No, I didn't try flexing the ankle. I do like the 255's more, but that might be because they're the only ones that I was able to try on in narrow. It's a bummer that I wouldn't be able to get them for over a month though! But I want to get the ones that are right for me. Would it be better to get the 229's and upgrade when the time comes...or get the 255's which should last me a little longer? (assuming I can bend the ankle)
Unless the company has something in stock on the shelves (a common size, for example) then a 4 to 6 week wait is not uncommon. I don't know how companies work for rec skates, but I know for other skates they do the orders as they come in unless it's something people are know to ask for. As far as I know Harlicks, Jackson, and SP-teri are all built by hand in the US. It's not like there's a big factory in China churning them out (though that may be true of some of the sporting goods store skates).