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Author Topic: P.B.S. (Pro Balance Slide) Shoe Sale  (Read 3641 times)

10 In The Pit

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P.B.S. (Pro Balance Slide) Shoe Sale
« on: May 14, 2003, 06:20:45 AM »
For anyone out there looking for a cheaper alternative to a variable sole shoe, there are some P.B.S. shoes available that are actually the forerunners of the Linds Exxxtras.  Linds manufactured these shoes for P.B.S. in the U.S., but P.B.S. has since gone out of business.  They (some of the people associated with P.B.S.) still have some inventory that they are trying to sell out, and it might make a good buy for someone looking to save some dollars on a variable sole shoe.

The basic P.B.S. shoes (with the standard cleat inserts) are $50, and you can purchase the full set of variable cleats for an added $23.  I'm thinking that the P.B.S. shoes are built along the same line as the Linds Classics, but with the variable cleats.

For more information on the available sizes of these shoes, check out my post over on the "For Sale" forum here.  If you want the phone number of who to contact, just message me here and I'll be glad to give you the name and number of who to contact to discuss a purchase.

 

10 In The Pit

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Re: P.B.S. (Pro Balance Slide) Shoe Sale
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2003, 11:45:47 PM »
Info update:  The P.B.S. shoes come in white color only, which is what I originally suspicioned.  Having owned several sets of Linds Customs in the white color, they look pretty sharp.

Also, the shoes can be configured for either righthand or lefthanded use, depending on exactly where you position the cleats (or pucks).  So, you don't have to specify RH or LH when ordering.

10 In The Pit

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Re: P.B.S. (Pro Balance Slide) Shoe Sale
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2003, 10:37:39 PM »
Added update:  The P.B.S. shoes are basically Linds Classic shoes with a bottom on them similar to the Exxxtras.  Yes, there are some small variances between the P.B.S. and Linds in regards to the inserts themselves, such as there is a teflon insert available for the P.B.S. shoes.

For someone looking for a pair of durable, made in the U.S., variable sole shoes at a reasonable price, the P.B.S. shoes are definitely worth looking into.  I would already have a pair on order myself, except that my size is already sold out.

10 In The Pit

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Re: P.B.S. (Pro Balance Slide) Shoe Sale
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2003, 02:36:03 AM »
Another tidbit that I forgot to mention earlier is that these P.B.S. shoes are available in both Men's and Women's sizes.  For a rundown on the exact sizes available, check out my post over on the "For Sale" forum here.

MI 2 AZ

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Re: P.B.S. (Pro Balance Slide) Shoe Sale
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2003, 07:36:44 PM »
ttt
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: P.B.S. (Pro Balance Slide) Shoe Sale
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2003, 06:29:12 PM »
Received my pair of PBS shoes today. They are white, and look like the Linds Classic style. Box says Made In The USA. Both shoe soles are perforated to accept pucks but not the heels. So you cant adjust the heels, only the soles. The Exxxtras will allow pucks in the heels.

There is also a difference between the Exxxtra pucks and the PBS pucks as noted before, but it is the opposite of what was stated. The PBS pucks have a diameter of 1-1/16 inch, whereas the Exxxtras pucks are 1-1/8 inch diameter. The PBS pucks are thinner than the Exxxtras and would require the adjusters if using the PBS puck in the Exxxtra shoe. The thickness of the PBS puck is approximately 1/8 inch or 3/16 inch with the velcro material. I dont have an Exxxtra puck available to measure right now, but I know they are thicker. The PBS shoe sole perforation would accept the Exxxtra puck diameter-wise but not sure if the thickness of the Exxxtra puck would be too much. As it is, the diameter of the sole perforation is 1-1/8 so the PBS puck looks like it is too small inside there but that only makes it easier to remove one, since you have room to get your fingernail or some other object like a small knife or end of a pen into the perforation to remove the puck.

Overall, good quality shoe, but those expecting to be able to adjust the heel may be disappointed. However, the pucks from the PBS shoe will fit the Exxxtra if you have the adjusters. Not sure if the reverse is true due to the thickness of the Exxxtra puck or shallowness of the PBS shoe sole.  For the price, $80 for the shoes, a set of extra pucks, and shipping, a good deal.

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10 In The Pit

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Re: P.B.S. (Pro Balance Slide) Shoe Sale
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2003, 11:12:47 PM »
Even though there are some variances between the P.B.S. shoes and the Exxxtras, it is hard to beat the price of $80 for a good pair of variable sole shoes, the optional set of variable cleats, and even the shipping cost thrown in too.  It would cost at least $30 more to even come close to this combination, and like you mentioned, the P.B.S. shoes are made in the U.S.A..  

There are many bowlers out there who will spend $200 on a new bowling ball, yet they won't spend a dime on a good pair of shoes that might help their game out a lot more than a new ball.  Sometimes it pays to stop and reevaluate your equipment to see if you really have what you need.  Bowlers running on a pair of entry level shoes could do themselves a big favor by taking advantage of an investment such as this.

MI 2 AZ

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Re: P.B.S. (Pro Balance Slide) Shoe Sale
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2003, 12:58:00 AM »
Forgot to mention that included in the extra full set of cleats (pucks) is a teflon version.  Very useful for me because I like to get a lot of slide and by using a couple of these I can slide on synthetics where others are having problems.  It states on the packaging that these teflon pucks can be used if you step in water and the sole is still damp, just use the teflon pucks to allow you to slide.  Dont think I want to test that scenario.
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10 In The Pit

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Re: P.B.S. (Pro Balance Slide) Shoe Sale
« Reply #8 on: May 28, 2003, 09:23:07 AM »
Yep MI_2_AZ, I read the same deal in the literature for the shoes.  On the problem of "moist or wet sole", it said to use the teflon Super Slide cleats by the wet spot.....add more teflon cleats as needed.  I'm surprised that Linds has never marketed the teflon cleats themselves for their Exxxtras.  I definitely agree with you that I wouldn't care to test out the wet sole deal on the approach....I still recall an incident back about 25 years ago where I stepped unknowingly in some Coke that someone had spilled in the pit area.  I went to throw my next shot, and I wound up with my head some 12 feet past the foul line, face down in the right gutter, and my glasses landed some 30 feet downlane.  Needless to say, it was a rough flight, and it taught me to test out my slide sole whenever I've been wandering out and around the pit area.


MI 2 AZ

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Re: P.B.S. (Pro Balance Slide) Shoe Sale
« Reply #9 on: August 18, 2003, 10:10:56 PM »
ttt for drcjjr
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