Step in bindings....the big question ???
nico -- SAP1
I'm a French snowboarder and I'm new to this NG.
Why don't we read more objective or even subjective comments about step
in bindings ? I'd really like to hear comments from people having tested
them. I think we all are afraid to get into this new system. I'm new in
this NG so I wanted to know if it had allready commented or if there
were URLs to read such articles.
www.boarderplanet.net
two years ago I bougth a pair of step in bindings of Burton.
They are really good and that's why I bougth also the new ones MISION SI for
my new board.
-:When you want to close them in the powder snow you can have some
difficulties like when you have with ski bindings. You have to pull the snow
out off the holes before the boot fits. (also with other step-ins !)
-:When you buy a Burton step-in you can only use them with Burton softboots.
+:Better than a flat step-in like a plate, because you don't have to search
where you boot must click.
+:Remeber companies like Rossignol only copied the one of Burton.
+:Good quality, high performance.
Nils Löfgren,
www.boarderplanet.net
boarde...@pandora.be
Dan Savage
wrote:
> Why don't we read more objective or even subjective comments about step
> in bindings?
--------------------------------------------------------------------
People feel a need in life to be on the "correct" team. Consequently,
discussion of step-in systems can be a little irrational.
But that's human nature. I'm guilty of being less than scientific myself
on occasion.
However, you might find the following 2 web pages somewhat helpful.
I attempted to be balanced on both sides of the issue.
Step-in Snowboard Bindings
How Do You Choose the Best System
http://www.savagesnow.com/html/info/stepin.html
Flow Bindings
The Whole Story (pro and con)
http://www.savagesnow.com/html/thegood/danflow.html
-Dan
. . SAVAGE SNOW http://www.SavageSnow.com
_\/ \/_ 2001 edition is now online.
_\/\/_ "Original Content" Snowboarding Resources
. _\_\_\/\/_/_/_. Independent Film Information
Chris Schefler
nico -- SAP1 wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm a French snowboarder and I'm new to this NG.
>
> Why don't we read more objective or even subjective comments about step
> in bindings ? I'd really like to hear comments from people having tested
> them. I think we all are afraid to get into this new system. I'm new in
> this NG so I wanted to know if it had allready commented or if there
> were URLs to read such articles.
http://www.epinions.com/otdr-review-3B21-6C3A52E-3978C057-prod1
nico -- SAP1
Thanx for these first answers about step in bindings.
My girlfriend does ride for 3 years now. She enjoys snowboarding but
she's maybe not looking for a specific feeling as she never rided the
powder yet (you know the feeling right ?). With her normal strap
bindings, she's usually tired in the beginning of the afternoon because
we must admit that strapping bindings is a lot of power lost when you're
not into sport every day and that you're lazy as me and my girlfriend
could be ;)
I think she will receive step in bindings for Christmas... :)
Now, I ride for about 8 seasons and I know the feeling I have with my
straps. I don't agree when people tell me that, when you are used to,
strapping can be as easy as stepping in. I allways spend too much time
strapping and beeing obliged to stop at the end of a lift to strap. I
also like to change the strapping pressure. Loose when the snow is "wet"
at end-season and stiff when the snow is icy for example. I couldn't do
that anymore with step in bindings right ? If I don't like the feeling,
I would have no alternative but to get back to my straps ?
Now that you know me as well as I know myself, the main question
is...would it be better to buy new light boots (mine are old and heavy
Airwalk freestyle boots from 1994) or to try step in bindings ?
Help ;)
Nico
(France)
> Hi rider,
> two years ago I bougth a pair of step in bindings of Burton.
> They are really good and that's why I bougth also the new ones MISION SI for
> my new board.
> -:When you want to close them in the powder snow you can have some
> difficulties like when you have with ski bindings. You have to pull the snow
> out off the holes before the boot fits. (also with other step-ins !)
> -:When you buy a Burton step-in you can only use them with Burton softboots.
> +:Better than a flat step-in like a plate, because you don't have to search
> where you boot must click.
> +:Remeber companies like Rossignol only copied the one of Burton.
> +:Good quality, high performance.
