Snowboard Club UK (SCUK)

Equipment and Media - Binding Help

SnowSheep - Apr 21, 2012 - 10:24 PM
Post subject: Binding Help

I've just bought a Bataleon Goliath but can't decide what bindings to get, so was hoping that I could get some help from you good people.

What I'm looking for are some mid flex bindings that are good for all mountain riding with the odd bit of freestyle thrown in.

The demo board had Burton Missions and those seemed to be pretty good. The others I've seen at the moment are Flux tt30's or Union Contact's.

Just wondering what people thought of these and whether there are any other suggestions.

Cheers for the help Thumbs Up

Limz - Apr 21, 2012 - 11:36 PM
Post subject: RE: Binding Help

Not rode the Goliath. Similar bindings I've rode compared to the missions are Union Force & Ride Capo, good all mountain with a bit of freestyle chucked in.

Bindings for freestyle with a bit of all mountain chucked in, Union contact or flights & Ride revolts.

Any of the obove, you'll not go wrong.

If you're getting on a bit, like myself ...look into canted footbeds.

DereksDontRun - Apr 22, 2012 - 01:29 AM
Post subject: RE: Binding Help

demo, demo and demo... (just like when buying a board)

like everything different ppl prefer different things. Eg above suggested canted footbeds but I find them a nightmare and caused pain in my knee when trying to ride with a "proper" stance - I was wanting my knees apart but the bindings were angling them in, thus straining my knees. Would imagine they're ace if you're used to riding punter-style with straight legs tho Wink

.

Contacts are great for freestyle and ace with a reverse-camber board. If you're after a more all-mountain setup then look at the Force (as suggested above) or the Atlas (personally would suggest the Atlas as a good 1/2 way house between Force and Contacts).

Weedgie - Apr 22, 2012 - 07:53 AM
Post subject: RE: Binding Help

Demo'd the Goliath with Missions recently. It was a lot of fun. In fact I demo'd quite a few boards all with Missions as that was all the shop used on their try-out boards.

In the end a chose a different board with Union Contact bindings. I've only used them on a snowdome so far, and think they're actually a bit too flexible for me, so now I'm wondering if I'd have been better to go with the Missions instead.

This is just a long winded way of repeating an earlier response:

demo the bindings too if you can.

Branny - Apr 22, 2012 - 08:43 AM
Post subject: RE: Binding Help

I would go for forces over contacts, as above the contacts are fairly soft and depending on your riding style may be a bit to much flex for you..

what boots are you in? as they can obviously stiffen or loosen your set up quite a bit...

SnowSheep - Apr 22, 2012 - 09:22 AM
Post subject: RE: Binding Help

Cheers everyone

I demo'd the boards at TSA in Tamworth and they either gave me Missions or Customs (for something something a bit flexier). Not sure about demoing bindings there, think they've sold off a lot of their demo stock.

The guy in TSA recommended the Flux's.

Branny - I'm wearing 32 Prions.

Limz - I'll look into the Rides.

Now I've got more to think about Confused

SnowSheep - Apr 22, 2012 - 11:58 PM
Post subject: RE: Binding Help

Think I'm toying between the Burton Missions and Union Forces at the moment.

Have also seen the Rome 390s but know even less about these, anyone got any thoughts on Rome bindings!

Flashbak - Apr 23, 2012 - 01:43 AM
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Not tried missions before but have forces and 390 bosses. Love them both but id say the 390's are better. Bit lighter, softer and comfier and the canting options give them more variety.

bong69uk - Apr 23, 2012 - 03:27 AM
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Have heard nothing but good things about the flux tt30's and they are a strong contender for my new pair im about to buy (its between them and Drake Reloads).
The Fluxs' are nice bindings and light as feck, feel to be pretty strong too. They are suited for all types of riding too and look to be super comfy.
I too was recommended them by the Staff in a TSA but it was up here in Scotland not where you are.

Tommymac - Apr 23, 2012 - 07:20 AM
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The Flux tt30's hurt my feet. TSA recommended them to me and i sold mine almost immediately.
I had 390's and didn't like them either. I used Salomon chiefs on my Goliath. I love my chiefs. Still my favourite bindings.

