Author Topic: Help on replacements - can't slide at all anymore... (Read 6359 times)

lefty50 · « **on:** March 12, 2011, 09:32:44 PM »

Guys, I need your help... I hate to ask what seems like such a simple question, but it's giving me a big enough problem that I've almost got to stop bowling, so it's desperation time. All feedback appreciated. With so many advances in shoe technology, I really have trouble believing I can't find a simple solution to this problem.

I've had a great pair of Dynothane ABS shoes for about 12 or 13 years. I believe these days they are 3G Tour Ultras. The shoe looks like it will last forever, but recently I've had a lot of trouble sliding. My knees have taken a beating over the years, and the pain is getting pretty bad. I've already had surgery on both knees for injury, and now the doc says I've got arthritis so there's not much else I can do.

At first the problem seems simple. Soles appeared to be wearing out on all my midrange chrome and deerskin, so I just went out to buy some replacements. But the new replacements just aren't the same. I think I've seen some threads about material changing to synthetic from natural, and maybe that's what's going on. But no matter how hard I try, I just cannot break in the new soles and get anywhere near a mid-range slide. I bought felt replacement soles, and I slide for approximately a quarter mile; They are like ice. I can't adjust them down with heels in any combination. Any sole below felt just stops way short. I know I could go to any of the online sites and have found some good prices on closeout shoes, but if everybody is going to synthetic soles I think I will be in the same boat that I am now, so that may be a waste. So far my average has dropped 20 pins, and I'm frankly running out of ideas. Bowling with this much pain isn't fun, but I am convinced that little more slide rather than the damn near zero that I have now is a workable solution.

I should add at this point that I've tried every possible sole and heel combination. The adjust-a-heel is what I'm currently using. All other heels are giving me a full-on stop.

First question: has everybody change material to synthetic from natural, and does it really make that big a difference on theoretically equivalent sliding soles?

Second question. Is one brand known to be better than another in terms of range of slide?

Any other thoughts also appreciated, I love this game and would like to be bowling for another 20-30 years, but that won't happen this way. Obviously I'd love to run out and get other shoes if that's the answer, but if none of the replacements that I purchased have helped, won't I have the same problem with currently available shoes?

Clearly, bad knees or not, I can't be the only person in the world with shoes that don't work. I've racked my brain trying to figure out what I might be missing, but I've been bowling for 55 years, I don't see anything I'm missing. The problem is simple... I need something between the full-on slide of felt and the full-on stop with everything else I'm trying.

Thoughts?
Thanks in advance

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Edited by lefty50 on 3/13/2011 at 6:33 AM

charlest · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2011, 06:53:40 AM »

Lefty,

I use the 3G shoes not the older ABS or Dynarooz. So I am not sure they have the same sole set-up and options that the older ABS do. I will talk about the 3G shoes and soles.

Have you tried the sole with the holes to use inserts or cleats?

See this PDF file from Buddies:

http://www.buddiesproshop.com/pdf/ABSSLIDE1.pdf

While I have found the #4 sole, deer skin, to be more slippery than the #3, chrome leather, there is a more slippery sole, the #2, called "felt". Again see these options on Buddies web pages:

http://www.buddiesproshop.com/products/2-Bowling_Shoes/0~99999/44-Dynorooz-_3G/All/All/page.htm

Myself I use the sole with the holes in them and I use my own combination mostly with my own home made teflon inserts. My 3G came with several solid soles plus the one with holes in them and several sets of the cleats or inserts. Drop me a message to continue this offline.

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scotts33 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2011, 08:05:42 AM »

Also look at the Adjust-A-Heel option. These will fit your old ABS DT shoes.

Adjust-A-Heel

Scott

lefty50 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2011, 09:17:29 AM »

Thanks to both for the quick reply.

I like the adjust a heel and have used it with the felt strip for 5-6 years now. Definitely think that part of the setup is ok.

I've tried the adjustable 1-2 times with different cleats, but no luck. I have the felt slide sole, but it's waaaay too much slide.

By the way, I also agree that #4 Deer Skin slides more than #3 Chrome. I use #4 now. #5 and #6 though, forget it... Nothing.

Funny though, my replacement #3 Chrome isn't close to the same color as my original #4, but I chalked that up to the switch from natural to synthetic.

I do have some teflon and was thinking about trying it. I put a little strip on the adjust a heel to start, but no help. Perhaps making home made teflon cleats is the way to go... Hmmm. I think I'll try that.

Charlest, I may drop you a note offline after I read the links again.

Thanks to both.

