Malavitas or Union Forces? - Page 6 - Snowboarding Forum

qwezxc12 · 11-09-2012, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phony_stark

Dude, sorry you hated the forces. Just to play devils advocate, unless you fall a lot and have to strap back in multiple times on one run. Having to use a very little bit of mustard to get off the toe strap isn't a big deal.

I think, despite it being admittedly harder (but not hard at all) to undo the toestrap, in my experience, Union has the best one in the game. It doesn't slip for shit. I would much rather my toe strap be hard to take off than easy to unbuckle. It would give me peace of mind that my toes were gonna stay strapped on the whole run. With gloves on, they're pretty easy to pop off and "break in" around day 15.

Vitas are a good choice, very comfy and you don't have to use any muscles to undo the toestrap.

Definitely NOT wanting to get into the EL/SBF shit... Just wanted to post on my own *personal* experience and point out that while they may be easy to unbuckle, I have never had a Burton binding strap / ratchet come undone while riding. I try to ride lots of mfg stuff, too - I demo boards whenever I can, and when I travel I get to rent higher-end gear sometimes.

I've had '09 Missions, '10 Cartels, '11 Cartels, and now (un-ridden) '14 Cartels. I've also demo'd last season's Diodes. I've taken serious diggers, banged into trees, and gone endo enough to lose my goggles and stuff my helmet and jacket full of snow. I ride everywhere from NY, NH and VT, to CO, WA and B.C.

sleev-les · 11-09-2012, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShredLife

lmfao

lol x2

Quote:

Originally Posted by KungMartin

the thing is that i have knowledge about setting up the actual binding. i never mentioned anything about placement and toe/heel drag did i?

union force rocks, that is all.

also, fuck you.

Last I checked, getting the placement centered and correct width is part of setting up your bindings as it has to be set to the board. You fail again!

Quote:

Originally Posted by phony_stark

This site sees maaaaaaaybe 6 riders complain about Unions, and of these six most haven't ridden a Union over 3 years or did for one day for a few hours, and while their experiences are VALUABLE for feedback (I don't want to be misunderstood, it is valuable feedback), it's not as valuable as an experience from someone who's ridden the product, as shipped, for 50 days.

In short, I would put more weight on the opinion of someone who uses a product regularly, over someone who tried and didn't like it. Especially one who writes a couple of sentences and just says "sucks" . That's not even constructive.

Bro, I've had enough instances of Union being weak.

1. The set I rode. Yeah, used them once (8 hours), but that was enough to realize I wasn't about to deal with the issues. (last year 2012)
2. Walked into bs Zumiez out of curiousity and had to hear the sales guy preach about Union quality and no toe strap issues. Pulled one off the shelf and it locked up (last month)
3. Complaints from multiple people on the forum and other online reviews

Again, I'm not knocking you because you should ride what you like and works for you.

phony_stark · 11-09-2012, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleev-les

When I look at the other bindings I've rode (Burton Cartel, Rome 390, GNU junk, hell even Drakes when I first started boarding) I've never had a toe strap come loose on me. Now I will play fair and note that the comfort and ride was better on the Cartels and 390's while great usability. I wasn't impressed with the Drakes ride after I had them a few seasons and started to get better at boarding. The 390's, the lean angle adjustment breaks loose easily on a fall, but overall is a better binding than the Forces. There is no way I'd continue to deal with Forces (and failure to correct a simple engineering issue) and have to fight to get the toestrap ratchet loose every time . It doesn't have to be multiple times, it just has to be when I get to the bottom and want my back foot out of the binding for what its worth. They definitely aren't the best in the game bro, but seems a lot of people are hypnotised by them for some reason. If you like them, I'm glad you do and that they are working for you, but there are def plenty of better options out there.

This is a fair assessment. From what I hear though, you're having a problem with the ratchet, not the strap itself. I will be the first to admit every other binding I've used has an easier toe buckle than the Union toe buckle, but I feel like, from my personal experience, that, if my toe remains strapped into the boot, having to use a little (emphasis on little) extra mustard to get the toe buckle off at the end of a run, is a small price to pay if everything else with my binding experience is amazing. Also they break in around day 6.

