Deeluxe Suzuka or Le Mans???

[AlpentalRider]

I am about to purchase a new pair of hardboots since i'm tired of using my old Lange Ski boots, but am torn on whether to go with the Suzuka or Le Mans.

Should I go with the more flexing Le Mans, or the stiffer Suzuka? Is there a disadvantage for using one over the other?

I was also planning on getting the TD2s with the softest elastamer. If anyone thinks that this binding isn't the way to go, please let me know.

Thanks,

[Hans]

Hi, Alpentalrider,

You can find a topic about these boots over here, page 1 and 2.
viewtopic.php?t=732

What boards do you ride?
How much do you weigh? If you weigh over 75 kgs, I would recommend the Suzuka's. Otherwise you can take the Le Mans, they are more freeriding/freecarving like for heavier people. For people who do not weigh much they are suitable for the racingstyle.

If want to use these also for carving/racing I go for the Suzuka's. They give you more support. It's also a matter of personal preferences.

For eccarving take the TD2's standard with the yellow suspension.
I love them.

Greets, Hans.

[AlpentalRider]

Sorry I forgot to mention my weight and riding style. I weigh 75Kg and plan on using the boots for freecarve and EC carving on variable snow conditions. I mostly ride groomed runs on my hardboot setup. I don't plan on racing in them, and will be staying away from terrain parks and moguls (for that stuff I'll use my softboot setup).

The board they will be strapped to initially is a 2002 Burton Speed 168W (poor man's swoard lol).

Also, I did read the above mentioned post, but it seemed to specifically mention the Suzuka. I really don't have a good idea on how the Le Mans would compare in simular situations. If the feedback is that I wouldn't really notice a difference with my riding style, then I will probably go with the Le Mans and put the extra $70 towards the TD2s.

Thanks in advance,

Michael

[Hans]

Okay,
It's all about personal preferences. But if I think this is the Burtonboard which look like the former FP's (I rode several Burton FP's: Factory Primes) then you are into the racecarve kind of style. Because these boards are stiff and ask this kind of ridingstyle. I personal prefer the more stiffer boot then, the Indy or the Suzuka. If money is the issue, look for some secondhand TD2's or TD1's or Cateks on www.bomberonline.com, classified section. I know Jack Michaud is selling a pair of TD2's now at the Classified section. If you email Jeff of Catek, may be he has some demoes of www.Catek.com Olympics for a little price. On Ebay, especially at www.ebay.de there are very much Raichle boots to buy, AF600 is Suzuka.

Greets, Hans.

[AlpentalRider]

Thanks for the feedback, it's been very helpful in my decision. I've decided to go with the Suzukas and TD2s (non-stepin version).

I'll be ordering the Suzukas today, and will probably have to wait until Fall to order the TD2's (they are out of the 3x3 disks until then).

[time]

Hi guys,

I ride AF 600 (Suzuka) boots (mondo 27, Swoard 168M, angels 55°, 50°) and I think my front booth touches snow when I'm laying down backside and cause a skidding.

What I'm asking now is that if I change my boots to Le Mans do you think there would be any help for my backside problems or do I only have a wrong technique?

If you compare those two boots and those forward leaning systems you notice that the system in Le Mans boots is more upper than Suzukas?

Time

[Jakob]

Hi Time!

Unfortunately I haven't seen Swoard live, but as I can speculate from the specs on EC page, your boot shouldn't touch snow. 55° is a quite high angle and mondo 27 is not big at all. What kind of binding do you use though? Some bindings (e.g. Burton race plates) have such boot size adjustment system that if you are careless, you can set the binding in a way that is not centered. Not centered in the way of the setting along the board but compared to the centre of the binding plate. However, this would mean that you would have toes well off the edge and heel coming over, so you'd probably notice it.

And besides, changing to another Raichle boot won't change a thing, the sole lenghts are the same (as far es I know).

Good luck,

Jakob

[time]

Hi Jakob,

Thanks for your comments.

I thought about that forward leaning system which is more upper in Le Mans boots and when it's upper it doesn't touch the slope so early. I don't know maybe it is my technique what cause a problem for me after all.

Time

[AlpentalRider]

The forward lean would have no bearing on your boot touching the snow in a heelside carve. It is really all based on your board angle and the position of your bindings. Increased forward lean will just make it easier for you to get the board to any given angle on heelside with less body lean involved.

The best way to tell is to take your boots and lock them into your bindings in your house. Then tilt the board on edge while applying pressure to the center of the board until the boot touches your carpet. That's your maximum clearance angle. The change the clearance, you will have to change your binding angles/position.

[time]

Thanks for your comments AlpentalRider

Yes, I did that test with my board and it is over 90° until the boots touches the carpent so it can't cause the problem I have.

I must improve my technique in next season.

After all this is a good thing because the AF 600 boots fits me perfectly and
they are very comfortable.

If you have already bought the Susukas, I hope they will fit you as well.

Time

[AlpentalRider]

Just got back from the bootfitter and OMG, these Suzukas fit like a glove!!! And the flex, simply unbeleivable. I can't beleive I was using Lange XI8 ski boots all these years. My carving is going to be soo much easier with these boots.

Well I'm going to whistler tomorrow for 4 days, I'll have plenty of time to try them out weeeeeeeeeee.