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What is a Combination Radius?
Ice skate runners come from the factory with what we call the "traditional" radius, which is one flat spot, gliding surface or radius in the middle 2/3rds of the skate blade. This factory radius can be altered for performance gains by grinding a different radius onto the blade. While a custom traditional radius does result in performance gains over the factory radius, the skate technician must often choose a single radius that matches the style, ability, position, and preferences of the player. Sometimes this can result in a loss of performance in one area of skating, when trying to improve another. For example, if you want more speed, you may lose some turning ability. This is usually OK, because the radius is tuned for your specific profile, however, wouldn't it be better if the skate technician could give you better performance for all maneuvers and all game situations without losing any performance? You bet! That's what a Combination Radius does.
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The Combination Radius
The combination radius is different than the traditional radius in that it has two radius on the skate instead of one, a shorter radius in the front of the blade and a longer radius in the rear. Because each part of the skate runner is used for different maneuvers, the combo radius will give better performance because no matter what part of the skate you are using, the blade is optimized for maximum performance for that maneuver, be it strides, crossovers, backward pushes, ankle dekes, mohawks and more. With a combination radius you will be able to make moves that will confuse your opponent, giving you that extra edge over the competition. In many skating situations, players will allow their body momentum to control their skating movements on the ice rather than the player controlling the skates. If you don't learn how to use your body in-sync with your skates, you'll never advance to the next level of skating. Players must "train" themselves to control body movements, create thrust, and to understand what’s going on with the skates. A combination radius allows you to do this much easier than with a traditional radius. Virtually all our combo users report they can make "moves" never possible before.
We offer many different combination radiuses. Our entire staff uses and has tested the range of combinations. We didn't even offer them to the general public until we were exactly sure how each one performed. In addition, we've been keeping a database and recorded feedback from customers who are using the combo setup. The results have been amazing. In one instance, one person on a team was noticed skating circles around his teammates. When they found out why, they all immediately got their combo's!
So, would you be willing to pay just $24.99 to skate better? That's all a combo radius costs. Much cheaper than camps, clinics, and power skating classes! Those are important yes, but nothing can improve skating more than a properly tuned skate blade.
If you are serious about your game, a combination radius may just be for you.
Be sure to note on your Profile Form that you are interested in a Combination Radius. For existing radius customers, you can upgrade your traditional radius to a combo for just $14.99.
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Skate Pitch
The Pitch of the blade is another very important part of how a skate feels and performs. When you get a custom radius, or a custom combination radius, the pitch settings can be adjusted. Pitch is the angle in which the blades lean toward the ice. It can be forward, neutral or reverse, and in varying amounts (in degrees or fractions of inches) For example a minor forward pitch would be .5 degrees or 1/64".
A lot of factors are used to determine what proper pitch setting a skater should have. Pitch is critical because not only does it effect skating, but also body balance. If your balance is off, you'll have a poor stride. Pitch on the skates helps the knees unlock and to drop in the proper skating stance (90 degree knee bend with knees 2" forward of the skates.) In addition, if pitch is too far to the rear (a factory configuration for some model skates), you'll lose ability to accelerate. At No-Icing Sports, we'll customize the pitch for your specific parameters.
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Proper Balance and Stride
As we discussed on our Profiling Page, regardless of whether you get a traditional or combination radius, the most important thing you can do to your skates is to have them balanced and the proper pitch put in them to help you achieve the optimum hockey stance and skating stride. If you are not sure what that is, please view the short video below.
Proper Skating Stance
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Order Custom Radius and runners from the main menu!
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