| Author |
Message |
fanatic (Fanatic1)
Member
Username: Fanatic1
Post Number: 548
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, October 27, 2003 - 8:15 am: | |
Rob, it's pretty easy to "strap on" while still on the lift, however, almost all resorts require one foot free when loading and unloading.....if they catch you, they'll give you a warning the first time, after that, they'll pull your lift ticket. In a nutshell, step in bindings are great support, easy to use, and with a tiny bit of practice, you can just "click in" and never have your butt touch the snow........."strap in" bindings do offer MUCH BETTER grip and support, that's why you see all the pro riders with strap in's......but for recreational boarders...even good ones, the step in are fine......much less hassle......there are some "hybrids" out there that are step in bindings, but have a high back support......I've tried those, and found the high back support fairly uncomfortable.......I know have "Switch" step ins and love them. However, I have longed for a pair of traditional Strap In's, because when I have ridden on them, the support and board reaction is AWESOME, but I can't give up my Switch because of the comfort and conveniance........maybe if I rode more......but now I go to Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado about 4 or 5 times per winter.......so it's not worth changing.......if I lived in Colorado, where I could ride 4 or 5 times a week, I might go ahead and get the Strap Ins..............good LUCK!!! |
rob guess (Beast)
Member
Username: Beast
Post Number: 473
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Monday, October 27, 2003 - 6:18 am: | |
I took a look at the flow bindings yesterday. Just a couple of questions? Have the hi-back latch ever released on yourself? have you ever tried buckling up while on the chair???
They look like they might just be the ticket to ride off the lift and straight to the run no stopping required.
Rob Guess "The Other Rob" |
rob guess (Beast)
Member
Username: Beast
Post Number: 448
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 24, 2003 - 7:06 am: | |
Kevin;
I used to do the same thing back in Jr High. We used to take ours out to White Sands in So. NM and surf the dunes. No bindings though.
Rob Guess "The Other Rob" |
fanatic (Fanatic1)
Member
Username: Fanatic1
Post Number: 543
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 24, 2003 - 7:03 am: | |
I don't like the K2 clicker system......fine system, it's just that it get clogged with snow very easily....because the "hold points" are on the bottom of the boot. I prefer "Switch" bindings. They are step ins and hold much better than the K2 Clickers.........I've been boarding for many years and have tried most different set ups. Switch bindings are compatable with a few different boot makers, I prefer VANS. Any reputable sports store will have Switch Bindings........for boards, I'm a huge Burton fan. I've met Jake Burton a few times and had the pleasure of snowboarding with him twice.....an amazing man.......amazing..........
Good Luck, the season is almost upon us! |
Kevin Butler (Challenge)
Junior Member
Username: Challenge
Post Number: 224
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 3:07 pm: | |
I've been snowboarding since 85 or 86. I used to bend shaped plywood in a vice after it was soaked in the bathtub and then let it dry for a few days. Then I would paint it and fiberglass it. Bindings were always the hard part.
I live 8 minutes from a ski resort so I snowboard a lot and have been for years. Step-in bindings are plenty adequate for beginners. They are easier to clip in (brush that snow off), but you still must bend down to release them. You can have a bunch of fun on step-ins. Once you try strap-in's you will not want to go back. Strap-in's inspire much more confidence and allow you to get much more comfortable holding edges, especially in the crusty stuff.
I have a Burton and I am very pleased with it.
Good luck. |
Rosso (Redhead)
Member
Username: Redhead
Post Number: 551
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 11:34 am: | |
Rob--
I rented for 4 years. Most of the time, I got step ins. ALWAYS hated them by the end of the day. I like the feeling of everything being held in by those straps. I know the the technology is getting better, but if you have never tried them, I would try and rent a board with them on. Gratned, your shoe size is a limiting factor, but, try. I am not a fan....oh, and most pro riders, still use classic bindings.
My .02cents
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rob guess (Beast)
Member
Username: Beast
Post Number: 445
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 7:34 am: | |
I have looked at the K2 clicker system and felt that it was not a good design from the beginning. As for feeling secure with Strap in bindings??? I honestly dont have the sentiments as most riders. My size 15 plank will strech the ankle strap so badly that by the end of the day nomatter how tight i get it i still get heel lift in the binding. So i am hoping that a step in will solve this problem.
I have been using Kemper and Burton bindings the last 11 years. My Kemper 3 straps work great on ice and Burton Freestyle are awsome in steep and deep powder.
