Pablo's Skate Build Diary: Nike Bauer Flexlite 2R on Sure-Grip Avenger Plates
Another classic pair of Nike Bauer hockey boots has been given a completely new lease of life in the Pabloskates workshop.
This time we're working with a pair of Nike Bauer Flexlite 2R boots, stripped of their original ice hockey blade holders and transformed into a seriously capable pair of custom quad roller
skates using Sure-Grip Avenger plates.
It's a combination we particularly like. The Flexlite provides the comfort and support of a classic hockey boot, while the Avenger underneath creates a much more agile and responsive skate.
The Boots: Nike Bauer Flexlite 2R
The older Nike Bauer Flexlite range remains one of our favourite choices for custom quad conversions.
While many modern hockey boots have become incredibly stiff, the older Flexlite boots offer a great balance between ankle support and flexibility. For quad skating, that can make them considerably more comfortable and forgiving while still providing the secure feel people want from a hockey boot.
The Flexlite 2R is a great example.
They're lightweight, supportive and have that unmistakable classic Nike Bauer appearance that has made older hockey boots increasingly popular for custom roller skate builds.
But before we can fit any roller skate hardware, the original ice skate has to be properly prepared.
From Ice Hockey to Quad Roller Skate
The first stage of the conversion is removing the original blade holders.
Once removed, the soles can be cleaned, inspected and prepared for their new roller skate plates.
This is also where a proper conversion differs from simply drilling four holes and bolting a plate underneath.
Removing the original blade holder changes the structure supporting the bottom of the boot, so we take the time to make sure the sole is properly prepared before the new hardware goes anywhere near it.
Where required, we use custom-fitted carbon fibre strengthening plates, riveted into the boots to reinforce the sole and provide a strong foundation for the roller skate plate.
The carbon plates are individually fitted to the boots rather than being generic off-the-shelf inserts.
It's additional work, but the foundation of a custom skate build is every bit as important as the shiny hardware you can see underneath it.
Sure-Grip Avenger Plates
For this conversion we've paired the Flexlite 2R boots with Sure-Grip Avenger plates.
And this is where things get interesting.
The Avenger uses Sure-Grip's DA45 double-action truck system, giving it a very different geometry and feel from a conventional 10-degree roller skate plate.
Sure-Grip originally developed the design for short-track speed skating before it was later reimagined for roller derby. The Avenger features adjustable pivots, 8mm axles and highly responsive DA45 trucks.
The result is a plate designed to react quickly to the skater's movement.
That makes the Avenger a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a particularly agile and manoeuvrable setup.
It's All About the Axles
One of the biggest mistakes when selecting a roller skate plate for a hockey boot is concentrating purely on the overall length of the plate.
With the Avenger in particular, axle position and wheelbase are far more important.
Sure-Grip's own plate sizing guidance recommends choosing plate size based on axle distance in relation to the ball of the foot rather than simply trying to match the overall length of the boot.
That's exactly how we approach our builds.
The front axle position has a significant effect on how a finished skate feels.
A more forward position generally produces a more agile skate, while moving things backwards can increase stability. The ideal position also depends on the skater, the boot and what they want from the finished setup.
That's why every conversion we build is individually measured and positioned rather than relying on a generic mounting template.
Custom Fitted, Not Mass Produced
That's really what these builds are all about.
We're not taking an off-the-shelf roller skate and changing a couple of components.
The boot, plate and mounting position are all considered individually.
The Flexlite boots are prepared specifically for the conversion, the soles can be reinforced where necessary, and the Avenger plates are positioned to suit the dimensions of the boots rather than simply being centred underneath because that's where they happen to fit.
It's a slower way of building skates.
But that's rather the point.
A Seriously Responsive Flexlite Conversion
Once everything was measured, prepared and mounted, these old Nike Bauer ice hockey skates had become something completely different.
The Nike Bauer Flexlite 2R provides the comfortable and supportive foundation, while the Sure-Grip Avenger underneath gives the finished skate a much more responsive character.
It's a cracking combination.
Classic Nike Bauer styling on top, specialist quad hardware underneath and a setup that's been individually fitted rather than rolling off a production line.
Another Pair Saved From the Ice
Older Nike and Nike Bauer hockey boots continue to make some of our favourite custom quad conversions.
Rather than leaving a perfectly good pair of boots gathering dust because they're no longer being used for ice skating, a proper conversion can give them an entirely new purpose.
These Nike Bauer Flexlite 2R custom quad roller skates on Sure-Grip Avenger plates are another perfect example.
From ice hockey skates to completely unique custom quads.
Got an old pair of Nike Bauer, Bauer 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.
Phone/WhatsApp - 07848287929
Email - mail@pabloskates.com
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