>
> Nils Löfgren,
> www.boarderplanet.net
> boarde...@pandora.be
Christian Seehafer
i am riding burton si´s since two seasons and am absolutely satisfied. I
used softboots and sims softbindings for almost 10 years (!) and thought it
would be more difficult to change into si´s - but it is much better than i
supposed it to be! Go ahead, it is worth it!
Hang on, Chris
nico -- SAP1 schrieb:
www.boarderplanet.net
they have a strap on the boot himself.
So that is not is reason for not buying it.
I think it's better to buy those step-ins instead of a pair of new boots.
Nils Löfgren,
www.boarderplanet.net
boarde...@pandora.be
Mike Tovino
days of riding). I find it to be a a very responsive system. Yes, on
powder days straps would be easier, but on other days I definitely find them
easier. (If you like a lot of lean you will need to disengage the lean lock
when you get out and rengage it when you are in, but this can be done while
standing up, easier then strapping in IMHO.)
To me the biggest downside of step-ins is that you have fewer boots to
select from. For example, if you go with Burtons, I'm not sure anyone but
Burton makes boots that fit them... which is fine if you have "Burton
feet"... If you get step-ins, find boots you are happy with BEFORE you buy
the bindings.
Mike T
Vahur Krouverk
>
> Hi,
>
> I'm a French snowboarder and I'm new to this NG.
>
> Why don't we read more objective or even subjective comments about step
> in bindings ? I'd really like to hear comments from people having tested
> them. I think we all are afraid to get into this new system. I'm new in
> this NG so I wanted to know if it had allready commented or if there
> were URLs to read such articles.
Bonjour, Nico.
Here is one site, where tests between different step-ins are performed:
http://www.solsnowboarding.com/gear/99/914.html
Perhaps this helps in Your decision.
BTW, I personally use Rossignol's SIS (without highback) and I am very
pleased with them (I do freeride/carving).
Rgds,
Vahur
Michael & Vanessa Nixon
step-ins. So what?
I recommend the Burton step-in system. I have ridden several models in each
generation of the Burton SI, and have seen the entire evolution of its
system. I have more than 3000 hours of riding on one boot/binding or
another, and I have never had a premature release. I find the SI boots just
as comfortable as my regular boots; the bindings are definitely more
comfortable.
[I have also spent 20 hours or more on each of the following systems: Flow,
K2, Marker, Rossignol, Salomon, and Switch].
The most important decision one will make is choosing a boot that is
comfortable and supportive. This is true no matter which binding system,
i.e., strap or step-in, that you buy. But it is especially true that with
step-in boots your decision is more important because that boot may only be
compatible with one binding manufacturer (e.g. Burton), or with several
licensed binding manufacturers (e.g. Switch).
When considering a step-in you must decide whether you want a lateral (side
to side) or medial (toe to heel) fixation. IMHO I believe a lateral
fixation, such as the Burton SI system, delivers better performance.
Pressure on the edge of your board is already provided by your toes and
heels when you turn. I believe this makes a medial fixation redundant, while
it also leaves less supported your ability to put fore and aft pressure on
the board.
[There is some disagreement over this last point. Check the flames following
this post for dissent. For example, if you ride straps there is pressure on
the heel strap in a toeside turn. Conversely, there is pressure on the toe
strap in a heelside turn. There is no pressure on the toe strap in a toeside
turn. Nor is there pressure on the heel strap in a heelside turn. The edge
pressure is provided by the pressing of the toes or heels. One does not pull
the unengaged edge up in a turn. Instead, the engaged edge is pressed down
in a turn. Try riding without the back foot strapped in to test this
theory].
Briefly consider whether you want the highbacks on the boot or the board.
For some folks this is a performance issue, for others it is a comfort
issue. IMHO it is both. We often tested product away from the hill to learn
more than one could in tests solely focused on riding performance. So we
hiked and drove and did a lot of things riders do when not riding. And we
learned a few things. Ever carry a board without highbacks uphill for any
distance, or try to strap it to your pack? (Notice that most packs these
days are designed to carry a board vertically with straps supporting the
highbacks). Ever do any serious backcountry hiking in boots with an internal
highback? (Try to fit Switch-compatible boots into conventional snowshoes).
