redriver

Lots of good discussion on Burton/Ibex and TDs. What about those using F2 intecs or race titaniums? My sets came with cant wedges, but I don't know what degree (they're about 1/8" on one side to nothing on the other) that I've been using to cant inward on both the front and rear leg. I use an F2 lift wedge of about a half inch that I use on the back heel and a small 1/8" wedge (not cant) for the toe of the back foot. Neither set came with other lifts, so I don't use anything on the front toe. I'd like to try that though, if it means less quad burn on the front leg, as others here suggest (the burn that often limits my day in hard boots). The F2 freecares I bought last year have built in inward cant front and back, but no lift unless I add it. Other F2 riders?

...back in January, my gracious host guided me toward a few new mountains and deeper into the siren's song of carving. My thighs, however, weren't following my heart so I spent most of the trip trying to ride through the burn. Best day was the final one at the Loveland ES, riding above the trees with several rippers and exploring the limits of my F2. Best buy: Found online a 185 WCR hiding in a shop in Canada and took it on my last trip (a whole 10 days for the season) and fell further in love with carving. Think I'm over the hump now and anxious to use the board on big terrain next season. Worst day: Found out the hard way that 12" of groomed snow doesn't compact that far down. Running a lonesome blue one morning in New Mexico, made a nice turn and the nose of the WCR pushed through the crust, and pitched me on my helmet. Then later in blurred conditions, found that groomers hadn't completed their work on a run and hit the bumps on the right side at full speed. Messed up my ankle for a while but grateful that I don't have a really bad story like some of you. This year at 50, looking forward to competing and still getting better at something very physical. Promise: my thighs will be prepared when they get back to Colorado this winter, Stan. LC

...somewhere between Al G and Steve P (above). Trying to keep up with my 17-year-old son on a wakeboard (he out-rides me on a wakeskate)- don't know yet if it's staying in shape or breaking me down, but it at least feels great for my weak lower back- leaning against the rope- and my upper body- moving weight from the ol' spare tire to the shoulders. We try to hit a lake behind a wake boat, or behind the Waverunner at our rail park/pond, or go to the cable lake in OKC about 3 times a week. Now and then a bike ride with my wife in high gear full time. After my thighs burned down last winter trying to keep up with Thor, I know that the bike is really the way to go and I'll ramp that up in the fall when we get back below 100 degrees every day. LC

Wishing you well and hoping to see you at a SES or another LES soon. Larry

can you tell me more about the proflex bindings- model, condition, price...

I think so too- they look identical to the F2 Freecarves- minus the graphics.

What about a Burton Alp? Klug site still has hundreds for sale. I had an e-deck once and it was way too soft, but don't know about an Alp (waist is 215- $160).

... and does anyone know whether F2 made Proflex bindings or just bought the company, and when?

Anyone tell me whether these are worth having?

How used are these? Thanks

... running just the rear foot as intec. Guess that would cut the cost some. Any other advantage to not switching out both?

exactly as I assumed. From first chair to last, the worst part of my day is the hassle in-and-out of bindings, and in some locations it flat wears me out. And I've snagged the dragging clip a few times too. I want to use all my minimal energy in fast turns that return a measure of endorphins and adrenaline. Think I'll invest.

For the veterans in our group- I'm 50 and not too flexible with chronic knee and back issues. I've used clips for some time now, and they're a big improvement in ease over soft boots and straps. Now I'm considering going intec, with bindings and heels costing somewhere near $400 more, I'd like to know if you think they're worth it to make my day easier (?) Thanks

Sean- sent email to both addresses - no reply

After dealing with heelside chatter for a couple of years I got rid of it easily this year. Consider that regular or goofy, our heelsides on symmetrical boards are roughly 6 inches behind our toesides (where most of us carve like champs). Most of what's been suggested here (hands in front, reaching, etc) puts more weight on the front of the board, where we have to be to make a turn. Natural tendency from my slalom water ski days was to ride the tail out of a turn, and I had a habit of doing it on heelsides. To fix it, I just really focused on riding my forward heel hard in a heelside turn, and the chatter stopped instantly. Every time it came back- usually as I tired, I focused on my right (goofy) heel, and it cuts cleanly. No hands needed either, but sure, reaching forward will help.

I have a set of Proflex Freecarve bindings I'll sell for $100 plus shipping.

Phil - For low cost and easy flex- you might consider the Burton e-decks up for grabs on ebay now, or from the-house.com. Cheap and wide.

Hey RDY- Where in OK? I'm from there too and ride AF and NM each year.

I can sell. Email me

... at a reasonable price. Email me.

bindings still avail?

Hold your breath while they groom down some screamer blue runs for the hard booters, or throw up some terrain features for the jibbers. The noses will remain in the air while they take your lift and lunch money to the bank. Eventually the world will be round there too, but I'd rather patronize the folks over the hill at Angel Fire that have always been there for us.

... funny thing, we perceive ourselves to be kings when riding in our minds' eyes- we are carving heros. The camera though, does not lie so it may be we're really not as good as we think. From behind the lens, the videographer needs to be tucked away downhill against the trees. Everyone is less self-aware and more natural when they don't think about the camera. A good photographer blends in and "captures" his pic like a predator.

...at Experience. George M. and Michael J. are solid hard booters and racers that know the carve. Shop is in Angel Fire (45 mins. over the hill), but think they may be setting up shop in Taos now.

...but won't give them the satisfaction of my business for a while. Just threw us a bone with the end-o-season slush and mud, anyway. Gonna take a while to get over my resentment of their resentment. Skied every run they offered in the mid-80s, got on a board and never looked back the year after, and never looked at Taos as a family destination again with my $4,000 or so annual riding expenditures. Doubt if they'll miss me though-- with all the buzz about the opening.