vote4pedro

I'm helping my girlfriend buy a new board. I found a screaming deal on a '10/'11 Arbor Eden through an Arbor rep. Now I'm looking for bindings. She's a beginner, rented last winter, but I want to get a setup that she can grow into skill wise so she doesn't have to turn around and buy new stuff next winter. The board is a 144 Eden. She's 5'4", 115 lbs. All freeride most likely, no park. I'm hoping to find something from last year's stock to save $$$. Thanks.

Triple8Sol

She's pretty lucky to have that as her first board. Sounds like you have some coin and are willing to spend it for her to have a nice setup. Assuming you're only looking at new 10/11 bindings, I'd suggest ones the Flux GM30, Rome Madison, Ride Vxn, Union Milan. You don't want something too stiff, but still supportive.

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14 NeverSummer Proto HD . 13 Never Summer Cobra . 12 Gnu Rider's Choice C2PTX
13 Now IPO . 12 K2 Formula . 11 K2 Formula
13 NB x 686 580

vote4pedro

Thanks. I'm actually looking for 09/10 bindings. They're probably about 50% less or so. I can't imagine they got significantly better over one season. Would that change which bindings you'd recommend?

I saw the Eden a few weeks ago and she fell in love with it. The original plan was to get her a beater board for this season, then get the Eden on clearance. But I found an Arbor rep who's selling off all his floor models and demo boards. So I'm getting the new Eden for $175

vote4pedro

I found a pair of 09/10 Rome Madisons I'm thinking about getting. I'm a little confused on the size. I googled Rome sizing charts and they're all different. Does anyone know for sure if a S/M will fit a size 7 boot?

lilfoot1598

The Rome Madison is an excellent binding. I love mine. I also have a pair of K2 Virtues, which are very similar and a little cheaper. I can also recommend Ride Vxns, Ride Dvas, and Burton Lexas.

REI.com has several of these bindings on sale.

lisevolution

I copped my fiancee a pair of Ride DvA's a couple of seasons ago and she loved them. I thought I was doing her a favor by replacing them with Burton Escapade's but she hates them... Thinking of going back to the DvA's or Madison's for this season for her.

So you did turn out to be the best boyfriend ever and get her that Eden... good job my friend. That will be the gift that will keep on giving, as long as you get her private lessons the first few times so you don't want to kill yourself teaching her how to snowboard lol

vote4pedro

Thanks. I found a pair of Madisons fairly cheap. I've heard nothing but good reviews.

I got really lucky. I was shopping for used boards on ebay and came across an Arbor rep selling off his 2011 floor models. I got it for $225 with free shipping. But the best part is ebay is giving 20% off your first purchase when you sign up for Bill Me Later, so it only cost $180. Full retail is $375

Looks like I lucked out on lessons too. Turns out her cousin is an instructor at Taos. We'll probably do a 3 day weekend in Durango (Purgatory) at the start of the season. Her family has a cabin near there where we can all meet up and stay.

Triple8Sol

I don't blame you. I bought my gf Ride Zetas last season, from the previous season. Anyways, my list stays the same, except the Flux was called the Gem last year.

__________________
14 NeverSummer Proto HD . 13 Never Summer Cobra . 12 Gnu Rider's Choice C2PTX
13 Now IPO . 12 K2 Formula . 11 K2 Formula
13 NB x 686 580

unrachel

not to be off topic, but I don't suppose there's any chance your friend has any more for sale?

vote4pedro

sorry for the late reply. forgot about this thread. it wasn't a friend. just a guy i found through ebay. he has a 148 on ebay now for $225. when i talked to him, he had other sizes too. but i got his only 144. when i bought from him, ebay was offering 20% off to sign up for bill me later. that offer has expired. but his prices are about $100 less than retail, so it's still a good deal. btw, if you need a different size, write him and he might have it.