Hello to all,
This is a quick hello, and a few questions. I first heard of the EC style on BOL. I am very glad you decided to have this fine forum. The response on BOL was cool to say the least. I however, was fascinated by the grace, power and fluid carves. I have downloaded both movies and watch them constantly, my employers are not quite so enthused, tho. Thank you for the movies, I especially enjoy extremedreamer. Great storyline...
A few words about myself... I live in the US, in the great flatlands of Ohio. I ride mostly in New York State. Small hills but fast lifts... I currently ride mostly Race and BX boards. Coiler, Burton FP, and Palmer Ti Channel. Those are the factory boards. I also build my own boards. I have UPS X-Mach hard boots. In another thread you had said there were some fixes to the boot to make it more rideable for EC. Could you explain more?
I also ride Catek bindings. I want to start looking for bindings that are not quite as stiff. What would be some recommendations, other than Burton?
Thanks in advance for your help.
CarveJunky
Boots and Bindings
Moderators: fivat, rilliet, Arnaud, nils
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CarveJunky
- Rank 1
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sunday 22 September 2002, 19:15
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
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rilliet
- Swoard & EC founder
- Posts: 714
- Joined: Tuesday 26 March 2002, 10:39
- Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
- Contact:
Hi Carvejunky,
viewtopic.php?t=66
viewtopic.php?t=78
viewtopic.php?t=95
Are they mainly soft or hard?
Where did you buy them?
We are investigating about that.
Another binding that should be OK (we haven't test it, but it has the same pads and bails as the Blax) is the F2 Race Titanium.
In any case, I would choose the bail model instead the Intec one, because they allow an easy lateral stiffness adjustment (by ajusting the bails tightening). Drawback: the boot is longer...
Jacques
Before I go ahead in a huge explanation, have you already read these threads:In another thread you had said there were some fixes to the boot to make it more rideable for EC. Could you explain more?
viewtopic.php?t=66
viewtopic.php?t=78
viewtopic.php?t=95
We are very interested in these boots!I have UPS X-Mach hard boots
Are they mainly soft or hard?
Where did you buy them?
We are using the Blax Stealth II, but we are not sure they still exist.I also ride Catek bindings. I want to start looking for bindings that are not quite as stiff. What would be some recommendations, other than Burton?
We are investigating about that.
Another binding that should be OK (we haven't test it, but it has the same pads and bails as the Blax) is the F2 Race Titanium.
In any case, I would choose the bail model instead the Intec one, because they allow an easy lateral stiffness adjustment (by ajusting the bails tightening). Drawback: the boot is longer...
Jacques
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fivat
- Swoard & EC founder
- Posts: 3035
- Joined: Thursday 21 March 2002, 13:13
- Location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Contact:
Re: Boots and Bindings
Welcome CarveJunky and thank you for your compliments!CarveJunky wrote:I however, was fascinated by the grace, power and fluid carves.
The fluidity and the way our turns seem easy (even on difficult snow) come from 3 factors mainly:
1) Our "push pull" technique. Check out a recent thread here.
2) Our extremecarving boards
3) Our settings described in this site
Check out this post.CarveJunky wrote:I also ride Catek bindings. I want to start looking for bindings that are not quite as stiff. What would be some recommendations, other than Burton?
-Patrice Fivat
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CarveJunky
- Rank 1
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sunday 22 September 2002, 19:15
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Thanks
Bro's,
Thanks for the quick reply, and the links... I would definately be interested in the Blax - er head bindings.
I have had the UPS boots for two seasons. I like them very much. The sole is very short. I had Burton Furnace boots prior to the UPS boots. When I set up the cateks for the X-Mach boots I was very surprised when I had to adjust the toe and heel pieces in. I belived I moved them in a total of 2 cm.
I bought them from Dan Yoja, in Canada. this is his site...
http://www.go.to/upsboots
The original liners packed out after one season and I put Raichle thermo's in. Second best decision I ever made. They are manufactured in Austria. The Web site is...
http://www.snowboard.no/ups/
Have you used Snowpro Bindings? Are they comparable to the head?
Dan Yoja also sells Snowpro bindings.
CarveJunky
Thanks for the quick reply, and the links... I would definately be interested in the Blax - er head bindings.
I have had the UPS boots for two seasons. I like them very much. The sole is very short. I had Burton Furnace boots prior to the UPS boots. When I set up the cateks for the X-Mach boots I was very surprised when I had to adjust the toe and heel pieces in. I belived I moved them in a total of 2 cm.
