JRAZZ

No, these would need harboot binding like Bombers or F2s. They would not work with the Spark. If you're looking for a "harder" experience (especially when choosing boots) look at the thread below but ultimately hardboots are hardboots. YMMV

Mixed report for today. On the upside the commute/traffic was non-existent and the runs empty but they are pretty short and the uplift takes FOREVER. Oh, they also allow dogs on the slopes so you have to be careful to avoid them... Very very cheap to ride and the food is very homely. I was the only rider to show up for this 2' pow day. I had fresh refills all day but it was very cold and windy. The manager is very nice but there were two very needy younger employees that might get their allowances cut if they don't shovel the driveway and groom the slope! So overall this place is pretty neat. I think I'll come back (not that I have a choice). The real bummer is that the season is very short and I hear that it might even end in a couple of days Still, I understand the MTB scene here is dope! Pictured is the patio of the lodge looking at the western glade which has been thinned out considerably in the past year by a local dweller. Also picture is said dweller messing up the slope by creating holes and land mines that are to be avoided at all costs!

Advice? Don't. I mean really, don't. Gluing these plastics is not really possible meaning you will not even be close to the shear strength of the virgin plastic and you will create a fracture point at the toe of the boot. Ditto drilling/screws/etc... This is not something you want to find out when you are riding down a steep face in the backcountry. Try selling these and buying some used backlands or (if you can find them) a pair of TLT6. Hell, see if someone will trade you a pair of TLT6 for these.

Welcome (back?) to the dark side! That looks AWESOME! Specs?

Woha! Looks like a young curious bear... Still can maul you but the reaction looked more like play than trying to get food.

FWIW these are called “die springs”. As their name implies they are used for dies and plastic injection molds. McMaster and Grainger are good sources but I’ve found them on Amazon and eBay. They are usually color coded according to either an ISO or JIS spec. Google is your friend here.

PMed...

Not Lovey but Eldo was popping! I have no idea how you guys plan on making it up on Sunday tho... If today was any indication I don't think anybody is going to be going anywhere. (notice the empty chairs... this was around 12...)

Telling Mario to have finesse and not go all aggro... He's all about the subtlety you know Now I have to drag myself out of bed on a Sunday just to see the show!

Quality product testing right there... Poor board tho

Unfortunately I'm recovering from a cold so no Lovey for me

Picked up a cookie cutter from Amazon (yes I know I could have 3D printed it. That's not the point!) I think it's super cool

That makes more sense. I understand they moved factory and that the quality improved afterwards... This is all hearsay, I haven't seen anything other than 2020 and 2021 models.

WOW Though it looks a bit like CGI....

That's interesting! I felt the flex was just right for me. One of the things that turned me off of the Nidecker Smoke was that I felt it was too stiff.

Just came back from a really fun day. Still feeling out my Cafe Racer 159 but some initial impressions. It's shiny! I like the color and the gloss. It really looks nice. The sidecut seems very much like a circular section. It rides like that too! If you've ever ridden a Donek Proteus you'll know the feeling. It's not bad, some really like it some don't. It's not a very versatile sidecut - it really wants you to do one size of turns but it does those turns superbly. On the soft groom we had today it gripped really well and I had no problems zipping from one side to another of the run. It wanted to stay on edge. Other than the sidecut the biggest thing I noticed is the width. The waist is 26.9cm and with my size 10 wmns boots it was a challenge to initiate a turn. It really wants to flat-base. Once it's on edge it holds nicely (though you feel the width) but when it's time to switch edges it thunks down flat and if you're not ready for it it will catch an edge. Once you are prepared it's great because it makes changing edges REALLY fast and positive. I was also surprised that with this aggressive nature it was actually easy to get it to skid if you wanted to. It also seems very stable going through chunder and it really likes to pick up speed. Overall I like this board. It makes me look like a much better rider than I am. It's really a pleasure to carve and I think I'll get used to the width.

Nice and shiny!

I looked at the Smoke and almost got it. I love Nidecker's sidecut! The concept was also a very tempting one though I liked the Nidecker Area as well... So many boards so little time Ended up with a Korua Cafe Racer. Still feeling it out but it holds an edge so well! I was on the lift at Loveland Valley looking down and seeing trenches and thought there was someone on hardboots! I actually waited at the top to see who it was

Eck yeah! Though in my case I'm not sure that the boots are that much softer...

Couple of threads to read... Boots: Bindings: With boots go with what feels good. Stiff choices are (in no particular order): Nidecker Talon, Ride Insanos, K2 Thraxis, Burton DriverX, Burton Ion, Salomon Malamute. (probably missed a few) As for bindings, many choices again. I love my Flow NX2s but if you go that route just remember that they really need to be set up correctly.

Why did I read this as "intimate my enemies"? I thought you sought to get intimate with your enemies and that that was really progressive! Kudos!

I think this is good to have even if it's not the right solution for you personally. I like the Flow NX2 precisely because they are easy to get in and out. The fact is that many people really like having the ability to step in and that the convenience greatly enhances their experience. Besides, even if they did not get it absolutely right, trying and having the courage to try is the first step in improving.

Intuition Plug liners

You're probably right... The stock liners didn't feel very stiff.

Now that I've had 3 days on these boots I can give an initial impression. STIFF! Previously I had DriverX, Malamutes and Insanos. The DriverX and Malamutes are similar in flex/support though the Burtons have been going softer with the newer generations. Pretty soon they'll be park boots. When I try to initiate a turn with them my shins just sink in. Both are very comfortable but just don't provide enough support for me. The Ride Insanos were definitely stiffer and did provide some support but I never got along with them fit wise. The Talons with the Intuition liners are significantly stiffer than all of these. I honestly thought I'd made a mistake first time I rode them. They actually hurt from being so stiff. It felt just like a hardboot. Thankfully they have mellowed out to the point where they are merely insanely stiff and not just rock hard. This is great for me! It's way easier to get the edge to engage and my riding has really improved. Surprisingly the most improved are the heelside turns where it's way easier to engage and not slide out. Not sure how I feel about taking these in bumps but steeps and just general craving are a blast!