roguegeek wrote: ↑March 6th, 2020, 6:58 pm
A friend gave me a new pair of KR Strikeforce Flyers as I reacquaint myself with the sport. I have a couple questions about maintenance for these slide pads.
- What maintenance can be done on the slide pad to keep it fresh between sessions? Games? Frames?
- Does a slide specific power need to be used or can it be substituted? Baby powder? Talcum powder?
- I'm having to apply powder every 4-5 games. Understanding it's based on conditions, does this sound normal?
- When the pad on this shoe goes, does it need to be replace or do you replace the whole shoe?
Thanks!
For the most part all that is needed is a brush, Typically it's the small brass wire brush many bowler's have.
Powders are not needed all the time, They are more for a emergency situation (every 4-5 games is a little too often IMO).
If it is used, use it Properly (
see rules below) and sparingly on the sole, then brush and tap the shoe to remove the loose powder, do this is a place away from the bowling circle so no one will step in it.
KR Strikeforce Flyers have a white microfiber slide sole (which to me is kind of tacky and need a little more break in). If your having to powder every 4-5 games that's there's something else going on like a humidity problem at the center, Dampness on the approach will cause sticking.
You might want to take a look at the heel, not just the sole.
The rubber heel acts as a brake, if your weight is slightly shifted back too much. You'll tend to stick more because your putting the brakes on too early. Also watch out cleaning the heel too much can cause it to drag some.
I don't believe the Flyers have removable soles, so to replace one you'd have to go to a cobbler. Another option would be to try a slide sock, It's a slide aid that just slips over the shoe.
44boyd wrote: ↑March 6th, 2020, 7:30 pm
Get a brush, do not put powder on your shoes as it screws up the approach for everyone else. If they are interchangeable, get a replacement for it (10-15$)
Getting powder on the approach do to excessive and/or improper use is what screws up the approach. But used properly and judiciously it won't get on the approach.
Example:
1- Wire Brush the sole to clean it.
2-Then "Lightly" apply powder and rub in with fingers
3-Then use wire brush on the sole
4-Tap off the loose powder
5-A final brush and tap
The sole should now be dry and free of any loose powder.
Another option is to use something like the Brunswick slidestone (Which is just soapstone a hard talc like mineral called Steatite) it won't get on the approach (unless you shave it and don't use properly)
USBC Rules:
Rule 12 – Approaches Must Not Be Defaced
Detracting from the possibility of other players having normal conditions is prohibited. This includes:
1. The application of any foreign substance on any part of the approach.
2. Improperly applying talcum powder, pumice, soap stone, rosin or any other foreign substance
on the shoes causing the substance to be transferred to the approach.
3. Soft rubber soles or heels that rub off on the approach.
Commonly Asked Question – Rule 12.
12/1 Does the use of Easy Slide on the bottom of my shoe violate Rule 12?
Commercial products like Easy Slide, soap stone, talcum powder or any other substance
applied to the sole of a shoe could be in violation of Rule 12. If a participant uses a product
improperly causing residue to be left on the approach and the normal sliding conditions of
another participant to change, the bowler must discontinue the use of the product.
If applied
properly, residue should not be transferred, and the bowler can continue using the product.