Mucknbullets

Thanks for the advice. I have shifted front back and tried to keep weight more centred or forward and it had helped. Still getting pain when doing long heel side runs but hey it is an improvement. It has been an interesting introduction to hb as even the blues have 2 foot moguls at the moment and trying to turn a 10cm longer board is proving hard work. Still love the feedback from hb so all good.

Not sure as this is all new to me. Front has 2 wedges underneath that are set flat so no can't but ate obviously giving some toe lift. Rear had big block under heel some forward cant.

Well I have finally got away for my week in the snow and am struggling a bit. Now this is probably down to not being on a boardfor a year and jumping straight in with hb and longer board. I am goofy and my right quads are killing me after only a few easy runs. There is a kit of powder at the mo as not stopped snowing for 36 hours. Obviously I am having to lean back a fair bit but it only really kicks when heel siding. Toe side is fine. Just after a little guidance or ideas. Sorry for any spelling as using my phone.

Or a 97 Burton Alp 63 (no idea if that is correct) currently sitting at £1.95 with 5 days use http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Burton-Alp-63-Snowboard-Alpine-Carving-hard-boot-/170981255187?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Skiing_Snowboarding_Snowboards_CV&hash=item27cf46e813 I wouldn't want to guess what shipping across the pond would be but this board is about 10 miles form where I work if anybody want sit collecting and shipping for their quiver.

Now, knowing nothing about old/collectable gear that seems really pricey when you consider http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-NORDICA-SBS-SOFT-BOOTS-ALPINE-CARVING-SNOWBOARD-BOOTS-MENS-9-5-/130830790612?pt=US_Snowboard_Boots&hash=item1e761f6fd4 for $59.99 + p+p or some brand new UPZs http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UPZ-RC10-hard-alpine-snowbording-boots-in-white-never-been-used-/150987307410?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Skiing_Snowboard_Boots_CV&hash=item23278b7992 for £88 + p+p

As said I think that there needs to be a greater awareness in the sport of the different styles of boarding. I have had no interest in ever riding a pipe and duck stance does my legs in but that is just me. Go past an board park or big air jump into cushion and they are queuing up to use it so fair point to set things up for that area. I was shocked last season to see lines of HBs coming down the hill in Bardonecchia, Italy and after a few questions found out that you have to be competent in both disciplines to be an Italian instructor. This is what piqued my interest as I have always felt dis-connected from the board in softies. Now that is probably more down to the hire equipment I have used up till now so for me HB is the way forward (I hope). This is in contrast to a snotty hire shop guy in Livigno, Italy who had a right rant about the fact I had broken a toe strap and blamed it on the fact my board was probably 45/25. Err, firstly this is how I was taught to ride before you had left school (I will be 40 this year so not that old) and secondly isn't the customer always right? I can understand going off if I had handed him a pile of firewood and said "New board please" but 1 lousy toe strap that was replaced quicker than his rant took. Education and tolerance.

No idea yet as not booked. Waiting for that super deal. Will keep an eye out for Tignes deals in that case as would be nice to have somebody explain this carving lark face to face. Sorry for thread jack.

Wish I could hand out cards as guarantee when I rock up somewhere in Europe next Saturday I may get the odd inquisitive look. Suppose I will have to hand out SWOARD cards instead!! :)

Love the Le Mans style start. This is where Intec/Fintec would rule, assuming you can run in hard boots. ;)

Cheers Tufty. As I thought really. Should have them on whilst sitting here but will give it a gentle going over with the hairdryer tomorrow to soften as much as possible before putting on properly. Reckon I will leave the RAB as is and see fi ti suits me and adjust on the fly.

Having now got my hard boot setup et al and looking to hit the slopes in a couple weeks (wherever the cheap deals are in Europe at that time (02/02/13 for 1 week if anyone wants to join us for a cheap week)) I was wondering if the standard liner on AF700s is moldable at all? Below is the RH liner and it has a crimp/crease in it where it has been caught up by it's previous owner. Now I was wondering if this area could be heated (possibly by hair dryer?) and be re-shaped without the crease. Now having not ridden in them yet I don't know if it will be a major problem but I could feel it just wearing them round the house. Before anyone says Bootfitter, they are few and far between in South East England (UK) and would probably mean a day off work and a trip to London so not really an option. If I get into the whole HB thing (and I pray I do as Softies were driving me nuts) then I may splash out on some thermo liners for next season. Also the boots have the RAB system fitted and I was wondering on what peoples views would be on how stiff I should have them starting out. Obviously this is very personal but I really don't want to spend ages on my arse as have such limited time on the snow? My thoughts are to start with it wound down for a softer feel and then stiffen as I feel necessary. Running an F2 Speedcross with Proflex Intec bindings Many thanks Ade