BMcN - Apr 23, 2012 - 07:30 AM
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I've been looking for a similar binding, been looking at Forces, Burton Cartel, 390s, TT30 or maybe Forum Republics - seem like good value for the tech.

Limz - Apr 23, 2012 - 10:02 AM
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Check out The Good Ride review website, there's a number of snowboard review sites but these guys cover bindings and boots and extra's. Make sure to click on the "good ride take" option/box for more info.

Demo'ing and your own opinion is still number 1.

http://www.thegoodride.com/bindings/goo ... rites.html

cantridepete - Apr 23, 2012 - 10:38 AM
Post subject:

Tommymac wrote:

shows how important testing can be, i ditched my flux bindings earlier this the season for union contacts, but i'm already thinking about getting some more flux's for next season. Unions dont feel as comfortable and the ratches keep sticking.

The only reason i've not changed them already is because i'm about to change boots which might change everything again....

tortyv - Apr 23, 2012 - 12:22 PM
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Can you considers Ride Contraband? They are pretty epic!

charlie - Apr 23, 2012 - 12:56 PM
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I'm of the opinion that Contrabands are too soft for all mountain riding and there are plenty of alternatives that are a lot more comfortable. Yeah they're convenient (once you have them set up) but they're so so in comparison to other binders. I love mine for freestyle indoors but it's a revelation in comfort when I swap them for my Capo's.

Ride Capo's are the most comfortable bindings I've had in years. Great balance of flexibility for all mountain freestyle, really comfy straps and nice soft squidgy, canted foot beds (Dereksdontrun, you're the first person I've come across not to like canted foot beds... you must have a ridiculously wide stance or weird knees).

I don't rate Union or Salomon (boards yes, bindings no), I find them uncomfortable. Rome 390 bosses are comfortable and a nice flex but have maybe too many things to tweak when you set them up.

Missions are OK, you can get more for your money elsewhere though. Advantage of Burton is that if they break then you can get parts almost anywhere.

DereksDontRun - Apr 23, 2012 - 01:33 PM
Post subject:

yeah, not read of any problems with canted beds either - but hey, we're all built differently.

I was doing training for my BASI 2 and was concentrating on keeping my knees out and bent (rather than riding straight legged like a LOT of ppl do), and just kept getting problems/pain in my rear knee with my 390 Boss bindings and their canted beds. As soon as I moved to flat-based bindings the pain went, so knew it was something to do with the canted angles. I noticed that the way they tilt the feet meant the knees get pushed in, almost into a straight legged stance, which I was constantly fighting - and thus the cause of the pain. Dont think my stance is that mental - generally between 22-23" (use the set of screw-holes 1 in from the max each end on 155-158 boards). Anyway, that was my experience with canted bases - whether other angles or other makes/designs might be better, dunno. As I said, we're all different and like/dislike different designs (thus the need to demo gear - try mates, or even just ask other ppl in a dome, if the shops are out of demo stock).

winterfunman - Apr 23, 2012 - 01:37 PM
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DDR has girly legs .....FACT Laughing

SnowSheep - Apr 23, 2012 - 02:02 PM
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tortyv wrote:

Can you considers Ride Contraband? They are pretty epic!

I had looked at the Contrabands tortyv and they do look pretty cool but as Charlie says (he really is a font of knowledge) I think they're gonna be a bit to flexy for what I'm after. May need to give the Capo's a bit more consideration though.

I have noticed that you seem to have to pay more for the Burton name, suppose the only reason for me to consider them is that they're the only one's I've tried on the Goliath.

BMcN - Apr 23, 2012 - 02:51 PM
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http://snowboardmag.com/stories/platinu ... dings-2012

Ride El Hefe getting a good write up too.

charlie - Apr 23, 2012 - 03:10 PM
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DereksDontRun wrote:

I said it tongue in cheek. Everyone is built differently as you said. I find it helps me bend my knees rather than hinders.

165 - Apr 23, 2012 - 05:44 PM
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Charlie do you have a opinion comparison as far as flex goes,just flex?

How is the Ride Capos flex relative to (mine are 08,s) cartels and/or Union forces .

