jdang307

Is there a summary of the changes to the 2013 malavitas and cartels? I really want the Raiden Phantoms but they seem to have the same sizing as the Blackhawks and I had a little issue with centering my bindings due to my smaller boot (7.5) and the adjustments on the blackhawk were minimal (a tiny bit of heel cup adjustments).

The 2013 Malavitas seem to have a 30% glass base now? That's up from 15? The Cartel's now seem to have asym strap on the non-restricted bindings?

I'm using it on a westmark and then a more beefy board,not sure what yet. Maybe NS SL.Maybe a Cobra.

Also, Wondering if the 2012 Malavitas would work on those two boards? Or is too soft? I won't be doing any backcountry big mountain stuff, but just don't want it underpowered on something like the Cobra.

snowklinger

I'm pretty set on getting some Cartels this year for my Proto. Was considering Raiden but really prefer the feeling of the plastic over metal body bindings (not that much experience I guess).

The 2012 Restricted Cartels have all those things, hoping to find some lightly used.

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is it late october yet?

Irahi

I have a pair of 2011 malavitas and 2012 raiden phantoms, ride a pretty darn stiff board (T.rice HP,) and wear a size 7.5 boot, so maybe I have some helpful input:

The Malavitas are on the edge of rideable on a stiff board, but should be a little more rigid this year so should be a little bit more suited to a beefier stick. They're extremely comfortable, and if you're into freestyle they're very tweakable, but you definitely lose some response. The burton mediums don't seem to fit very well (they're extremely wide,) but the smalls are just about perfect, if a bit on the snug side.

The Phantom's are just adjustable enough to make my size 7.5 boot work, with the heelcup in its forward most position, I'm just barely centered on the board (DC judges and Ride Cadence.) I don't know if the fit is the same between the blackhawks and phantoms, but they may work for you anyway.

jdang307

snowklinger, are the phantoms metal?

All I know is the Blackhawks were great except for me having to be slightly back (heel side). If it was slightly forward I'd probably deal with it.

I might try the Phantoms anyway just because I want to try the dampening. Seems like a game changer and this past season was the first time I felt something in my knee.

I did ride the 2012 malavitas on an Evo. Can still get some for fairly cheap. But I might hold off and spend another $60 and get the 2013 since it seems they beefed up both the Cartels and the Malavitas for the year (according to descriptions but I may be wrong).

The malavitas fit my boot like a dream and has the autocant. They definitely look different this year

jdang307

I just checked their site it says it should fit 7-10 for 2012, so hopefully they didn't change that for 2013 and I may give them a try. I'll lose canting but maybe the dampening will make up for some of it. Won't know till I hit the snow.

They have a new asym strap for 2013.

snowklinger

I was under the impression that Raidens were all metal bases but I could be wrong, I know their high end one has a bunch of carbon in it probably.

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is it late october yet?

dreampow

I am looking at picking up some new bindings for next season as well.

They will be going on my proto and I have been looking at cartels and phantoms.

If the malativas have been beefed up they could be in the running too.

snowklinger

I was actually looking at the Machines as they have the most options and things like dampening/canting.

I realize they are stiff but that doesn't bother me, sloppy bindings concern me.

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is it late october yet?

jdang307

From what I've read, and I may be mistaken, they were 15% glass before, now they're 30% this year.

The 15% stuff I foudn in old posts on this forum. The 30% for 2013 I read on Wiredsport's blog

Burton Malavita Bindings 2013 Sneak Peek – evo blog


But doing some more searches it appears perhaps it was already 30% glass last year so there is no difference. that' what Evo.com is listin

http://www.evo.com/snowboard-binding...avita-est.aspx

Made of 30% Short-Glass/ Nylon Composite Spar and 30% Short-Glass/Nylon Composite Lower

Who fucking knows. Maybe I'll just buy it and muscle the Cobra fuck it, I ain't going off big cliffs or anything

snowklinger

Does the % of glass composite make a difference?

Burton lists the Cartel and the Malavita as the same response rating, I thought I had this understood...and the Malavita is more $$...I can't tell what extra value it offers?

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is it late october yet?