Or drive a car with them? Ever try to sell boots with internal highbacks, or
sell bindings without highbacks? (Notice how much used stuff is for sale on
the internet and elsewhere). I could go on, but highbacks belong in only one
place - on your board!
[As you know, the Burton SI system puts the highback on the board. So do
several other systems, notably Rossignol, which can't decide which way to go
and offers both internal and external highback systems].
IMHO there is little or no difference in performance between step-in
bindings and strap bindings. Convenience is the remaining factor to consider
in choosing between step-in bindings. Some systems (i.e. Rossignol SIS) are
relatively easier than the Burton SI, which requires a little getting used
to, but is super quick and solid once you get it. If you are buying this
year's model, the Mission SI is a great binding; any of the Burton SI boots,
but only Burton SI boots work with it. One last note - the Burton Warranty
48 program is excellent, compared to any other manufacturer in any other
consumer category, so you would be wise to buy from them.
So what - there are pro riders on step-in bindings (Burton - Jason Brown;
K2 - Brian Savard, Chris Englesman; Rossignol - Ron Chiodi; Switch - Axel
Pauporte). Don't buy equipment just because a pro rider endorses it.
Conversely, don't shy away from purchasing equipment just because a pro
rider isn't endorsing it. Choose something you can be happy and comfortable
with this season and next season. Good luck and pray for snow!
Håvard N. Jakobsen
"www.boarderplanet.net" <boarde...@pandora.be> wrote
> -:When you want to close them in the powder snow you can have some
> difficulties like when you have with ski bindings. You have to pull the
snow
> out off the holes before the boot fits. (also with other step-ins !)
more snow in the binding then in the Burton SI. Besides, there are no
"holes" that can be filled on these.
> -:When you buy a Burton step-in you can only use them with Burton
softboots.
Big, monster minus for that.
> +:Better than a flat step-in like a plate, because you don't have to
search
> where you boot must click.
I guess you mean like Clicker? It's not really a big problem. You put your
boot inside the binding and the interface is there.
> +:Remeber companies like Rossignol only copied the one of Burton.
What a lie! Burton was way late with their stepin system. I believe
the SIS appared before Burton SI, but please correct me if I'm wrong.
Other companies was way earlier then Burton with stepin bindings(Switch,
clicker, Device, etc.) To tell anyone that the Rossignol SIS is a copy of
the
Burton SI must be a bad joke. Just take a look at both and you'll know
what I meen.
-H
drop
from Burton. The SIS binding was out (I think) 2 years prior to
Burton's. I might be wrong though... it might only be one year, not 2
years before Burton. Regardless, Rossignol was in the market BEFORE
Burton.
People really need to get their facts strait so they can at least
blindly support the products they use without showing that they haven't
used anything else to begin with... Sorry for the cynicism , but their
sure is a lot of that in snowboarding!
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Vahur Krouverk
>
> In article <HYQN5.4222$ZL5.5...@juliett.dax.net>,
> "Håvard N. Jakobsen" <havard....@grade.com> wrote:
> > "www.boarderplanet.net" <boarde...@pandora.be> wrote
> > What a lie! Burton was way late with their stepin system. I believe
> > the SIS appared before Burton SI, but please correct me if I'm wrong.
> > Other companies was way earlier then Burton with stepin bindings
> > (Switch,
> > clicker, Device, etc.) To tell anyone that the Rossignol SIS is a
> > copy of
> > the
> > Burton SI must be a bad joke. Just take a look at both and you'll know
> > what I meen.
> >
> > -H
> >
> >
> Håvard, you are right. Rossignol DID NOT COPY their step-in system
> from Burton. The SIS binding was out (I think) 2 years prior to
> Burton's. I might be wrong though... it might only be one year, not 2
> years before Burton. Regardless, Rossignol was in the market BEFORE
> Burton.
