New Wolfe Alpha Boots

[Dev Gnoll]

Hi all, hope everything goes OK with the data recovery effort.

Maybe we can try using more than one thread this time, eh?

Anyways: My new boots came in. Wolfe Alpha's.
www.wolfracingboots.com

They are sweet - only a little hotspot. They are stock boots. They are light and I was able to get the frames far enough over I can actually hit the outside edge. Been out for a total of about 60 miles in 3 sessions on them.

They are tough boots, the carbon doesn't crush my toes, and they are low-cut enough that I can use all the eyelets. I really like the way the boot lacing is split so that you can tighten the lower and upper part differently.

I plan to do distance on them this weekend...more reports then.

Hope to see everyone drifting back.

Dev Gnoll

[NightWind]

Hi! Sounds like a really nice pair of boots!))

[janneman]

nice boots... !

just on the manufacturers site.. "many try to imitate" ehh or are they imitating Mogema Rhinos?

[ncspeed]

not bad looking I am hoping to have my custom next weekend it is a excalibor it is made by two guys here in NC

[NightWind]

2 Dev

Did you do the distance you´d planned? were they up to the job?))

[policedutchdog]

janneman wrote:

just on the manufacturers site.. "many try to imitate" ehh or are they imitating Mogema Rhinos?

Scott Wolf was the boot maker for Mogema's custom Sentinel boots for many years and has had a long working relationship with Mogema. Scott's stock boot "Alpha" is a full carbon boot and is a much stiffer boot than the Rhino and has a very differnt look and feel.

I have had my Wolf customs for several months now and really love them. They fit like a glove and have never had a hot spot or problem with them at all.

Scott

[Dev Gnoll]

Originally Posted by NightWind

2 Dev

Did you do the distance you´d planned? were they up to the job?))

I did the distance, plus bonus.

I forgot to turn the GPS back on after a water stop, so I went an half hour above plan, for a total of 5 1/2. My legs are a little sore, one of the blisters is healed (under tape + neu skin).

The boots needed a re-tighten at about 3 hrs.

Things are still changing shape to fit.

The boots do reward form with speed, and lack of form (particularly bad set-down) with little reminders.

[Amy's_Keeper]

Originally Posted by Dev Gnoll

I was able to get the frames far enough over I can actually hit the outside edge.

What does moving the frame do?

[Dev Gnoll]

Originally Posted by Amy's_Keeper

What does moving the frame do?

Side-to-side adjustability allows you to position the frame so that you are balanced over the wheels. It can help control pronation, and help you strech out your glide to get a more efficient classic stride, and help balance to get a stronger underpush on a crossover. With these boots I can place the frame so I can skate with no laces or straps on the boot, and with the tongue pulled out.
(Can't t-stop that way though.)

There is also about 1" of adjustability fore and aft. I haven't exparimented with that yet.

[NightWind]

2 Dev
51/2 - well done!!!

Sore feet and legs are almost always a problem with a new pair, I suppose!)) Hope, your legs will be their usual selves soon!)

Are you planning to do the same next weekend?

[Dev Gnoll]

Originally Posted by NightWind

Are you planning to do the same next weekend?

Nope: next weekend is basically a 40 mile "time trial" -max pace for 40 miles.
I am guessing 3 hr max.

Weekend after that is NYC 100K.

[NightWind]

Seems like a very high pace to me!)) Good luck with your plans!!!

[gmerkert]

Now that you've used your Wolf Alpha boots for 5 months or so, how do you like them?

How much skating have you done on them?

[Dev Gnoll]

Now that you've used your Wolf Alpha boots for 5 months or so, how do you like them?

How much skating have you done on them?

There're nice. Definatly not new anymore though. I have gotten myself some of the EZ fit booties, and stopped wearing socks. We are pretty much broken into each other, although the temptation remains to do a tiny bit of heat-molding on the ball of the right foot, which gets a little sore after indoor speed (doen't happen outdoors.) Had a little trouble with toenails, until I stopped wearing socks.


I did NYC 100K (5:09) , the full A2A (7:49) , and basically 20 outdoor miles/week + 1 1/2 hr indoor speed per week since A2A.

The left one got hit by a truck (while on my foot) Saterday. It felt a little out-of-adjustment Sunday, so we'll see..

[gmerkert]

Thanks for that good information. It's useful to get such precise information about your experience with your boots. Good skating, btw. I've never done A2A and have immense respect for anyone who has.

Do your Wolf boots allow a lot of latitude for frame placement left and right? How much fore to aft adjustment is available? I have alignment issues.

Since you skate indoors which, I assume since I don't do it, places a lot of stress on the mounting points on your boots, have you noticed any twisting or distortion of the boot at the point where the frames mount onto the boots?

I'll be putting lots of stress on my boots at the mounting points.

P.S. I'm a fitness speed skater who skates 20 to 30 miles per week. However, I'm a serious downhiller who puts lots of stress on equipment. I'm changing from heavy rec boots to speed skates for downhill.

[Kathie Fry]

I'm a serious downhiller who puts lots of stress on equipment

George Merkert is not only a serious downhiller. He is a multiple-time United States downhill national champion. Welcome to our forum George. It is an honor to have you join us!

-Kathie

[Dev Gnoll]

Originally Posted by gmerkert

Do your Wolf boots allow a lot of latitude for frame placement left and right? How much fore to aft adjustment is available? I have alignment issues.

There is only one mounting point, so there isn't much side-to-side adjustment. For me, the point is in a good spot - the front slot is pretty much lined up with the gap between big toe and first toe. That, and the slots in the frames (Mogema 5*84's) let me get the frames where I need it. The boots have the captive nut arraignment, with I think about an inch of fore-aft adjustment.

Originally Posted by gmerkert

Since you skate indoors which, I assume since I don't do it, places a lot of stress on the mounting points on your boots, have you noticed any twisting or distortion of the boot at the point where the frames mount onto the boots?

No twisting or distortion noted yet. I think I am going to peek at the one the truck hit later today, while I re-align it. However, once I cleaned up my technique, I don't think indoors puts much twisting on the frames mount points anymore, at least compared to outdoor "speed control" techniques.

[gmerkert]

Thanks, Kathie. It's nice to have such a well run and informative forum for us skating addicts to use to trade information.

Dev, how did you altercation with the truck occur? Were you hurt?

[Dev Gnoll]

Originally Posted by gmerkert

Dev, how did you altercation with the truck occur? Were you hurt?

Hit and run by a pickup truck. I wasn't hurt.Details here.


BTW: Full disclosure: Wolfe racing sponsers the speed team I'm on.

[j_nolesfan]

Dev,
How are the Wolf boots holding up for you? I'm in the market for a high end stock boot.
Thanks,
Jeff