FriendlyDropBear

Situation is far more confusing in Australia... these last few years have actually been an improvement over the decade between 05-15; some of the lowest years on record are back in the 80s The ozone hole was a serious issue over AU/NZ and now that the hole is pretty much gone it actually feels like things are cooling down a touch? I'll admit though that I'm not entirely convinced that climate change is a purely human generated issue (though I wouldn't deny our influence, having firsthand experience of what it feels like living under that hole.) Here's a pretty good chart to look at for the NSW snowies.

As far as I can tell they made it for one year and one year only 1994 As for the link levers I'm waiting on a response from phantom about the pivot buckle as I don't want to pay monstrous shipping twice.

Yeah I think, depending on how I find this board, if I were to move onto a nicer new board to fill the slot I'd be most interested in donek flux or incline. I have this F2 to dabble in the medium binding angle, sub 250 mm waist side of things and will also have my new splitboard setup for hardboots at what would be considered softboard freeride angles. Can also compare the traditional full camber to my Yes hybrid's rockered front widepoint (I believe the covert might also have a little early rise but the specs are hard to pin down and I haven't physically checked yet) Based on this data next season (or a few) I hope to get an idea of whether I'd prefer the flux over the incline as well as a ballpark for width. Though I might even consider a pureboard or swoard.

That's the plan I think, all-mtn, predominantly on piste, hanging with friends on skis... they aren't really equipped for the off piste which I and my main board enjoy. I had been thinking about my quiver and looking at boards like the donek incline or flux, the jones flagship, or Korua trench digger; all longer and stiffer boards than what I own for faster all mountain use. My initial thought, when I grabbed this with the intention of soft booting, was that it would be in that ballpark with length, stiffness, carving etc, though a little more piste focused. Also as an opportunity to try some high forward angles. Though I also hope this shape is a little more comfortable in off piste shortcuts than some narrow and more aggressive alpine carving boards. Essentially I'm just hoping for something that is a little better at carving at speed across a relatively wide selection of lifted terrain. Especially keen to try the bigger sidecut radius vs my Yes Hybrid at 7.6 -> 5.6 m; as well as my newly aquired United Shapes Covert split at 7.6 They're New! Unless they're NOS... not sure how to tell tbh. Definitely never been ridden and feel brand new. Included a little instruction sheet etc. Will monitor for fatigue that I induce myself though! Keen to work this thing out, come next season!

So I've finally got everything together to ride 'hardboot'..... shame season is done here in Aus How to describe this setup is the big question!! The board: The board is an F2 six-zero, 160, 28-23-28, EE 129, sidecut radius around 10m (according to Autocad). My initial goal when I picked this board up was to ride it at high angles in soft boots as a very affordable (picked up for A$40) entry into longer edges and larger radius sidecuts for going fast on piste.... but then I found this forum and started thinking about hardboots... I think it still may fit that place as an all mountain/groomer charger? The binding: Fritschi OEM style plastic bail bindings Found em on ebay.... nobody seemed to recognise them on my previous thread asking about cheaper bindings. Build quality is much higher than I expected, the plastic seems to be some sort of glass filled nylon? They have 3 degree cant plates and in-built toe lift and heel lift. First ride next season in going to start with a 50/30 setup based on a few ideas I've picked up from softboot carvers, pureboarding and EC guys, 'harboot' splitboarders, combined with the relatively wide board. Aiming more for a 'surfy' freecarve than racing angulation. The boot: Atomic Backland Carbon. Come next season it will likely have the phantom link lever and pivot strap mod. I've also got Patriot tru-straps which aren't pictured. I finally caved on hardboots when I more recently decided I also wanted to splitboard next season.... now I'm fully aware than the Atomic boot is much softer than a traditional snowboard hardboot, this is why I think they may very well suit the foggy middle ground between softboot and hardboot riding that lands somewhere near pureboarding. I plan to run them with tongues in and the stiffest springs phantom sell. So how would you describe the setup!? It definitely fits in this sub, as opposed to carving central..... I'm just sorry I won't be able to give a ride report until next season!!

How do you like the Karakoram Guide HB bindings? I've just got in touch with them this last week to give expression of interest/get on the wait list for the next run. Do you rate the combo of Backland and Guide binding? I notice you've got the Phantom Tour mode bindings as well... I'm in Aus and have just bought Atomic Backlands and will be getting a split for next season. I've also bought some OEM Fritschi bindings to run these boots on an F2 board I picked up for a steal.

This just popped up on FB marketplace... would buy for my fiancée but I'm only teaching her to board next year and already have kit for that.... would be a very longterm investment for me Someone else with a smaller partner of offspring might be keen though! https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/456294736227619/

From a few weeks back here in Aus, hiking a closed resort. Not on alpine kit as I've not got it yet. Don't mind the totally duffed turn I had more speed than I was able to confidently throw into a heelside carve without scrubbing a little speed first... only about 6 days total on snow (with 4 about 10 years ago)

Those ski-bikes look like they'd be a nightmare to control speed on!! At least the scoot looks like skidded speed control is an accessible action. I think having the feet in essentially the same position as a mono seems to give the rider access to a level of edge control that the ski-bikes don't look like they have? Thus unlocking the carving potential? I find the nature of a front 'steered' ski fascinating though, as it essentially gives the rider the ability to adjust the sidecut radius as they initiate a turn. Again opening up the all-mountain capabilities as they can carve with the larger default radius but use the bars to tighten it up in the trees or moguls Not going to lie, it looks fun, and doesn't require any sort of riding boot, which is a feature in and of itself.

