If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Softboots made harder
Hey..
I had an idea that apparently worked out rather well. This is only my second season, although I'm progressing well. I ride with Burton Step-Ins, From what I understand, the Moto a stiff boot in itself. I've noticed that from the lack of an upper boot strap, that my boots would loosen during the day/night, leaving me with less response on my toe-side. To correct this problem, I had an idea of putting an additional strap around the very top of my boot. I went out and bought 2 x 1 meter lengths of standard webbing, and bought some very strong (yet cheap) buckle/clamps, and made a new strap. I used the new straps to batten down the tops of my boots. Since I had the additional support up top, I didn't need to lace all the way up. I used the additional lace length to make a few stragetic wraps lower down the boot. Bottom line, my boots are now VERY tight, and very stiff.. It seemed to work remarkably well, giving me a greater level of control.. while I still have the convenience of the step-in system. It's only a matter of time untill I find myself in proper hard boots. To be honest, I don't like the idea of having to wear hardboots. One of the appeals to snowboarding was the fact that I could wear more comfortable boots... but I can really see how my carving would improve if I was able to have much steeper binding angles. For you hardbooters out there, are they much trouble when having to skate across flats? I had a great night last night. There's something oddly rewarding about carving until your legs are so noodled that you have a hard time getting back to your car. I was so exhausted, I had to keep switching which hand was carrying my board.. =) One more thing.. as far as my softboot carving is going: I feel that my toe side is pretty good, but I still have trouble setting my edge on the heelside. I'm currently at +15 Back, +30 Front (goofy), and at the widest stance my board will allow. Any other subtle tips I could use to improve my heelside carves? Next time I will be upping the angles of my highbacks.. but I can only set them so high before the angle prevents me from actually getting into my bindings.. Any advice is appreciated. |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Softboots made harder
I went out and bought 2 x 1 meter lengths of standard webbing, and
bought some very strong (yet cheap) buckle/clamps, and made a new strap. I used the new straps to batten down the tops of my boots. Since I had the additional support up top, I didn't need to lace all the way up. I used the additional lace length to make a few stragetic wraps lower down the boot. Heh - sounds like you made a home-made version of a SkiMetrix Booster Strap: http://www.skimetrix.com Cool! For you hardbooters out there, are they much trouble when having to skate across flats? I don't find it any easier or harder to skate across flats. In terms of comfort, I find my soft boots decidely more comfortable for walking in, but more comfortable for riding (and skating). I use the exact same footbed in both hard and soft, but my hard boots have a much nicer liner. I had a great night last night. There's something oddly rewarding about carving until your legs are so noodled that you have a hard time getting back to your car. I was so exhausted, I had to keep switching which hand was carrying my board.. =) I love that feeling! Fortunately at my favorite riding spot, I can ride almost all the way to my car on most days! One more thing.. as far as my softboot carving is going: I feel that my toe side is pretty good, but I still have trouble setting my edge on the heelside. I'm currently at +15 Back, +30 Front (goofy), and at the widest stance my board will allow. Any other subtle tips I could use to improve my heelside carves? Next time I will be upping the angles of my highbacks.. but I can only set them so high before the angle prevents me from actually getting into my bindings.. Have you tried narrowing your stance yet? A narrower stance might give your hips a little more freedom to move which might help your heelside. As you narrow you might consider also narrowing the gap between your angles - say move feet an inch closer together and try 27/15 or 30/18 or maybe even 27/18. Anyone know of a really good pic of someone doing a heelside carve in softies? Here's a toeside that blows my mind: http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulleti...=7822#post7822 Mike T |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Softboots made harder
On 18 Feb 2004 05:11:57 -0800, (Edmunde Lee)
