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#11
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og wrote:
Just a couple things: 1. I click on the lift and ride away. That's huge for me: Old, injuries, etc. That's a big advantage. Another huge advantage not often mentioned is on the flats, where being able to easily click out and skate, then click in when you have enough of a downhill to get going again, is huge. The original poster mentioned he liked the stiffness of the step-in set-up. Have you considered riding hard boots? There are some softer hard boots that are excellent for free-riding, and the Intec step-in system for hard boots works much better than any of the soft boot setups. So long as you don't care about getting all twisted and tweaked in the park, a set of softer hard boots like the Raichle SB 413 are great for free-riding. Neil |
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#12
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The original poster mentioned he liked the stiffness of the step-in
set-up. Have you considered riding hard boots? There are some softer hard boots that are excellent for free-riding, and the Intec step-in system for hard boots works much better than any of the soft boot setups. So long as you don't care about getting all twisted and tweaked in the park, a set of softer hard boots like the Raichle SB 413 are great for free-riding. I agree with most of what Arvin said, regarding straps vs. softie step-ins. The only part I disagree with is, all else being equal, I would choose straps. Why? Because as I'm known for saying, the three most important concerns about snowboard boots are fit, fit, and fit. And rarely does anyone get snowboard boots that really fit on their first try. By going straps, you allow yourself the option of trying different boots when you realize you need a better fit. Regarding hard boots - and I am a huge fan of hard boots - I encourage everyone who has the opoortinity (access to a demo) to try them. The one thing is, hard boots don't work so well in a fresstyle stance; to see the light, IMHO you really need your back foot at least 35 or 40 degrees. So if you want to ride a fressrtle stance (back foot either close to zero, or negative) then don't do hard boots. I'll most certainly second Neil's statement that the Intec step-in mechanism rules. The best part is that all modern hard boots can bbe trivially fitted with Intec heels. Mike T |
#13
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Mike T wrote:
The one thing is, hard boots don't work so well in a fresstyle stance; to see the light, IMHO you really need your back foot at least 35 or 40 degrees. Naw. You won't get a straight stance, but you don't have to go 40 degrees either. I happily rode at 30 degrees or so on my old Asym Air. OTOH if you get a medium-waisted board (say 21.5 cm like many of the all-mountain boards) and set 'er up at 40 or 45, you've got a good go-anywhere setup. So long as anywhere means natural mountain features, not the double-kink rail. Neil |
#14
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Short answer is: go for the best fitting boot, and worry about
bindings as a 2nd priority. Most people like the feel of straps better. If you conclude that you're the kind of rider that likes to use the cuff of the boot as a lever instead of pushing and pulling with your toes, then you may be a canidate for stiff step in boots. But having boots that fit well is definately most important. Some strap bindings are faster to strap than others. I use salomon spx6's, where when you loosen the toe strap, it doesn't come totally undone. That speeds up the strap in time. Actually, with those bindings most of the time I can strap in while gliding and not even sit down. Otherwise it's really just a 3 to 5 second affair. I've only ridden Flow for an afternoon, but I liked them quite a bit. They are hard to adjust, but once you settle on settings that doesn't matter. The way they ride is awsome... very supportive. Again, if you're in the 'push on the cuff more than pull the toes' camp, take a look at the stiff flow bindings. I believe flow has a patent on opening highbacks for snowboard bindings. If K2 has a new similar product, they've probibly liscensed it from flow. Bottom line though: don't sweat how long it takes to get in and out of bindings. It improves drasticly, much like getting off the lift without falling. The fit and feel of the boot is most important, followed by the binding. |
#15
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On the topic of Flow bindings, keep in mind that one of the coolest
features about them is that you aren't limited to any specific type of boot. Pretty much any boot will work with Flow bindings aside from hard racing boots. In contrast most other step in systems require a compatible boot system. I really feel like Flow bindings are an idea whose time has finally come, and believe me I have never been a big fan of other step in systems when it comes to my own personal setup. Yes Flow is getting pretty trendy right now, but I think the reason for that is people are finally starting to see why they are so great. Don't think less of them just because they are trendy. We have nearly the whole lineup of 05 Flow bindings on our site, although they will not actually be in stock for a few more weeks. Here is a link if you want to see what they are all about: http://flow.rdcshop.com Chris Stringer RDCShop.com Online Board Shop Bend Ski and Board Sport 1009 NW Galveston Bend, OR 97701 Email: Web: http://www.rdcshop.com Fax: 541.312.1159 Local Phone: 541.389.4667 Toll Free Phone: 1.877.BEND.SKI **Offering FREE shipping on orders over $175 within the US** |
#16
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#17
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"Mike T" wrote in message news:%yIXc.77$Gr2.12@trnddc07...
