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Online now: 2 members: TABLE SETTER 11, ace42850; 48 anonymousDiscussion: Miken Durability
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| June 11, 2010 TommyG 1 posts | Miken Durability Good Afternoon to all, We played a Regional in Potterville MI, Men's AAA. During the tourney we broke 5 Miken Ultra softball bats, some with as few as 30 hits. They are not under warranty. I had a conversation with Miken Customer Service about durability. At Miken, their position is that there is not a durability problem, they are not getting complaints. I attempted to compare the original Ultra's and how long they lasted, with the new models, and their position is that the new Ultra's do not perform as well as the originals, not close and that is why they may not hold up as well. Is there anyone else out there that has issues with the Ultra 2, Ultra 2 Maxload, and the new Ultra re-issue? I think the reason that MIken is not getting complaints is that the bats are not warrantied,just throw it away. I am looking for feedback from other players that are having problems with Miken Ultra's and what you might be doing to get the maximum number of hits from these bats. We don't use them for BP or extra hitting because most have a life of less than 75 at bats. Maybe one tournement. Thanks, TG |
| June 11, 2010 Bomber23 58 posts | I play for a 6 team SSUSA league in FL and I'm the one who supplies bats to the guys and I haven't noticed an increase in broken bats. A lot of the guys use their U2's for batting practice against my wishes but so far only one break of 30-40 guys in 2 minths of summer practice. We use U2's, Max-Loads and the new pecial Edition Gray U2's |
| June 11, 2010 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | When the 1st U-2 came out another player and I split the cost and bought one. It broke in the 3rd tourney at about 75 hits with most of the team using it. I bought another 3 originals for the next T's and as a spares, Used it for 2 years before cracking it. Sold 1 original to a friend and he had it for 3 years with an occasional other player using it. The next two issues I went through two others. The last original I started using in about 06 and stopped using it to use another lighter bat. I sold it to a senior in 08 or 09 to a young "senior" player. Since the originals, I have gone through 2 other U-2's since. Prefer the Grey Combat and original Freak for durability. I just sold my Freak 100. Bought a Freak DST, ASA bat the week it was released to try out later. So my opinion on the newer Miken Ultras is not a positive one. |
| June 13, 2010 smooth01 Men's 50 128 posts | Played intournament inCouncil bluffs this weekend, a teammate had a ultra with only about 15 swings on it break. The Miken trailer basicly said too bad.They have a problem ,but won't admit it. Until they do I suggest all Seniors look at other Senior bats.We spend too much money on their equipment for them to just ignore this problemI personally, will only purchase Combat senior bats from now on. |
| June 13, 2010 DoubleL10 Men's 70 907 posts | I bought a Miken MaxLoad last fall in Phoenix at the SSUSA Worlds. I hit it a few times off a T and it broke in less than 50 swings...never got into a game with it! I've got 2 Worth Toxic XXXs (27 and 28 oz) and they, to me, are every bit as good as my Ultra II and neither has broken yet. The 27 I got last fall and the 28 is about 2 months old. I never swing them in BP though. I probably have over 250 swings on the 27 and 75 on the 28. |
| June 14, 2010 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | The truth is, as I think most of us show, is that we will continue to buy the Mikens and they know it. |
| June 14, 2010 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | I'm on my second U2 of the year already and haven't even played that much because of injuries. I am more comfortable with the way it swings than the other bats and will continue to use it. If you want to compete, you have to have the best bat you are comfortable with. Period. |
| June 14, 2010 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | Very true Webbie, and this is why Miken has NO economic reason to change anything. |
| June 14, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | no company producing a composite bat cares,not just miken. |
| June 14, 2010 garyheifner 649 posts | I bought 2 U2s when they 1st came out. Both were 29oz. I have well over 2000 hits on one and I only use it in games now. The other had well over a 1000 when I gave it to a friend. He used it for about 2 more years in both 12" and 16" softball before it broke. I purchased a new 29 oz. in Phoenix last year, it has about 50-60 hits on it and will be my next game bat when the old one kicks the bucket. You guys have me worried about the new one. Our team has been together for about 8 years now and Miken is used by everyone. We have experienced the most broken bats in the 26-27 ounce range. A few 28s and only two 29 oz I can remember. The one 30 oz. used by several at times has to be about 4 years old and going strong. I am starting to think the lighter bats, maybe due to x-tra flex, might be the ones most at risk. For those broken bats, all is not lost. Get some gorilla glue, put it on the crack and put strips of fiber glass over the glue and followup with some duck tape. Hit the ball opposite the crack and you will have a very nice "BATTING PRACTICE" thats batting practice bat. Many of the guys used one I fixed for batting practice before tourney games and it lasted about 6 tournaments before breaking in half. What's the saying-build it and they will come. Maybe if someone could convince Miken to add durability to performance, they would put the rest of the guys out of business. |
