Binding help
I’m suffering from information overload… i’ve been searching google for a week, and watched countless youtube reviews, etc.
I broke a bolt on my OLD Cartels whilst in Hakuba a few weeks back, and it got me thinking that I should buy a new set of bindings, as 1/ there is tons of new tech out that could make riding better/more fun, and 2/ I could use the old Cartels as a backup pair..
I ride a Gnu Park Pickle and I think the 2007 Cartel’s may be a little stiff for it. I’m also using 32 Lashed boots, so my boots and board would probably point to a binding in the mid-flex range to get everything to work together nicely. I also noticed I feel a bit more confident on a softer/looser setup as it seems to be closer to surfing, and lets me get away with the mistakes i make (often)..
Current considerations are:
Ride Capo’s (Too stiff?? not sure on the colour either)
Ride Rodeo (Too soft?? the high-back twists like butter with one hand.. but is it stable enough toe-heel?)
Forum Shaka’s (I love everything about them EXCEPT that damn hinged baseplate.. looks like something that will break on the mountain)
Union SL (everthing seems ok except the colours)
I’ve been looking at K2’s and Flux Bindings as well.. but it’s just adding to the confusion. I know it’s all personal preference, but is there a particular binding that anyone could recommend that would suit the park pickle/32 lashed combo? (FYI I’m not a huge fan of Rome bindings as I watched my brother’s brand new ones break infront of me whilst my 5 year old Cartels did a better job)
Riding style is basically freeriding, slashing pow, trying to jib off stuff (falling most of the time), etc… I don’t really plan on bombing down mountains trying to set a land speed record, and I don’t think I’d ever convert to a park rat either.. I like stuffing around on natural features and still being able to carve a nice turn every now and then.
well i was goign to recommend rome 390 boss’ as mine are awesome, not too stiff and have put up with sh!tloads of abuse but your not keen,
i also have a pair of ride contrabands and i effing love them, not too soft, not too stiff and like my romes, have been abused and are fine, missing some paint from the aluminium heel cup buts thats it after 2 or so years.
well i was goign to recommend rome 390 boss’ as mine are awesome, not too stiff and have put up with sh!tloads of abuse but your not keen,
i also have a pair of ride contrabands and i effing love them, not too soft, not too stiff and like my romes, have been abused and are fine, missing some paint from the aluminium heel cup buts thats it after 2 or so years.
There are tons of positive reviews on the 390 boss.. my brother still loves his rome’s but i’m just not sure after i saw what happened to his.. first his left binding ladder went out on the ankle, then the ankle ratchet on his right foot went out about 2 runs later.. meanwhile my ancient cartels (fraying and tatty looking) didn’t skip a beat…
I had a really really close look at the Contrabands.. very nice looking binding, the only reason I didn’t consider them further was because of that toe strap design… does it work well? How is the adjustability? like does it comes loose during the day then you have to pull out a toolkit to fix it up?
Similar to the contrabands but a little more conventional in design are the K2’s with the Auto feature… they really got my attention.. just not sure about K2’s as I haven’t heard much about their bindings.
I ride K2 bindings and find them great. Only problem I had was the screw would come loose on highback and I lost the little clip, but they have changed the design since mine. Autos are great. I will prob get the new pair of Formulas
Just spent my First day on a set of Flux TT30 on my Park Pickle and Ride Machete in Niseko. These appear to be great bindings, easy to set up with hidden screws etc… And are comfy to ride. My staps are a bit scrunched and just need to some time to get a bit more supple. Will do a TR and board reviews when I get back. All in all though the bindings are good and would recommend them.
I had a really really close look at the Contrabands.. very nice looking binding, the only reason I didn’t consider them further was because of that toe strap design… does it work well? How is the adjustability? like does it comes loose during the day then you have to pull out a toolkit to fix it up?
it works fine for me, i never had a problem with it during normal riding, i once slipped the front of my boot out of it but that was due to me falling backwards off a chairlift (well a “mate” pulled me down so he wouldn’t fall)
it is easily adjusted once the binding is off the board, you can bring the front of the strap in (for smaller length boots) and sideways (for smaller width boots)
Hey busta, are those the only bindings you’re considering?
The Contrabands work well once you have them adjusted properly, which can take quite a bit of fiddling (and they don’t work well with certain boot shapes/volumes).
I think you’re left two of the best binding brands off your list - Burton and Flux. Ask finney how much he loves his Burton Malavitas. They are also slightly softer than the Cartels, which is what you’re after.
i wouldnt say its too fiddly TBH, i had mine set up in 10 mins and havent adjusted them in 3 years. BUT as you said, they may not fit some boots perfectly, luckily for me they fit my salomon f20’s perfectly.
EDIT: Damn Double Post
I have a pair of Ride Ex’s, they have dealt with me at a 120kgs and size 12 hoof for probably 60 days on snow now with no dramas with any part of them. A quick tighten of the screws every 4-5 days on the hill and thats about it. For longevity I have no issues with them and they seem to be right in the middle of the stiff vs soft.
Hey busta, are those the only bindings you’re considering?
The Contrabands work well once you have them adjusted properly, which can take quite a bit of fiddling (and they don’t work well with certain boot shapes/volumes).
I think you’re left two of the best binding brands off your list - Burton and Flux. Ask finney how much he loves his Burton Malavitas. They are also slightly softer than the Cartels, which is what you’re after.
They’re definitely not the only brands I was looking at.. TBH I don’t really care about the brand, I just want it to be a good binding, have the right amount of flex, good comfort, and from a reputable manufacturer that will back them up when things break off.
The Burton Cartels that I have now are testament to how well they can hold up, although I’ve heard that the quality has changed alot in the last 5 years, so not really sure how the new ones compare. I like the Flux bindings.. after being to Japan a few times and seeing how much pride & care Japanese people take in their work it can only mean good things for the quality of the Flux products.. just can’t get my head around the stupid model numbers and figure out which would suit best.
I’m reconsidering my original take on the Rome bindings.. there are just too many great reviews on the 390 Boss for me to ignore.. plus they seem to be exactly what i’m looking for
one of my good mates and his GF are both riding rome bindings from 2-3 years ago and they are holding up fine. They have ridden them in japow for 3 weeks, 2 weeks in NZ and 2 weeks in canada (not to mention weekends etc. down perisher)
your bro’s must have been a defective pair, i wouldnt write off the whole brand due to that. Google rome binding failures, see if there are HEAPS of people saying the same thing. if there is then yeh, maybe id steer clear but as i said, i know people including myself who thrash our rome bindings and they are holding up perfect.
The Rome 390s are sick bindings. If you’re stoked on them, it’s definitely worth giving them a go.
Otherwise I would recommend the Burton Malavitas or Flux (TT30, RK30, or DS30 - depending on what you’re after).
The Rome 390s are sick bindings. If you’re stoked on them, it’s definitely worth giving them a go.
Otherwise I would recommend the Burton Malavitas or Flux (TT30, RK30, or DS30 - depending on what you’re after).
Just had a look at some pics to figure out which model Romes my brother is using.. turns out they are the 390 Boss bindings in white.
hmmmmm decisions decisions…
Damn Forum Shaka’s… if I trusted that hinged disc thing I’d go with those for sure…
i’d say wait for the now bindings to drop buuut i wouldnt buy them myself yet due toi not being tested by the masses, so if i wouldnt buy it im not going to recommend it to someone else.
I think the hinged disc is pretty much the same same as the Burton Re:flex bindings, which I’ve only heard great things about.