Sticky strap issue...

[Starkadder]

Hello. My name is Eric. I recently started skating again after a long break (last skated in 2000). I am still using the skates I had when I stopped, which are the K2 Style Points Bob. When I took them out of storage in my closet I noticed that the straps had become discolored (they were black, and now have a red sheen to them). The are also very sticky and leave a nasty sticky black residue all over the laces (and my fingers after putting them on). Does anyone know of a way to solve this issue? I'm thinking about replacing the straps, but I don't know if there is anything out there that will work for these 12 year-old skates. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

[big billy 13]

http://rollerwarehouse.com/USD-Carbo...cro-Straps.asp

the sticky strap problem seems to follow the style points. fast eddie will be able to elaborate much more.

make some suggestions to you. you can modernize the skates by modding carbon souls onto the bottom or you can buy varsity souls.

http://www.be-mag.com/msgboard/showt...ween-K2-skates

he put alot of effort into this thread and it should provide some additional information should you have questions

[Starkadder]

Thanks! So these USD Carbon Straps will fit? Should I go with small for size 9 Style Points?

I actually saw a bunch of mods online for older non-USD K2s, and I thought about doing it, though I think I just may ride my Style Points as is for now and get a new pair of the Fatty Pro 2012 model (with Varsity Soul Plates added) as a holiday gift this December. I don't really have any tools, so cutting the frame off the soul plates of my Bobs is probably going to require way too much effort.

[big billy 13]

Thanks! So these USD Carbon Straps will fit? Should I go with small for size 9 Style Points?

I actually saw a bunch of mods online for older non-USD K2s, and I thought about doing it, though I think I just may ride my Style Points as is for now and get a new pair of the Fatty Pro 2012 model (with Varsity Soul Plates added) as a holiday gift this December. I don't really have any tools, so cutting the frame off the soul plates of my Bobs is probably going to require way too much effort.

watch out for the toe cap on the fatty pro. not sure if it is removable or if it is glued to the boot like it was on the 08 fatty pro. it is very difficult to find the varsity soul for sale individually anymore. alot of sizes have sold out. Rollerwarehouse had told me that once they sell out that's it, no more... . you may want to consider the new varsities. i have a pair in my current k2 collection and really enjoy the ride. if you would like i would be willing to help you in the mod. I may have a set of non-ufs souls that i have already cut down that you could use depending on what size you wear.

i would still suggest sending fast eddie a PM on getting the specifics on wether or not the strap will work. i beleive it should but i have not done it myself yet. i would hate to commit somebody to something i'm not 100% on.

[Starkadder]

watch out for the toe cap on the fatty pro. not sure if it is removable or if it is glued to the boot like it was on the 08 fatty pro. it is very difficult to find the varsity soul for sale individually anymore. alot of sizes have sold out. Rollerwarehouse had told me that once they sell out that's it, no more... . you may want to consider the new varsities. i have a pair in my current k2 collection and really enjoy the ride. if you would like i would be willing to help you in the mod. I may have a set of non-ufs souls that i have already cut down that you could use depending on what size you wear.

i would still suggest sending fast eddie a PM on getting the specifics on wether or not the strap will work. i beleive it should but i have not done it myself yet. i would hate to commit somebody to something i'm not 100% on.

Cool. I will PM fast eddie about the straps. Thanks for the heads up on the Varsity Soul Plates. In that case I will just go with the Varsity skates instead of the Fatty Pro. My last two pairs of skates were K2 (my current style points, and the original fatty pro), so I got used to their style, and I can't really see myself skating anything else. Can you recommend good frames? I was thinking about going with the GC Featherlite 2, but I'm new to all this USD stuff. Probably going to ride anti-rocker if that makes a difference when choosing frames. Also, I have a budget, so I don't really want to go over $250 max.

Thanks for offering to help out on the mod. I think my main concern would be is it safe to mod old skates? I just don't want to do something wrong and have my skates fail out on me mid session. If it's safe to do, and if you have a pair of pre-cut non-USD souls that would fit size 9 style points, I may be willing to do the mod, depending on how much you are asking for them.

[rollerblazed]

for the easiest fix to your strap problem i would try using a citrus degreaser or vinegar to clean the strap, probably just oil and junk build up over the years.

then i would listen to the guys posting about modding the k2's, they know what the fuck they're doing

[big billy 13]

Cool. I will PM fast eddie about the straps. Thanks for the heads up on the Varsity Soul Plates. In that case I will just go with the Varsity skates instead of the Fatty Pro. My last two pairs of skates were K2 (my current style points, and the original fatty pro), so I got used to their style, and I can't really see myself skating anything else. Can you recommend good frames? I was thinking about going with the GC Featherlite 2, but I'm new to all this USD stuff. Probably going to ride anti-rocker if that makes a difference when choosing frames. Also, I have a budget, so I don't really want to go over $250 max.

Thanks for offering to help out on the mod. I think my main concern would be is it safe to mod old skates? I just don't want to do something wrong and have my skates fail out on me mid session. If it's safe to do, and if you have a pair of pre-cut non-USD souls that would fit size 9 style points, I may be willing to do the mod, depending on how much you are asking for them.

sadly i do not have any in a size 9 simply because i wear size 11-12 depending on the model skate. the mod is more time consuming than difficult but that's mainly because fast eddie has done a very good job on providing pics. i would suggest trying the mod out post getting the varsities. i would also recomend a pair of create orginal frames with 56mm wheels flat. feels great.



i put in a kizer heel pad just do give the skate more of a raised hell feel so i don't feel like i'm falling backwards. they are some of the comfiest k2's i've put on my feet. however i do prefer the lacing system on the il capos more. the 250cc's and the naturals have a better lacing system as well IMO.

below are some pics of the stuff i've been working on that might provide you with some additional ideas

[Starkadder]

Awesome! Yeah, I'm a small guy so I have small feet, thanks for offering though. I think I'll wait to mod my Style Points until after I get the Varsities, as you suggested. Right now I'd rather devote more time to skating (I'm returning to it after a 12-year break). I just lost the stupid cotter pin on my soul skate yesterday, so now I'm in the processes of waiting for an order of replacement Razors bolts to be shipped. I'm gonna hit up my local hardware store today though to see if I can find some hair pin cotters that will work while I wait. It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend here in NYC and if I don't get a chance to skate, I'm gonna be pissed! :/

[big billy 13]

Yeah alot of people have problems with the cotter pins. i have been quite keen on replacing all stock buckles with razor/usd throne/ or nimh buckles and replacing the cuff hardware with throne/razor bolts

[fast eddie]

I actually saw a bunch of mods online for older non-USD K2s.

All mine:









the first incarnation




Sticky strap disease affects Style Points and King 55s. The material that degrades was invented by RanDemo, Inc. and was supposed to be really good at impact resistance. When left to age, it's like a cancer. Cleaning it does nothing. It's a terminal condition.

Here's the patent: http://www.google.com/patents/US6156403

Shit's fucking garbage.

[Starkadder]

Nice! Those mods look great! Are those the Varsity Soul Plates on them? Since it appears that they are running out of those, what other soul plates would work well?

[fast eddie]

No, they are Carbon souls, which are pretty abundant.