| June 14, 2010 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | I do use a 28, and they do break.I guess it has to do with the thinness needed to create the trampoline effect.I can see your point about heavier bats being stronger, though. Does anyone have inside knowledge if that is really true? |
| June 15, 2010 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | I've been told and believe that all bats of the same model are the same. The way they make a 30 or a 26 is by the weight of the rod in the handle. I don't believe there is any difference in the walls of a 30 or 26. I've also heard from some that a heavier endcap is used to increase weight in endloaded bats, up to a 28. A 30 in that same model only has 2 more ounces in the handle. Maybe someone with first hand experience will give us the story. |
| June 15, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | bruce kinda what i have heard also. |
| June 15, 2010 jwo-9 Men's 60 14 posts | I too believe that we have less breakage with the heavier bats. I bought a 29 oz u2 when they first came out and am still using it. I used to let teammates use it as well until I decided to find another with the ASA 2000 stamp. When I had to give 300.00 dollars for a like new 30oz with the ASA stamp I stopped letting others use my bat. After having shoulder surgery I don't know if I will be able to swing the 30oz but if my 29 ever breaks I'll have it in my bag. IMO the older models with ASA stamp do last longer. |
| June 15, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | do you think its slower bat speed with the heavier bat that lets them last longer,vs a higher bat speed with the lighter bats. |
| July 10, 2010 CanOcorn 12 posts | I play in the 40's and I have a friend who has broken 5 Maxloads. I know that some think 40's shouldn't use senior bats but most of our guys do. I still use a freak plus that I know wont crack in 50-60 swings. We played in Sparks and I saw 3 Mikens break also. For $200 it is a joke that they break this easy. I just got a new senior bat that came to the market recently and will try to post my review soon. |
| July 10, 2010 madsenior 54 posts | Our team got 3 U2’s for team bats and they all cracked in less than 150 swings. That is why we moved to the Veteran bat. So far we have over 200 hits and all is well. Performance seems to be same but based on another team that has 400 hits on it this bat seems to live much longer. |
| July 10, 2010 salio2k Men's 60 547 posts | madsenior......Are you going to be in Dalton next week? I would like to see this "Chinese Wonder Bat" that hits like a U2. |
| July 11, 2010 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | We blew out four Mikens more in Pinetop this weekend. One was practically new. Probably rain and waterlogged balls. |
| Sept. 13, 2010 "MARIO" 20 posts | I have broke 4 Ultra's this year - the last one on the first swing out of the wrapper. It was a 28 maxload red Ultra II. I have since switched bats to the newest one on the market. Its hotter and seems like its more durable. E-mail me and I can give you the details. |
| Sept. 13, 2010 papo08 13 posts | was taking BP with a bunch of locals yesterday and watched them throw away two Ultras. both had sub 150 hits on em before they sharktooth'd. |
| Sept. 13, 2010 bucs15 25 posts | 3 ultra 11 red max end load 27 oz all broke with less then 50 swings.The last broke in Salem right out of wrapper on first swing.I called Miken and spoke to Lisa who claims you have to swing easy for the first 50 or so Ab's.Been playing competitive softball for 30+ years and never heard that you need to swing easy.Lisa you are clueless if that is your best advice,just come out and say they are garbage.Switched to yellow combat no problems after 200+ Ab's |
| Sept. 13, 2010 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | I can't speak as to why the bats on this thread have broken, but I have broken 4 bats in 5 years. 3-UII's and 1 MM. I am 275Lbs and do not swing anything less than a 30oz. IMO, the most common reason bats break: 1. You are swinging too light a bat for your Ht/Wt. 2. Once the bat is hot 50-75 swings, never take batting practice with it again. Tournament bat only, get a different for (senior) league. 3. Always bat 1st or 2nd in batting practice, dry balls not heavy. 4. Never let anyone use your bat. I am a nice guy, but I won't let you kiss my wife. Same thing both are special to me. 5. Finally, don't ever freaking shave, roll, load, or hit the damn bat with a mallet. Lastly, I have found Miken to be very responsive when the issue arises. |
| Sept. 13, 2010 curveball Men's 65 705 posts | Very well addressed softball4b. I have broken Mikens, Combats, and 510's. Only the 510's didn't last a great number of swings. If they are used properly, see above post by softball4b, you will get a ton of swings out of the UII. BP with damp heavy balls eats them!!! |
