BINDINGS, WHAT DO YA STRAP YASELF INTO?????
I currently have a pair of 2012 cartels (reflex) and 2011 late release cartels (reflex) and a pair of 2008 cartels that just won’t die and I keep for my rock boards.
The 2012 Cartels are a lot stiffer than previous cartels and have zero forward lean, so you need to put it to plus 2 or so to get the same forward lean as earlier years. Getagrip capstraps are amazing. I am a fan of the superstraps (ankle) too. I had malavitas last year with the asym strap, and while they weren’t bad, I didn’t find them to change anything. If anything, they were harder to crank down since they are so wide on the outside. I had wanted to get malavitas this year (for the reflex) but I didn’t want to pay more and get a strap I didn’t really want, hence the decision to get cartels.
Reflex tech is great as you get great board feel and makes even old boards exciting again. Negatives on the reflex tech is the lack of lateral adjustment on 4x4 boards, however Burton have made a disc that allows this now. They don’t advertise it though, so you have to get your shop to call it in for you. In japan they charge 2000yen for 2 discs which is a ripoff. In Australia it’s probably $200 har har. jk
I had 2011 Union Forces in cyan last year and had the same problems as described by Skip11. Loose bolts that need to be tightened during the day are so lame! Can’t imagine risking the backcountry with bindings like that. I also found the metal to be weak in the bolts - I nearly threaded the plus bit on various bolts when adjusting the binders, just from the screwdriver slipping out of the hole.
They rode great though and I like how you don’t really feel the straps, and there’s no slippage. Will never buy another pair though.
The wife has 2012 Lexa bindings which are super tech’d out. Reflex base and heel hammocks ftw.
@Gamblor: Haven’t got a reply from Union too. Hopefully they will answer soon and send me the replacement parts. Other than that, I really like the binding.
What bindings have ya got now????? What do ya like/hate about them?????
Well as you may remember I bought Nitro Raiden Zero binders. I am yet to ride them but I don’t like the way the little slab of foam padding under the sole has to be slid into the right spot over the mini disc and then screwed down. I find that really fiddly and it’s easy to damage the soft foam with the metal screw. The straps and ratchets seem ok.
What bindings have ya had before????? What did ya like/hate about them?????
previous set were Burton Customs from 2000. They were great; just crank the hell down on the 3 screws in each disc and you were set. No foam padding or whatever in the way. The front rubber pad under the toe (“gas pedal”?) finally fell out last year after I’d been screwing around adjusting them. No fancy FLADs or straps but they did the job fine for 10 years.
My original set were Burton 3-strap binders from about 1992. The ratchets were way primitive and pretty awful to use. Millenia passed while i sat at the top of a run strapping in. Can’t remember much else about them other than what a joy it was to get the 200 customs with only 2 straps!
What bindings do ya want next?????
Dunno. If I had to buy one right now I’d go for a stiffer Flux or Burton binder. DMCC would be nice but I’d have to sell my other kidney.
Mizu you have to consciously give them a good kick to make them fold forward on themselves far enough to stay out of the way. I’ve tripped on it a few times while trying to load on the chairlifts as well which is embarrassing! I’m sure there are plenty who ride rear-entry bindings out there who don’t have any problems (scotty lago if he’s still riding for flow? seems to handle it fine) but for a run-of-the-mill kook like me it cause the odd problem!
humdingaling…Haven’t ridden much powder except for a short but fairly deep run at Cardona…not really long enough to notice any problem - little bit more annoying to strap into in powder though I guess…what sort of a problem were you imagining?
my best mate had flows, hated them from the minute he got them.
You get a tiny amount of snow on your boot/binding and it was a sh!tfight to get your boot into the binding, then lock it in.
Another issue he found is, because you tighten the binding down, then you have to try slide your foot in and out when unstrapping etc. that to try get your boot in all the way so you can fold the highback up, it took a considerable/excessive amount fo force to get your boot in there. Which by the time you do that, negates any benefit these “slip in” bindings are meant to have. but ti me, i dont see any benefit in them anyway, but thats my personal choice.