The original poster mentioned he liked the stiffness of the step-in set-up. Have you considered riding hard boots? There are some softer hard boots that are excellent for free-riding, and the Intec step-in system for hard boots works much better than any of the soft boot setups. So long as you don't care about getting all twisted and tweaked in the park, a set of softer hard boots like the Raichle SB 413 are great for free-riding. I agree with most of what Arvin said, regarding straps vs. softie step-ins. The only part I disagree with is, all else being equal, I would choose straps. Why? Because as I'm known for saying, the three most important concerns about snowboard boots are fit, fit, and fit. And rarely does anyone get snowboard boots that really fit on their first try. By going straps, you allow yourself the option of trying different boots when you realize you need a better fit. I actually intended to include "boot fit" in my "all things being equal" qualifier. If you find a boot that fits you really well, then just buy whatever binding system that goes with it. Regarding hard boots - and I am a huge fan of hard boots - I encourage everyone who has the opoortinity (access to a demo) to try them. The one thing is, hard boots don't work so well in a fresstyle stance; to see the light, IMHO you really need your back foot at least 35 or 40 degrees. So if you want to ride a fressrtle stance (back foot either close to zero, or negative) then don't do hard boots. I believe hard boots have their place (I got a pair myself last season), but there are too many reasons for me not to ever recommend it to anyone starting out. I agree with Mike that I don't think hardboot do well in freestyle stances, you can do it as Neil says... but it's overkill and really only for someone who loved hardboots in my opinion. I really don't want to drag this into the continual debate about hardboots vs softboots. So just take it as my personal, single vote - you will find that more hardbooters will be like "you can do anything in hard boots" and most softbooters will be like "if I wanted hardboots, I would have been a skiier" with a few people in between (I find hardboots to be an interesting, sub-niche). --arvin |
#18
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"Mike T" wrote in news:%yIXc.77$Gr2.12@trnddc07:
By going straps, you allow yourself the option of trying different boots when you realize you need a better fit. Well, if you choose FLOW, you can switch Boots very easy, too. You even don't have to ride FLOW-Boots. I ride Nitro Boots on a FLOW-Binding for freeriding and am very satisfied with that. Regarding hard boots - and I am a huge fan of hard boots - I encourage everyone who has the opoortinity (access to a demo) to try them. The one thing is, hard boots don't work so well in a fresstyle stance; to see the light, IMHO you really need your back foot at least 35 or 40 degrees. So if you want to ride a fressrtle stance (back foot either close to zero, or negative) then don't do hard boots. Definitly true, and I would NEVER do tricks with hardboots. The risk of injury is just too high, and they are NOT made for tricks. I'll most certainly second Neil's statement that the Intec step-in mechanism rules. The best part is that all modern hard boots can bbe trivially fitted with Intec heels. ACK. Intec rules. The only thing is that you should have an extra cord for the release mechanism with you, as sometimes they break (happend to two friends of mine) and it is not very easy to get one in ski resorts. Martin |
#19
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"Rural QLD CC" wrote in
: The only issue I found with the step-ins was if I didn't bang the snow off the base of the binding before I tried to 'click' in, it wouldn't engage properly. Is this the reason why more people don't use them? Being metal and mechanical, do they wear quickly, compared to the mechanisms on straps? As mentioned already, the FLOW bindings don't have the disadvantage of getting filled up with snow. However, some say they are not that adjustable as a normal freestyle binding is. A really cool invention is the new binding from Burton, the "Fusion". Basically, it is a normal binding with straps, but if you step out, the frame stays attached to your boot. -- see http://www.burton.com/burton/gear/pr...p?productID=40 Anyone already tried them? Martin |
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