neanderthal

It seems skiing has caught up with the technology and experience of snowboarding. When I started boariding my cruize 155 could float on powder, carve and had maneuverability in the trees far superior to what standard sticks 195-205s could deliver. Sure there were powder skis and I am sure race skis could carve but for mere mortals these were out of reach. Another benefit was the learning curve which was steep but brought a reasonable snowboarder in a short time to a level that would take many years to attain on skis. Now I find my situation is not uncommon. I am a fat old man - my wife skis (she grew up @ Alta) and I have two little ones 7&8 who have been skiing since about 2yrs old. From about the time you can stand and walk you can start to ski, not so much with snowboarding due to the steeper learning curve. Also kids laying in snow make cold kids which any parent knows means a trip to the lodge and a much abbreviated day on the slopes. With the newer skis things are better, they float, carve and being shorter are also maneuverable. It just isnt as difficult to ski as it was in the days before shaped skis or as I like to think skinny carving boards. Can snowboarding survive? I am not sure that my kids will learn, though my son has recently expressed interest. It isnt as compelling a contrast to skiing as when I started. My hope is that there will be enough of a divergence in the current snowboard market that more will be acknowledged than just park boards. Perhaps Burton and some of the other companies will focus a line of products at adults. I have no doubt that a carving allmountain board would be more appropriate for most of the people older than 27-30 that I see on the hill. How many of them ride fakie? I bet less than 25%. The shapes are getting better all the time and with some of the soft boots I dont know that there is the difference there once was. Its not like soft boots means sorrels and 2 strap bindings ( damn I was happy to have that 3rd strap they said I didnt need) I am not ever going back to skis but I can see why people ski. I remember a while ago the common refrain "a lot of snowboarders used to ski BUT I dont know any skiers that used to snowboard." This is probably still largely true - We just are not catching the new crop. My belief is that the marketing over promised an Xgames lifestyle.

of course music has more power when there is a message

Love punk or something harder while riding. Right now I'm waiting for this album to come out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7XySPdg5DQ&feature=player_detailpage

Howz the progress? found this today - http://beta.slashdot.org/story/197451 would be super rad to do carbon fiber boots (I know its been done http://www.dodgeskiboots.com/) you could 3d scan a foot then print them to fit! keep up the good work - I think the tech may catch up to your dream soon if you are able to model the Northwaves

After a bad experience with contact lenses I use only perscription lenses and this is a bit limiting for goggles. What works well for me are Kaenon amber 35 lenses! polarized and just the right contrast they are amazing

I am coming from some old Raichle flexons but this year picked up RC10s. The 5way system didnt seem to have the same range I was used to and my ski boots had no spring system. Made the change to a spring system from Arnaud off the extreemcarving forum and now have much smoother movement over a large range. It isnt as polished as the Bomber spring system but it works with the boots that fit my feet. Next up are new softer liners and tongue. That and a prayer for resurected northwaves! as a fat old man (5'7" 200lb) I have no aspiration for racing and am moving on to freecarve which seems to want softer. Controlled flex with a spring system makes more sense than a softer shell at least at my weight

man - if you figure out that mod let me know! I would love to make that change to my boots. I have wondered if the soft tongues would be better but havnt yet shelled out to try it.

carver is dead on! The Creature From Jekyll Island. By Griffith tangibles are the way to go! Bitcoin is interesting but the volume is low and the history chain makes it not anonymous. It is very much like napster as it too will show the potential, be co-opted by the establishment and die a slow death. I'm interested in the money equivalent of bittorrent, a next generationthat arises and solves the problems identified bitcoin.

" You Carve you carve you carve...no slide...even when icy!" Peter Bauer and Jean Nerva quoted circa 1990.

Awesome pics specs please

Another vote here for some of Bruce's Nirvana!

Nirvana Balance 172 18.5 waist 16mm taper and 10.5X12 m radius Wish there was more snow but my early report 1 day powder in the morning and chop in afternoon - floats well and can cut through the crud with ease. packed snow - great edge hold and carvey with good turn initiation. I can carve s shapes on rails or easily skid a turn if needed ice - insane edge hold and damp without chatter current conditions in my neck of the woods call for rocks with occasional ice - I have a different ride for that but will keep everyone posted as I get more time in on my new favorite

b0ardski I love your idea of a DINtech heel !That would solve the problem of needing 2 different boots, however, there would remain issues with the limited selection of boots to choose from. Just curious - your boots would accept intech or FINtech heels what is better for you about the nitro system? Tele riders put significant forces on their boots from only one connection. A similar system/connector may work well for the heel. This group offers aftermarket modifications to almost any boot. http://casttouring.com/products-2/boot-conversion/ They are of course modifying the toe and we would need this done to the heel. That said a binding would need to be created de novo. While I see some potential for a superior system overall, standards changes are a BIG deal! This brings me back to finding a way of making step in bindings for DIN heel boots. the Fritzi step in toe lever I rode were Oxygen branded. These were very awkward to use because he heel had to be hooked first and then the toe the needed to be held high enough to clear the mechanism. Early on the springs worked well but later I had to help snap the toe lever down anyway making it no better than a standard toe levers - actually worse due to the weird position required to put the toe in. They worked with any boot I tried but generous clearances meant that there were sometimes issue with the boot rotating up to 5 degrees in the binding. It is my understanding that the carrier system also had some issues but I havent ridden them so shouldt comment. Ibex picked up the raceplates. Anyone know if they also have the molds and manufacturing materials for the step ins?

