Snowboards

K'jellman · Posted: Oct 21, 2007 10:29 am Post subject: Snowboards

getting back into snowboarding after many years of skiing. i'm thinking about either a head matrix or a ride control. anybody ridden any of these? what did you think of it?[/i]

ridehatzic · Posted: Oct 21, 2007 2:37 pm Post subject:

Ride is a good company. I'd go for the ride over the head board. Support strictly snowboard companies.

Gnarly Dancer 42 · 360 flip Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 5121 City: kalamazoo

Ya ride has good everything, except for their bindings

bmr712 · Posted: Oct 23, 2007 4:41 pm Post subject:

yeah ride

but i like forum better

K'jellman · Posted: Oct 23, 2007 4:48 pm Post subject:

sorry to break your balls guys.. i got the head board. it had more flex, was a wee bit shorter and a tad bit cheaper so i decided to go with that one.

gotta get some bindings and boots though. any ideas?

Gnarly Dancer 42 · 360 flip Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 5121 City: kalamazoo

Ride anthem boots- cheap, like 130 bucks new and the most comfortable boot ive ever had

Union bindings- all the way (best bindings ive ever had)

gnargnar · Guest

32 makes the lightest and best boots on the market.

Burton makes the best bindings. If you don't want to buy burton go with TechNine.

The season is here!

ridehatzic · Posted: Oct 23, 2007 6:56 pm Post subject:

What's wrong with ride bindings?
They hollowed out a lot of the excess aluminum on the bases for this year to make em lighter. They have sick ratchets too. The store I work at dropped Technine because they were so shiznackle.

gnargnar · Guest

Just my 2 cents:

I don't know anyone who rides ride bindings in Colorado.

I say burton bindings because they are sick and have great warranties. I slightly cracked the end of my cartels jumping cliffs in tahoe and they replaced them to brand new ones no problem.

Also, Rome has sick decks and great warranties. I have last years agent 55 and it's dope for rails and mountain riding.

bmr712 · Posted: Oct 23, 2007 7:48 pm Post subject:

also depends on the type of riding your wanting to do.

Park you probably want 32 boots casue there light
Bakcountry i have forum boots super comfy and warm.

Bindings burton makes solid bindings
Don't go by the cheapest bindings casue they do make a difference. pay the extra bucks for something worth it

electricsnow · cassette Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 10756 City: Jefferton

I think there's a lot more to consider than who's riding the most popular brand. Two top names in the realm of bindings are burton and ride and they're going to offer you different characteristics. Burton does not utilize aluminum, but rather a glass composite, and each model will vary in stiffness (the super high end ones will also use carbon). It's supposed to give you a little bit of flex and still be responsive. Ride uses aluminum and is going to be super responsive because of the stiffness, but the idea is that it's also not going to have as much side to side flex for your freestyle sensibilities. But if you look at the higher end rides, the lower part of the chassis will be cored out, which is supposed to help with that lateral flex. The highbacks are also strategically cored to give you some flex where you want it, yet still get that response (from both companies). Ultimately, there are freestylers that will go in either direction.

Both of those bindings should be able to offer you either a toe cap strap (burton) or a convertible toe cap strap (ride) in most models. The toe cap is supposed to push your boot back into the boot, but I heard some people complain about toe lift. And realistically, the ankle strap is supposed to push your boot back. either way, it's another pereference thing. Last year the toe cap started on the custom in the burton line, and I dont' know if it made its way down or not. Ride has a convertible strap, so you can rock it over the top or over the toe, which I think is a good option because it's not for everyone.

As far as boots go, A LOT of companies are reducing the size of their boots and making them lighter. Burton, ride and 32 all have liners that are heat moldable, and should form to the shape of your foot the more you wear them. All three will do that with body heat and wear, but you can cook the 32 liners. however, the liner also tends to shrink when you do that, so in most cases (unless your liner is packed out and you want it tighter) cooking the 32 liner is not recommended. They do have heat stacks, which is like a glorified hair dryer, but that will do the same thing patience and time will give you and your liners. But again, another thing you'll want to look at is what kind of riding you're going to do. A softer boot will be better for tweaking your shizzle, and a stiffer boot will help you become the carving freerider you may or may not want to become. That's sterotypical though, and it's seriously all personal preference.