I bought them from Dan Yoja, in Canada. this is his site...
http://www.go.to/upsboots
The original liners packed out after one season and I put Raichle thermo's in. Second best decision I ever made. They are manufactured in Austria. The Web site is...
http://www.snowboard.no/ups/
Have you used Snowpro Bindings? Are they comparable to the head?
Dan Yoja also sells Snowpro bindings.
CarveJunky
UPS Boot positioning on the F2 Titan binding
I would like to ask how to setup boots on F2 titan intec bindings.Should boots be centered on the binding by alignement of boot's center mark (on boots) with the center of binding or by setting similar distance from boot to the board edges.
I have UPS boots and F2 Titan. If boot's sole center is positoned togater with binding center, heel side of binding is close to the adjustment limit for the binding.
Sucessfull EC turns in 2003.
Pux
As far as I know, there are two kinds of hard boot bindings: stiff-and-strong or flexible-and-weak. Weak bindings break. I have had too many of those. I now ride Bombers and Cateks exclusively, because they are the only bindings I know of that I really believe will not break.
I have had a lot of trouble with regular bail bindings releasing my foot, usually when landing a big jump on hard snow (something I try to avoid anyway, but it happens). The problem with regular bail bindings is that the boot tension and deformation is an integral part of the system, and if it is not tuned just right, the boot can come out. I strongly suspect that it can still come out, even when tuned optimally, and this is why I am expecting a box of Intec Bombers to arrive at my doorstep today.
My point is, be really careful when trying less-than-bulletproof bindings, and be even more careful when adjusting the bail tension. I have had enough surprise releases now that I adjust them for maximum security, and just learn to deal with whatever amount of flex that creates.
Have you guys seen the Intec "Titanflex" bindings? I think they are from F2 or Proflex, or both. They appear to combine the Intec attachment mechanism with elastic plates or pads under the binding, so you get more flex than the Intec system would normally provide by itself. I have not tried them myself, but I am interested in hearing what other people think of them. Perhaps they are a good combination of robustness and flexibility? I'm curious.
I have had a lot of trouble with regular bail bindings releasing my foot, usually when landing a big jump on hard snow (something I try to avoid anyway, but it happens). The problem with regular bail bindings is that the boot tension and deformation is an integral part of the system, and if it is not tuned just right, the boot can come out. I strongly suspect that it can still come out, even when tuned optimally, and this is why I am expecting a box of Intec Bombers to arrive at my doorstep today.
My point is, be really careful when trying less-than-bulletproof bindings, and be even more careful when adjusting the bail tension. I have had enough surprise releases now that I adjust them for maximum security, and just learn to deal with whatever amount of flex that creates.
Have you guys seen the Intec "Titanflex" bindings? I think they are from F2 or Proflex, or both. They appear to combine the Intec attachment mechanism with elastic plates or pads under the binding, so you get more flex than the Intec system would normally provide by itself. I have not tried them myself, but I am interested in hearing what other people think of them. Perhaps they are a good combination of robustness and flexibility? I'm curious.
UPS IN AUSTRIA
Guys, here is the link to UPS in Europe.
http://www.telecom.at/ups-boots/index.htm
http://www.telecom.at/ups-boots/index.htm
Titanflex
Hi Nate
I have used the Titanflex bindings for a little more than a season now (around 10-15 days I would say - last year was a really slow season for me). I think that they are better than the standard 'not Bomber or Catek' binding, but not as good as either of them with respect to robustness.
They certainly have more flex than Cateks (l have not used Bombers but I assume the same for them as well), which is good for some things, but I am beginning to think that they may have too much flex. On hard pack for example, I like everything to be firm. With these bindings, I can feel the binding compress before the edge 'engages'. Sometimes this is a welcome delay, but many times not. Although, most of the movement is fore and aft with relatively small lateral flex, giving them a very predictable feel. I don't seem to have been limited by the 'intec lateral stiffness problem' that many people have talked about when they made the switch to step-ins. I can only assume that it is because of the over all 'flexy' nature of the bindings. I have used them on soft free ride boards without penalty, but this may not be an issue for you.
The mounting screws are quite long and I have had trouble keeping them snug all day without at least one re-tightening. This may not be a function of the bindings, however. Although I suspect the fact that there is a lot of movement in the whole assembly is a contributing factor. As well, some of the other hardware is prone to loosening. The toe bail attachment has undone itself to the point where I could move it around before stepping in. I don't like to over torque anything, but I cranked these screw/t-nuts down REALLY hard and the problem had gone away for now. One more note on mounting screws: I have a Coiler built before Bruce started making the inserts level with the top sheet. So if your Coiler is like this, you would need to find some different screws. I made some 20mm and 21mm screws and have not decided which are better. I can use a lock washer with the longer ones but they still come loose - go figure.
