donkey

What year Unions were you riding, I have the 2010 Union Forces and my experiences with getting out with the ratchets are terrible, I have to pull pretty hard for the ratchets to let me loose. Same goes for the Contact Pros i've ridden. I guess everyone has different experiences and this is why I am trying to find a GOOD binding to go with my Proto CT this year, i'm looking at Burton Cartels, Ride Capos or Rome Targas. My riding style mainly is mostly freeriding and almost no park, but i'll go to park if my friends want to, not my first choice though.

Extremo

I'm on 2009's but from what I can tell they haven't changed the ratchets since that model. Releasing the toe strap sometime's isn't as easy as other bindings, but I've never had any problems with them sticking. But ratcheting them down is much better than my cartel's, which skip on the toe strap as it gets tighter, and smoother than my flux, which only move about one click at a time.

NWBoarder

I'll play along. I've only owned Cartels and my Union Flites, but I've ridden a few others as well. My Cartels were great, but the ladders had issues after a while. My Unions have been issue free. However, the straps on my cartels were a bit more comfortable. The toe strap on my Unions can pinch a little if I miss the placement for it, but it's not a deal breaker, and easily solved on hill. But really, it's all hit and miss with any brand. Everyone's experience will vary. To sum it all up, I haven't bothered with my Cartels since getting my Union's.

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RaID

Thanks for the suggestions guys,

I'll wait for the reviews on the Flow NX2, in the mean time if I see a good deal on Cartel Re:Flex, SF45s or Union Force SL or Atlas I might jump on it.

jliu

Union ratchets do feel good when ratcheting down. The ankle strap release isnt bad either...but toe ratchet....worst ever. Why they don't make it a dual component release boggles me...especially for ppl who are dropping 300+ on MCs. The fact they have to deal w/ a single component toe ratchet is pretty weak. Put a smaller version of their ankle ratchet on the toe cap...and there you have it.

As to changes in the ratchet design...I think Johan in some of his older vids said they changed the internal workings w/ different springs to reduce "reeving" in his words

Extremo

Dual componenent toe ratchets skip and strip, Flux and Burton are both good examples. I've never had any problems with releasing the toe ratchets on my force.