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Last Updated September 06, 2000 Equipment
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Is this the future of Roller Hockey chassis? by: Webmaster Bauer hockey out of Ontario, Canada has been toying with a totally brand new chassis design, that is like non other in the industry. With Mission hockey trying to copy the idea with their 2001 Vibe chassis. The Bauer two-piece design, which actually rocks back and forth while in usage, is actually a break through in hockey equipment for the new millenium. The chassis is being regarded by Bauer as to providing seamless transition between roller hockey and ice hockey. The floating plate which holds the 2 inner wheels, moves forwards and backwards, locating the maximum power for pushing off and thrust. When I first had the chance to try on a pair of these underrated skates by Bauer, I didn't know what to expect. I knew that Bauer's Vapor boots, are among the best in the sport and there should be a comparable chassis to go along with it. After taking my first stride with them they seemed like any other skate but when the Bauer representative told me to make a sharp turn, I became incredibly shocked in the difference I felt. Being a former ice hockey player, I understood how the turning in roller hockey skates was much different than in ice, but with the Bauer Rocker chassis, it virtually makes me feel like I was skating on the ice. After all the explaining I got from the cool Bauer guys I was convinced that Bauer has made an incredible chassis. Just a quick little lesson: for the people who play Ice hockey or are familiar with ice skates, when skating on a blade, 100% of the blade isn't on the ground at all times. This allows for quick turns and sharp stops when different parts of the blade is on the ice. Flat chassis or Hi Low chassis have all 4 wheels constantly moving on the ground, this is equal to a speed skate, which is not good for turning, not good for acceleration, not good for stops and certainly not good for hockey. On the other hand the Bauer Rocker chassis, rocks back and forth leaving only 3 wheels on the playing surface at one time, with the fourth wheel rocked up and out of the way for the motion trying to be accomplished. Confused?? Look at the diagrams below:
above ex. of flat chassis and HiLo chassis, which has all 4 wheels touching the playing surface all the time.
above ex. shows that when your thrust skating you tend to lean on the front 3 wheels, with the back wheel only taking up grip.
above ex. shows that during forward direction turns, the back 3 wheels tend to be lent upon, with the 4th wheel useless during this motion Convinced?
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