Adjustability is average. You get one big block for heal lift in the back (nothing for the front) and the choice of canting one or both bindings at a fixed setting (around 3 degrees I think).
To tell you the truth, I am a few days off ordering a pair of Bombers, but I just can't decide between intec and standard. Have you got your intecs yet Nate? Have you found them too stiff?
This has turned out to be a bigger post than I had planned. Sorry for the novel. If you want any more info I would be glad to post more or put up some digital pics of any/all of the parts. I usually post over on Bomber under the handle "Marker".
I have used the Titanflex bindings for a little more than a season now (around 10-15 days I would say - last year was a really slow season for me). I think that they are better than the standard 'not Bomber or Catek' binding, but not as good as either of them with respect to robustness.
They certainly have more flex than Cateks (l have not used Bombers but I assume the same for them as well), which is good for some things, but I am beginning to think that they may have too much flex. On hard pack for example, I like everything to be firm. With these bindings, I can feel the binding compress before the edge 'engages'. Sometimes this is a welcome delay, but many times not. Although, most of the movement is fore and aft with relatively small lateral flex, giving them a very predictable feel. I don't seem to have been limited by the 'intec lateral stiffness problem' that many people have talked about when they made the switch to step-ins. I can only assume that it is because of the over all 'flexy' nature of the bindings. I have used them on soft free ride boards without penalty, but this may not be an issue for you.
The mounting screws are quite long and I have had trouble keeping them snug all day without at least one re-tightening. This may not be a function of the bindings, however. Although I suspect the fact that there is a lot of movement in the whole assembly is a contributing factor. As well, some of the other hardware is prone to loosening. The toe bail attachment has undone itself to the point where I could move it around before stepping in. I don't like to over torque anything, but I cranked these screw/t-nuts down REALLY hard and the problem had gone away for now. One more note on mounting screws: I have a Coiler built before Bruce started making the inserts level with the top sheet. So if your Coiler is like this, you would need to find some different screws. I made some 20mm and 21mm screws and have not decided which are better. I can use a lock washer with the longer ones but they still come loose - go figure.
Adjustability is average. You get one big block for heal lift in the back (nothing for the front) and the choice of canting one or both bindings at a fixed setting (around 3 degrees I think).
To tell you the truth, I am a few days off ordering a pair of Bombers, but I just can't decide between intec and standard. Have you got your intecs yet Nate? Have you found them too stiff?
This has turned out to be a bigger post than I had planned. Sorry for the novel. If you want any more info I would be glad to post more or put up some digital pics of any/all of the parts. I usually post over on Bomber under the handle "Marker".
My Intec bombers have arrived, have been mounted, but have not been used. The snow in my area is just dismal this season, only about 3 foot base so far, we're about a month behind schedule in terms of snowfall. It's freaking awful. I'll quit bitching now. 
I'm not sure these are really much stiffer than the originals. I still see a lot of lateral flex due to the boot itself, and it seemed to me that the standard bombers held the heel in pretty solid (except the occasional release...) and most of the flex with those also came from the boot itself.
But I haven't been on snow yet, so I can't say for sure.
I'm not sure these are really much stiffer than the originals. I still see a lot of lateral flex due to the boot itself, and it seemed to me that the standard bombers held the heel in pretty solid (except the occasional release...) and most of the flex with those also came from the boot itself.
But I haven't been on snow yet, so I can't say for sure.
Northwave boots on ebay...
@ all: there's a pair of northwave hardboots on ebay.de. Size is mp 29.5
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... 2700383108
Hope I could help somebody!!
have nice rides
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... 2700383108
Hope I could help somebody!!
have nice rides
Put the first few runs on my Intec bombers today, and I really didn't notice a difference in the stiffness. I was using the 'race kit' heel pieces before this, so that could be a factor. There might be a difference if switching from stock heels to Intec heels, but I had too many release problems with the stock heels and the race kit heels helped quite a bit with that.
I hope the Intec heels hold up over time, I really like this system.
I hope the Intec heels hold up over time, I really like this system.
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jason_watkins
- Rank 3
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Friday 3 January 2003, 5:06
- Location: pdx, or
Re: Northwave boots on ebay...
Awww MAN!!! that's my size exactly. It's to bad that the shipper appears unwilling to ship to the USskywalker wrote:@ all: there's a pair of northwave hardboots on ebay.de. Size is mp 29.5
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... 2700383108
Hope I could help somebody!!
have nice rides
.