Pablo's Skate Build Diary: Bauer Flow Conversion on Sure-Grip Avenger Magnesium Plates

Some hockey boots seem to have been forgotten over the years, but the Bauer Flow is one that still deserves attention. While it never had the reputation of models like the Supreme or Vapor ranges, it makes an excellent candidate for a quad skate conversion thanks to its comfortable fit and supportive construction.

For this build, we paired the Bauer Flow with Sure-Grip Avenger plates to create a skate that's incredibly responsive and a lot of fun to ride.

The Boots

The Bauer Flow was designed as a recreational ice hockey skate, offering a good balance between support, comfort and flexibility. Unlike many modern high-end hockey boots that are designed for maximum power transfer on the ice, the Flow has enough flex to work brilliantly as a quad skate.

Among hockey skate conversion enthusiasts, the Bauer Flow and the legendary Nike N-Dorfin are widely regarded as two of the most comfortable ice hockey boots ever made for quad conversions. Both feature a forgiving fit, excellent padding and just the right amount of flex, making them comfortable straight out of the box and ideal for long skating sessions.

That extra flexibility allows the boot to move naturally with your foot while still providing the ankle support needed for confident skating.

As with many older Bauer models, the Flow has now been discontinued, making clean second-hand pairs increasingly difficult to find. If you do come across a well-looked-after pair, they're definitely worth considering for a conversion.

Why the Sure-Grip Avenger?

The Sure-Grip Avenger is unlike almost any other roller skate plate on the market.

Instead of the traditional 10-degree kingpin angle, the Avenger uses a 45-degree kingpin design. This allows the trucks to lean much further through corners, making the skate feel exceptionally agile and responsive.

The result is:

• Faster edge-to-edge transitions.

• Tighter turning circle.

• Increased manoeuvrability.

• A lively, surf-like feel.

The Avenger isn't necessarily the right choice for every skater, but for those who enjoy rhythm skating, artistic skating or simply want a more dynamic ride, it's one of the most rewarding plates available.

The Conversion Process

Every conversion starts by carefully removing the original ice blade before preparing the outsole for its new life as a quad skate.

The Avenger plate is then positioned specifically for the skater and the characteristics of the boot. Plate positioning is one of the most important parts of any conversion and has a huge impact on stability, balance and turning performance.

Once mounted, all hardware is checked, the trucks are adjusted and the finished skates are fully inspected before leaving the workshop.

Finished Result

The combination of the Bauer Flow and Sure-Grip Avenger plates creates a lightweight, agile setup that's ideal for skaters who enjoy a responsive skate with plenty of movement.

It's particularly well suited to:

• Rhythm skating

• Dance skating

• Artistic skating

• Indoor rink skating

• Experienced recreational skaters

The comfortable Bauer boot complements the Avenger's unique handling characteristics perfectly, resulting in a skate that's both supportive and incredibly enjoyable to ride.

Thinking About Converting Your Own Bauer Flow?

The Bauer Flow is another example of how older recreational hockey skates can make outstanding quad conversions. You don't always need an expensive top-of-the-range hockey boot to build an amazing pair of skates.

If you've found a pair of Bauer Flow skates and aren't sure whether they're suitable for conversion, feel free to get in touch. I'll happily advise on whether they're a good candidate and help you choose the right plate for your skating style.

Browse our latest converted skates or get in touch to discuss your dream setup only at Pabloskates.com.