CheoSamad

Has anyone had any experience with the bindings in GNU's line? They look pretty cool but I don't know anything about them and have never met anyone who rides them.

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bobthegood

Just picked up a set of Agros. Hope to ride them this weekend on an NS Heritage and a JONES Mountain Twin. I'll let you know.

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CheoSamad

Thanks I would love to hear about them.

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Crush a bit, little bit. Roll it up. Take a hit.

nofronts

I got the gnu choice last week. I have not rode them yet but strapping in in my living room they feel good so far and really easy to get in and out. Ill update once I ride them.

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NS Proto CT 157 | GNU Choice Bindings | DC Scout Boots

bobthegood

Rode my new pair of GNU Agro’s this past weekend. I’m 5’10”, 195, with Size 11’s, and past my prime. I currently own three boards, and mix ‘em up with Targa’s, Auto’s, NXT’s, and now Agro’s. All perform a bit differently, and all very well. I ride all mountain, very little park, and look for small jumps and kickers.

Out of the box, these guys felt much lighter than the Flows, lighter than the Targa’s, and heavier than the K2 Autos (all plastic composite). I hooked them up with my NS Heritage, and have ridden all these binders on this board. With an 11 boot and the XL advertised to fit 11 -14, I’m at the low end of the sizing. I ended up shortening the foot box by moving the toe straps inward to the shorter mounting holes. The heel cup adjusted easily, and the forward lean is adjusted by shortening the cable with a sleeve\screw at the bottom of the outside cable. What they don’t have - no adjustable foot bed, which means no heel plate or gas pedal adjustments. Since my boot is on the smaller side of the XL, this wasn’t an issue for me. Also, there is no foot bed canting, which is becoming a standard on higher end bindings. That said, the foot bed is cushy end to end.

I spent two days on 99% MN man made, and 1% on MN sheet ice. Morning corduroy, mid & late day crud, melting and refreezing, and patchy ice. The Agro’s performed well, did exactly what bindings are supposed to do, provided a comfortable, secure, one-with-the-board ride, with no pressure points. They feel light, and have ample dampening, and the toe strap held secure. I never got the minor toe or heel lift that I always seem to get with get with Flows.

When locked in, these binders feel like traditional two straps, which I guess is the whole idea. Getting in was a slide, click the back, click the side. No grab straps, ratchet, grab straps, ratchet, adjust & re-tighten the first strap, then double check the second. It’s not that big a deal, but I bought these for the “click click” in ; and they’re easy and fast. Releasing was one click, although you do have to push the high back far enough down to release the ankle strap, and then kick it back up to skate. I’m thinking as they get broken in, the hinges will loosen up a bit more. So, for me getting out is still faster with a traditional two strap. As a bonus, when riding a longer lift, you can push the back down, and slide your foot in under the ankle strap for a board rest.

Two days riding on the locals isn’t a lot, but so far I’m really liking the GNU’s. Nice and light, good secure hold, right amount of stiffness, and decent dampening. Good board connection, and no obvious workmanship issues or material defects. The 2 clicks in, and 1 click out is sweet. Short local hills, 1:00 minute runs, 40 – 50 times on and off in a day make these an excellent choice for my situation.

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pairadux

... thanks for that detailed explanation.

I just got the Mutants today and trying them in my living room have a quick concern and want to know if you felt the same. Getting out it seems like I had to crank the highback all the way down for my boot to pop out and there was some resistance. Did you feel that at all?

Both the Mutant and Aggro seem to share the same release lever. Do you have any trouble reaching it with your gloves on the hill?

Another question is that I was thinking this resistance was due to the front strap being too tight, but seems like my best bet at fitting in without too much exertion leaves my front strap a little loose. Did you find the front strap doing much work for you?

You mentioned that when broken in, the hinge will loosen a bit - what is your concern with it being a little stiffer?

I hope that's not too many questions. I'm jacked to try them out here in Colorado this weekend, but riding new bindings for the first time in a few years has me a little nervous.

pairadux

So it looks like I may have solved the "out" part of it. The fitting on the outside strap wasn't loose enough when the strap popped it didn't give me enough room to get out.

Still curious about that front binding strap though.

RjayS

Glad someone make a post about this cuz i was getting really curiouse about them!

Lowlyffe

I own the GNU choice bindings and really like them. I feel they ride just as good or better than any bindings I have ever owned. Easier to get into than traditional bindings, but doesnt give up any of the benefits. Sounds like win win to me.

bobthegood

pairadux - what's up? Just got back in town. By now you may have been to the mountains, and can report back to the rest of us. Here's a shot at your questions:

[I]Both the Mutant and Agro seem to share the same release lever. Do you have any trouble reaching it with your gloves on the hill?[/I No issues for me with the lever. Feels about the same distance\height as the Flows I've got on another board, so I'm used to the reach. My back pants leg is always tucked in under the binding, at least here on the short MN runs. So there's always have easy access to the lever.>

Another question is that I was thinking this resistance was due to the front strap being too tight, but seems like my best bet at fitting in without too much exertion leaves my front strap a little loose. Did you find the front strap doing much work for you? Really good point. Answer - not really. But it does everything it has to do for me. As a cap strap it's not really that tight, in that I don't have any pressure points, but it holds my toe secure. I have not felt or seen any toe lift. That's all I need - the strap stays secure on my foot. IMO the purpose of cap straps is a just a bit different than trsditionals in that they not only hold you toe down, they also help keep your foot pushed back into the heel cup. Straps across the top of your toes put the pressure downward, but not pushed back into the binding. The ankle strap does most of the work in both cases anyhow.
You mentioned that when broken in, the hinge will loosen a bit - what is your concern with it being a little stiffer? None really. The comment just meant that when broken in, the backs may go up and down easier, like my Flows. A stiffer hinge is prob. better than too loose. Don't want stuff falling apart on the hill. Let us know how the Mutants worked out. btg

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