wrote: Hey.. I had an idea that apparently worked out rather well. This is only my second season, although I'm progressing well. I ride with Burton Step-Ins, From what I understand, the Moto a stiff boot in itself. Edmund..got any pics/diagrams of this setup? Spiff |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Softboots made harder
On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 14:36:37 GMT, "Mike T"
allegedly wrote: Anyone know of a really good pic of someone doing a heelside carve in softies? Here's a toeside that blows my mind: http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulleti...ostid=7822#pos t7822 Great shot. I don't get anywhere near that although it feels like it to me, the camera never lies! :-) Heelside - are we allowed to stick our bum out in softboots and low angles? ;-) - Dave. -- The only powder to get high on, falls from the sky. http://www.vpas.org/ - Snowboarding the worlds pow pow - Securing your e-mail The Snowboard FAQ lives here - http://rssFAQ.org/ |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Softboots made harder
Heelside - are we allowed to stick our bum out in softboots and low
angles? ;-) Define "sticking out!" You want to keep the butt "over" the heel edge as much as possible, where "over" is relative to the heel edge and not the snow. "As much as possible" as certainly more in an alpine stance because you're facing forward. Follow this link and scroll down to the pix with the lines drawn over them: http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulleti...pagenum ber=2 The diagrams show the impact of small changes in position. Follow the link on copek's post on the "Excessive Leg Strain Carving at High Speeds" thread for more on heelside turns, in softies, at low angles. In copek's Bomber thread, there's a pic of a fellow in a heelside turn, just not really laid out. Note the back is straight - even though the butt is hanging over the edge, it's not "sticking out" because the back is straight up from the butt. That's what you want. I need to get someone to video me carving in softies, becase I'm pretty sure my softie heelside needs some work! Mike T |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Softboots made harder
Anyone know of a really good pic of someone doing a heelside carve in
softies? Here's a toeside that blows my mind: http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulleti...=7822#post7822 There was a fantastic shot of Vin from Out of Bounds making a heelside in softies. He was flat to the snow, body forward, CMC style. From what I remember, he rides with really extreme angles, 55f/45r. Personally I don't think my boots/bindings would work right that forward, but I guess it's the only way if you wanted to do a race style carve all the way down to the snow. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Softboots made harder
I went out and bought 2 x 1 meter lengths of standard webbing, and
bought some very strong (yet cheap) buckle/clamps, and made a new strap. I used the new straps to batten down the tops of my boots. Since I had the additional support up top, I didn't need to lace all the way up. I used the additional lace length to make a few stragetic wraps lower down the boot. Heh - sounds like you made a home-made version of a SkiMetrix Booster Strap: http://www.skimetrix.com Cool! Holy cow.... I wish I could see the buckle on the SkiMetrix closer.. I swear it looks almost identical to the one I bought (for $2). The whole strap costs less than $4. (CND) What I'd really like to find, is a small, yet strong, rachet mechanism.. I'm going to be keeping my eyes out for that. The strap made a BIG difference. Have you tried narrowing your stance yet? A narrower stance might give your hips a little more freedom to move which might help your heelside. As you narrow you might consider also narrowing the gap between your angles - say move feet an inch closer together and try 27/15 or 30/18 or maybe even 27/18. I did have it closer together, it didn't feel too great... but I'll probably try it again.. with steeper angles as well. My stance now is very comfortable, but I'm willing to try some new stuff. At least I'm at the skill level where I can mess with my bindings, and still be able to ride with some control, even if the settings are no good at all. I tried a -30 +30 duck.. =) that didn't last too long. Next trip... steeper back binding angle, increase the highback angle, and perhaps narrowing the stance. Thanks for the tips |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Softboots made harder
Holy cow.... I wish I could see the buckle on the SkiMetrix closer..