Ultimately, price will reflect what you buy (not necessarily in a bad way). I dont' know anything about head, but I do know that the control is one of the basic boards in the ride line...I'd say it's right around 330.00 USD. They may have added a little bit of linear carbon to that thing (if I remember correctly--I could be wrong becuase it's been awhile) but It has their basic wood core and bi ax fiberglass, radial sidecut and was also set back from the center and slightly tapered. It's durable and will remain snappy, and will also ease in and out of turns. but if you're advanced or intend to be, it's not something that will always challenge you. I'm also going by last year's stats--I dont' know what they changed about it this year.

With boots, 120-130.00 (USD) is going to give you your basic boot that's going to be pretty soft, but won't turn into a piece of crap right away. As you go up in price, you're going to get a better liner that will have pieces that will aid in a more customized fit, strategic supprt, as well as other additions (ex. an internal lacing system) that will tighten that beast to your feet.

anyway...I'd try to check around more and not just go by what's the most popular brand in a certain town. Everything has its pros and cons and it's seriously a personal preference thing. Good luck!

K'jellman · Posted: Oct 24, 2007 4:41 pm Post subject:

burton bindings seem legit. as for boots i'm probably gonna be wanting a pair of light ones.. im mostly gonna be jibbing.

thanks alot e-snow Smile

that helps alot!

gnarly, i'll definitely check out those anthems. thanks dood.

tad · 360 flip Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 5031

Esnow.. gimme your take on Flow bindings.. I've heard some good things on the M9's.. I ride Cartels right now and I love the toe strap.

Brett Leadley · Posted: Oct 24, 2007 10:12 pm Post subject:

Are there any companys out there that are still making boots without liners? I have a pair of Flows that I have been using since about 1999.. they are just so damn comfortable I'm afraid to switch to anything else Laughing

electricsnow · cassette Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 10756 City: Jefferton

Tad, I've never ridden flow bindings. I guess I'd just take into consideration what you're looking for, like convenience over performance. With those flow bindings, people like them because the front opens up and it's easy and fast to get those things on. But you're going to sacrafice a little bit when it comes to response, since you've got one giant strap doing the work of two focused straps. So that's all I can tell you on that. I personally have some rome targas from 2 years ago and I love them, and I also know that thus far, I have no desire to stray from what's already working. But if you get the chance, try to talk to a bunch of people that have ridden them. I don't want to give you the wrong vibe, because this is just MY take on them.

Brett, I really don't think so...unless you're looking at low end cheapie boots. Two years ago ride's boots had integrated liners so you couldnt' actually take them out...I'd say that's as close as you'd get to a good "linerless" boot. Seriously though, just go to a shop and try some on! Boots are continuously getting better...and if you're still using boots from 1999, i'd say it's time to check into something new. Cool

K'jellman, burtons are definitely legit. All of the burton bindings are reasonably light, so I don't think you'll have any complaints there. And the nice thing about a "common" brand is if you go on a snowboard vacation somewhere and break a strap or something, it should be reasonably easy to get yourself a replacement part, either at the resort's tech shop, or a shop in that area. that's one thing people forget to take into consideration, and I don't even think I'd think of it, had I not seen this happen. But people will by low end gear that's really affordable, but the pieces are so "unique" that when they break a strap, it can be very difficult to find a working part. Either they connnect to the binding weird, or the ladder is different (whether it be due to width or the way the teeth are).

SnoSk8er10 · Posted: Oct 31, 2007 9:16 am Post subject:

TechNine bindings, DC boots. Plain and simple.

Gnarly Dancer 42 · 360 flip Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 5121 City: kalamazoo

t9's are good, but they all look the same to me

Union bindings hands down

Maria · _________________ 01/20/2009. Niko-chan!

You know that friend we have who works for the big French sports gear manufacturer? Call him. Duh! Smash

The toe strap thingy is great, btw...

Burton X8V ftw! Japan only...

tad · 360 flip Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 5031

electricsnow, Thankssss, yeah I know a guy who rides for Flow and he's said a lot of good things about them, not enough to get me away from the toe strap though.

bmr712 · Posted: Nov 04, 2007 7:42 pm Post subject:

TAD my cousin rides them and she loves them. You have to adjust them if you but them in a board bag and travel with your board but otherwise they are fast to get out and ride