Jcar Posted August 8, 2019 Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 (edited) Looking for a new set of bindings for next year and stumbled across the Catek OS2 recently. Not finding much info, feedback or reviews on them. Mostly people are selling them.... which may not be a good thing?? Would love to get some feedback from people who have ran them or are currently running them. Are they durable, how adjustable are they (cant, lift etc), flex, are parts readily available and most importantly hows Catek’s customer service? Thanks Edited August 8, 2019 by Jcar I can’t spell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted August 8, 2019 Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 Catek haven't been made in years. The company is dead, there is no customer service. The fact that the website is still up is kind of a running joke here. Any enquiries you make there will go into the void. If the ordering system is still up, don't use it. The only complete bindings or parts available would be used or people who somehow have old stock. On the plus size, they are about the most adjustable binding there is. There are people who love them to death. I think they are on par for stiffness with Bomber, that is, very. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcar Posted August 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 Good to know, but what a bummer! I was under the impression that they had started back up again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted August 8, 2019 Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 They're incredibly adjustable, very sturdy, the step-in system works flawlessly but isn't compatible with Fintecs because the soft aluminum receiver gets gouged up. You can't order new ones but if you find a used pair they'll probably be just fine until you need a part. Those of us who use them tend to have at least one full set of backup parts. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowrider Posted August 8, 2019 Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 Just a heads up if you do find a pair. Base plates are two different lengths short and long so know your boot size and question the seller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcar Posted August 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2019 Yeah, thanks I’ve noticed. I’m 9-1/2 or 27.5. Look like I’ll be the small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiquidEarth808 Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 Jcar I have WC, OS1, and OS2 in short and long standard/non-stepin. I use same size AT ski boots as your size that have a relatively long bootsole length for the size I just measured bail contact length as 289mm ish WC are completely different plates for short and long, not just in length You will be near the limit of length on a short, be exact in your measurement on your boots I have had to swap bails just to get an extra mm or two on short due to slightly different size of bails I prefer the simplicity of the older models Canting is FANTABULOUS!! All hardware other than the spherical nuts available thru McMaster-Carr (not including bails or toe-clips of course) I have not needed any of my assortment, other than the setscrews of various lengths while experimenting with extreme canting... Obviously, some people completely destroy fasteners/hardware Anyone know a source for the spherical nuts? (which are larger on the older models compared to OS2) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiquidEarth808 Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 Another consideration affecting the maximum contact length available I just realized is the thickness of the sole... If your boot is higher off the plate than mine, you would have less than my 289mm I believe I have brain damage Hope that makes sense I attempted to edit the above post I need a first-grader to show me how Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcar Posted August 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 LiquidEarth808 Awesome!! For now I’m running Reichle 124s. I’ll measure them when I get home. That’s a great idea just to be safe due to that fact that I will be at the edge of max length. Thanks for the info. Much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neanderthal Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 2 hours ago, LiquidEarth808 said: Canting is FANTABULOUS!! Agreed!!!! These are the best bindings for setting up a new board as they allow you to easily play with the angles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiquidEarth808 Posted August 9, 2019 Report Share Posted August 9, 2019 As far as Lift goes, you are only limited by the length of the Kingbolt and the cant setscrews, which can be increased... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcar Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 They sound great! Does anyone have a pair handy that they could take some pictures of? Mostly how the cant and lift works. I’ve never seen detailed photos of them assembled, only in pieces! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Posted August 10, 2019 Report Share Posted August 10, 2019 The old alpinecarving website (not updated in ~10 years) has some good photos: http://www.alpinecarving.com/binding_model.html And here's an exploded view: And, the toe and heel bails can flop down on Cateks, but you can rig up spring or piece of rubber to hold the bails up. There was a thread with some other ides for this. Note that the photo also shows a TD3 steel heel receiver modified to fit a Catek binding. And one more FYI - Catek offered an upgraded "D2" elastomer set that was thicker and offered a little more isolation. The original elastomers were green. the D2 are the gray ones. As others said, the spherical nuts are the essential custom part. If you buy Cateks, make sure those are not missing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davekempmeister Posted August 11, 2019 Report Share Posted August 11, 2019 I ride flat and all the canting ability of the Cateks is wasted on me, but I still love them. OS1 step ins with long plates are the ones for me (for my 31.5 boots). OS1 has a larger diameter disc than OS2. Super, super stiff so be careful to use them on boards that are