I swear it looks almost identical to the one I bought (for $2). The whole strap costs less than $4. (CND) Just a basic cam buckle. Here's a photo of mine: http://www.tovino.com/misc/booster.jpg They probably make a bundle off those things! I noticed they do have a registered patent, I'm not about to go look up what it is though (I spend too much time here as it is!) What I'd really like to find, is a small, yet strong, rachet mechanism.. I'm going to be keeping my eyes out for that. The strap made a BIG difference. I've been using the strap on my hard boots for a year now, it mostly reduces shin-bang by keeping the upper part of the cuff snug, but it does give them a bit more rebound for starting turns with more authority. I do recall smeone on Bomber using them on softies - you've inspired me to try it too. I did have it closer together, it didn't feel too great... but I'll probably try it again.. with steeper angles as well. Yeah, I've found that once I've got my stance dialed, changing one aspect of it for a performance reason usually means changing another aspect to get the comfort back. Examples: In a freeride / freestyle oriented stance, If I want to narrow my stance, I find I need to reduce the difference between the angles (splay) and if I want to widen it I need to increase the splay. I use less splay with the same stance width in an alpine stance than I do in a freeride / freestyle stance, but even within an alpine stance, the same rule still applies. I still tweak my stance sometimes in order to help me work on a specific skill or get rid of a defect in my riding - but once I've done that I usually go back to my default stance, and make sure I've still "got" whatever skill I just worked on in the default stance. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Softboots made harder
"Mike T" wrote in message .. .
I went out and bought 2 x 1 meter lengths of standard webbing, and bought some very strong (yet cheap) buckle/clamps, and made a new strap. I used the new straps to batten down the tops of my boots. Since I had the additional support up top, I didn't need to lace all the way up. I used the additional lace length to make a few stragetic wraps lower down the boot. Heh - sounds like you made a home-made version of a SkiMetrix Booster Strap: http://www.skimetrix.com Cool! Hey Edmunde, that sounds really neat, how easy was it to do? I am interested in making my boots stiffer as well. Would all the parts be available at a store like Home Depot? What type of buckle/clamp did you get? What is difficult to fashion? For you hardbooters out there, are they much trouble when having to skate across flats? I don't find it any easier or harder to skate across flats. In terms of comfort, I find my soft boots decidely more comfortable for walking in, but more comfortable for riding (and skating). I use the exact same footbed in both hard and soft, but my hard boots have a much nicer liner. I've found skating to be basically the same, made even easier as you are riding such a high angle that you don't have to twist you hipes forward as much (assuming you like to kick off on the toeside). --Arvin |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Softboots made harder
On 18 Feb 2004 05:11:57 -0800, Edmunde Lee said (and I quote):
It's only a matter of time untill I find myself in proper hard boots. To be honest, I don't like the idea of having to wear hardboots. One of the appeals to snowboarding was the fact that I could wear more comfortable boots... but I can really see how my carving would improve if I was able to have much steeper binding angles. For you hardbooters out there, are they much trouble when having to skate across flats? Hard boots are no harder to skate with. In fact, they're usually much easier 'cos of the high binding angles. I find I can always outskate softbooters because I can push with far more power and efficiency due to the fact that I'm basically facing forward anyway. In general, I find hard boots more comfortable while riding because the hard shell distributes pressure more evenly than the typical strap binding. I can't pretend they're better for walking, although they are sometimes better for walking up steep snowy slopes because they allow you to kick a toehold. I find the worst thing is how slippery they can be in an icy lift line, especially when skating to the point where you get picked up by the chair. I once slipped over when trying to stop at that point, and it's not a good place to be lying on the ground, with a heavy steel chair coming along to clonk you on the head. I've since developed a very cautious shuffle when getting into postion for a chair. One more thing.. as far as my softboot carving is going: I feel that my toe side is pretty good, but I still have trouble setting my edge on the heelside. I'm currently at +15 Back, +30 Front (goofy), and at the widest stance my board will allow. Any other subtle tips I could use to improve my heelside carves? Next time I will be upping the angles of my highbacks.. but I can only set them so high before the angle prevents me from actually getting into my bindings.. Yep, higher angles on the highbacks might do thr trick. If the trouble is setting the heelside edge, you might also try pulling up with your toes at the beginning of the heelside turn. -- A: Top-posters. Q: What's the most annoying thing on usenet? |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
New Softboots "packing in" | Stephan | Snowboarding | 1 | February 12th 04 12:11 AM |