Snowboard Bindings and Board

[anonymouschris]

I purchased my last combo about 6 years ago during freshman year of college. It's about time to retire the old combo to my brother and purchase a new set for myself. Anybody have any recommendations on what type of bindings to get? Has the technology for the click on's improved or should I still go strap? How about the flow bindings? In regards to freeride/freesytle I split it right in between. I'm not a pro, but go up maybe 5-10 a season. Any advice on good value boards and where to purchase would be appreciated as well.

Thanks in advance

 

[Pho King]

I've tried all three types and I like the flow bindings. As far as where to purchase, depends on where you are. There's a big expo (BayAreaSnowShow.com) in the sf bay area that you might be able to find some good deals at.

 

[anonymouschris]

Ah. Thanks for the recommendation. I live in the East Bay and will probably be able to make a trip to SJ for that weekend. Do u know how heavily discounted items are usually?

 

[krotchy]

I LOVE Ride Bindings. Honestly I will never buy any manufacturer again.

My first set was some ride Ex's which are their mid/low end ones and they responded amazingly to my movements. I since upgraded to Ride TEAM bindings and they are absolutely amazing bindings. I think I paid 160 bucks for them (Retail is like 300 ) But you cant go wrong with Ride Bindings, very well constructed, and excellent responsiveness.

As far as boards go, there are tons of brands which make good boards. Pretty much you need to decide on a type more than a brand. Wide(Powder), Slalom, Standard etc. Also pick a stiffness and a length. Good brands include, Sims, Burton, Neversummer, Ride etc. theres tons of good brands. Burtons tend to be way overpriced overall though.

 

[Pho King]

the flyer I got says up to 70% off equipment and bindings, but you might want to look around before heading down there- snowboarding equipment is hard to price.....

 

[lightpants]

I use Drake bindings and have been really happy with them. The are very responsive.

 

[Zolty]

I am a total Burton fanboy

 

[dcdomain]

A lot of new tech this year, though a bit more incremental than the cap straps of the previous years. Salomon's relay bindings have a flex heel cup. Ride bindings have gotten insanely light. I think I might go with the Ride BETA MVMT bindings this year.

As for boards, check out: http://www.transworldsnowboarding.com/s...oducts/article/0,26719,1543608,00.html

I wanted to get the Elan Inverse but no one carries it in the Northeast it seems. I've been deciding between the Ride DH and the Flow Quantum (FYI, you can get the Flow for a pretty good price through Dick's Sporting Goods, there's a 15% off and use Google Checkout for additional savings).

For boots, I've been looking at the DC Judge, mainly because the come in white. Salomon makes good boots, but they are low profile so make sure they fit well with the bindings you buy.

 

[DarkKnight69]

Originally posted by: Zolty
I am a total Burton fanboy

Me too, just picked up a new Royale board and it is soo nice to ride. And I am used to the old Hooger Booger race board!

 

[clamum]

I've used strap bindings and K2 Clicker bindings (the latter of which I have now). The Clickers are nice because you can be clicked in and going down the hill before people with strap bindings are ready. One thing I do not like about the Clickers is that in packy snow I have to clean my boots and bindings of packed snow, also if you're in powder it's going to be more difficult to click in.

Other than that issue, I have no major issues with the bindings and have been using them for six years. The boots are a little more uncomfortable than regular binding boots (since there's no bindings to support your feet), but then again I have some old boots and I bet there's newer and more comfortable ones out. As far as riding style, I ride 80% freestyle and hit table tops and rails and whatnot... never had problems with my Clickers doing any of that.

Hope that helps ya with bindings. As far as boards, any board I've rode has been fine and that's been two K2s, a Division 23, and a Type A. Just make sure you don't get a real cheap P.O.S. and that it matches with what style you ride and your height and weight.

EDIT: Now that I think of it, that Type A started delaminating after awhile. It was my brother's board... nice ride but poor construction I suppose.

 

[Literati]

I just bought the Ride Decade 158W and Drake Czar bindings.

I boarded for about 4 years, stopped for about 5, and this year it's time for redemption.

But I agree, I went to the shop and was like "wtf is all this?"

Stomp pads are like the size of a silver dollar now.

 

[CowZ]

I own a Ride Mikey Leblanc board and flow bindings carbon Pros. The rides I really like. It holds the edge really well and the build quality has a pretty lasting pop still in them after 2 years. Previously I've been on Burtons such as the BMC which was the cheaper version of the custom (sorta). But i have since been a Ride convert. It really depends how much money you are looking to spend. The flow bindings are awesome in my opinion because its a balance between usability and functionality. Some people do not prefer it because they don't think it reponds as great as strap-ins. To me there isn't much of a difference and you can snap it on really quick. You also won't get the usual issue of getting snow stuck in the holes for your step in systems which gets into a pain inthe ass if it ices up and you have to clean it out with your gloves off. I would also suggest you going to the snow expo as they have previous season's products for cheaper and you can get a really decent deal. Since you don't ride freestyle or freeride specifically, you can go on any manufacturer's website and look at the boards that rides in the middle (universal if you will). Good luck w/ your new board hunting, im excited for you.

 

[anonymouschris]

thanks for the help guys.

 

[brtspears2]

I'm still using my Drake F60 bindings from 3 years ago.

Go to a snow/ski expo. There will be two kinds of vendors there: one selling cheap crap, and one selling actual brand name items. You might be able to find some good deals, but in my experiences (I go to the Long Beach expo every year), there's nothing great to get.