ryan barnett Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 I have just started hard booting and have a pair of deeluxe le mans with rachet type buckles. Are there any merits to changing these for more modern ski boot type buckles to fine tune the boot tightening?I've also seen the spring upgrade to the rear of the boots to replace the 1-5 flip lever settings.....I assume these springs mean the boots are a pain to walk in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tufty Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 Buckles give you a 100% repeatable tightening. Shame your feet & socks aren't always 100% repeatable... I wouldn't bother with changing them. Swapping out the adjuster for a Raichle "RAB" isn't worth the effort. A Bomber BTS might be be worth the money, but you'd be better putting the money towards (later) getting boots with a better articulation than the SB series IMO. As for walk mode - who frickin' cares? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queequeg Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 Some people have replaced their old ratchet buckles with the more modern buckles on the track boots: http://www.bomberonline.com/store/boots/parts_track.cfm If you search the forum you should be able to find more information on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buell Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 I have just started hard booting and have a pair of deeluxe le mans with rachet type buckles. Are there any merits to changing these for more modern ski boot type buckles to fine tune the boot tightening?I've also seen the spring upgrade to the rear of the boots to replace the 1-5 flip lever settings.....I assume these springs mean the boots are a pain to walk in? There are a lot of people still riding the Raichle straps and very few have found the need to replace them with metal buckles. A spring is a very good idea to give you a forward flex that is controllable rather than by simply using boot deformation. People do it but riding in walk mode (to get more forward flex) can break your 5 position lean adjusters. They are just not made for it. As for walking with springs installed, it is not that bad. I just undo my top two or three buckles if I have to go very far and the boot walks fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcarver Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 I'll 2nd what Buell says. I've had a pair of AF700's with buckles installed. Currently use some 323 with the old plastic straps. They work fine. I believe they are lighter too. Use the BTS and like the adjustablility of them alot. Walking in them is not that bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoltan Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 I don't mind the over sized zip ties. They've never given me problems, and I can adjust them by a small amount more easily than normal buckles. On the downside, they're hard to loosen up just slightly, and getting repeatable tightness is problematic. I wouldn't spend the money to replace them. I don't enjoy walking in my boots regardless, which is why I keep a pair of a lofted booties in my pack. I may look like a dork walking around in booties, but they're comfy and I look like a dork anyway. Don't ride in walk mode or powder mode. The adjusters can break, and if they do, it can do bad things to your leg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingCrimson Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 After ditching my Zip ties and going to real buckles, I have no idea why I put up with the zip ties. They ice up and lock you in your boots, they pop open in chatter (which is super dangerous IMO) and would make way more sense if they worked like softboot binding ratchets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gecko Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 I replaced the ankle buckles, which were the only ones that really gave me any issues I like my boots a lot more now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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