barryj

Corey - this Interesting thread brings up this question - How would you compare the Swoard Extreme Carver 175 to Bruce's EC 175 ?? ...and how did you finally decide on Bruce's model?? Curious Minds Want To Know!

I'll pass..it's to narrow and I'm 75lbs. too fat for it!

Corey that's quite the testimony! 23 waist is my aphrodisiac !! Sculler I'll take it if weight range doesn't work for Alpine1 and works for me........Pm'd ya

Not to jack your thread Sculler, but people looking at this board might be in the know..............how's the Pop on this board as compared to Sean's Proteus or a Swoard Extreme Carver?? Probably to narrow for me anyway !!

Jim your gonna have to put a Rev limiter on that MK!! So glad you didn't crack anything but I'd think about replacing that helmet as That's probably what saved your face and teeth! ....and if you got ear ringing the helmet definitely took the beating!! Might also want to see your PCP ..............and get a Doctors note for a couple days rest! Take er easy there buddy and feel better!

Scottishsurfer thanks for posting the video! - that "wiggle" is pretty disconcerting I would agree Matthew.....more like a Huge amount of slop and play going on! Looking at that video , all I see is, that's a lot of wasted energy/control/performance ...lost. I had my 3rd day on the Step On's today in 6 inches of heavy pow and I'd say some of that "wiggle" worked well in the pow....in the sense of being a forgiving ride...........but again, not as good a feel or performance in the pow as with my TD3 SW SI's and Track 325's Overall I found the Step On's an even more fun setup in the pow than on the groom, imo......but alas, I'm not going to give up performance just for the convenience of softboots......so it was another futile attempt at softboot carving and I don't plan on keeping them!

Wow! Sculler you went all in with the purchase of a Euro Carve board! Cool Topsheet!! What weight did Bruce build it for? Did you find it too stiff?...really wore on your thighs after a hour?? What's the waist?

I'm like Corey.....can I pick the first 3! but I'm the 1st option + POW in hardboots + talking Carving!

My opinion, in a nutsheel/from my experience......I think it will be a hard sell for Hardbooters to transition to the softbooting route if you expect the same performance........you just give up too much performance. At least with the current offerings. ......but Step On's are a game changer for sofbooters wanting more performance!

Very cool John! If we get a vote I'd say the 1st version is my choice! Any chance Stickers are possible! That's a sticker for my board I'd Pay for!!

Hey ComaD I personally found Gilmour (oh God , here we go again!) bias a real game changer for me and my Track 700's and the wider boards (22-23.5 waist's) I ride and still use it. What? Did I miss something? Are the Sages saying _ _ _ _ _ _ _ bias is too old school and to ditch it for conventional "centered" wisdom ?? As for your race tune...............who did the tune? somebody in the bay area? I went thru Three supposedly "Experienced Alpine Board Tuners" up here in Tahoe of all places that made things Worse before I found a legit Alpine tuner!

Well I still plan to be there for the first or last 3 days but will pull the plug if Aspen doesn't get a dumping.........don't need to travel to be frustrated....I can do that here! Man! Somethings gotta give with this weather..aka: lack of winter here in N. Cali also! It's Jan. for crying out loud and it's still rock board season!! My boards are spending more time at the tuners for core shots and rock rash than on the hill! I got a new Moss AP67 I desperately want to let run but No Way until we get enough coverage that I don't cringe looking down the slope at the rocks, sticks and rubble .......but the Sirens are calling to me and I Go!! ...as my board is screaming, Oh no, No, NO!

I totally understand and emulate SunSufer's example.... but sure seems like there are certain terms like "driving" (the knees) that really get's peoples undies in a bunch around here! Sure seems like fighting words for some reason ?..... like using the term "Gilmour" Bias ?? My explanation of our mutual style/technique is I "throw" my front knee toward the snow/turn on toe side turns, etc....because it really feels like a literal and lateral throwing my knee towards/into that turn................just saying.

Hey BX Yeah.........I think this years model is a great leap forward but I am already hoping next years model will offer more refined improvements on the design.....maybe offer an even stiffer binding/boot combo! A release lever that's usable with gloves! A release mechanism (option?) that's reachable for mere mortals! I love the convenience of this softboot system........but not at the sacrifice of performance.

