Review: CCM RBZ Skates - Long Term Review

[The Tikkanen]

Confirm they're the right size, and if you can, take it to a shop. I've had occasional issues but it's simply a matter of using something to 'push out' the plastic hole in the holder, like a screwdriver or something. I would let the shop do it though if you really can't. Hand off that risk.

Thanks, I ended up just switching the male and female screws from one side to the other and it fit right in. One skate took 5 minutes, the other took about 3 hours until I decided to try the other side and it worked right away, still frustrating though.

 

[AIREAYE]

Yeah, no big deal, but when you've got other customers waiting, it's annoying haha.

 

[jazzykat]

Just baked mine this weekend in my home oven (No horror stories although I was conservative in temperature (turned oven off) and may not have taken full advantage of the heat moldability).

There is a hot spot on my ankle (I didn't think this was possible) and I can feel the padding and it seems that it just didn't get hot enough to mold deep enough. I will skate a few times and see how these break in (i'm 200lbs and an OK skater so they will get some use) but can these be rebaked if necessary?

 

[AIREAYE]

Yeah of course. But perhaps you could spot heat it instead of rebaking the whole skate?

 

[jazzykat]

Honestly, I wasn't going to post any more in this thread but... after my first skate (scrimmage) it was like cruising around in Cadillacs. They were higher performance and ridiculously comfy. I could only imagine "better" boots are available but they are like luxury for beer leaguers. Is there any current models that come close?

 

[MegaAlf]

All in all though, the RBZ is definitely a more versatile fit than the CL.

Do you think the width will expand with use if it's too narrow in the midfoot?

 

[AIREAYE]

Not really with use, but baking is effective. Depends on how 'tight' you find it though, and where. RBZs come in EE widths obviously as well.

 

[MegaAlf]

Not really with use, but baking is effective. Depends on how 'tight' you find it though, and where. RBZs come in EE widths obviously as well.

D is the only width I've been able to find it now. The price close to 200 now so I think I'm gonna go buy them and try to resell them if they don't fit.

I ordered them. I hope I guessed right on the size.

 

[MegaAlf]

So I got my RBZ sharpened and baked. I don't think the sharpen was very good and they may not have been baked well either. They said they go by feel on the bake and just kind of improvised. I didn't get a particularly tight wrap.

Fit- The D width fits the bottoms of my feet great. No pinching at all and it's snug. The height of the boot 7D RBZ is too short in comparison to my Crazy Lights 8E. I figured they would be close since the RBZ are supposed to have more volume than other skates. I'm getting less ankle support since they aren't going high up enough on the shin. Coupled with the height of the holders, it's too much pressure on my right ankle. The sides don't wrap the tops of my feet much either.

The tongue is too soft and thick. I'm not getting the spring like effect of my CL's. They are comfortable but they don't seem as reactive to my strides.

Performance - My quick starts might actually be faster. Turns are quicker too. Still less stability though. My feet are wobbling a bit. If the boot was just a little taller I think that would be remedied.

I'm going to buy some wax laces to try and tighten them up more but as of now I'm not using these in competitive play. I'm not sure what else I can do to provide more ankle support. Is there a big jump in boot height between 7.5 and 8 in the CL model? Technically I fit into a 7.5 better so maybe I would have the same issue with CL in 7.5.

 

[AIREAYE]

It's not the boot height, it's that you didn't get a good bake.

 

[MegaAlf]

It's not the boot height, it's that you didn't get a good bake.

I'm gonna get them rebaked with wax laces. Tie them tighter and see if that helps.

 

[AIREAYE]

No, don't bake with wax laces. The wax will melt off. Just relace with regular and have them do the bake properly. If you've read the earlier parts of the thread, you would see what sort of effects to expect.

Have someone use their hands to 'form' the boot once hot on your foot and follow you up as you tighten each set of eyelets. Once they've cooled on your foot, take them off and relace them without your feet to let them set in that position for the rest of the day or whatever.

 

[Pedantic]

compared to Jetspeeds or Tacks?

First time posting here. I'm curious if anyone has compared the RBZ to the Jetspeeds or new Tacks? 10.5s fit me well in both the Jetspeed and Tacks but, the closeout pricing on the RBZs is very tempting. Any suggestions on the RBZ sizing (relative to those mentioned) is appreciated.

 

[AIREAYE]

Yes you would go down 0.5 to 1.0 size from current CCM and Bauer sizing. You would be either 10 or 9.5, I'd venture closer to 9.5.

 

[Pedantic]

Thanks for the direction. I was able to get my hands on a size 11 this afternoon. Predictably I was swimming in them with about a fingers width between my heel and the skate. It seems like a size down should fix that.

 

[AIREAYE]

Thanks for the direction. I was able to get my hands on a size 11 this afternoon. Predictably I was swimming in them with about a fingers width between my heel and the skate. It seems like a size down should fix that.

If it's possible, try on the 9.5 too, as that skate tends to give you a bit more room once baked.

 

[Pedantic]

Thanks, again. It's kind of a bummer buying skates online. After looking around a bit, I may aim for the RBZ 90. Post baking do you think it will mold similarly to the RBZ.

 

[AIREAYE]

Not as drastic of course.

 

[Pedantic]

Aireaye, thank you for your replies. I'll update when the skates arrive. I went with the 90s in 9.5.

If these don't work out, I'm going to make the trip to the Windsor/ Detroit area. Any recommendations for a good shop/ fitter in those areas?

 

[AIREAYE]

I'm not familiar, I think Perani's may be one of the best on the Windsor side and your USD may help out with the current exchange rate (sigh...). TotalHockey locations in the Detroit suburbs should be good as well.

 

[PlayoffBeard365]

Good stuff!!

Any chance someone wants to do a similar review on the new CCM Tacks? Or have a link to a solid review already?

 

[Pedantic]

So the RBZ 90 in9.5 arrived. Everything seems great except the boot doesn't have much wrap (over my foot). I did the pencil test and it suggests it's a no go. Will baking allow for better wrap? Or, rather, should I be looking for a deeper boot? I really like the fit of the boot otherwise. I'm wishing I had some shops closer to me.

 

[leftwinger37]

I'm not familiar, I think Perani's may be one of the best on the Windsor side and your USD may help out with the current exchange rate (sigh...). TotalHockey locations in the Detroit suburbs should be good as well.

Pro Hockey Life in Windsor is not bad. Definitely Total Hockey in Troy on this side.

 

[AIREAYE]

So the RBZ 90 in9.5 arrived. Everything seems great except the boot doesn't have much wrap (over my foot). I did the pencil test and it suggests it's a no go. Will baking allow for better wrap? Or, rather, should I be looking for a deeper boot? I really like the fit of the boot otherwise. I'm wishing I had some shops closer to me.

Maybe a few pictures will help

 

[Pedantic]

Maybe a few pictures will help

Here are a few images.