BXFR70 Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 First thread and post, I have read through some old threads, and was unable to really come up with answers to my direct questions, I have a bunch of questions, here they are: Where or who can I get Catek FR2's from? and am I correct in assuming nothing really comes close as far as stiffness? how far if at all can the highback be rotated on the cateks? can the highback be rotated on Nidecker ACT Carbon or the Legend which appears to be the 800 or 900 series? How do all of these bindings listed above, and the RIDE CAD or Double Agent, compare to Burton C60's? on another note, have burton C60's gotten softer over time? I have 08/09 models now, and i am not sure, but it seems like they are not as stiff as the say 05-07 models, that has the solid high back, am i correct or imagining things? I am riding C60's right now, and they seem to be pretty stiff, but I would like to be able to cant the bindings, so that kind of gets rid of Nidecker as an option, but thought I would ask anyway. but I have been riding on a donek plate, and I have noticed that I am able to flex the base plate of the C60's at all 4 corners just standing there, on the board, and I have noticed that I appear to be flexing the right rear corner of the rear binding, while riding, so that is why I want the cant. Before I went back to C60s and Driver X boots, the C60s I am riding are 08/09 along with the Driver X boots. I was riding Salomon Calibers and Salomon Malamute boots, the Malamutes did not always feel the best, and were softer than I wanted, and also seemed to lose some of their shape, the center line of the back of the boot seemed to rotate with use, not sure how to explain it. but the Salomon Calibers were definitely softer in pretty much every regard than the C60's. Thanks for any answers or input in advance, also if you want any more information about me or my boards, just ask if you have any advice to give. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queequeg Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 thanks, I talked to him yesterday, and being that it is the end of the year, I did not really want to pay what he was asking for them. this is more for next year except for the CAD or Double Agent route. Those things haven't changed in years ... and given the way things are going, they're very unlikely to be any different next year than they are this year so you're very unlikely to get an "end of the model-year" discount. If you wan't 'em I'd just buy 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 thanks, I talked to him yesterday, and being that it is the end of the year, I did not really want to pay what he was asking for them. this is more for next year except for the CAD or Double Agent route. MSRP on the Catek FR2 Pro EVO is $449. You are paying for the materials, assembly, engineering, imagination, and passion that went into creating the highest performing freeride binding in the world. Relatively few people are capable of appreciating it. Supply and demand. Pay to play. I'd suggest that if you want them, you politely pay the man and congratulate yourself for supporting a US manufacturer that supports the sport you love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXFR70 Posted April 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 to the above two responses, I am prepared to pay retail, I doubt there would be a discount, but I was quoted $575 plus shipping, by Bola. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapster Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 Haven't tried the FR2's but they certainly look great and people swear by them. I've always wondered about that small diameter baseplate on a wide board though. Still, I haven't ever heard that it was a problem. Getting replacement parts may be... I have the Nidecker ACT1's and the Ride CAD's right now. I use both Driver X's and Malamutes. I haven't ridden the Nideckers yet, but they seem beefy and well put together--aside from the ratchets which are a common complaint. You cannot rotate the highbacks. If you go Ride, I'd suggest the Double agents or SPI's. I think the little adjustable feet on the CAD's seem pretty cheap. Overall, I like the responsiveness of the Rides. They're reasonably comfortable. I've never used the canting adjustments though--just haven't had the need to. That being said, I'm starting to think the whole floating footbed design is a little gimmicky, and I wonder about the longeivity of the footbed and its associated parts. I also hate having to remove the footbeds to tweak the angles. (If you want to try a used pair, let me know--I have 2.) I agree the Calibers are softer--but super comfy. They're going onto my pow board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapster Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 to the above two responses, I am prepared to pay retail, I doubt there would be a discount, but I was quoted $575 plus shipping, by Bola. You should see if Sean at Donek has any left. They're listed on his website for the retail price that Jack mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXFR70 Posted April 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 You should see if Sean at Donek has any left. They're listed on his website for the retail price that Jack mentioned. I am actually waiting for him to call me back about some other stuff so I will ask him when I talk to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 can the highback be rotated on Nidecker ACT Carbon or the Legend which appears to be the 800 or 900 series? Yes, on 800s. Can't tell for sure on the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Tat Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 Stupid question but this is assuming you've tried Catek directly? www.catek.com You can order them directly from him $449 + shipping. If I ever were to ride softboots again that's the binding I'd want. BTW I rode the 09 Nidecker ACT Ones and the highback was non-rotatable. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXFR70 Posted April 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 Stupid question but this is assuming you've tried Catek directly?www.catek.com You can order them directly from him $449 + shipping. If I ever were to ride softboots again that's the binding I'd want. BTW I rode the 09 Nidecker ACT Ones and the highback was non-rotatable. Dave I have called and emailed with no response, and basically I did not want to just order them, and then have them not be in stock. Is CATEK usually this hard to get a hold of? I have called and left messages for awhile, and even past years, I have left messages and emails with no returned calls or emails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapster Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 Well-known problem with Catek. Has anyone heard from them in the past few years? (Search around Bomber, there's plenty written about the situation.