Rob Guess "The Other Rob"
Rob Guess |
Thomas I (Wax)
Member
Username: Wax
Post Number: 671
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 5:43 am: | |
Flows look nice, aye?
Factoid: In the early 80's, According to Burton, I was the first person in all of California to contact the then-fledgling operation called Burton Snowboards for a catalog. All they had for sale was wooden boards, and were pretty much convinced that the only snow their boards were good for at that time was Vermont snow, and wouldn't want to sell a board to someone who was in such wet snow as Cali has. They'd lose not just me as a customer - but those who'd see equipment that wasn't ready for wet snow conditions - but research was continuing...
But they sent me a catalog anyway, just to keep the fire going. If I recall... bindings were step ins - no heel, just a foot cover. They had also just gotten around to doing some boots, but said my Nike hiking boots would do the job. "Use lotsa starch spray"
Factoid #2: Frustrated, I got a whatchamacallit - "Snurfer" - dinky lil' yellow thing with no bindings, just a rubber pad with a little grip to stand on and a - get this - rope (like a very short water ski rope) to steer with. Let's just say I needed to be *focused* and on a smooth, packed slope that wasn't *too* steep while wearing Nike boots with lotsa starch spray. Though I'm pretty sure the Snurfer preceded the Burton line altogether, it was available and the seller wasn't hesitant to make a quick buck. Snurfer ain't around anymore, Burton is. |
Mark (Marvellous_mark)
New member
Username: Marvellous_mark
Post Number: 48
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 4:16 am: | |
Ive used normal bindings, step ins, and flows over the last 5 years or so. Personally i will only use flows now.
The step-ins didnt feel "secure" even though i know they are. Basically if your not confident with your equipment then your not confident to ride how you want to ride.
Normal bindings i find a pain to constantly strap in / strap out for going on lifts etc
Flows - now these are the daddies for me. I usually ride on indoor snow (real snow indoors rules), so i have a run of about 1min before i have to unstrap my back foot. Flows just pop off and are v quick and easy to use. They also have the same "security" that you feel with regular bindings.
AND i cant reccommend boots from "32" enough - they mould them to your feet and they are v v v lightweight
*phew long post* |
89TCab (Jmg)
Member
Username: Jmg
Post Number: 598
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 12:56 am: | |
I prefer the flow mountings...easy to get in and out of. http://www.flow.com/home/
- JMG |
Tim N (Timn88)
Advanced Member
Username: Timn88
Post Number: 3508
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 12:36 am: | |
I've never used step ins, but then ive only been snowbaording a few times with borrowed equip. I have heard they suck compared to straps. The reason wsa mentioned before, snow builds up and its a pain to get in. Also, support isnt as good since theres nothing going up the side of your ankles. |
Chris Tanner (Ctanner)
Junior Member
Username: Ctanner
Post Number: 75
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 12:04 am: | |
My daughter has used the K2 Clicker system in the past. There is a metal tab in under the toe of the boot and a second tab mid foot. The binding has a cam the grabs the second tab and locks the shoe to the board.
As far a reducing the amount of bending, I don't think the clicker will do that. Snow cakes up under the boot and in the binding making locking in a chore. Lots of time is spent bent over cleaning out the binding and boot. My son has Ride strap in binding and is always ready much faster. Also, getting the cam to lock on the clicker system often means jumping up and down to get it to lock. I can't speak for all the step in bindings, but my suggestion is to avoid the clicker type. (Perhaps my assessment is similar to others, which is why this system is nearly extinct these days) |
Drstranglove (Drstranglove)
Member
Username: Drstranglove
Post Number: 910
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 11:07 pm: | |
I have not been boarding for one year. I suck.
DrS |
todd (Flat12)
Junior Member
Username: Flat12
Post Number: 68
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 11:04 pm: | |
Any specifics? I've been boarding for 9 years |
rob guess (Beast)
Member
Username: Beast
Post Number: 444
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 10:24 pm: | |
Judging by the resposes to the skiing and snowboarding threads we have a few snow freaks among us.
My Question, Does anyone have or have used step in bindings on there snowboard?? My new knee brace stops are limiting how much i can bend my knees making strapping in a tough chore. I am just looking for some opinions on them. I am currently looking at Burton PSI system bindings since they offer boots in a size 15.
I know, I know i dont need a snowboard i could just shread bare footed. That is why i own a custom made Kemper 175CM board that is wide enough for my feet.
Rob Guess "The Other Rob"
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