barryj

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??

Blue B - What! you don't understand the new Obtuse "adjective" Math? 90/80 is 21/9 Sorry, must have a case of Mathlexia - was good at Statistic, not Geometry! Really...always thought straight across the board was 90 degrees and zero was the nose!

Hey No Schooler Sigi making riding on Not perfect groom look easy ......but don't forget he's riding on a Vist or Allflex plate which dampens that chop!.....and the fact he's a P. Giant Slalom Olympic medalist probably! doesn't hurt either!

Welcome Wessel, The groom is where you can refine your game, but I agree with Lowrider that the chop, ie: less than ideal conditions will make you use all you've learned. I love slicing through the chop with my Swoard Extreme Carver (instead of getting pitched all around trying to ride over it) but I would want to feel pretty confident in my technique to attack the chop on your carving setups. A lot of guys bring two boards to the Mtn., myself included.... for me it's to lengthen the fun factor when it gets too crowded for hard charging carving or my legs are done and screaming for mercy! Switching to a more forgiving setup is always a blast, weather your softboot setup or a more flexy fun hardboot set up which your Track 225's would be perfect for!!......I run A Moss Performance Quad 60 http://www.mosssnowstick.com/product-2017-2018/performance-quad-60 with TD3's and Track 325's and it's great for the groom or the pow or moderate carving.....even when my legs are shot! You have acquired an impressive arsenal for an "aspiring hardbooter" I don't know F2 boards but the 171 Kessler will demand every ounce of muscle and attention you can muster and unless your around 100lbs./45 kilos I don't think the Track 225's are up to the task! I would suggest a stiffer boot to get the most out of those boards and make sure your boots are SNUG and you are not getting Any heel lift. When purchasing hardboots a lot of riders go down a whole size or more from their street shoe size to hardboot size. ie: i'm a street shoe size 12 US/Mondo 30...but my Tracks are 28.5's Keep at it and deep trenches will come! Again, welcome!

........or that Whistler could possibly suck?

Eric...............that;s a good point with the lack of heelside leverage with high angles with highbacks. But that's part of my rationale of purchasing the "Step On" setup..... My 55/50 angles and the rigidity of the Burton Step On binding and boot combo should be stiff enough to not need to depend on the Highback anyway......... we will see.

Hey JT I'm was ridding 60/55 but have backed down to 55/50 on my carving boards......(which I still get grief about considering I ride wide 22.5-23.5 carving boards) but like you, that's what works for me! I'm going to try 55/50 angles on my softboot setup with the Bomber Power Plates and Burton Step On's on my Moss PQ60 I would think 60/57 is getting up there for softbooting...........I would expect you'd get even better carving with adding a plate like Bombers Power Plates or Apex Gecko's Look at living legend Mark Fawcett's softboot setup with Geckos .....he is ripping and he looks like (at 1:23) he's running crazy conservative angles like 90/80 ??

How about some stats......... Also year produced and weight it was made for??

I'm a fan of Gilmour Bias with my TD3 SW SI's setups on my carving boards.................but has anybody done it with Power Plates for a softboot setup?? I'm sure it's feasible but any benefits??

Hmm Glad to see somebody else running a (so called old school) narrow stance! How'd you come to decide to run (atypical) more lift in the front than the back??

Hmm? If the Donek MK is Sean's pinnacle Bad Ass hard charger.... .......where does the Proteus fit? ........the miss guided step child?......a wild, but predictable spirit?? It sounds like the MK is more like my experience on my Virus UFC 163....loved the board and a hell of a ride! ......but you better have Thunder Thighs!!

Best wishes for a fast recovery Charlie! ......and next time try not to do so much pruning in the Glades!!

WS7... get well soon! Where were you riding in NH when you cratered??