after 12 years of K2 clickers, I got Ride Alphas, are they terrible? - Snowboarding Forum

flapjack · 03-16-2011, 08:46 PM

After 12 years with my old K2 Clicker bindings I got a pair of Ride Alphas. They were recommended to me by a guy working at the local shop. Kind of a spur of the moment decision, end of the season, 44% off sale, I decided to trust the guy.
I've never had traditional strap in bindings, after two days of riding, I was happy with how they held my boot. However, after reading some reviews, I started to think I was missing something because of my inexperience with this type of binding.

Are they considered uncomfortable bindings?
Is the ankle strap that much worse than other bindings?
The only issue I had was the ankle strap would sometimes go into the ratchet incorrectly and jam after one crank.
Is this a good binding for someone that does east coast skiing and doesn't visit the park?

Nivek · 03-16-2011, 09:00 PM

No.
Neither No or Yes. Its just different
Feed the ladder better
Sure.

BurtonAvenger · 03-17-2011, 02:57 AM

AFter 12 years with clickers I hope you bought real boots before buying real bindings.

Leo · 03-17-2011, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurtonAvenger

AFter 12 years with clickers I hope you bought real boots before buying real bindings.

That would so awesome if he was using his clicker boots in the Alphas!

flapjack · 03-17-2011, 08:59 AM

Thats funny, I actually did intend to try the clicker boots with the alphas. My feet are narrow, size 13, finding boots that fit, in March, was a pain. So I took the strap off the old Shimano boots and they fit in the Alphas no problem. The problem is the weight and more importantly the length. They're chunky old boots. They fit fine on my Ride Yukon (also 12 years old) 164 wide board, but I got a new T.Rice and they hung over the edges a bit. I think they would have been fine, but in the end I picked up a pair of Burton Rulers for $100, figuring if they suck, I can replace them next year.

sook · 03-17-2011, 09:52 AM

The alphas aren't more uncomfortable than any other binding, they are just a little more unforgiving. If you didn't do a good job selecting your boots, it'll show in the alphas more than something else. And yeah, like Nivek said, feed the ladder better. Don't just put the ladder in two teeth and ratchet the rest of the way down.

ken1512 · 12-20-2011, 04:53 PM

I still ride the clicker system and have been since 1995 with no issues, have over 400 days on them. I am in the process of contacting K2 to possibly purchase the rights to manufacture again. I know there are people my age who love the clickers and only care about ripping down the mountain.

03-16-2011, 08:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
flapjack Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 67	after 12 years of K2 clickers, I got Ride Alphas, are they terrible? After 12 years with my old K2 Clicker bindings I got a pair of Ride Alphas. They were recommended to me by a guy working at the local shop. Kind of a spur of the moment decision, end of the season, 44% off sale, I decided to trust the guy. I've never had traditional strap in bindings, after two days of riding, I was happy with how they held my boot. However, after reading some reviews, I started to think I was missing something because of my inexperience with this type of binding. Are they considered uncomfortable bindings? Is the ankle strap that much worse than other bindings? The only issue I had was the ankle strap would sometimes go into the ratchet incorrectly and jam after one crank. Is this a good binding for someone that does east coast skiing and doesn't visit the park?

03-16-2011, 09:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nivek Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mountains of Mordor Posts: 5,373	No. Neither No or Yes. Its just different Feed the ladder better Sure. __________________ Snowboarding Sucks.

03-17-2011, 02:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
BurtonAvenger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mountains Posts: 8,058	AFter 12 years with clickers I hope you bought real boots before buying real bindings. __________________ Angry Snowboarder Because someone has to call it how they see it!

03-17-2011, 09:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
sook Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Upland, CA Posts: 439	The alphas aren't more uncomfortable than any other binding, they are just a little more unforgiving. If you didn't do a good job selecting your boots, it'll show in the alphas more than something else. And yeah, like Nivek said, feed the ladder better. Don't just put the ladder in two teeth and ratchet the rest of the way down. __________________ Evo \| 390 \| Kaiju

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03-17-2011, 08:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
flapjack Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 67	Thats funny, I actually did intend to try the clicker boots with the alphas. My feet are narrow, size 13, finding boots that fit, in March, was a pain. So I took the strap off the old Shimano boots and they fit in the Alphas no problem. The problem is the weight and more importantly the length. They're chunky old boots. They fit fine on my Ride Yukon (also 12 years old) 164 wide board, but I got a new T.Rice and they hung over the edges a bit. I think they would have been fine, but in the end I picked up a pair of Burton Rulers for $100, figuring if they suck, I can replace them next year.

12-20-2011, 04:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
ken1512 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 3	I still ride the clicker system and have been since 1995 with no issues, have over 400 days on them. I am in the process of contacting K2 to possibly purchase the rights to manufacture again. I know there are people my age who love the clickers and only care about ripping down the mountain.