/skates
Skate Parts & Accessories - https://www.pabloskates.com/parts
Custom Build Enquiries - https://www.pabloskates.com/services
Phone/WhatsApp - 07848287929
Email - mail@pabloskates.com
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