The old Bindings are officially dead.
 

I have been riding on some Ride EX's for the past 6 seasons and a baseplate decided to finally bend all while a ratchet spring decided to break. I'm kind of partial to the Ride bindings since they've lasted me so long (hit the hill prob 160+ times the last 2 seasons). I like the idea of the lifetime warranty so I've been looking at ride as well as Union. Just wondering other peoples thoughts on the two brands are. I work at a ski hill where all the instructors have been moving towards K2 bindings but I'm not a fan of plastic but am willing to hear arguments on that as well.

I'm trying to decide between Ride Deltas or Union Force for all around riding.

Any suggestions for upgrading are greatly appreciated. I don't ride much park and tend to hit the steeper and more challenging/bumpy terrain.

If the base plate of your rides had a lifetime warranty and they bent you might consider contacting Ride about it. You might just end up with a new set of EX's.

If you can't warranty it or you simply want to add another pair to your arsenal... The Deltas are sick. Love those bindings.

By the way, K2 owns Ride so don't sweat their quality. Totally separate R&D, but they still share the same quality standards.

Union is a favorite around these forums, but Rome and Flux are starting to take over.

Ride has always been a go-to brand around here though.

Did I mention that the Deltas are sick?

Out of curiosity, why Deltas over Alphas? I'm looking into new bindings, as well, and I'm trying to narrow my choices.

Thx...

Deltas are cheaper for one and two, the alphas are stiffer. If I want stiff bindings, I would jump up to the SPI or Double Agents.

Could you still charge with Deltas?

You can charge with anything. The best boarder at my local hill does nothing but carve. You can't tell his switch until he releases his Contrabands at the lift line. Boots make a bigger difference. If my F20's are a little loose my carving gets crappy.

Deltas are stiff enough for charging. If you want a super responsive binding, just get the SPI or Double Agent then.

Fair enough

Man...i really need to improve my switch

Noted...i know SPIs are def uber responsive. I just looking for a tad softer binding than the SPIs without having to go to the revolts...im guessing the Deltas are those. Though, i think I'm set on Targas right now..as long as my local store hasn't sold out.

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I have some questions about this. When you say "jump up" to the SPI/Double Agent, why do you use that term? Aren't the Alphas supposed to be Ride's top-tier bindings?

You mention the guy on your hill uses Contrabands... what are the differences between those and the MVMNTs (other than the obvious one-strap/two-strap thing and the changeable wedgies)?

Last, you say if your boots are loose your carving gets crappy... how does one know when it is time to get new boots? I have some DC Triax from '04 that I use. Thing is, this is really the first season I've used them. When I got them I was intending to use them a lot that season but snapped my ankle playing football... and this is the first year I've really gotten going again. Does it matter that they're older boots? I know there is a lot of new tech in bindings, but it wouldn't seem like boots would have had a sudden leap over a few years ago. They seem to fit well, don't give hot spots, etc... so, like I asked, how do I know when it is time to get new boots vs. new bindings .. heck, vs. a new board?

Thx