check this out - http://kaliprotectives.com/bike/fusion-tech/

Drill out the 2 screw holes to make a slot This will allow you to use the holes on the TD3 I drilled and tapped additional holes to allow for better adjustment on the TD3 mounting plate. Man I wish the slot would have worked in the opposite direction like the TD3 There was one small issue - the spring comes down below the block as it moves with a camming action of the rattrap. I created a groove in the TD3 mounting plate to accommodate this but you could easily shim instead. Sure hope the modifications aren't noticed if I have to send in for a warranty issue - just kidding!!!

I have been using the TD3-FB on the back and a TD3sw on the front foot and believe this is a pretty good pairing. In truth, there probably isnt as much range of motion with the FB as with the SW but the resistance in this limited range of motion is less. That works well for me as I find that I want a more stable front foot and more play in the rear. Never having ridden the standard TD3 I cannot comment on the amount that this has changed the flex of that configuration but I dont notice any great worsening of board feel and control from riding with 2 TD3sw bindings. Why do this instead of just use the Burton binding as it is? I like the angle adjustment, suspension/dampening, canting and elevation of the TD bindings and that just wasnt there with the Burton. The elevation and canting have allowed laxer angles with the longer soles of ski boots. The canting also probably compensates for lack of flexibility in ski boots by placing my legs right where they need to be when riding with the steep angles I am used to 65F 55R. I just am in that gunfighter stance. not all step in bindings are great and while much has been made about the leaning over to strap in with any of these bindings I actually think that the greater issue has to do with the mechanics of this action. What I mean to say is that it is far easier to hook the toe bail and stomp than it is to hook the heel bail and do whatever is required even if that also is stomp. I say this as someone who rode for many years on this monstrosity. I postulate that a non stepin carrier type binding (heel lever) would be more comfortable to operate than the standard (toe lever) for this reason - though likely less secure It is clear from current threads that use of ski boots, or at least non intec compatible heels, think Northwave! (anyone want to part with a mondo 27-27.5 NW .900 or .950?) on plate bindings is prevalent and here to stay both at the low end with recreational carvers as well as with high end racers. There are myraid reasons - see the thread for discussion. I have a wife who grew up at the base of the Cottonwood Canyons and loves Alta. Until recently I couldnt justify a second set of boots dedicated to snowboarding. Fit is also an issue! Recently I have acquired some intec compatible boots and am riding on the new TD3sw-si. These are amazing bindings without qualification!!! That said I am not ready to give up on my ski boots for certain things. again my hope is to have a company produce a MODERN stepin for non intec boots - PLEASE Fin :) until then this is a proof of concept/instructional.

Add me to the list waiting to purchase

Hello I have been riding for a while and for various reasons havent kept pace with the times as far as equipment. For example up until last year I rode raichle ski boots from 1998-1999 and was so happy they were not sorrels. A few yrs ago I went with the TD3 and WOW thanks Fin!!! but not having intec compatable boots meant bending over to strap in and thats getting harder for this fat old man. Remedy - my FrankenBomber (please don't try this at home kids. It will ruin your warranty and probably kill you !) All I can say is its an amazing update and is working for me. I bet there would be a market for updated heel modules with Bomber bails and quality- Hint Hint. I even know a volunteer beta tester and by the way its off patent, not that that matters to my little home project cheers The enemy of good is better

I agree a coil spring wouldnt work very well but how about a leaf spring or wave spring. my best to your efforts and I look forward to the success of YOUR project. not trying to hijack your thread neanderthol at mac com The enemy of good is better

I agree a coil spring wouldnt work very well but how about a leaf spring or wave spring. You could encircle the lower shell with a ring/ribbon of steel. This would have a ripple or bump on either side and on this allow for attachment to the upper at the pivot point. Adjustment could be had by adding another ring or placement of an elastomer of varying density under the ring. If very creative this configuration would also permit controlled rotation of the 2 shell pieces. my best to your efforts and I look forward to the success of YOUR project.

seriously mount the ankle pivot on a spring system look @ fig 3. this should be a spring system with variable stiffnesses and a preload adjustment

I would love to have a spring system (or elastomer - less awesome) to allow for differential canting and resistance for lateral tip/tail direction. This would let me set a cant position with my boots and allow my tip/front foot to be stiffer and rear/tail looser as well as let me dial it in each day (super sloppy on epic pow and rigid on ice) I am suprised that this hasnt been done and we leave it to plastic stiffness when the experience is so positive with the BTS footbeds-(lower shell half) should be interchangeable with calfs-(upper shell half) for better fit BTS style spring system or something comparable - this one looks neat http://www.extremecarving.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=11201&p=115206&hilit=szaman#p115206 ankle pivot should be adjustable in position for better fit - UPZ style works well

.jpg] Bruce came through! 172 nirvana balance - bomber SW Stepin

Blue Burton came today cant wait for a bit more snow at my local resort so my son can give lt a try.

The boots arrived and look great. More importantly they fit perfect. Thanks!