In an update.... The suspense was really starting to get to me and I caved, have ordered the blue lever Fritschi bindings. I'm thinking that combined with the Backlands and the more Freeride focused F2 (an assumption based on shape and dimensions), I'll have a setup that falls somewhere between the worlds of softboot freeride and hardboot freeride? Hopefully stiffer and more responsive than any softboot setup, while being approachable and comfortable in comparison to a full blown, rock solid, hardboot carving setup. I am anticipating a superior on piste performance to any softboot carving arrangement with a functional off piste freeride character, better able to cut through trees and pow than a narrower board with stiffer boots would be. Wish me luck! I'll be sure to write up ride reports for all components as there isn't a whole lot on any of the three pieces (Though I expect I wont get much of an opportunity until next season depending on how slow shipping is)

Want to train quads + cardio + general snowboard/board-sports....? Find a nearby pump track! Seriously..... nothing I've ever done has been more targeted board sport training. I don't know about where you live, but here in NSW, Australia, these things have seriously taken off and are rapidly propagating throughout the countryside. Now multiple withing 30 min of my house in a regional city, plus another in the purely rural town that my families rural property is situated near. I'm assuming that that means there may be a similar explosion of popularity elsewhere on the planet?

This is where my head was at when starting this thread. My main goal in asking the question was the vain hope just one person might have first hand experience of these blue levered Fritschi 'once again' bindings. That or an elusive and mysterious other Australian might have some older but nicer bindings to sell at a price similar to the affordable Fritschi ones. ATM I think i'll just get those blue levered ones, as I've found another listing elsewhere with a lot more photos and they look pretty well made. They definitely seem to be a step up from the other 'OEM' bindings. Because let's be honest here... Getting onto an alpine board and bindings for USD170 total is pretty reasonable.... With the board cleaned up (was dusty and had rusty edges) and better photos (listing had just blurry top and bottom photos) I might be able to sell the setup for a profit down the line anyway. While the boots are cross purpose for eventual splitting and only cost USD180.

Are you talking about the blue lever or purple lever bindings pictured? I seem to be able to find evidence of the purple levers being OEM equipped for a few brands like Nitro and Oxygen a good while back, but cannot find example of the blue levered ones anywhere? The board they'll be going on is very much a 'freeride' or 'all-mountain' board as far as anyone on this forum would be concerned. It's an F2 from 94 that's got almost modern freeride proportions; - 160 - 23 cm waist - 27ish cm at the contact points - Wide enough at the feet to rock my US9.5 soft boots at 45/30 (just barely) - Significant setback (haven't measured but it's evidently an off piste setback) I figure that the softer "hardboot" setup of the Backland and an F2 Carve or equivalent binding could actually pair quite well? Stiffer than a freeride softboot setup yet more supple through the trees than 'real' hardboot setup. Was just hoping to find someone who recognised the blue lever binding and offer stern advice against going that way.... or find another Aussie with some old gear they'd sell for a more palatable entry price. I've since found a few sellers internationally that would ship the F2 Carve RS internationally but that's still looking at around AUD350 An extra day's wages over the blue Fritschi

Sadly I had noted this myself How would the Carve RS compare with the aforementioned entry level Fritschi bindings? Unfortunately looks like YYZ only ships to North America.

Yeah I've heard great things, as well as the tip that they REQUIRE the Phantom link..... I'll likely try them at least once without I've not been able to find them for less than AUD400 Which is why I was looking at the cheaper OEM style bindings as they're less than half the price of the most affordable F2!

Hi all! Just a fledgling looking for tips! Background info: Aussie interested in giving hardboots a crack! Which seemingly means I've got extremely limited access to used equipment. I've recently nabbed a near mint F2 six zero (can only find 1 example online from 94? It's 160 23cm waist 'all mountain' alpine?). It cost me a whole AUD40 I've also accidentally bought some Atomic Backland carbons, with the intention of gradually putting together a split setup. They only set me back AUD275!! But I'm at a loss for bindings to successfully pair the two without decimating my back account with Phantoms and phantom 4x4 cleats. The Phantoms with cleats would set me back a whopping AUD1000... or there abouts. I'd like them eventually for split but not any time soon. The decision: I've found an eBay seller in Germany (Restposten-Eckenputzer) listing two styles of Fitschi bindings for around AUD200.... pictured below. - I'm guessing most on here would consider that ridiculous money for these bindings? - Would they even serve the purpose I'm after? - Is there any way for me to make local contacts who may have better options for better money?