To add my .02 to the Step On discussion - I've just finished two days on the Step On's + Bomber Power Plates with 3 degree cant disks front and rear running 55/50 angles No problem stepping in even with the 3 degree Power plates and the connection is secure!....along as your on level ground!! Attempting to step in horizontal to the fall line with the slope starting to pitch, even a little was futile....I gave up and pointed the nose downhill and prayed I could "Step On" on the 1st attempt...luckily it worked that time! Yeah, Dr. S is right, the teeny, weeny release levers are a pain and an awkward reach, so I created my own quick release modification and it worked great, Butt Ugly but worked great! Don't know if you really see it in the photos but it's just cord attached to the release lever via one half of a double fisherman's knot and the cord is threaded up thru some semi white bendable plastic tubing (I spray painted black) and tied off to a lawnmower pull handle attached with zip ties at three points. Besides the appearance the only thing I would change is add a velcro strap to wrap around my leg and hold the tubing/handle above the binding closer to my body. I based the length/height as the same as my Fintec release cable and pull. I got cuttoff once by some park rats abruptly stopping across the slope and took a tumble and then bodyslided on the heelside and the handle, zip ties and tubing took a beating but didn't break or release and the boot didn't pop out from the impact either! The Photon boots are great and I think they are stiffer than my DriverX's....or at least I can get them Much tighter than the DriverX's, which I think delivered better performance! What I Really enjoyed was the convenience of driving to the Mtn. in the Photons (yes, I was alone and no it's not against the law) walking thru the village to the gondola in the Photons, going straight to the lift and Stepping In ..etc.etc. you know, as compared to hauling the hardboots thru the village , finding a spot to boot up and then a spot to leave the other footwear and boot hauling pack...... yes I'm a lazy bastard and don't want to walk from the parking lot thru the village to the gondola in my hardboots - ugh! I'd say it was my best day's of softboot "riding" to date ....but that's my issue, it was a fun ride but I couldn't ever find the sweet spot (right stance, angle, cant) to "Drive" my Moss PQ60 like I do with my TD3's and Track 325's and I played with all possible adjustments over these two days. I'm not giving up on them just yet, we have a pow day coming up Tues and that's my next test but my current opinion is you gotta have young legs with much more flexibility than I do at 61 to get the same results as compared to hardboots......maybe that's a Duh, You Moron! ...... but I'm not sure that's a trade off for the convenience I'm willing to give up ....aka: you can't teach this old dog new tricks!

Hey QQ Did ya try the Burton store at Northstar or Squaw?............... they both are one of the few retailers that were allowed "Step On" stock...... The Northstar Burton shop even swapped out my too small (internet ordered) Photon boots, no problem!! Burton at Northstar - 530-562-8014 Burton at Squaw, aka The Ledge - 530 - 452- 4477

fyi:......Also the Step On boots seem to run a little small.......for whatever reason I had to go up a half size from my Burton DriverX boots!! Could Not even get my foot in the same size Step On boot as my DriverX's !!

I can find them around here.........but NOT Hex Head! .....and I don't want to have to carry another tool!! Nobody got any extras to sell?

Photon all the way Baby!........with that extra Boa strap across the instep..... were talking ZERO Heellift!!

Ok.......Let's see some Photo proof......... or it rally didn't happen!!!

Hey T 2. Compared to my Track 325, Carpet impression of lateral stiffness is......... 6! The Boots in the binding is seriously stiff!! Compared to my Track 700's laternal stiffness is.......... 3 Yeah Lurch I already have the new and improved replacement cleats. and there s no problem Stepping in and staying connected with the plates on 3 degree disks....at least on the carpet! We will see tomorrow!!

Finally I got all the parts to assemble the Burton Step On binding with the Bomber Power Plate on my Moss PQ60!! It feels Goood....carpet surfing! Were Not having much of a winter out here so far but I'll take it with me on my next Swoard rampage. Yes,......I added my own extension to Burton's minute quick release lever.......it's the same height as the release handle on my Fintecs . 55/50 with 3 degree cant disks both feet with typical F-toe and R-heel lift - Let's Ride!

Boy's........... it ain't so if ya don't got tha Photos to prove it!!!!

Happy New Bomber Year Fin!! Can't wait to have you back in the saddle!!!

Anybody got a set (six) M8x16x12mm to hold the base plate to the can't ring on a TD3??