I doubt I will ever go back to ski's as never was much good on concentrating on 2 things at once. I agree with the comments about your average snowboarder looking a bit naff, to say the least, and what is it with sitting down everywhere (usually in the ruddy way)? I don't like getting a cold arse and prefer to go as fast as possible down the slope. Ok I get 1 week a year if I am lucky (the joys of living in southern England and having no money to go more often) but that week is special to me and now with my HB setup I hope to improve some more. A comment from a guy I ended up ski-ing with last year in Italy - You board like a skier. Yeah, not surprising as have no interest in throwing at oh la la's or whatever but love that surf feeling you can get just flicking form side to side and running the length of a run. Oh and further to this I ended up talking to a very elderly gentlemen in our pidgeon englsih/italian about snowboarding as I had seen him on a SB setup and then he turns up in HBs. Ok he wasn't fast but was still enjoying himself at over 80 years old. Turns out he was an ex team Italy boarder from back in the early days (coach I think) but still rode most days of the winter.

Which fingers as some "Lobster" gloves might help. (What they have been called over this side of the pond by bikers). Mainly done for heat/thermal purposes but having the 2 fingers in same place would allow some strapping as per lowrider's comment.

The smile at 1.46 says it all really. Would love to be confident enough to do this. Kudos to you.

It's the fact that one of the operators says "Oh! It's gone the wrong way again". AGAIN!! FFS did you not think the first time it happened to maybe not do it again. Only zorbing I have seen here in the UK is usually down some nice gentle green hill in the West Country where after a few scrumpies (local strong cider) it seems like a good idea. Down a narrow, steep ski slope is just mad without any control. Even a rope attached would have been better than nothing especially the guy at the bottom who will catch you. Yeah right. RIP and thoughts to families.

Great videos. Nice (no pun intended) to see normal folks out and about. Gives me hope that I might be able to ride this bard boot thing I have just bought. Ade

Interesting to read this as I have always found toe side my preferred side. Also I learnt 19 years back when duck was only for people who couldn't have 2 boots pointing the same way. As mentioned maybe turn them slightly so they are heading one way in preference to either. As said kids push buttons with consummate ease so maybe a 1 to 2 "special" lesson for them with someone else just to break the mould kinda thing. Also agree on the "they suddenly just can thing" as my boys (12 and 8) do this with their school work. 1 week it is impossible and the next they breeze through it.

Know all about sticky out appendages and Dendix. I reckon I should tape my hands into my pockets once at the top. Then again I fell of the chairlift at Bracknell dry slope so maybe I should just stay home!! Board needs a bit of tlc as a couple of long but not deep scratches so might get it into a local shop for a waxing and then take Mr Sheen with me.

BlueB: Just what I wanted to hear. Not sure I will be extreme carving any time soon but just wanted that feeling of being more connected. Ksko: Those links are great many thanks. Now I at least know what year it is. (more than F2 bothered to tell me) Kieran: I learnt to board in Aviemore many years back but haven't got cash or time to head North of the Border so only chance before my 1 week in Europe somewhere will be the dry slope. Not ideal but dry slope is 20 minutes drive and about £15 so I can at least get a feel (if nothing like real snow) of what going HB is like. I think I will dig out my Motocross body armour and shorts so I at least won't break anything serious. Cheers again

Many thanks for the replies. Not sure how much tuning time I will get as usually only get 1 week a year on the snow but will probably head to my local dry slope just to try out these weird and wonderful hard boot thingies. I suppose I was looking for a bit of reassurance too, in that I hadn't bought a complete lemon (which I have ben prone to do in other areas of my life) and that you are all now having a good chuckle at the new boy. I have emailed F2 to ask if they have any info on the board as their "archive" doesn't exactly go back very far. We live in hope. Will search for more answers on setup but did notice that the FAQ link didn't work the other day. Cheers Ade

New to all this so be gentle. I have been boarding on and off for last 19 years and have always been softboot (usually hired so feel like wellies). I have now splashed the cash and bought a hardboot setup and board so wanted advice on what I have bought and setting up etc. Boots are Raichle AF700 and board is an F2 Speed X Cross 165 (or something but that is what is on the board) with Proflex bindings with Intec Heels. See picture. Now board was setup regular which meant the rear cant was rearwards which felt really weird but when swapped to my goofy stance it feels right and is canted towards front. Now from what I have read this is now right or have I got it all wrong? Also what are the little wheels/cogs on the front of the toe wire for? Many thanks for any answers to these noob questions. Ade (PS. Sorry if in wrong area of forum.)