K2 Chinch Binding

Hey,

does anybody know the new K2 Binding called "Cinch"? It combines the
dropable Highback (like Flows) with a normal Ratched Straps! Is this the end
of the philosophic "war" between straps and flows? It costs about 239 Euro
(considering the change rate should be about $300)

So if there is anybody with first hand experience with this binding, let me
know!

Later,
Saim

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Definition des Begriffes Verwendung des europäischen Patentamtes:
"Das Verwenden eines bekannten Materials aufgrund seiner bekannten
Eigenschaften und in an sich bekannter Weise, um eine bekannte Aufgabe zu
lösen, ist NICHT erfinderisch."

"Saim Kim" wrote in message ...
Hey,

does anybody know the new K2 Binding called "Cinch"? It combines the
dropable Highback (like Flows) with a normal Ratched Straps! Is this the end
of the philosophic "war" between straps and flows? It costs about 239 Euro
(considering the change rate should be about $300)

So if there is anybody with first hand experience with this binding, let me
know!

Later,
Saim

Looks like strap version of the FLOWS as you mentioned, but I couldn't
find animation or progression showing how it would work. I don't
recall there ever being a "philosophic war" between straps and flows
as the flow cuff was always micro-adjustable. For me, it was the
difficulty in being able to get a lot of forward lean that was the
problem. I would have been interested "Forward Lean Adjustment"
mechanism, BUT that links leads to a non-existent page... in fact all
the boot and binding tech links do that at the moment. So I go to the
support page to report the problem... DOH the website designed screwed
up the ASP form pages as well for ALL contact options, so no one can
send the K2 Snowboard division emails. I ended up sending the email
via the K2 corporate site... but that's just poor form.

I designed a website using COM+ objects and ASP when I was an intern
in college and they are that hard to do... more importantly regardless
of the difficult, getting someone to test it at least once to make
sure it works is kind of important. I am unimpressed.

--Arvin

True about the website! I checked to find all ansers BUT, nope can`t do!
Well, I found a German website with a nice Videoclip from this years Winter
ISPO in Munich (Sports fair). You can check it he
http://www.snowboardmagazin.de/bilde...O/K2/video.mpg Besides
here are some good pictures (you have to scroll down, though):
http://www.snowboardmagazin.de/threa...ser=0&pag e=1

Now tell me, what you think about it now. I`m about to get me some of these!

Later,
Saim

--


-----------------------
Definition des Begriffes Verwendung des europäischen Patentamtes:
"Das Verwenden eines bekannten Materials aufgrund seiner bekannten
Eigenschaften und in an sich bekannter Weise, um eine bekannte Aufgabe zu
lösen, ist NICHT erfinderisch."

Saim Kim wrote:
Now tell me, what you think about it now. I`m about to get me some of these!


There's no way to know from the video or web site how the mechanism that
raises the strap will perform in the field or over time. How much abuse
can it take and not break? Is the mechanism metal or plastic?

The highback doesn't appear to lay down very far. I've been on chairs
that nearly crushed the rear binding because the chair was too close to
the platform/snow/ice.

But it looks interesting.

Also, the K2 snowboard web site has been fixed (as of 11/18/04 at 6:30
AM CT).

Dean

D wrote:
Also, the K2 snowboard web site has been fixed (as of 11/18/04 at 6:30
AM CT).


The dealer locator reports two dealers in my area that I know carry some
higher end equipment. If either has the Cinch in stock I'm going to
examine it tonight.

Dean

Is that really a problem? I mean I understand how the binding could be
crushed if the chair was to close to the snow, but does it happen that
often? Burton highbacks lock into place, and I don't recall anyone
unlocking them to get on the lift, so that could be a problem for a lot
of bindings if the clearance is that low. I always assumed it was the
resort's job to clear the snow away to prevent this - not an
insignificant task in areas that get heavy snowfall I'm sure. Anyone
else have experience on this?

Also, maybe it's my local area cache that hasn't updated but the
website still points to http://www.k2snowboards.com/bindings/tech.asp
and I still get an error for me at 11/18/04 12:00PM PST. It's not that
important for this particular issue since I think the video is probably
better than anything you will get on the website... they should demo
them to people for free (cc# as deposit)... if they really are that
convenient people will try them out and really like them.

--Arvin

I held the binding in a store. When released, the highback tilts back at
about a 45 degree angle and will not lay flat. The Flow highback will
lay down completely.

My opinion based on my limited experience with bindings (one set of
strap bindings and two Flow models):

If I was buying bindings I'd give them a hard look and would buy them
over the cheaper Flows. I'd need to try them to pick them over the upper
end Flows. Also, I've been on one chair that came so close to the
platform that the Cinch's highback would have been damaged if it was
under the chair.

Dean

lonerider wrote:
Is that really a problem? I mean I understand how the binding could be
crushed if the chair was to close to the snow, but does it happen that
often? Burton highbacks lock into place, and I don't recall anyone
unlocking them to get on the lift, so that could be a problem for a lot
of bindings if the clearance is that low. I always assumed it was the
resort's job to clear the snow away to prevent this - not an
insignificant task in areas that get heavy snowfall I'm sure. Anyone
else have experience on this?


Hello Arvin,

My son was constantly unbuckling his Burton flad at the lift. If he did
not, yes the highback would get jammed under the chair. Because of this
constant unbuckling and buckling of the flad, it loosened up and
eventually came loose during a run. Burton's excellent service center
replaced the lost item, but I still question the design.

Chris

Christopher Cox wrote:

My son was constantly unbuckling his Burton flad at the lift. If he did
not, yes the highback would get jammed under the chair.

I've lost 2 highbacks to chair crunching: a Drake F60 and a Burton P1MD.
The F60 doesn't even have lock down. I wasn't sure why it had bust and
went into Mt Baker Snowboard Shop for replacement. "That'll be chair 6",
they said. Fortunately they keep the biggest bucket of spares I've seen
Iain

Saim Kim wrote:

True about the website! I checked to find all ansers BUT, nope can`t do!
Well, I found a German website with a nice Videoclip from this years Winter
ISPO in Munich (Sports fair). You can check it he
http://www.snowboardmagazin.de/bilde...O/K2/video.mpg Besides
here are some good pictures (you have to scroll down, though):
http://www.snowboardmagazin.de/threa...ser=0&pag e=1

Now tell me, what you think about it now. I`m about to get me some of these!

These may be convenient in-bounds but they can be a real liability
back-country for 3 reasons:
1) They'll be very difficult to put on on a steep slope because the high
back lays back. Sometimes the the only place to put your board on is
confined, steep and icey: you can't walk further because of the risk of
slipping. You want to be putting the board on whilst sitting on the
slope with the board below you and heelside edge engaged in the snow.
These binding won't let you do that. Trying to put the board on toeside
in these condtions is scarey/impossible
2) One of my riding buddies had Flows and lost it on a shear ice
couloir. His rear binding then released so he was tumbling with board
only attached to his front foot. The guide had his phone out before he
stopped moving to call a helicopter, convinced that he would have broken
his leg - amazingly he was ok!
3) They've got to be more prone to jamming and breaking - I like simple
and bombproof.

They look very slick and may work well for many people - I just want to
point out there are some drawbacks
Iain