| Sept. 14, 2010 stick8 1992 posts | Softball4b, you are spot on. Not sure if they're still available but there are special balls from anaconda sports designed specifically so bats won't be harmed during bp. |
| Sept. 15, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | stick the balls your speak of are the evil bp balls.they are orange and white so you can see the spin/no spin on the ball when hit.they are 48-425 ball,good for break in of your bat and won't do the damage the harder ones will do.www.softballfans.com has a thread in their main softball forum at this moment if you would like to read more about them. |
| Sept. 16, 2010 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | hey, bucs15-I got a black U2 in Reno and the guy at the Miken van was bragging that they were hot out of the wrapper. He was right as my first hit was a dinger and had several more in the tourney. It has since broken along with another. This has been an expensive year with 1 freak and 3 ultras broken. Almost $1000 in bats??? And we still have KC, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Phoenix again and Orlando left. I do not use it for BP either. |
| Sept. 16, 2010 stick8 1992 posts | Thanks mad dog. I'll check it out. |
| Sept. 16, 2010 Jawood Men's 50 943 posts | My new max load broke in 50 swings. The paint started to chip in the first 10. It doesn't look like the newer Miken's are as durable as the older ones. I have since gone to a black U2 from 3 years ago sitting in my garage and it's doing fine. |
| Sept. 16, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | yep guys,its the reason i have switched over to combat(been 3 yrs now and have broke only 2,with 1 having well over 1000 swings on it).if i had seen curt hollis this past weekend i would of gave the new Reebok a shot.but as of now miken is on my crap list,sorry corky. |
| Oct. 30, 2010 chikn55 Men's 60 29 posts | Had a brand new 29oz Miken Ultra ll. Pulled it out last Saturday to hit, the weather was about 70 degrees. The bat broke on the 20th hit. The first bucket of balls. The bat had no marks on it except for the side that was smashed. I called Miken and explained to them what happened. They gave me a RA number and said they would look at it, but couldn't promise anything. Well I heard from Miken and they are going to replace my bat for me. THANK YOU MIKEN ! |
| Oct. 31, 2010 thunderstruck21 12 posts | I still have a 484 maniac that's been with me for about 4 years now playing league and BP (not in the cage) and I haven't got a single crack yet and still has pop.Now on the other hand a guy I used to play with broke his 282 few years ago so yes I know these are ancient but I use this bat tail end of spring all thru summer and depends how cold it gets in fall and this bat never sees the cage. |
| Oct. 31, 2010 JamesLG 420 posts | Hi: Are the older ASA stamped U2,s any better or are they just as fragile? Thank You: James |
| Nov. 1, 2010 Barons#34 1 posts | I very displeased with the durability of the Miken line this year. I really like the way the ball comes off the bat, but 2 bats 26 cuts, didnt even get to swing it in Phoenix. I went through 11 Miken Ultra 11 this year. A 2000 stamped U-2, and yes a Legacy, I never thought that bat would break. Last year I went through 2 MM, but it did take a couple of months. Im a big guy...ok Im a fat guy 290, but come on, somebody has to come up with something that lasts longer than it takes me to get to first. KC Baron#34 |
| Nov. 2, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | thunderstruck,that 484 you have are logs,they take a 1000 swings just to break in,but when they do,yes they are good.surprise your buddy broke a 282 as they are the same as a 484.i have the usssa version 585 and like it.it has at least 500-750 swings on it and is still going strong.now for senior play i use the combats,been swinging them for 3 years now and like them a lot.i got my first MM in nov of 08 and it is still kicking good.i have 4 grays and 2 MM's and in the 3 years swinging combats i have broke 2,1(gray) with well over 1k swings and another(red 10" barrel) that had 300 swings on it. i have watch guys bp'ing with brand new ultra's and breaking them in less than 50 swings. with the 2 new bats(reebok,veteran) out lets see how long they last and maybe miken will be in a pickle and have to start making their bat more durable. |
| Nov. 5, 2010 thunderstruck21 12 posts | Yeah mad dog,you can say that again.I'm pretty pleased with it right now and I know that day will come when the blue retires it until then I'll keep swinging it.Hopefully miken will incorperate a bat with durablity that 484 and performace of ultra,ultra 2 but I guess they wouldn't make much money off us.It's either choosing a 4X4 or a corvette(lol) |
| Nov. 5, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | we kinda have that with utrip bats.they have the same 1.20 test,but do it over the whole barrel,the old one just does C.O.P. area on the barrel,mfg'ers got around that by shifting C.O.P. just enough to slide by the test.they also knew that if they could get pass the 1.20 test the bat would break in and get way hotter.senior testing is the last/old test. |
