CATEK quality and general questions

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mabu
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CATEK quality and general questions

Post by mabu » Sunday 27 November 2011, 14:08

Hi everyone,

I was wondering whether anybody can give me his opinion on CATEK product quality.
It seems like the product quality of CATEK has not been discussed in this forum whereas I found several negative comments on the OS2 Step-In in Frozen Backside (FB) forum.

I am looking into buying a CATEK O2 Standard (not step-in) and I am particularly interested in you experience regarding:

1) Durability of the elastomers (I've read several comments on FB that the elastomers may break easily)

2) Is it true that the tilt screws become loose quite easily causing the binding plate not to distribute pressure evenly on the power plate which can put it out of shape?

3) What measures can be taken to make sure the tilt screws don't get loose. Are products like Loctite sufficient to stop the screws from getting lose?

4) I am not an expert on what bindings best to combine with different types of snowboards. However, my understanding is that stiff bindings like CATEK are not ideal for titanal boards and may break them. Why is that? For me this doesn't really make sense, when brands like Kessler promote the CATEK binding in combination with their titanal Alpine snowboard.

Does anybody know and shops in Europe (ideally Germany) that sell Catek (except for Pogo who only have the small version in stock).

Cheers.
Snow is only frozen water - but what is ice?

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leeho730
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Re: CATEK quality and general questions

Post by leeho730 » Sunday 27 November 2011, 14:50

I have Catek os2 binding and free ride 2 as well. Build quality is excellent.

1) seems pretty durable

2) I use Teflon tape and also tighten tilt screws half turn after tightening the centre bolt

3) see 2)

4) people have broken several metal boards while using catek bindings. I avoid using catek on metal boards just to be safe. But I've been using bomber binding so there's not much need for catek binding

But do NOT buy from catek, they seem to have gone defunct. You won't get customer service or warranty repair/replacements.
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benttech
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Re: CATEK quality and general questions

Post by benttech » Monday 28 November 2011, 22:35

Dont buy Cateks. If you buy new from the store you will never get them but you will pay for them. If you buy used and you need any spare parts, you will never get them.

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starikashka
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Re: CATEK quality and general questions

Post by starikashka » Saturday 3 December 2011, 7:35

benttech wrote:Dont buy Cateks. If you buy new from the store you will never get them but you will pay for them. If you buy used and you need any spare parts, you will never get them.
Is it store fault or delivery? Can you please tell us more about your experience of Catek purchase?
i`m learning


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pokkis
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Re: CATEK quality and general questions

Post by pokkis » Sunday 4 December 2011, 17:30

I think folks have problems getting stuff directly from them, but if you buy it from reseller who has stock, that should be fine.
Spare parts then might be another story.

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starikashka
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Re: CATEK quality and general questions

Post by starikashka » Tuesday 6 December 2011, 21:03

benttech wrote:I have never purchased anything from Catek. I wanted to buy some things but all the negative information scared me away. There is even a facebook page of angry customers.

Queequeg on bomber made a list:

https://www.facebook.com/Catek.Bindings
https://www.facebook.com/Catek.Bindings?sk=wall
http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulleti...ad.php?t=35454
http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulleti...ad.php?t=30934
http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulleti...ad.php?t=31967
http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulleti...ad.php?t=29565
http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulleti...ad.php?t=31658
http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulleti...ad.php?t=31352
http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulleti...ad.php?t=30344
http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulleti...ad.php?t=26839
http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulleti...ad.php?t=25964
http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulleti...ad.php?t=25543
http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulleti...ad.php?t=25571
Bomber compete with Catek on plate bindings market, right? I think this information has to be considered very carefully. This could be a sign of unfair competition or somebody want to create bad reputation for Bomber or Catek.
I suggest that benntech post has to be removed because he have no own experience with Catek customer service and blaiming binding manufacturer based on the feedback from the forum supported by it's competitor. What a shame, man!!
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benttech
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Re: CATEK quality and general questions

Post by benttech » Tuesday 6 December 2011, 22:53

starikashka... maybe you should read the threads on bomberonline, especially the one started by the owner of Catek himself, Jeff,.

And I did have experience with Catek customer service, I sent three emails inquiring about parts availability and the FR2 bindings and recieved no response.

I have to ask, do you hate bomber or something? Why are you angry at me for warning people about getting ripped off?

Here is a non bomber thread about Catek...

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starikashka
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Re: CATEK quality and general questions

Post by starikashka » Wednesday 7 December 2011, 21:01

Sorry if i make myself look angry at you, benntech. I can believe that your post was driven only by good intentions, but unfortunately in my eyes it looks like unfair competition issue.

I intentionally did not read all those threads on bomber forum, just because i do not belive it's absolutely independent from commercial part of bomber industries. And it's internet :-) everybody can pretend to be a mr.Caron, especially if this everybody have admin privileges.

I do not say that this happens, but i just not trust that kind of stories. How can i make sure that on-line character is real Jeff Caron

If you want to help people to save their poket money and not initiate discussion like this just describe your experience instead of direct guidance - "do not buy from them". And then everybody can decide if it worth to spend money on catek products or not. Especially if you say that you did not bought anything.

Is it clear now?
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Re: CATEK quality and general questions

Post by jax » Thursday 8 December 2011, 19:07

www.carvers.it

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Re: CATEK quality and general questions

Post by absone » Tuesday 13 December 2011, 16:00

starikashka wrote:Sorry if i make myself look angry at you, benntech. I can believe that your post was driven only by good intentions, but unfortunately in my eyes it looks like unfair competition issue.

I intentionally did not read all those threads on bomber forum, just because i do not belive it's absolutely independent from commercial part of bomber industries. And it's internet :-) everybody can pretend to be a mr.Caron, especially if this everybody have admin privileges.

I do not say that this happens, but i just not trust that kind of stories. How can i make sure that on-line character is real Jeff Caron

If you want to help people to save their poket money and not initiate discussion like this just describe your experience instead of direct guidance - "do not buy from them". And then everybody can decide if it worth to spend money on catek products or not. Especially if you say that you did not bought anything.

Is it clear now?
I think you are correct. I looked at the Catek facebook page and someone has hacked into it and claims to Catek but this person is directing potential Catek customers to bomber online. This is crazy unethical practice. If you have not drank the bomber cool aid, you are free.

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