RaID

I'm looking on some advice on a near future binding purchase.

Board: 2010, 161 NS SL
Boots: Salamon Dialogues
Existing Bindings: Salomon Relay Series
Riding: advanced all mountain more aimed at powder, charging groomers, tree runs and generally playing on the terrain. I'll play around in the
park occasionally but very much a beginner there and don't plan to
spend much time.

I'm getting tired of my ratchets jamming and being a massive pain to
undo. I'm currently running some Salomon Relay Series bindings which
feel good but after 40 days use the ratchets on my back leg binding jam
very regulary and this started after about 15-20 days. I'm tired of ruining my gloves and getting sore fingers to undo the bindings. Not to mention that the toe strap is pretty much decintegrated

Hence I'm looking for some new bindings , I'm considering going even
the quick step in option or at least to a binding that has reliable
ratchets.

What do you guys recommend?

For step ins are Flows the only way to go? Are the GNU or K2 versions
reliable? The 2013 Flow NXT-GT or RS with the toe cap look the goods. I could probably wait around for those especially since you can unbuckle them traditionally when stuck in powder.

Otherwise if I see a good local deal on a traditional binding I'll
probably jump on that. Im doing the season in Hakuba, Japan hence it is unlikely I will find something at a reasonable price.

So the bindings I was looking at are SF45, TT30 or Force SLs.
How are the ratchets on those bindings? I'm looking at a more
responsive binding. Any other models I should be looking at?

Or should I just wait for the 2013 Flow GT or RS

Cheers for your help

jasyn

union force's worked well for 2 years for me on the same board. i'm on ride capo's now and they are great imo. i'm not a fan of step in's.

Leo

Wait for the Flow NX2 reviews to start coming in if you are interested in rear-entry bindings. I'll be demoing them myself in a couple of weeks followed by a review.

They are poised to silence haters/skeptics.

__________________
www.aGNARchy.com Reviews and David Z's rants

Riley212

It is probably going to be worth it to wait for the '13 flows to come out. I already know what my setup will be for next year (flow NX2Se/NS Cobra).

But, i really like my burton cartels, they have worked flawlessly thusfar, and the ratchets are smooth and never have gotten stuck, they are like butter on and off.

__________________
Good gear doesn't make you better; good gear makes it easier to get better

KIRKRIDER

K2ctx worked great so far. about 30 days riding

__________________
2012/13 -12- Kirkwood days
Arbor A-Frame 158 2009-10
Jeremy Jones Hovercraft 156, 2011/12
Burton Driver-X
K2-Cinch-CTX
Subaru WRX 06

Snurf

+1 for the Cartels. I have had a set since 06 that are still going strong and I ride about 35 days a year. I've replaced a few ladder straps (stepped on one or two in very cold conditions and they snapped and I stripped one ladder), replaced an ankle strap buckle that got stickly and replaced a lost highback screw (my own fault for letting it get too loose).

I am very happy with the performance of the bindings and even though I ride in a number of places that don't have a lot of fully equipped snowboard shops I have always been able to find parts. I really haven't had many issues in 5 or 6 years with the Cartels but its Murphy's Law, whatever spares I have with me don't fix the problem.

I bought a new set of Cartel Reflexes this year - can't comment on their durability yet but they are performing well so far. Interesting that even at full price they were cheaper this year.

__________________
Chronicles of Gnarnia

pwol

I've only taken this setup out twice, but I really like my NS SL 161 / Cartel / Salamon Synapse(wide) combo





before picking the cartels I was looking at raiden phantoms, 390boss, targas, SF4s, and a couple other ones. I actually bought SF45s before the cartels, just gotta return them.

GorgeDad

Ratchets stop being a problem with Flows (so does pain). As mentioned above, they have some apparently awesome improvements for 2013 if you can wait.

redlude97

Rome and Burton binding ratchets are always buttery smooth to me. I like Rides also but some people complain about difficulty releasing

jliu

Rome...buttery...but to the point of releasing when you dont want them too! Burton rachets are probably the best in the business imo (haters are gonna hate). Smooth in and out...no releasing issues. I find the spring in the rachets are strong too. I find myself going back to burton bindings b/c of the rachets...cause like the OP...i hate un-smooth rachets.