jburk

Another trick is to remove the buckle, then put the screw back in a few turns and press on the screw head to push the t-nut out.

I've heard rumours, whispers, and myths that it may be possible to get your foot into a Zipfit liner that's already in the boot, but I've never been able to pull it off. But putting my foot into the liner, then using a boot horn between the liner and shell to get the liner into the shell is really straight-forward. While it does seem like a bit more work, I find it's worth it.

What @Jack M said. I rode Intuition Pro Tongue liners in UPZ boots for 3 or 4 seasons, and now ride Zipfit Gara-HV in MS B shells, the two liners are about the same height IIRC and similar form factor (laces over tongue). Finding that the Zipfits have a bit more volume in the upper portion of the tongue, so you may have to move the ladders or buckles on the cuffs.

TTT. Last bump of the season. I promise. $325 + 1/2 shipping costs from Portland, OR. Paypal preferred, CONUS only.

Yup, those. Looks like you're already set then. My v2 4mm lite had the button heads, came that way when I bought it new from Bomber, but that was back when "the couple who bought it from Fin" were in the final throes; that plate may have been one of the very last things they ever shipped, so attention to detail may not have been optimal.

I found if you're going to use F2s with the boiler plate that there may be some interference between the binding base and button head hex bolts fixing the axle receivers to the underside of the plate; these protrude slightly above the plate surface. I was able to replace them with conical Phillips which sat flush with plate surface.

Welcome from me as well. At your height and weight, you'll probably want to go with either Bomber or SG bindings, F2s will likely be too flexible. Shameless plug alert; I have a set of SG bindings for sale that will fit your size boot, as long as the boots are UPZ or Deeluxe. Mountain Slopes boots need a lower heel bails than standard, something to be aware of if you go that route. I know there are people riding MS boots in Bombers, it may be that they're able to lower the heel bails since they're threaded, ask on the Carving Central board and you'll get an answer pretty quickly.

Second set sold, one set remaining. $325 + 1/2 shipping costs from Portland, OR. Paypal preferred, CONUS only.

Sale pending on one set.

@pow4ever In the same boat as you, I got back on a SB setup for the first time in 30 years this season, and in 26.5 boots as well. I picked up a set of 26.5 Deeluxe Deemon boots from @Rastaman and paired them with a set of medium Flow NX 2 Carbon bindings, and they seem to be a great match. I did drop in a set of Intuition SBC liners, they fit well in the boots. It looks like he has another set of the same boots in the same size for sale, shells only. Good seller, I'd buy from him again. I also use the original strap from my .951s with the soft boots, wrap it around the liner inside the shell, allows me to firmly close the shell.

For "how much preload?", Roberto suggested that I always set it so that there was 10.5cm from outer to outer on the springs.

What I want to know is who's the 10 year-old kid? Impressive.

TL;DR, softboot carving stance is 4 cm wider than hardboots. I'm 5'8", and ride a 48 cm hardboot stance. I've experimented with stance widths up to 51 cm, and keep coming back to 48. Anything wider feels too restricted. This season I got back on a softboot board for the first time in almost 30 years and had no idea what stance to go with as a starting point, just knew that 48 would be way too narrow. The Flow bindings I picked up came with an insert that advocated the "natural stance" (makes sense, think they're owned by Nidecker), and I went with natural + 0 = 52 cm for a SB carving setup. Figured 52 cm would be a starting point, but from the first minute and still after 4 days it just feels dialed in, no temptation to adjust.

Hirama has to be one of my favourite SB carvers to watch, he's always rock-solid. Check out the switch moves at 4:10 and 4:27, the latter is so smooth and quick it's easy to miss.

Was on the hill this morning, lurking at the base of the Mile lifhthouse to ask what time they were going to open (West Leg Rd is a nightmare at 9am on weekends), and after the lifties checked out the Thirst 8RW I was on, they offered to let me ride up a bit early, so it was me and Patrol up there for the first run. Magic Mile has coverage, but upper West side is showing a few more rocks than usual, so pay attention over the rollers. East side was only groomed one cat wide, so I gave it a pass. Fast and firm but not icy first thing, softened up over the next hour with the sun. Bottom of the Mile was good. Everything down low was a weird mix of firm but not icy, and sugar. Good coverage everywhere except the bottom pitch of Uncle John's Band, right above the base of the Flood chair; that pitch has been scraped clean, and was a mix of scrub showing through firm and sugar. Rode it once then skipped it for the rest of the day. Jojami and Kruser off of Flood were both great.