How to read forward lean angles on some bindings?
 

Hello everybody.

I have been reading some threads here on forward leans of bindings in the forum. I have come across people mentioning that theirs are set at 8 degrees or at some other precise settings. I wonder if it’s because my bindings (presumably Burton Mission EST as per the words on them) are not the most expensive ones out there, hence they don’t give any indication (degrees) of how far backward or forward the backs are leaned. I guess the only way I could tell how mine are set is purely from some rough eyeballing.

In the picture, the white arrows point to the plus sign (add forward lean) and the minus sign (reduce forward lean), into which direction you would turn the black plastic lever (indicated by yellow arrow) to alter lean angle.

Any boarders out there with similar bindings could kindly tell me how they measure or quote their bindings’ lean angles when they talk about the issue with friends?

Many thanks.

If you really car get an angle finder or sliding bevel and take a reading.

It isn't a matter of which way will alter it.
It turns both ways, the only way it won't turn both ways is, if it is at the farthest setting one way. Then it will only go the other direction.

The precise angle doesn't really mean shit. If it will only turn one way, it is probably @ the least amount of forward lean possible.
Just turn it, you will be able to see it change as you do it.

Having more forward lean will let you carve heel side much more powerfully.
It's a finicky thing though, it will feel weird @ first. You only need to do it a little bit @ a time.

@ first it makes you feel like you going to catch a toe side edge & eat shit, but that goes away really quick, like +or- an hour & then you will start to feel the benefits.

Then it's just a matter of dialing it in to exactly how you want it.

Hope that's a little more helpful.

TT

Thanks ETM. I get your idea. I wonder if I should get a protractor to read the lean angles rather than just saying "somewhere in between". Or perhaps the whole issue is just a feel thing hence nobody needs to quote precise angles.

Thanks timmytard. I have remembered the default setting before I dial the lever either way and see what it does to the lean angle. There is a gross difference of the lean at both extremes, that is, most forward and least forward lean. I think I understand how the lever works and what is more forward lean, or less forward lean. timmytard I understand your concerns for me and I think I am ok with those.

Your further elaboration is a very good reiteration to what I have been reading up on forward lean the last few days in the forum.

My question is,

1.) When someone says their lean angles are say, precisely 8 degrees, did they get the reading from some sophisticated markings which could be present on their bindings and not on mine?

2.) Since I never paid attention to lean angles in my last season, hence I declare I have never fiddled with them. But obviously next season round, most probably I will, but in small steps. And obviously, as I stated above, at the extremes of either most forward lean and least forward lean, even simple eyeballing could tell the gross difference. But what about, the in-betweens, does a single full rotation of the lever, going either direction from the default setting (when I got them from the shop), is going to make a very noticeable difference to the feel, board aggressiveness during carving, heelside edge hold and whatnot? Has anybody played around with just a single rotation of the lever and noticed any significant difference? Just my curiosity.

Thanks everybody.

This person is a nerd who should be ignored - nobody runs around talking about their highback binding angles. Are they throwing corks and then talking about this 8 degree highback, thus convincing you that you are missing something? Follow the 'Tard's advice and do them comfy.

You are overthinking this. Most highbacks have a little notched deal with like 4-8 different notches you can set your lean at. On some of these they might be marked with degrees - who the fuck cares. In the case of your Burtons with the little dial, the dial is simply a more organic function of the exact same thing. Still do what Timmy said.

Don't make us come wipe for you :cheeky4:

Thanks snowklinger. Got it. Yes I might have been overthinking it.

Then I won't bother with pinpointing what precise angles the backs are leaned. I will just go with what feels great.

Have you rotated the high backs yet?

TT

Hi there timmytard. Very nice indeed to know you are concerned about my problems.

No I have not really touched them yet (at home). To reiterate, I think I understand how the lever/ dial works and how they increase or reduce forward lean. I think I am going to play with them and see how much of a difference they make to my heelside edge hold. I admit I had some problems trying to get a decent heelside edge hold on some icy steep slopes in Korea at the end of March this year. Korea is notorious for lack of powder and towards late March the icy snow was even defrosting and you would actually see water on the slopes.

If by what you mean rotating the high backs mean increasing the forward lean, well, I have not done a thing yet. I will do so on the slopes, hopefully as early as December.

Meanwhile I just want to have a better understanding of how forward lean could affect rides before doing the practicals on the real slopes. I just hope I will be able to learn some physics here and then I will see if those physics put to good use would improve my problems on heelside edge hold on some steep icy slopes. Cheers timmytard.

This is what he means by rotating the highbacks:

http://www.boardworld.com.au/images/...k_rotation.jpg

When they are up, the highbacks themselves should run parallel with the board edge. Almost all highbacks can be rotated to some degree.

And people are debating the benefit of highback rotation/lack thereof with almost religious zeal...