Scorpio

Anybody know some good bindings that will fit boots smaller than a mondo 22? I bought some burton race plates for my girlfriend but her boot size is a 22.5(raichle 225's). The race plates won't adjust that small. Ideally the bindings should fit a burton insert pattern since the board I got her was burton speed. So basically, I'm looking for bindings for 22 mondo boots and will be able to mount burton boards. Any suggestions?

Any pics of the 164? Is that a custom? I don't see that size as one of their stock decks. If custom, who is it built for? Height? Weight? Stiffness?

I brought my head boots to the surefoot in nyc. Had some orthotics put in which has proven to be a good choice. I definitely need to bring them back for some other boot adjustments. I recommend them for anybody in the ny area.

I got the 167 axis based on sean's recommendations and I like it so far. I tried it for the first time in tahoe a couple weeks ago and it pretty much lived up to what sean had said earlier. It can definitely go anywhere but I had trouble in the deep powder. It was also a combination of me just not being able to ride powder well and the board. On the pack and crud, it did well.

I rented a Ford Escape AWD for Tahoe over new years. It was coming down pretty hard at that time as it is now. I think we could've gotten by the checkpoint w/out chains and just told the CHP guy we had snow tires but I didn't want to risk it. Its a pain to have to turn around to find a place that sells chains. I bought chains at one of the many places on the way to the mountain. The closer to the mountain, the more expensive they'll be. Some places may even rent them. If you do rent a 4wd car, def ask to see if it has snow tires. Then you won't have to worry about chains. In tahoe, you either had to have chains or 4wd w/ snow tires. Should be some good snow up there.

I got these boots new last spring on US Ebay. Some retailer in utah (I think) was selling them. I haven't seen this model sold here in the states. It could be an older model. Read alpinecarving.com. He gives a good description on the various levels of head boots. I think the vectors are probably their highend freecarve boot and not a raceboot. I don't think he spoke too well of the Cirrus though. Seems like international ebay is the only way to get these or other head/blax models.

D-sub, I have the vectors. Have only had 4 days on them. So far so good. Still trying to get comfortable on them but I already like them better than my Raichles. I had custom footbeds in them so those made a difference. The buckes on the the heads are way better than Raichle's.

I was in tahoe over new years and had a 4wd vehicle. I still had to get chains for the car. If you get a 4wd vehicle, make sure it has snow tires on them. Otherwise, you're gonna need chains. They were checking pretty closely at the summit checkpoints.

Cat tracks fit pretty well on my head vectors. I haven't tried them on my raichles yet though.

I was adjusting my td1's and it seems that I've stripped my bumper screws. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to get them out?

I have a Rossi R159 w/ Emery Course bindings. I was using this board up until last season. I have a donek axis now. I would be willing to let it go. I'd want to sell it as a whole though. Email me separately if interested. scorpiobc@excite.com Mike

John, where and when would you hold your conn/nyc clinic?

I wanna get some thermos for my girlfriend's boots but her boot is a 22.5 and those aren't easy to come by. The BOL shop sells 23s but I've been told that 23's won't fit in her shell. Anybody have suggestions?

If anyone's interested, I founds these video clips of snowboard construction on the Elan Snowboards website. They make it sound so easy.... http://www.elansnowboards.com/technology/

On Ebay (using the awesome "Raceboarders.com" ebay button), there are two Rossi VAS boards, one a 167cm and the other a 168cm. A few of us, including myself, are a little bit confused as to model year of our own Rossi's. My board looks like both of the ones at auction but I doubt these are the same model year. Would a manufacturer build two boards so close in length in the same year? I dig my R159 and would consider bidding on either of these (R167 or R168). Anybody know the differences?

I don't have the indys so I can't speak from experience regarding the fit of those but I do have the SB413. Only been on one season with them but I wasn't too impressed by the fit/feel of the raichles. It would be a more fair comparison if I put thermo liners in them. I bought a pair of Head Vectors w/ their semi-moldable liners and by just standing in my living room, they feel a whole lot better. I also like the buckles better on my heads. Haven't tried them out yet but my hunch is that I'll like the heads better.

I bought a pair of Head Vectors at the end of last season, put some orthotics in it and baked the partially moldable liner. I have yet to try it but am looking forward to it. I was using a pair of 413's last season which I didn't care for too much. I didn't like the Raichle buckles all too much but these microadjustment buckles on the heads look and seem a lot easier to adjust. The only think about the Heads I'm a little unsure about is the height of the boot. My raichles went pretty high on the calf whereas the heads run low. The raichle liners seem to be taller but I think the shell height is pretty much the same. I just tried on the boots the other day and realized that I'm gonna need some adjustments around my right ankle. If anybody is thinking about getting orthotics, I recommend Surefoot. They have pretty good service.

Thanks Sean, I'll give you a call in the coming days! I have to say the board looks awesome though. I can't wait to try it out.

Baka in a previous thread mentioned that td1's shouldn't be put on a donek due to potentially damaging the topsheet. I just got a new donek from last season(got a great deal on a donek axis at Startinggate) and have td1's. He also mentioned that Sean might have some ptex discs that could protect the topsheet. Is this my only option? Does anybody else have any recommendations?

Nils, I have the same board as you and you are correct in saying it was the Shannon Melhuse R Series. There is a factory sticker on the topsheet near the tail of my board which has that on it. Do you know the specs?

Nils, I have that same board you have, the R159, although mine is my primary board. For clarification (I'm getting confused w/ some of the years and models being thrown around), is that a 1995-1996 model w/ a wood core? Is it safe to assume it has a 9.5 sidecut? I bought it used some time ago and have no stats on it. Thanks

After seeing DB's post in the classifieds where he is selling his custom Tomahawk, it got me curious on these boards. I've never heard of them. I've done some searching on the internet and found an italian blurb on them which I can't translate. What's the 411 on these boards. Anybody have some insight or experience on them? How they compare to other boards? DB, you most likely have some experience w/ them. What's your take?

I'm confused. He quotes Chris Klug who says he'll "have new 2005 boards and bindings available soon. Next year we will have new 2006 Burton Race Boards!" Does that mean Burton is back in the business?

I'm interested. I just sent an email to you. Thanks

Thanks for the suggestions. Bob, I called Summit yesterday and got their answering machine. They just opened up for winter season. If I ship my board to them, what's the best method for packing it up? I've never shipped a board before? I imagine shipping costs will suck too for something of awkward shape and size.