Steve

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bjba89 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2011, 09:33:38 AM »

Have you tried the dexter s10 slide sole and the leather heel that makes you slide more?

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MTFD24 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2011, 11:13:25 AM »

Having used Linds XXXXtra's for over 15 years I found I was having trouble between different houses despite changing the "pucks" inserts. A former PBA mbr and pro=shop owner had me try one of the slide sock/covers....and after only a few frames of break in, my slide was now consistent no matter where I was bowling.

It might be worth a $10.00 investment to give it a shot......I am now on my 3rd one in 5 years, and am glad I tried it.

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lefty50 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2011, 11:57:35 AM »

BJBA, I'm not aware of being able to use the Dexter soles on my ABS. In fact, if my memory is right, the velcro is reversed and can't work between brands... Not totally sure about that... I would love to try a leather heel, but like I said, I think the adjust a heel is ok, it's the sole that's killing me.

MTFD, I did try the slide sock, and my teammate also uses one. For me, they always slipped as much as the felt, but maybe I didn't break it in enough. I'll try it too. I'll try anything to keep bowling at this point.

Thanks to all.

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lefty50 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2011, 02:11:10 PM »

Dave, the first thing I did was buy the #3 replacement sole from Buddies. It's a different color, no slide at all, really a disappointmen and "should" have been the answer, but sadly, it wasn't. You like your SSt 8? Thanks to replies here, I've got several things to try now... We'll see what happens.

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Smash49 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2011, 09:58:23 PM »

Go to www.bowlersslidesock.com and look at the Premier II slide sock. It is designed specifically for the interchangeable wide foot print shoe. There is no other sock like it on the market and the slide is natural not just slick. The sock adapts to your slide to give you a natural slide no matter what the condition.

Smash49

Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter your slide is correct with SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock. The Finest Slide Sock on the Planet!!!
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tdub36tjt · « **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2011, 08:55:35 AM »

If you take the one that slides too much and practice with it to break it in, it should lose some of the slide and might be your answer?? I use sst and when I buy a new sole there is way too much slide but within one of two series its where I like it...just has to collect a little dirt I guess. I can use a 10 (most slick) or an 8 once they are broke in. With the 10 I just use a little more brake than I do with the 8 and that makes up the difference. But the 8 doesn't last as long cause eventually it loses a lot of slide and is less slide than a 6....the 10 was difficult to break in but once I did, it has been perfect. But a brand new 8 or 10 is like an ice rink....

tdub36tjt · « **Reply #10 on:** March 14, 2011, 08:55:41 AM »

If you take the one that slides too much and practice with it to break it in, it should lose some of the slide and might be your answer?? I use sst and when I buy a new sole there is way too much slide but within one of two series its where I like it...just has to collect a little dirt I guess. I can use a 10 (most slick) or an 8 once they are broke in. With the 10 I just use a little more brake than I do with the 8 and that makes up the difference. But the 8 doesn't last as long cause eventually it loses a lot of slide and is less slide than a 6....the 10 was difficult to break in but once I did, it has been perfect. But a brand new 8 or 10 is like an ice rink....

lefty50 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 14, 2011, 10:05:26 AM »

Thanks Tdub, that's certainly worth a try also. I'll add it to the list....

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Smash49 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 14, 2011, 01:34:02 PM »

The SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock needs to be prepped by rubbing it into a carpeted surface for about 5 minutes the first time you use it. Then be careful for about 5 frames and it should dial in. The others are most of the time just slick. There is no other slide sock on the market like the Bowlers Slide Sock and especially the Premier II line. The P2 line was designed for the interchangeable shoes. Dexter has tried to duplicate the way it works by using the materials on a slide sole. It's not the material that makes it work. Thus the patent!

Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter! Your slide is correct with SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock!

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charlest · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2011, 01:34:42 PM »

Lefty (Steve),

One other thing - with any sole and any shoe, a wire brush is an absolute necessity. Sometimes it is needed to brush all the crap you collect on the sole when the center is lazy or negligent on doing the proper cleaning. Sometimes, the BEST solution is just to rough up the sole (with or without cleats) to get a less slippery slide. Sometimes to need to restore the slide that you had had, before all the dirt made it either too slippery or too sticky. Dirt can do both at times.

I have carried a brush for as long as I have been bowling. In fact, I just replaced a brush I had bought around 1970. The metallic bristles finally started falling out.

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lefty50 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2011, 02:22:57 PM »

@Charlest, my brush is in the same shape as yours and about as old. I dare say the bristles are pretty much frayed horizontal right now. I've got to get a new one.....

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