really burly in construction. Cateks mounted on boards directly without a plate stress a board, for sure. I am 200 lbs plus, for reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcar Posted August 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2019 On 8/10/2019 at 4:32 AM, Wolf said: The old alpinecarving website (not updated in ~10 years) has some good photos: http://www.alpinecarving.com/binding_model.html And here's an exploded view: And, the toe and heel bails can flop down on Cateks, but you can rig up spring or piece of rubber to hold the bails up. There was a thread with some other ides for this. Note that the photo also shows a TD3 steel heel receiver modified to fit a Catek binding. And one more FYI - Catek offered an upgraded "D2" elastomer set that was thicker and offered a little more isolation. The original elastomers were green. the D2 are the gray ones. As others said, the spherical nuts are the essential custom part. If you buy Cateks, make sure those are not missing. Awesome Wolf! This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you! I would definitely be interested in finding ways to secure the bails. I hate floppy bails! 12 hours ago, davekempmeister said: I ride flat and all the canting ability of the Cateks is wasted on me, but I still love them. OS1 step ins with long plates are the ones for me (for my 31.5 boots). OS1 has a larger diameter disc than OS2. Super, super stiff so be careful to use them on boards that are really burly in construction. Cateks mounted on boards directly without a plate stress a board, for sure. I am 200 lbs plus, for reference. They would be going on a Coiler and or a Thirst. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted August 12, 2019 Report Share Posted August 12, 2019 Coiler will add an extra reinforcements if you're going to run Cateks. If you already have the board, ask Bruce first, or get the spacer plates that spread the load out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcar Posted August 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2019 4 hours ago, Corey said: Coiler will add an extra reinforcements if you're going to run Cateks. If you already have the board, ask Bruce first, or get the spacer plates that spread the load out. I’m working with Bruce right now on a build. I will talk to him about The possibility of running a pair of Catek on this board. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted August 12, 2019 Report Share Posted August 12, 2019 Bruce will steer you to F2 bindings. Adding to the discussion: F2 bindings are the gold-standard in alpine. If you don't have a reason to go elsewhere, just get F2s. Canting and lifting is limited to coarse steps unless you 3D print your own wedges. Angle and length adjustments are super simple. Strong enough for most riders and simple. Get a real Pozidrive 3 driver and the hardware will last forever. A Phillips #3 fits pretty well and helps to round out screws fairly efficiently over time. They have an inherently flexible nature that most feel is just right, but some hate. Bomber and Catek bindings are super-tough/durable CNC machined objects of art, if you're into that kind of thing. Bomber bindings are simpler, Catek bindings have limitless cant/lift adjustments with the trade-off of being more complicated. If you're not mechanically-inclined at all, go elsewhere. If you can change your car's oil, go Bomber. If you can rebuild an automatic transmission, go Catek. Bombers have some flex with the various models. Cateks have very little flex - some hate the vibration transmission, some love the feedback. There are numerous others out there. The SG bindings are pretty close to F2 with some nice improvements but lots more $$ here in North America. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcar Posted August 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 Thanks Corey!! I just bought DRedmans TD3 Sidewinders. If a pair of Catek come up for sale, and are still available when I see them I’m gonna jump on them. From what everyone has said about them I really what to get a pair. The only thing I dont like is the floppy bails (can be remedied) and the limited parts and availability. All the rest sounds great and would love to get on them and lay some turns! thanks everyone!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 Jcar - just to be clear about the floppy bails on Cateks, there's some friction holding the bails up and they won't flop down on their own unless there's a lot of wear in the toe or heel blocks. But if you accidentally step on or kick the bail, it will push right down. Plus stepping on the bails accelerates the wear that makes them more floppy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcar Posted August 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 Has anybody heard of someone else trying to buy the Catek patents and re-introducing them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
west carven Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 howdy stop beating a dead horse and move on... use td3 or f2 and a modern metal board... cateks are dead... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowrider Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 3 hours ago, west carven said: howdy stop beating a dead horse and move on... use td3 or f2 and a modern metal board... cateks are dead... Or send a set to a sweat shop in India or China make a bunch and sell them out of the back of your car at Turner in Feb. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 4 hours ago, lowrider said: Or send a set to a sweat shop in India or China make a bunch and sell them out of the back of your car at Turner in Feb. If everything goes just right, you could potentially make tens of dollars with this plan! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 Not sure what the deal is about Cateks anyway. They are, in my opinion, overly stiff and overly fussy. Ride something a little less stiff and maybe you won’t feel the need to adjust your cant and lift to fractions of a degree. Jeff Caron stopped supporting his product years ago and doesn’t answer email but leaves the website up, which I find really annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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