My original set were Burton 3-strap binders from about 1992.
If they’re the ones I’m thinking of, they’re 1994/1995 - they were called the Burton “Torque” binding. I had some, and loved them (well, the support they gave, anyway - all buckles really sucked back then). I then got Burton Customs, then Burton “Freeride” bindings (which were an updated version of the “Torque” bindings - with not only 3 straps, but the 2 lower straps were one piece like Flows).
This them?
My first set of bindings were Burton Customs. They have changed a lot since then.
I actually found a couple of photos of them on my computer. Must be from about 10 years ago. Bought them from STM.
Problem fixed, got me some re:flex cartels :D
First set: Raiden Zero.
Loved these bindings. They were comfy, ankle strap molded around and the toe cap strap stuck really well. The combination of the metal wrap around heel cup and nylon composite base plate made for awesome response and board flex. They had the air bag in the heel which made for awesome dampening. The precurved ladder straps made for super easy entry and the ratchets were awesome. Super easy to do up and undo. Sold them on to a mate who is still loving them.
Second set: Raiden Pusher.
These were Andreas Wiig binding. Full nylon composite base plate with toe and heel air bags. Super comfy binding, great for pressing around on and all round mucking about. The ladders and ratchets were once again amazing. Only thing I didn’t like was the fact they were a little bit soft. Base plate had too much flex.
Demoed:
Raiden Zero 2012. Like the zero before awesome, but with some better tweaks. The mounting disc is smaller and only 2 bolts to allow board flex, which works. The base plate has a smaller foot print than the previous model to help with the flex.
Burton Cartel Re:Flex: The reflex base plate works and the auto cant helps with the knee pressure. The bottom half of the binding was good, but I hated the high back. Only cause I am a shorty so it completely dug into my calves.
Burton Mission 2011: Enjoyed riding these as the high back didn’t dig in and they still had some response. Good binding for the money. Wasn’t a fan of the toe cap strap but that will probably change in the next few years.
Current bindings:
Union Contact: Was really looking forward to riding these bindings, but was let down on the first run. Got off the first lift and went to strap in and the toe ladder strap just broke off in my hand. So did get to ride them as no shops had the spares for them. May get to ride them one day.
Flux SR15: Wasn’t expecting much as I did get these purely for the graphic. I was well impressed with these, they were suppose to be a softer binding but they still responsed really well. The urethane high back is so good for shortys like me, no pressure on the calves with even forward lean pushing in. Rachet system is so smooth and easy to operate. The amount of adjustability is just so stupid that you get a real dialed in fit. The spare ladders is always a bonus too. Haven’t looked back since having them and which use them till the day they die.
Next bindings:
Flux DS45: Looking forward to pulling these puppies out as I haven’t had the chance to ride them yet. But I also am bummed that they have change the new model so much. Well they will still be awesome bindings.
Got this year’s C60s est. Before that I had C02s, Missions before that.
The CO2s are the best bindings I’ve had so far. The C60s have the same fit, but all the carbon fibre etc does is add $$ and, believe it or not, weight. The foot bed on my C60s fell apart just last week (only 40 or so days riding :( ), but Burton came good and ‘next day’d’ me some new ones. My next bindings will be CO2s… as long as they come in black.
CJ how did you find the flex on the Raiden Zeroes?
My original set were Burton 3-strap binders from about 1992.
If they’re the ones I’m thinking of, they’re 1994/1995 - they were called the Burton “Torque” binding. I had some, and loved them (well, the support they gave, anyway - all buckles really sucked back then). I then got Burton Customs, then Burton “Freeride” bindings (which were an updated version of the “Torque” bindings - with not only 3 straps, but the 2 lower straps were one piece like Flows).
ok according to this site my board was a 94 asymm air and I got the bindings with it. You made me go and dig the old stick out of the garage, so here are some pics.
memories…
3 straps of goodness
no fancy gas pedals here
you clipped in the highback so it was locked solid upright
That’s sick, Mud!!!!!
I’d love to have a burl on that beast!!!!!
To finney: Do you feel the heel hammock help with the boot hold at all?