Neil Gendzwill

MEC used to have an actual lifetime warranty on their stuff. I think if you want to offer the sort of warranty they're talking about, it should be phrased as "at least X years". The way it's worded now, they can deny warranty after a month if they feel it's been used hard enough.

What happened to FA? I note their “lifetime” warranty where they decide if the garment is dead or not.

I own a Flagship, it is a fun soft boot board but in no way compares to any of my hard boot boards for carving ability or stiffness. It might be stiff by soft boot standards but by HB standards it's a noodle. Good luck with the setup, I think it will work well for what you want to do.

I don't understand the pricing on snow tires. A couple years ago before rental prices went bonkers, I rented a small car at Budget in the Calgary airport. The rate was something like $54 for 3 days, unlimited mileage. If I wanted snow tires, it was $25/day. So the rental cost of a set of snow tires was nearly 50% more than the rental cost for the entire car.

Fawcett's model with Kindred doesn't look anything like we commonly think of as a SB carving board.

Flew to Chicago with my son and his girlfriend last Friday. We had promised to take him to a Packers game when he graduated college. So tourist Chicago stuff on Saturday, off to Green Bay on Sunday to watch them thump da Bears, back to Chicago on Monday for more touristy stuff, flew to Toronto today. Now 3 days of visiting my daughter before home to Saskatoon.

Weirdly when I ride my 2m Tanker I never get questions in the lift line. It looks like a regular board and I don't think people really clock the size somehow.

Yes, so far two qualified orthopaedic surgeons have looked at the xrays and said that this is a clear case where hip replacement is the only option. Well, not the only - I can continue on as I am for some time and eventually get into pain management, but if I want a functional hip I need a new one.

When was the last time you had to do that? We made three trips to Alberta last season and were able to use the lodges each time.

So what happens when you crash, take a handlebar to the balls, and then watch in pain as that thing sails down the hill to wipe out some innocents?

Wow, had a quick glance at Fleabay, couldn't believe the prices some people were asking for step-ons of any flavour. Good luck with your search, love mine.

I wasn't very clear. My Raichle bindings are an older version of the current F2 Carve RS. I have no direct experience with the Fritschi ones. However the Fritschi will probably work just fine for your purposes. Once you have put some time in on your cheaper setup, you might decide you love it and want to invest in more current gear, at which point I am sure you could sell whatever bindings you buy here and recoup some of your money. If you go looking through the forums here you will find people advising against the Carve RS or other lightly built bindings. Those people are skilled riders using stiff boards and stiff boots and putting immense force on everything. That won't be you at first. If you stick with it and become a hard-charging carve machine like those guys, you will definitely be wanting to invest in different gear than your cheap "try it out" setup.

Not familiar with Fritschi. However I have a pair of the older version of that binding when they were marketed under the Raichle brand. They have worked fine for me for many years although they have always been on more of my free ride boards and haven't been put under super high stress. You should just contact YYZCanuck if you are interested. Dave and Andrea can let you know if they will ship to Australia or not.

You can try YYZ Canuck. They list F2 Carve RS at $199 on their website, I believe that’s Canadian dollars. I would email them to make sure of stock. Link. The Carve RS will work fine for what you want, no need for the Race Titanium.

Well if you are a 26.5 and the shell is a finger or two too large, and it says it is a 9, I am going to guess that's a UK 9 and the boots are size 27.5.

Alan may have been being a tad facetious there.

I am not in significant pain. Let me repeat that once more for the cheap sets: I am not in significant pain. If I was in any pain I am perfectly capable of getting help in that direction from my own doctors who are all qualified. Also if I was in serious pain I would likely get moved up the list and get the surgery sooner on the government’s nickel. The joint is barely functional. If all I wanted to do was walk with a limp and live pain-free, I am pretty much doing that already. I would like to be able to do the things I love. That’s why I want surgery. What on earth makes you think your guy and your guy only has all the answers to this situation? He's just another doc. We have pain specialists here, too. If I had enough pain to require management beyond the odd dose of ibuprofen, I would be seeing one.

Staying that close is incredible skill!

Ouch! Sorry about that, John. Here’s hoping you heal up soon. I believe the medical term for my hip is FUBAR. Or as the imaging report says, “severe osteoarthritis of the left hip with complete loss of superior joint space, osteophytes and subchondral cystic change.”

Yes, I am definitely fatter than I care to be. I limp like a drunken sailor and a good workout is no longer possible. Last time I went snowboarding I could manage a half day going easy but it feels like this season would be a bust even without surgery.

I think my bowl riding days are probably done, but I don't feel particularly at risk cruising around on a long board.

Well I suggest you not make a move medically until you consult my GP. He's a great guy, and I'm sure that although you've never heard of him you are anxious to get his advice on my say-so.

I live in Canada. What some US radio show doc says has no effect on my medical choices. Both of the surgeons I've consulted with are highly respected and well qualified.

Doc said I could run on it if I want because it’s not possible to damage it any further. It’s severe arthritis, there is no soft tissue left in the joint.

Thanks. The waiting list for hip replacements here is currently around 2 years, so I have elected to have it done privately.