To be precise, this SIS is originated from Emery
(http://www.evasion.ch/emery/welcome.htm) and Rossignol (and Original
Sin) sell them under contract.
sap1
I think you’ll agree when I say that there is a lot of psychological feeling
in snowboard. I mean, you have to love your board and equipment in general to
feel good riding. I know a board shouldn’t be chosen based on decoration
details...but it helps. Personnally, I first look at the size, shape and
finally, the deco. If the deco is not OK, I look for another size, shape,
etc..
Bindings are the same. I can almost « feel the feeling » when I simply look at
a step-in system. And I know it will do a lot if I ever buy one set. So, it
might be idiot, but the step-in binding I’ll choose (yes, all of your advices
persuaded me) will have to look good to me first. I must admit that the Burton
system looks good. Now, the Ride one system do look good too. I like this last
one idea to have the toe part fixed. All of the other system have the middle
part of the foot attached, not the toe part.
But I allready know that I will keep my strap-in bindings....just in case :)
Nico
As far as I can remember, Emery with the SIS system was among the very first
to propose a step in binding.
Håvard N. Jakobsen
"sap1" <sa...@club-internet.fr> wrote
[snip]
> Bindings are the same. I can almost « feel the feeling » when I simply
look at
> a step-in system. And I know it will do a lot if I ever buy one set. So,
it
> might be idiot, but the step-in binding I'll choose (yes, all of your
advices
> persuaded me) will have to look good to me first. I must admit that the
Burton
> system looks good. Now, the Ride one system do look good too. I like this
last
> one idea to have the toe part fixed. All of the other system have the
middle
> part of the foot attached, not the toe part.
>
good craftmanship.
-H
well...@my-deja.com
I use Rossi step-in SIS bindings after trying them for a few weeks via
rental. To be honest I had little idea what I was looking for , but the
board I rented was the board I bought, with the SIS bindings attached.
That was before I checked out the availability of boots though ! I felt
a bit cornered having to buy Rossi boots, but I've since found out that
other manufacturers make some too: Emery,Original Sin etc.
As regards the bindings in action, I think they're brilliant. As I am
just past the beginner stage, slowing and stopping at the foot of a
skilift allows me to bend down and with a simple click detach my rear
foot rather than collapsing in a heap undoing straps. It couldn't be
simpler and engaging it is easy too. Ok, so you could say I haven't
tried Clickers and many other step-ins but to be honest I think I've
struck lucky. I'm really pleased with the mechanism and the ease-of-
use. As to those that say they clog with snow, just lean a bit harder !
Enjoy
Dave
PS: wtf are Rossignol doing with their European website ? I can't get
any sense out of it.
Michael & Vanessa Nixon
at about the same time. Burton had step-in models in development for nearly
three years before their market release. Rossignol licensed the Emery SIS
system and put it on the market before Burton. (Rossignol has since
purchased Emery). Switch, T-Bone, and Device all put products to market
before either Rossignol or Burton. Rossignol's system is most similar to
Switch, in that it features a dual engagements (one on each side of the
boot) and bindings come with or without highbacks. Burton developed a system
which is unique in that there are quadruple engagements (two on each side of
the boot).
Håvard N. Jakobsen
"Michael & Vanessa Nixon" <vtni...@wanadoo.fr> wrote
> Research and development of a step-in model for Burton and Rossignol began
> at about the same time. Burton had step-in models in development for
nearly
> three years before their market release.
Anyway, it effectivly kills the argument that SIS is a Burton copy.
>Rossignol licensed the Emery SIS
> system and put it on the market before Burton. (Rossignol has since
> purchased Emery). Switch, T-Bone, and Device all put products to market
> before either Rossignol or Burton. Rossignol's system is most similar to
> Switch, in that it features a dual engagements (one on each side of the
> boot) and bindings come with or without highbacks. Burton developed a
system
> which is unique in that there are quadruple engagements (two on each side
of
> the boot).
Switch also has 4 contact points, though only one engagement. K.I.S.S,
better.
Personally, I think SIS and switch have better solutions then the others
out there because you can click in with snow under your boot, no holes
to clog up, etc. Performance while riding may be better with others though.
IMO side engagment requires a very stiff sole though to keep toeside
response
good.
-H