Dark Ferrous Metal
Lurker
Posts: 565
Age: 41
Loc: A dark garage in Texas......
Registered on 06-29-06
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03-14-08 02:27 PM - Post#419975
Alright folks I've been in the market for rubber bumper plates for months now and I'm coming up short. I can find them no problems, I just can't find them at a price that matches my current budget. I've scanned e-bay, craigslist, google, classifieds, play it again, etc. to no avail. Does anyone have a great source they can share? The best I've found so far is:
http://store.wfwclub.com/plates.html
Another thing, assuming I can't spring for the whole set at one time can I use some metal plates along with bumpers or will that trash the bumpers? I have zero experience with bumpers so any insight would help. I am wanting them mainly for cleans and for minimizing the lowering of deadlifts. However if I get them I would probably play around with adding the overhead squat and snatch to my arsenal as well.
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Wicked Willie
The mouth of the South
Posts: 14276
Age: 54
Loc: Gainesville, FL., USA
Registered on 03-31-04
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03-14-08 02:41 PM - Post#419982
I'll do some looking for you...in the meanwhile, have you considered using some trailer wheels and tires? Usually, you can find these at a farm supply or hardware store and if you're lucky, they'll be around the size of a 25 lb. plate and have an axle hole that is near the size you need.
They usually require a bit of creative metal work to create a tight fit on your bar...but they can be significantly cheaper.
Wicked
| "I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in." |
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lab rat
_Vic
Posts: 859
Age: 54
Loc: Grand Junction, CO
Registered on 10-10-07
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03-14-08 02:47 PM - Post#419989
I've never used them. Per lb. they seem to cost nearly twice what steel plates cost. And then you may only get a couple of years out of them. Sorry I can't help in your quest, but I did learn something from the link.
| ..."at least I'm enjoyin' the ride". |
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/sk
geek for "seldom posts"
Posts: 5514
Age: 51
Loc: Texas
Registered on 03-31-04
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03-14-08 02:49 PM - Post#419992
I should think a set of 45s would be good to start. As long as your lower weights are smaller in diameter, you should be fine until your hauling 225...
/sk
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Kyle Estle
Disrupting Homeostasis
Posts: 5270
Age: 47
Loc: CA
Registered on 04-01-04
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03-14-08 02:51 PM - Post#419994
Here's a previous thread:
Bumpers
I bought mine from Glen Pendlay. They aren't the least expensive, but just like most things you get what you pay for. I highly recommend getting plates with a stainless steel hub.
Kyle E.
| Performance, Health, and Longevity |
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jej
average
Posts: 4305
Loc: Oklahoma
Registered on 11-01-04
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03-14-08 02:52 PM - Post#419996
First thing is to make sure your bumpers and your bar are compatible. A few bars are built with a slightly diameter sleeve than the 2" sleeve that is used on generic bars and with generic plates. Eleiko, Ivanko, York [some bars?], and a couple others have, I think, a 1.94" sleeve. Plates from these mfg will not fit on your generic oly bar with its 2" sleeve. If you are going to use the bars you already have, measure before you buy.
I have Kraiburg bumpers. They are OK. They have brass inserts, and I wonder if these will get torn up on the kind of sleeve that has textured concentric rings cut into the sleeve. I have not banged them down enough to comment on their longevity [and it looks like I never will, but that is another story. I bought them from the mfg/importer
http://www.therubberman.com/WeightPlates.asp
I am still pissed off at the lousy service and would not buy anything from them again, ever. Others sell Kraiburgs - enough that they are sort of the generic bumper plate.
One very cool thing about Kraiburgs is that the 10# plate is full size - so you can get the right height of the bar on the floor for light practice work if need be.
Glenn Pendlay - that's his store you linked to - gets real high marks for service and quality at the crossfit forum. There is another person who posts there who says she is the York rep for the midwest and gives crossfitters a big discount. I have not dealt with either one, so I am just passing on leads.
