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Which bindings???

Flow are a solid binding and have improved their line a lot in the recent years, but the time you save strapping in at the top of a chairlift will be lost in the time you spend trying to get your foot into the binding on a steep slope. Do you really need to save that extra 10 seconds?
They can also be a pain when transporting if you have limited space and need to collapse the binding - you have to set them up again every time you fold the high back down - so you’ll be spending time before getting on the chair adjusting bindings while your mates with straps can just rock up and get on the lift.

If you want the best of both world’s, then as you say the likes of GNU Argo and other bindings are an option with both straps and rear entry high back, though I’ve never tried them we do have a pair of K2 Cinch’s in our shop and they seem a bit more on the heavy side.

At the end of the day, you’re probably better off with traditional strap ins unless you have a specific need for rear entry such as lacking dexterity to do up straps.

 
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I tested the Flow range about three seasons ago. They have improved their performance but most the time they were just a pain in the ass. I would say they took me longer to strap into. To get them nice and snug, you really need to kick/jam your feet into them. Half the time I couldn’t even get the lever to close. I guess that could come down to user error, but I still don’t see the point of them when there are so many better bindings on the market.

 
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I have a set of Gnu bindings (dunno the model) that I got cos they were cheap. They work really well and I really like that once my straps are set, I get the same tension every single time I strap in.

Down side is when you unstrap, you have to click the high back back up into position before you start pushing one footed, or you trip on the high back that is laying down flat out behind the board. Done that more than a few times before I got in the habit of putting it back up straight again, which was a bit annoying at first but really no big deal!

 
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Stick with what is proven and what is simple.

Burton Cartels / Missions / Prophecy
Flux SF45 / TT30 / RK30
Rome 390 / 390 Boss
Ride Maestro / Capo / Rodeo
Salomon Caliber / Chief
Union Atlas / Contact Pro (I don’t really like the unions but most people do)

You have a whole lot of bindings there, all reallly good bindings in all different price points smile

 
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cords - 06 September 2012 11:59 PM

I have a set of Gnu bindings (dunno the model) that I got cos they were cheap. They work really well and I really like that once my straps are set, I get the same tension every single time I strap in.

Down side is when you unstrap, you have to click the high back back up into position before you start pushing one footed, or you trip on the high back that is laying down flat out behind the board. Done that more than a few times before I got in the habit of putting it back up straight again, which was a bit annoying at first but really no big deal!

The only problem I have seen (not personally experienced) is that it can be a bit of a hassle when in deep snow, or on a steep face trying to strap in because the back wont go all teh way down. Had this trouble, cords?

 
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haha I wish! Deep snow? Never been in deep snow much at all, let alone in these bindings! I do know what you mean though and on the steeper slopes it is definitely harder to strap in and sitting down doesn’t make it that much easier. They are pretty epic for park laps, though, which is where I tend to end up most of the time.
As I said, they are fine and for the price I got them, i was stoked…will probably go back to regular binding straps when I’m next in the market for binders though…If you’re poor and they are cheap, there is absolutely nothing wrong with them.

 
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Yeh, I can see them being more convenient for some.
Not personally for me. I honestly recon it takes me 15 seconds to step my foot into place and ride away

 
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Wow thanx guys for all the input, it seems to me it’s a good concept but with a good amount of downsides

cords,
That’s a damn good point about the tripping over the folded high backs, I would have never thought of that i would have found out the hard while trying them out, it don’t seem like that big of a problem but in the case of forgetting about it and with my luck tripping and falling on my ass lol I’ll pass

Rider26,
I did here about them being a pain the butt to get the foot in, but I just assumed they nipped that problem on the butt by now but I can only imagine what kind of touble u can get into in deep pow and steeps

I can see how these would make sense to have in the park but other then that i think I’ll stick with traditional

Thanx again guys and I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again BOARDWORLD ROCKS!!

 
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Best mate rode Flows, pain in the arse to get into 99% of the time due to snow, having to kick your foot in hard and losing balance etc.
The response in them was average at best, due to the ratchet system, once you got your foot in it was fine, even pressure. But getting your foot in was the major problem.

He got them cheap as f*ck, but bailed on them as soon as he tried my Rome’s on fir one run.

 
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I will join the Flows are a PIA smile

I always trip over the high back when skating confused

 
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Traditional for sure

thnx all

 

Thanks for all the advice. It’s greatly appreciated.

I have been looking at Burton Cartels. What, in lay terms, is the difference between the Restricted Cartel and Cartel bindings?

Cheers

 
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it depends on the year. I think the only difference is the restricted cartel has the asym strap vs the regular super strap. Difference between the two straps is minimal, mostly personal preference.
The appeal of the restricted binding is that it has the asym strap from the more expensive malavitas. That’s all. but like I said, it’s not a ‘better’ strap

 
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I recently got flux tt30s and rode them for two days last weekend. They are heaps more comfy in the ankle and toe strap when compared to my Rome shifts. Also the tooless system works really well when ur on the go with no tool in ur pocket. I recommend them Not a bad price either