Board & Gear - Tall Guy
Hi Fledz!!!!
Hello!
FYI for others, Tobi pointed me in the direction of this forum 
Is the only major difference between Cartel and Malavita the stiffness of them? A lot of you seem to prefer the Cartels as a good all round type of binding, as do many others it seems.
Had a look at the Diodes too just for laughs. A little overkill.
Also checking out the Flux SF45 as you guys mentioned. Trying to find some decent comparisons between them and the Cartels.
Looked at DMCC too but just like the Diodes when you consider the price, it’s probably best to go with the safe bets now and save a bit of cash.
The main differences between the Cartel and Malavita are the highbacks and straps. The Malavita has a winged highback and asymmetrical straps. The Malvita also has the “Heel Hammock” to grip your boot better in the heelcup. Overall the Cartel is the more simplistic design.
You can see the winged highback and asymmetrical straps in the pictures below. It just comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer the feel, others don’t. The highback and ankle strap on the Malivatas wrap around your calf and foot more securely, giving you more power and control. You’ll notice the difference when pressing and buttering; the Malavita design gives you more leverage.
Interesting. I have rather thick calves so we’ll see how the Malavitas fit. Like the boots, I’ll make sure I try both on before I make the decision. Seems like either way the Malavita or Cartel is a good choice.
winged highbacks are only on the restricted malavitas. Regular malavitas have normal highbacks
I actually like The Goodride’s Gear Reviews!!!!!
I find their “in depth” reviews handy (such as the GNU riders choice one) but in some cases where they haven’t reviewed the board “in depth” and still give it “poor, good, excellent” marks which appear to have been obtained by a skim through the specs sheet rather than riding. You also have to be careful as they don’t always state how old the review is and can have a review for a board from a few years ago which can be confusing if you haven’t noted the changes from year to year.
It’s definitely better than a lot of the other review sites out there which are more sales/marketing pages for the brands that payed the most but I’ll always try to balance any reviews I’ve read with every day user reviews.
I agree, those review sites suck! they go to a demo day, ride a few boards a run a piece and for the rest just go off the specs. Forums are better.
I actually like The Goodride’s Gear Reviews!!!!!
I find their “in depth” reviews handy (such as the GNU riders choice one) but in some cases where they haven’t reviewed the board “in depth” and still give it “poor, good, excellent” marks which appear to have been obtained by a skim through the specs sheet rather than riding. You also have to be careful as they don’t always state how old the review is and can have a review for a board from a few years ago which can be confusing if you haven’t noted the changes from year to year.
It’s definitely better than a lot of the other review sites out there which are more sales/marketing pages for the brands that payed the most but I’ll always try to balance any reviews I’ve read with every day user reviews.
I agree, those review sites suck! they go to a demo day, ride a few boards a run a piece and for the rest just go off the specs. Forums are better.
I would use them in conjunction with forums, as a site such as The Goodride can actually show more detail about product information than a brands own website on occasion!!!!!
Also, there are some products that have never even been tested by people on here!!!!! Along with some very biased opinions of certain brands, both for and against, and sometimes very unfounded at that!!!!!
If as many sources are used for your homework, this will give you a proper indication on the suitability of your choices!!!!!
winged highbacks are only on the restricted malavitas. Regular malavitas have normal highbacks
Good point. I didn’t realise until you said it.
So basically it comes down to the asym ankle straps and the heel hammock being the key differences with the Malavita (compared to Cartels). The Cartel is a tad stiffer overall. The Malavita is a bit pricier.
also, for 2013, the malavita has a new baseplate, which is lighter. It’s the same as the one on the Genesis.
Burton have put out a 2014 early release Cartel with that baseplate (and genesis straps!).
Restricted Cartels (2013) seem to have an Asym strap too as opposed to the regular Cartels, which is a plus.
Do you guys find it a big benefit or do you use one side and pretty much never switch it over?
i don’t like the asym strap. I like equal pressure across my ankle. Also, when I crank it down, I can’t crank it as far as the regular strap because of the the extra material there. I am trying to sell off the ones i have now.
*many people love them, but don’t consider it a given that you will too…...and not much difference when you’re actually riding.
switching it over doesn’t do anything like you think. The fat part is still on the outside, it’s just you have more or less above the strap or below it.
I prefer regular straps as well. I know others who feel differently though. I’m sure Finney will fill us in on his perspective.
Yeah I’ve got the 2012 Malavitas - non restricted version so the regular highback - identical to the ones shown below.
As I’ve said in a few other threads I cannot fault these bindings at all and rode them every day of the last winter in Whistler. The only wear is a tiny little rip in one of the straps due to the lace hooks on my boots but this is something that’ll happen on any strap with the amount of use that I had so it’s something that doesn’t phase me at all as it is just wear and tear at the end of the day.
The asym strap is something that I really like. I first tried the asym strap at a 2010 demo day in perisher and loved the added support on the outside and it felt like my ankle was definitely locked in a lot better than previous bindings i’ve used. I’ve had no issues with it not cranking down as Gamblor has experienced. This could possibly be due to boot design or the fact that I’m a size 10 boot in a binding designed for a 9-11 boot? There are lots of variables so it’s hard to pick exactly why I had no issues compared to gamblor. For reference I have Burton Hail boots.
I’d have no hesitation in recommending them as a great all mountain binding. Reflex base plate is really comfortable, give some nice flex when pressing and the highback is firm enough to give plenty of response when carving etc.
I’m actually contemplating grabbing another set of them for my 2nd board I’ll be riding this winter in Whistler as I was so impressed with them last year. Nothing wrong with my current ones, just can’t be bothered switching bindings over whenever I decide to ride a different board as I’ll probably have one in my locker at work and the other at home.
I’m actually contemplating grabbing another set of them for my 2nd board I’ll be riding this winter in Whistler as I was so impressed with them last year. Nothing wrong with my current ones, just can’t be bothered switching bindings over whenever I decide to ride a different board as I’ll probably have one in my locker at work and the other at home.
Oh, I know this feeling all too well. I’m still yet to buy a new pair of bindings for my 3rd board because I can’t be bothered swapping bindings around anymore.
Is the only major difference between Cartel and Malavita the stiffness of them? A lot of you seem to prefer the Cartels as a good all round type of binding, as do many others it seems.
Had a look at the Diodes too just for laughs. A little overkill.Also checking out the Flux SF45 as you guys mentioned. Trying to find some decent comparisons between them and the Cartels.
Looked at DMCC too but just like the Diodes when you consider the price, it’s probably best to go with the safe bets now and save a bit of cash.
The FLUX TT30 is “bread and butter” binder, and as such is the most comparable too the Cartel!!!!!
It’s their mid range all rounder, while the SF45 is more of a Freeride specific model!!!!!
And incase ya weren’t aware, the high backs can be swapped over (left<>right) to alter the flex also!!!!!