Steve Prokopiw

Dave,I agree with you on the DA 9 components.I used to buy and sell nos DA and Ultegra and other semi-vintage parts like a commodity on ebay to help finance my road racing.Loved using DA 9 and still think it had the best combination of understated beauty and excellent function.

Beautiful! Would be a great candidate for Banff Film Festival!

I love the idea of the lowest stack height and low weight that could be achieved with an integrated board/plate/binding system.I've been working this out for myself with a design that would allow for a small amount of angle adjustment.A very workable design challenge actually.

Thanks again,and have a great time on them.

@BlueB and Timeless61,plusONE on everything you guys wrote.It is not really digressing from the topic if it provides insight into the declining popularity of snowboarding.In my own experience,not much has changed over the years when it comes to the roles that governing bodies/schools and the lessons they provide have had in the rise and fall of popularity.In all the time I taught for a living,return rates after the first group lesson for example,were much higher for skiing than snowboarding and I would guess that's still the case.The chip I've had on my shoulder in the years since giving up that career is that 'grownups' were left out in the cold when it comes to learning to snowboard and the retention rate seems worse than ever. I also agree with the concept that a new paradigm of smaller, less opulent resorts that are there for sliding and not just stupidly decadent real estate is the future of sliding for the masses.Of course,for whatever reasons, climates change both environmentally and culturally,and those are the biggest challenges faced.

"More of a swooper,less of a pooper'.I'm going to use that one as enthusiatically as 'push the bush" hehe.

With 11 speed Dura Ace coming,DuraAce 7900 10 speed parts should be dropping in price on ebay,or mail order for that matter, soon.I've been thinking in that direction for my next road bike as I had sold most of my road equipment to finance ironman a couple of years ago.

True! We see what each sport does for the other when Nathan does both in the same week.The balance gained from snowboarding carries over and the footwork and edging seem to carry over to snowboarding.It's all good!

I would have to disagree with your disagreement.In 20 years of teaching I saw quite often the difficulty experienced by adults and kids with low levels of physical ability and fitness.While snowboarding may be 'easier to get good at' (I use that phrase lightly) entry level skiing is considerably less challenging for many of these folks and is often what they 'succeed' at after 'failing' in snowboarding. Just to be clear,I'm talking about the first entry into the sport,and why it is another possible reason snowboarding is not growing.

Despite some of my comments in the past about not wanting to pretend to be cool to kids to get them into hardbooting,I would like to point out that when kids see kids doing as well as KK and the Winters boys,they think it's cool, as my boys do.My boys would probably snowboard more if Mom and I didn't have so much fun getting all over the mountain with them on skis.Herein lies the problem;they would just be getting the same old sub par learning experience 'in the park before they can really turn' that I've seen taking place at local mountains if we put them in snowboard lessons.That means we have to teach them;and we're selfishly having too much fun with them on skis.So,I guess I've just convinced myself to put more effort into their desire to snowboard next season:-)

Thanks to Dave Smith Motors we got a surprise day at Silver Mountain on Mothers Day two weeks after they had officially closed.In some clips we were playing around to see if Mark could stay in view of the camera,but that's harder that we thought...;-)Also,Mark was on the new 188 for the first time and wasn't thrilled about using the cam so I used it on both boards.However,the way Mark rode the 188 left me wishing we had put it on for him.Also wish we had done some handheld clips,but what you see is what you get.Mainly,it's just cool we got to go riding on May13th! <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/k-9o3I7Qgyo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

As far as stats go,I wonder if there are numbers for those who do both skiing and snowboarding.I think of my boys as doing both even if we have more fun as a family with them on skis.They get to 'earn' snowboard time by being productive in their weekly ski program.That was Nathan's reward on the Sundays he had the gopro on his board.I also think that snowboarding demands a higher level of physical fitness and strength to be enjoyed as much as skiing for lower skill levels.And we all know where we are headed as a society in that regard...

Including the Winters boys and a few other riders who are in their teens that post here.I have no doubt my boys can eventually be there too if they so choose,but it's all about the moment and the fun they have on skis right now.

Despite being a hardbooting boarder myself,I sold my kids' souls to skiing, along with my own, because they are so darn good so much sooner than I anticipated.To have either of them snowboard right now is a day that reminds me why I chose against teaching teach young kids most of my snowboard instruction career.Skiing just gets them all over the mountain with very little trouble, logistically,keeping up with their carving daddy as we go everywhere we are allowed to.They show me tree runs now.Awesome! I should add,however,that is is very rewarding to teach them snowboarding.It just isn't nearly the amount of fun as with them skiing right now.Maybe in the near future that will change,but Nathan and Evan still remind me often of how I escaped skiing this winter but I will have to ski with them 'lots' next winter.Never too old to learn:-)

Here is a set Proflex Intec bindings with cool looking Red Anodized aluminium discs.These include the 4 pictured 3 degree shims and one binding has a set installed for a total of six shims included.The bindings are in very good shape and unique looking and include all rubber base pads.Selling because I no longer use intecs and I'm saving up for Sidewinders :-) 140.00 firm includes Shipping and paypal fees to lower 48 United States. first to make paypal payment to stevepro65 at gmail.com gets em:-)

Ouch! I rely so much on my not so great sight that I can barely imagine how hard it must be for you right now Bryan.I sincerely hope your healing prcoess is quick and has the best outome.

Funny,I breezed right through your original post and thought I was seeing that Nashbar level was what you were looking for;my mistake.Haha:-)

They have Ridley frames in three levels from 299-349 that are a way to custom assemble a sub $1800,sub 18lb bike that would outperform many current $3000 models.When I had a storefront I used Nashbar as one of my distributors to specialize in 'custom assembly',using mostly up to date tech but new old stock.My tri bike was built this way and has done me right:-)Of course there are deals on GT and FUJI with them too.

I sent them Priority today.Thanks again D.T.

Thanks D.T.! I'll put them in the mail first thing in the morning.

Like the title says,here is a pair of F2 Intec Titaniums for sale.There are no size markings but I believe they are the small/medium plate size as I was able to use them with my size 25 Raichle 324 boots.They are in very good condition and only about 35 days on them.I haven't used them since 09/10 as I went to standard bindings and skiboots.The markings on the discs are from the fact that I was experimenting with stance and also using them on a ten pack insert pattern which allowed me to spread the screws out further than regular 4x4 for additional stiffness.(as you may notice from this years's videos,I like a lot of flex these days;-)There is one red base pad missing so I made a rubber one out of innertube(with cutouts for the nuts and a layer between those and the board) that worked just fine and gripped as well as the original.What you see is what is included-5 3degree shims,1 heel/toe lift block,8 mounting screws.Longer m6 bolts can be found at a hardware store if using lift block or stacking shims to add lift.The bindings as shown do not have any shims installed. $170.00 firm includes shipping and paypal fees in the lower 48 United States,via USPS Priority. the first person to paypal stevepro65 at gmail.com gets them

Cool!Didn't mean to be selfish with my request, I just couldn't remember when it was last year.

Maybe I can be allowed some empathy for my 'kooky' liberal views when I say that I have several relatives that believe the Earth is only 10,000 years old and the human species even younger.Nothing divides families and countries like religion.

That was really a great day last summer.I would like to respectfully ask that it not be held July 6 or 7 as I'm directing the Wallace Omnium those days.Sunday the 8th or a bit later would be cool as heck,because that would be a great way to de-stress and celebrate being done with the race.Besides,isn't there still ice on the shore until about then ;-)

I bet we see Garrett in a new,larger sized helmet next year;-)