Using metal plates - well, it depends how much. 5 pounds of iron on a 45 pound bumper is OK. The reverse is not OK. My 10# bumpers are not very robust.
I've rarely seen used bumpers for sale. Wish I knew where to point you for that.
jej
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jmac
OL Geek
Posts: 8896
Age: 49
Loc: Austin, Texas
Registered on 05-03-06
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03-14-08 02:59 PM - Post#420004
Steve has a good point, get a couple of 45's and work from there. I stared with a couple of 25's and they serve me well.
Here is something you might want to check out on eBay for $357, not sure what shipping would be but I'd bet you can get this to your house for under $500
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageNa me=STRK:MEBTOX:IT&ite m=180120942103&_trksi d=p3984.cTODAY.m238.lVI
--
"Let me hear the shoes" - Oleg
"если медведь может ездить велосипед все возможно" -Oleg
jmac's training log
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ccrow
old hand
Posts: 10061
Registered on 04-08-04
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03-14-08 03:00 PM - Post#420005
The big fluffy bumpers are going to be your best buy. Good bumpers last a lot longer than a couple years - I have trained on bumpers older than me, which is old.
The big fluffy Michelin man looking black bumpers are probably the best buy for most trainers. The only problem is you can't load enough on the bar to squat heavy, but for the quick lifts, all but the strongest will be okay. Few really like dumping squats, although that is exactly what a lot of olympic lifters do - they just drop the bar after the last rep, or if they miss.
Mixing metal and bumpers is just a good way to wreck your bumpers. Now the very biggest michelin man bumpers, the 45#'s and 25kg's, are so big they'll be okay. I wouldn't try that with smaller rubber bumpers. It will also beat your bar up a bit. If you must mix, load a big michelin man bumper, then the metal, and another bumper on the outside.
For dropping your deadlifts - just get a stall mat and use metal plates.
The most important test a lifter has to pass
is the test of time.
-John Cole
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Wicked Willie
The mouth of the South
Posts: 14276
Age: 54
Loc: Gainesville, FL., USA
Registered on 03-31-04
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03-14-08 03:02 PM - Post#420006
Pendlay's plates are made by Hi-Temp and have a good reputation for durability. Wrights and Krailburgs are a little less durable but can be had cheaper.
Wicked
| "I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in." |
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ccrow
old hand
Posts: 10061
Registered on 04-08-04
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03-14-08 03:05 PM - Post#420008
I beg to differ with the Kraiburgs, we have Kraiburgs from before Hi-Temp was in business that are still fine.
The most important test a lifter has to pass
is the test of time.
-John Cole
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ccrow
old hand
Posts: 10061
Registered on 04-08-04
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03-14-08 03:06 PM - Post#420009
That deal Jmac found is excellent but I don't know about the quality. The quality on the VTX rubber bumpers is spotty.
The most important test a lifter has to pass
is the test of time.
-John Cole
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Wicked Willie
The mouth of the South
Posts: 14276
Age: 54
Loc: Gainesville, FL., USA
Registered on 03-31-04
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Re: Let's talk bumper plates....
03-14-08 03:11 PM - Post#420013
Check this out.
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=4894023
| "I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in." |
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Dark Ferrous Metal
Lurker
Posts: 565
Age: 41
Loc: A dark garage in Texas......
Registered on 06-29-06
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03-14-08 03:38 PM - Post#420034
Lots of great info here, thanks folks.
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Barney
IronBear
Posts: 8305
Age: 54
Loc: Central FL from NJ
Registered on 03-30-04
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03-14-08 10:05 PM - Post#420188
I bought a couple of mine here.
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Barney
IronBear
Posts: 8305
Age: 54
Loc: Central FL from NJ
Registered on 03-30-04
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03-15-08 01:53 PM - Post#420427
Also Glenn Pendlay usually has good deals and free shipping.
http://store.wfwclub.com/index.html
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