BINDINGS: Salomon SPX carbon, Drake Podium, Burton C-16

(dhl28) wrote in message . com...
I've done some more research and I think I am going to try Salomon SPX
carbon ro Burton C-16. Does anybody have any opinion/experience on
which binding is stiffer/more responsive?

I have the SPX6 and a friend has the C-16. To me, the SPX6 feels a
touch stiffer than the C-16, and the SPX Carbon feels more or less the
same as the SPX6. C-16 has like stylish italian leather man, so you
can go down the hill feeling like you've got your prada man bag with
you... err... anyhow, the C-16 has more adjustability, and the SPX has
the cool toestraps that make strapping in quicker.

I'd say it's a toss up. They're both good bindings, just depends on
which details you want.

Do you own a pair? It's quite a pricey binding, looks impressive, what
other bindings have you ridden?

Nope. I tried them for an afternoon (the catek). They were very
responsive, and more than that, you could feel the texture of the snow
under the board very clearly... it was also smoother when the board
was up on edge. If I was going to bomb down say an icy boardercross
course, that would be the binding to use, hands down.

But for freeriding, I've found my ankle can't take the jolts from a
metal heelcup, so I went to the solomon bindings I use now. And that's
not just the catek, I had to stop using a set of tech 9 bindings as
well for the same reason. I wouldn't be surprised if I pick a set of
those catek up sometime tho.

I demoed a lot of bindings, but now it's mostly blurred together in my
head. For me it boiled down to getting something as stiff as I wanted,
as damp as I wanted, and that fit my boots well. I wish I'd had a
chance to demo the nidecker 860 and the flow carbons, but never did
:/.

How much do they weigh?

Jason Watkins wrote:

Ohh... and if you want the most responsive biding in the world, it's
the catek freeride (www.catek.com).

Interesting. I have teh SP4 Shaped bindings right now and I like them,
have you demo'd those? I'm wondering if I should move up to SP6 or
SPX.

--arvin

(Jason Watkins) wrote in message . com...
Do you own a pair? It's quite a pricey binding, looks impressive, what
other bindings have you ridden?

Nope. I tried them for an afternoon (the catek). They were very
responsive, and more than that, you could feel the texture of the snow
under the board very clearly... it was also smoother when the board
was up on edge. If I was going to bomb down say an icy boardercross
course, that would be the binding to use, hands down.

But for freeriding, I've found my ankle can't take the jolts from a
metal heelcup, so I went to the solomon bindings I use now. And that's
not just the catek, I had to stop using a set of tech 9 bindings as
well for the same reason. I wouldn't be surprised if I pick a set of
those catek up sometime tho.

I demoed a lot of bindings, but now it's mostly blurred together in my
head. For me it boiled down to getting something as stiff as I wanted,
as damp as I wanted, and that fit my boots well. I wish I'd had a
chance to demo the nidecker 860 and the flow carbons, but never did
:/.

Interesting. I have teh SP4 Shaped bindings right now and I like them,
have you demo'd those? I'm wondering if I should move up to SP6 or
SPX.

A buddy has those. I decided I wanted something a little stiffer, but
I wish the SPX series bindings had the highback wings.

(Jason Watkins) wrote in message . com...
Interesting. I have teh SP4 Shaped bindings right now and I like them,
have you demo'd those? I'm wondering if I should move up to SP6 or
SPX.

A buddy has those. I decided I wanted something a little stiffer, but
I wish the SPX series bindings had the highback wings.

This is only my 2nd pair of strap bindings (first was a pair of Burton
Missions) after 3 years with Clickers and Clicker HB. What does a
stiffer binding feel like? Not like a stiffer board I'm guessing, is
it more responsive? I have a pair of Bomber Trench Digger 1 plate
bindings, I figure those must be pretty stiff.

--arvin

Missions) after 3 years with Clickers and Clicker HB. What does a
stiffer binding feel like? Not like a stiffer board I'm guessing, is
it more responsive? I have a pair of Bomber Trench Digger 1 plate

I think there's 2 parts: the stiffness of the highback, and then how
locked in your foot and ankle feels more locked in. When I ride my
friend's SP4's, for example, they feel very comfortable and coosh...
but they also feel very vauge. When you put the board up on edge,
things feel kindof dull... I also feel like I'm only 1/2 in control,
like I have no choice but to let the board wander it's own line
because small movements I might make only flex the binding... they
don't get transmitted to the board. On the other hand, the flex makes
for a much more easy and comfy ride. I'm not really into the park, but
if I was, I suspect I'd want some softer bindings so I'd have more
"wiggle" room trying to rescue awkward railsides and landings.

I also think the stiffer the binding, the more important a good fit
is. The trick has got to be balancing how much responsiveness you want
with how much dampening you need. For me that worked out to be stiff
plastic bindings like the salomon SPX6. Metal heelcups are too stiff
for me, at least for now, and much less than the SPX6 and I'd feel
like there wasn't enough response for me to keep learning.

it more responsive? I have a pair of Bomber Trench Digger 1 plate
bindings, I figure those must be pretty stiff.

Yeah... I think that's as stiff as it could possibly get .

How much do they weigh?

More than most bindings, but surprisingly light considering how
monsterously strong they are. I don't remember thinking "dang my board
is heavy" on the lift or anything, so I don't think it's an issue to
worry about.

(Jason Watkins) wrote in message . com...
Missions) after 3 years with Clickers and Clicker HB. What does a
stiffer binding feel like? Not like a stiffer board I'm guessing, is
it more responsive? I have a pair of Bomber Trench Digger 1 plate

I think there's 2 parts: the stiffness of the highback, and then how
locked in your foot and ankle feels more locked in. When I ride my
friend's SP4's, for example, they feel very comfortable and coosh...
but they also feel very vauge. When you put the board up on edge,
things feel kindof dull... I also feel like I'm only 1/2 in control,
like I have no choice but to let the board wander it's own line
because small movements I might make only flex the binding... they
don't get transmitted to the board. On the other hand, the flex makes
for a much more easy and comfy ride. I'm not really into the park, but
if I was, I suspect I'd want some softer bindings so I'd have more
"wiggle" room trying to rescue awkward railsides and landings.

I also think the stiffer the binding, the more important a good fit
is. The trick has got to be balancing how much responsiveness you want
with how much dampening you need. For me that worked out to be stiff
plastic bindings like the salomon SPX6. Metal heelcups are too stiff
for me, at least for now, and much less than the SPX6 and I'd feel
like there wasn't enough response for me to keep learning.

Makes a lot of sense, I definitely notice I get a bit of play in the
SP4s, even with the shaped wings. I think I might try out the SPX6
later this season, but for I'm ok with the SP4/TD1 combo for
freestyle/freeride options. I wanna try out the TechNine series as
well if I can find them although it seems like it tweaks ankles pretty
easily.

--Arvin