Are Capos less or more firm flex in general compared to the above two bindings .
If you can only comment on the highback flex in use thats fine.

(I am on 08 cartels which may have forward lean built in unlike 2012 cartels.)
On clean piste riding days I go for cartels for responce.
On powder days I use forces for all day comfort.
Thanks.

charlie - Apr 23, 2012 - 06:38 PM
Post subject:

The high back very much in the middle in terms of flex. They're probably more similar to the Forces than the 08 Cartels especially considering the mean built in forward lean on the Cartels. I have the Capos on the first notch of forward lean and find that's bang on for response, it's a very personal thing though.

SnowSheep - Apr 23, 2012 - 10:23 PM
Post subject:

BMcN wrote:

http://snowboardmag.com/stories/platinum-picks-best-bindings-2012

Ride El Hefe getting a good write up too.

I think the El Hefe will be a bit stiff, looks like a quality binding though. Probably got too many set up options for me too!

BMcN - Apr 24, 2012 - 02:47 AM
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Yes I think you are right, also a bit pricey.

The Forces seem to be a bit love/hate.

Forum republics seem to be well liked, as are the cartels. 390s also, although harder to set up.

SnowSheep - Apr 25, 2012 - 09:09 AM
Post subject:

Yeah I think you're paying some money towards that flight case they come in, looks pretty frickin cool though!

Think all Union's are a bit like that (suppose being able to demo would be a benefit)

Forum's may be a bit too freestyle orientated for me. And I'll probably spend too long trying to set up the 390's.

So at the moment it's either the Capo's or Cartels....maybe!

Also need to find some bindings for the wife too! But she's being fussy and wants something that looks "pretty" too Rolling Eyes

snowbadger - Apr 25, 2012 - 10:50 AM
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I rate the Burton Escapades or lexas for a womens binding.

Flashbak - Apr 25, 2012 - 12:47 PM
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Actually found the 390's quite easy to set up and i'm useless at that sort of thing.

Just got a set of Ride Optimo Contraband bindings and not even going to attempt to set them up. Getting my bro to do it for me as their meant to be a nightmare!

SnowSheep - Apr 25, 2012 - 02:05 PM
Post subject:

snowbadger wrote:

I rate the Burton Escapades or lexas for a womens binding.

She has been looking at the Lexas so might go with them, not seen much about the Escapades are they stiffer than the Lexas or is there not much in it?

Flashbak wrote:

Cheers Flashbak, I'd just heard a few people saying that they could be a bit of pain. Something else to consider then

snowbadger - Apr 25, 2012 - 02:20 PM
Post subject:

ive found the stiffness to be pretty much the same, the lexas are rated a 6 and escapades a 7. The escapades have better tech ( according to burton) but prob not much in it to be honest.

The lexas are cheaper Very Happy

ive used both bindings, im currently using the escapade and they are really comfy, no toe pinch and they are very easy to adjust.

SnowSheep - Apr 25, 2012 - 10:59 PM
Post subject:

Thanks snowbadger, I think she's more into the Lexas at the moment which is good for me as, like you said, they are a bit cheaper Wink

She's also been looking at the scribes for something a little bit softer.

Thanks for all the help. Hopefully we'll be sorted soon, all we need then is a mountain Smile

JakeTurbo - Apr 28, 2012 - 06:26 PM
Post subject: Re: Binding Help

SnowSheep wrote:

Union Atlas bindings are feck sweet and work very well with the Goliath. It's what I use...

Got Contacts on my Bataleon Airobic. Wouldn't use them on the goliath as it's a stiffer board and you need something that's a bit more responsive.

Scottstewart - May 28, 2012 - 12:46 PM
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Union contacts r amazing!! I love mine

bong69uk - Jun 21, 2012 - 01:32 AM
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Having set out to pick myself up a set of Flux tt30's on sat i ended up buying Union Contacts Rolling Eyes

lol.
My reasons being, that even though the Flux were suuuuper comfy i liked the feeling the Contacts gave of being closer to the board, that little bit lower seemed much nicer and i have to say from my 2hours of then testing them in the Dome im glad i went for them, im really liking them so far.