michael.a

Yes, the TD2 e rimgs in effect fail after a couple years of use. I had the original transparent yellow rimgs that turned into mush and withered away. No such issue with the TD3s

I may be mistaken but when I did my research prior to powdercoating my TD3s the deal is that a) temperature is based on the type of powder not base metal b) baking is of such short duration (10-20 min) that there is minimal impact c) and even if there were the metal would lose a tensile strength of 1-5% So in aircraft applications worthy of concern, in our case of gravity-induced sliding on crystallized water a non-issue. Coordinating the right color scheme is far more important xD

Holy crap that is bad. Find a local powdercoat shop, they’ll sandblast everything prior to painting and baking.

The primary function of socks is to absorb sweat. If youve worn shoes barefoot and not have to call in a hazmat team after a few days sure why not?

Hmm. A thread about Bomber’s demise and potential return drifted into the need for updated or new products or lack there of. I hope the future owners take note of the potential here but see the large engineering component thats needed to keep a business like this running. I personally know of too many small businesses that fell into the funk of surviving on legacy products.

I think the dead spot is due to the very small footprint of bindings. A wider and longer base plate that follows along the line of the Gecko concept from Apex/Kessler may better distribute pressure from the binding area over the edges. Such a combined package could have significant performance advantages with reduced binding height than the current combination of plate+baseplate+binding plate. I have not ridden with the Geckos but use plastic plates from Goltes that for all intents and purposes increase the binding footprint, providing increased edge hold and a smoother ride by 10-15%.

Exactly the same thing you want - more color options :) But in all seriousness, enhanced weight reduction above all, and/or the introduction of a ‘lite’ version. Id ask for a wider base plate to spread the load even more. I think there is potential in the design of an integrated “gecko” base plate. But also a smaller e-ring to fit 17 cm boards for those that dont want to use the Boiler plate lowers. Id favor a return of a sprung front bail for intecs. Just off the top of my head.

I hope plans for TD4s are also in the works!

Here in Europe with countries far smaller and ski resorts more concentrated than in the US it’s been very easy to meet up with other carvers, with tons of carving sessions, hardboot camps, and get togethers. A quarter of my FB friends are hardbooters Ive met :) Many people get together for weekend trips, or even week-long vacations. Not a loner sport at all!

He claims he wasnt involved but then goes on to question the doping scandal saying theres no evidence of athlete participation or that the scale of the operation couldnt have been as large because he didnt see anything. I doubt he’s that naive, so it’s obvious he has to toe the line to keep the rug from being swept out - which is kind of obvious when he brings up the East vs. West thing and the whataboutisms that are common of Russian propaganda. https://meduza.io/en/feature/2017/12/07/their-hearts-are-broken Actually this is worthy of a thread on its own so no more off topic from me

How ironic for Vic to leave the US for Russia to garner govt support only for Russia to be banned at the next winter games. Hope he and other Russian athletes will find a way to compete and not be collectively punished for others’ disgusting behavior.

Very interesting. I was under the impression that UHMWPE is non-porous and that the 'absorption' or 'penetration' of wax or other substances into the base is a myth regardless of the application of heat. Instead, frequent base grinds are far more important with appropriate structure tailored to snow conditions. The claim that Phantom is a "sophisticated, timed polymerization process permanently penetrates the entire thickness of the base material with powerful go-fast fluoro compositions"... so that it actually modifies the composition of the base to introduce flurocarbons.... sounds questionable at best. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that this method is more about introducing a self-leveling light-activated resin (via photopolymerization) that has a low friction coefficient and high durability (they mention that Phantom increases shore hardness). So in effect a hard coating of resin on top of your base that is polished by the snow and hard and thick enough to withstand several base grinds. Either way, sounds great that someone is finally tackling on reducing the use of wax and its overuse in recreational winter sports.

You can buy a spring system for the 700s and then tailor to meet your needs: original Racihle/Deeluxe RAB mechanism, Bomber BTS, the ACSS from Europe. I'm in the 700 club but hope to make the change to UPZ RC10s for two reasons, better heel hold and that my boots are just getting old. Otherwise I heard they are very similar in terms of performance.

