Blax Boots - "Toni" and "Franz" models

Post by **Silber** » Friday 25 February 2005, 13:19

While I am trying to convinve Northwave to produce again the 900 I am searching for something to substitute my burtons. I found on sale Blax Boots - "Toni" and "Franz" models. I would really appreciate if you could tell me about them.

Thanks

Francesco

Post by **frunobulax** » Saturday 26 February 2005, 12:27

I had a Blax boot some years ago, could have been a "Toni". Cost me a complete season. Nearly gave up snowboarding because nothing worked anymore. That was because the boot didn't have enough forward lean and was too soft overall which I found out in the end. Bought a Raichle boot after that and everything was fine.
Could be "Franz" is different because "Toni" as I remember was more or less the middle-class model and "Franz" and "Ingemar" were the racing models (?).
There's one positive thing to say about the Blax boots which is they are very comfy and fit perfectly. But "Toni" is only for beginners and medium advanced riders.

Post by **Silber** » Monday 28 February 2005, 12:35

Thanks a lot! Guess I will stick to my Burton's for the moment...

Post by **István** » Monday 28 February 2005, 16:54

Francesco,

My opinion is the same. I do not know the model's name that I had, it is black with silver tounge. It was very comfy, but very soft.

Also the forward lean mechanism is not really good for EC (you know, it clicks and it does not move anymore)

Cheers,

István

Post by **Silber** » Monday 28 February 2005, 20:30

Istvàn, my feeling here is that I will need a degree in mechanical engineering if I want decent boots for EC...I just gave a glance to the french thread about head boots modifications and it looks very complicated (at least to me - I wouldn't even know where to get all the parts for the modifications).

This summer I will go to see Arnaud in Paris.. maybe he can help me get modified Heads (after all he tried to kill me in Zinal so he owes me one).

Ciao
Francesco

BTW, when are u coming to Italy?

Post by **István** » Monday 28 February 2005, 21:35

Francesco,

Why not buying a Deeluxe Indy or a Suzuka? They are OK and easy to amend if needed.

As for our trip to Italy, it was originally planned to Corvara next week, but unfortunately friends got busy, so we had to change plans.

I still would like to go at least for 4 days to somewhere there (maybe Livigno again....) so we are still in heavy discussions with my friends. We'll decide early this week and will let you know asap. I would never miss an Italian party

Cheers,

Istvan

Post by **Silber** » Tuesday 1 March 2005, 9:51

Cool. It's just that if you go after March 11th maybe I can join you for a few days. Too bad u are so far from Zinal...

Post by **zsuri** » Wednesday 2 March 2005, 11:34

Silber,

I use Blax Toni (1998). I ride quite good with the "normal technic" but I have not too much experience with EC - I am learning it. I weight 72kg and I don't like the superstiff boots - perhaps because of my weight.

So, the Blax Toni has three modes: race, comfort, walk. Independent from the mode you can set the forward lean. I have never had any problems with the forward lean, I could set it right. And I have never had any problems with the forward flex. The mode race is indeed to stiff, it doesn't let move the leg forward. Walk is walk

I use always comfort: perhaps it is a little bit soft (the flex comes only from the tongue) but the leg can move.

Don't forget: the right flex of the boot is very individual. There are a lot of people who use very stiff boots and there are a lot of people who use the hardboots in walk/comfort. I must admit using the hardboots in walk is not the perfect solution but until there is no appropriate boot on the market only this solution is for the people who don't like the very stiff boots. Or - as István said - buy an Indy or Suzuka and change the flexing part on the backside of the boot. By the way: I saw the former race model from UPS with five buckets. It was a very good construction with a spring on the backside. If you find such a model it can be an option too: the spring is very stiff but you can change it.

Basically the only bad experience that I had with Blax Toni is that the inside of the boot is very often wet. I don't know the exact reason but I suppose the snow comes in if it flexes forward and there is a gap between tongue and boot in this position.

I think if you like the stiff boots you can forget it: the race mode is not usable and the comfort is too soft. If you like softer boots it can be a choice until you find a Northwave. And don't forget: I am not an experienced EC rider but I have been using Blax Toni since 5 years.