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXFR70 Posted April 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 Well-known problem with Catek. Has anyone heard from them in the past few years? (Search around Bomber, there's plenty written about the situation.) that's what I found, not sure if it had changed... so I am not sure if I order them and they are not available am I charged but they are backordered or am I never charged, or what kind of a mess would that be, because it seems like there is never a response to anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXFR70 Posted April 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 any of you that have responded have any experience C60 vs any of these others? in case I did not go the catek route. I pretty much want to, but if I can't get them I can't get them, and I will not be paying more than retail, just how it is in my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queequeg Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 I have called and emailed with no response, and basically I did not want to just order them, and then have them not be in stock.Is CATEK usually this hard to get a hold of? I have called and left messages for awhile, and even past years, I have left messages and emails with no returned calls or emails. Yep. Cateks of any kind are in short supply, which probably explains the high quote you got from Bola. They're just not that easy to come by anymore. If you really want them, I'd jump on it as it seems really hard to tell for how much longer you're going to be able to buy them new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXFR70 Posted April 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 it would be nice to know some more abou the situation with Catek as a company, and if there is a chance they will not be available in the future. how much of the parts are proprietary on the bindings? are there any parts that regularly fail or brake? also the bindings from Bola are the fr2 pro, not the limited or evo, were there any differences? is highback still rotatable? any other comments on the differences between the models. sorry for so many questions. Catek's seem to be sort of a pain, also not sure if I can bring myself to spend $600 on bindings I have never even seen.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapster Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 Well, I don't think it would be prudent to order Cateks directly from the company at the moment--not unless someone here can verify having a good experience with them recently. I don't think it is just a matter of them being back-ordered. It's more that you may place (and pay) for an order and never hear anything! Again, they make great products. I would be happy to be proven wrong here. Try posting in the Want to Buy section. Someone might have a pair they're willing to sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXFR70 Posted April 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 Well, I don't think it would be prudent to order Cateks directly from the company at the moment--not unless someone here can verify having a good experience with them recently. I don't think it is just a matter of them being back-ordered. It's more that you may place (and pay) for an order and never hear anything!Again, they make great products. I would be happy to be proven wrong here. Try posting in the Want to Buy section. Someone might have a pair they're willing to sell. your point of the backorder but pay and not receive or hear anything is my exact problem I cannot have money held up in something I may not receive for a very long time, it becomes the principal of it in my head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serge Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 Hello I have the FR2 pro. Main difference is the carbon fiber high, and different straps/ratchet ( I think the straps and highback were the same as the Nidecker the ACT 900) from. Everything else... plates, disks, etc... seems to be the same. Back then, about 4 yrs ago, Catek sold 2 models.the Pro was the premium model, which was about 550$ if I recall correctly. You can rotate the highback to a certain point by moving the highback bracket's position , one closer to the toe, and the other closer to the heel All I can say that the FR2 is the best soft boot bindings for carving that I have ridden on. Super responsive and stiff What I like about the FR2 is the adjustability. You can adjust lift and or cant with infinite options. What I hate about it is that they are high maintenance. Too many screws You have to check your screws once in a while (Loctite is your friend :), and removing the binding is a bit of pain. Since you have to unscrew the plate, remove the power bars. Only then you have access to the disc's screws I had it on my Burton Supermodel and Donek Razor at the time. I would not use anything else for carving on softboot (geeze... I can't remember the last time I used softboots) ;) ) As for Catek service... they're not that great... as you said, no response to email or phone calls. However, I did order toe bails for step-ins this past season and got them in 2 weeks. Be aware. Once you finish checking , your credit card will be charged before shipping. You might want to post something in the Wanted section.. and hopefully you'll get a hit.... Hope this helps... Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Tat Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 Alternately buy whatever high end binding you want and then mount them on a BS Plate (see link) http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=30507&highlight=Bomber+Plate Fin is supposed to have these ready for next season. He got a bit caught up with the Boiler Plate project this year. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXFR70 Posted April 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 Thanks the looked cool and a good idea from Fin, I would definitely be interested in a set. I would like FR2's just don't know if I am prepared to spend $600, $450 plus shipping was bed enough, I know they are probably worth it, but in my mind... Right now, I am trying to track down a highback for older C60's or a pair of C60's from 05 or 06, basically the ones that had more carbon in them. I know they were stiffer than the 08/09 I have now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donek Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 Give me a call. I should be able to answer most of your questions and get a pair for you at the list price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckmann AG Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 Yep. Cateks of any kind are in short supply, which probably explains the high quote you got from Bola. They're just not that easy to come by anymore. If you really want them, I'd jump on it as it seems really hard to tell for how much longer you're going to be able to buy them new. One of my clients ordered a set direct, mid February(?), and had them in hand within a few weeks. Which also speaks to: Well, I don't think it would be prudent to order Cateks directly from the company at the moment--not unless someone here can verify having a good experience with them recently. I don't think it is just a matter of them being back-ordered. It's more that you may place (and pay) for an order and never hear anything! So far as I know, there was no verbal or email communication either before or after his card was processed, but he had a tracking number in short order. Sean@Donek is making an effort, so you may want to go that route... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 to the above two responses, I am prepared to pay retail, I doubt there would be a discount, but I was quoted $575 plus shipping, by Bola. Oh... I would try Catek directly or get Flows before paying more than retail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John H Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 If you liked the earlier C60's then check out the new Diode from Burton. Full carbon highback and I find them even more comfortable and nicer to ride than my early C60's. If you want to try Flows I have a pair of Pro FS mediums for sale......cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowboardfast Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 The reason why Bola is asking 575.00 is because the bindings he is selling have a carbon fiber high back instead of the plastic one. The 449.00 binding does not have the carbon fiber high back. The bindings with the carbon high back are harder to find. They would be stiffer as well which is what you might want since you are looking at the Catek binding.You might want to call Bola back and ask about the high backs? He is not over pricing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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