For the board bag I like the Dakine Double Ski Roller, fits 3 boards with bondings no problemu and two pairs of boots. For alpine gear no need to get the snowboard roller. Or get a large boot locker and just individually bag the boards

Ive had a newish metal board that delaminated at the nose after about a month of ownershipe, quickly replaced under warranty even though it was originally a demo board. Older SG boards had a big problem with delams but I heard they also got that fixed.

Whats the wax retention using the Pro Glide method? As quote "SkiMD highly recommends applying a minimum of 3 coats of wax every day before skiing." made my jaw drop

I had my TD3s powdercoated black and after 3 seasons of use they are holding up super. Tried painting them beforehand and it just did not hold up.

Find a local powdercoat shop and choose your favorite color. Easy stuff.

Entry level hardboot board. If I remember correctly the wide waist is to ease the transition from softoobts and also be apt for ECing. Here in da Europes everyone wants to EC just starting out :) Very positive reviews so far and the price is just insane, something like 300 euro brand spankin new.

Oh man now this is embarrassing, how could I forget Nobile.. a manufacturer in my own backyard. There is even another Polish manufacturer Pathron that recently came into fruition http://www.pathron.com/index.php?r=site/page&view=gear-2018

Never rode OES before but I definitely can recommend the boards from the less known manufacturers in Europe, the price even with shipping is very competitive and the build quality superb. Just to name drop a few besides OES is Goltes, Lusti, Plasma, Rabanser, Xtasy off the top of my head.

Unfortunately, I've experienced this countless times. Knowing how wrong local reporters can be about relatively simple stories sets my BS sensors on HIGH when I read stuff like this. And considering how easy it is to manipulate the news by offering 'access', with the overeagerness of small town reporters to publish anything that is the least bit juicy... well.. And a boring civil suit filed on Monday with a fully detailed article ready to go by Wednesday? And the reverse, some reporting in the Aspen Daily and a few days later the bank immediately calls the loan in default? When no charges have been made, let alone a conviction? Even the Arts Center hasn't really confirmed anything, there was even a press release by the board president apologizing for the lack of info - http://aspenpublicradio.org/post/board-president-red-brick-addresses-its-tenants

I found a tall bench cabinet that was being junked. All wood so stiff and long enough that can adjust my clamps to fit my 200 cm board. As for irons, no sir, I own a cheap Swix but when I tried the higher end versions there was a big difference especially in wax retention. My next but will be something with a big ass thermal plate but the T72 but god damn is it expensive.

Hey seachange, I've tested the wares of Donek and SG and have boards from both manufacturers. If you are looking for something similar to the Burton go with the Proteus w/ titanal but with a standard sidecut. The Proteus is one of my favorite all around boards ever, it will be a huge leap in terms of performance but still something that overlaps with the UP due to the sidecut. Never rode the MK but just the reviews make it sound like just the thing for crowded ice coast slopes, in fact it will probably be my next buy. I was not a fan of the REV line for freecarving, they are very race aggressive and hated coming across the fall line, exhausting to ride even when I downsized. However, these were the 1st gen boards I tried from 4 years ago. Surprisingly, I never experienced the same with the Full Carve or Full Race Titan across the past 8 years although I always downsized by at least one (when I rode the 185s that are for my weight it was just too much for riding on the whole day, like max 2 hours and then call it a day). Anyway, the FCs were just an a great freecarving board that road like a less intense Full Race with tighter sidecut and more energy going out of the turn. Now the FRT is what I love, so damp great edge hold just like a train on rails. My RC is surprisingly docile when you just want to cruise and turn whichever way you wanted but hit the steeps or crank it up and the FRT just delivers. Very very dependable board. I can confirm that SG boards are more delicate and have heard many stories of them breaking but that SG replaced them immediately. You are in a tough boat, if there is one thing I can recommend do anything to test out as many boards as you can. Like hit Colorado and stop in Bomber HQ and beg and borrow as much as you can or attend any carving events. I've been to about 15 and finally have had my fill of boards, I knows what me likes now.

Just a head's up, but what you just described is already up and running, in fact I'd say we are well beyond this hurdle. Among a couple different sites I know https://www.shapeways.com/, is doing quite well, it integrates individuals and their 3D designs with local printers, so if you want a one-off product no problem but it also allows people to then sell their products or designs to others through shapeway's online store. Its really changing the possibilities in the hobby and craft world as they were based almost entirely on injection molding.