If you want an easy buckle on your toe and that's the most important thing to your binding experience, burton has a great one.

sleev-les · 11-09-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phony_stark

This is a fair assessment. From what I hear though, you're having a problem with the ratchet, not the strap itself. I will be the first to admit every other binding I've used has an easier toe buckle than the Union toe buckle, but I feel like, from my personal experience, that, if my toe remains strapped into the boot, having to use a little (emphasis on little) extra mustard to get the toe buckle off at the end of a run, is a small price to pay if everything else with my binding experience is amazing. Also they break in around day 6.

If you want an easy buckle on your toe and that's the most important thing to your binding experience, burton has a great one.

I'm am definitely more into the Burton bindings. And yes, I had ratchet issues. Thats why I only would comment on the ratchet itself and not the toe strap placement or lack thereof

KungMartin · 11-09-2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleev-les

Last I checked, getting the placement centered and correct width is part of setting up your bindings as it has to be set to the board. You fail again!

yeah, but you're not getting it. placement has nothing to do with strap adjustment does it?

get it through your thick skull.

bseracka · 11-09-2012, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KungMartin

the thing is that i have knowledge about setting up the actual binding. i never mentioned anything about placement and toe/heel drag did i?

union force rocks, that is all.

also, fuck you.

You can claim what ever you want but buying and mounting (incorrectly) Union bindings does not give much credibility in regard to product knowledge. Put a few days, or even a season on those new Force bindings and then tell us about them. You maybe correct and they'll be the greatest binding you'll ever ride, but ride them first, then make that claim.

PS. sorry you think say fuck you to me after I helped you setup your bindings is a good decision. It's actions like this that cause noobs to get ignored, or bad advice. Next time stay on EL and ask them how to setup your bindings and if your board is to wide.

KungMartin · 11-09-2012, 12:02 PM

you're kinda thick. i don't need overall product knowledge to state the fact that my toe strap can be easily released. i just need a hand and a set of eyes.

please go away.

Quote:

PS. sorry you think say fuck you to me after I helped you setup your bindings is a good decision. It's actions like this that cause noobs to get ignored, or bad advice. Next time stay on EL and ask them how to setup your bindings and if your board is to wide.

you think i'm going to lick your feet because you KINDA helped me? just don't butt in next time.

matty19 · 11-09-2012, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShredLife

if you have only been riding for two seasons what makes you think you have enough experience to give people advice on snowboarding?

How is two seasons of riding not enough time to form a valid opinion?

What super-OG-core-bro-"I'll be on misty 2014 shit by this Christmas" cred do you have? Does it make your opinion more accurate or your riding level and preferences more in line with a person's who's asking advice?

I live in the PNW. I'm well over six feet tall, and have a big foot. I ride a fair amount of powder, some backcountry/sidecountry steeps and technical stuff, like to charge, and at the ski area I fuck around on the small and medium jump lines in the park and am always on the lookout for side hits. I feel that I might have an insight into related categories of gear, but would be less able to inform somebody about jib boards or hardboot-style race boards. Even the opinions on gear that I know well are still just subjective impressions and anecdotes. I try to qualify that. If you don't, then you're just being a domineering, self-important asshat.

KungMartin · 11-09-2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matty19

How is two seasons of riding not enough time to form a valid opinion?

What super-OG-core-bro-"I'll be on misty 2014 shit by this Christmas" cred do you have? .

my exact thoughts.

phony_stark · 11-09-2012, 12:08 PM

Crazed...

I say put the cartels on your ultra, and maybe take a look at the Union Atlas. The atlas is a bit softer and has more lateral flex than the Force and will be able to work on your softer horror, and, if you love them, will be equally at home on your ultrafear.

You can then use your cartels (If you're building a quiver) on a stiffer board. If you weren't into your contact pros though, because of the toe buckle, go Malavitas, that's a good one two punch if you're planning on staying burton.

Sorry you're having to wade through all of this silliness, especially shredlife, who, I honestly have no idea what he does on these forums except follow people around who may like Unions and say "I DON'T LIKE THEM!! ARRRRGHHHH"

Kung Martin don't let these guys rile you up, but don't take their opinion lightly...some of these dudes have been riding Unions for HOURS, BRO!

11-09-2012, 12:08 PM	#60 (permalink)
phony_stark Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 488	Crazed... I say put the cartels on your ultra, and maybe take a look at the Union Atlas. The atlas is a bit softer and has more lateral flex than the Force and will be able to work on your softer horror, and, if you love them, will be equally at home on your ultrafear. You can then use your cartels (If you're building a quiver) on a stiffer board. If you weren't into your contact pros though, because of the toe buckle, go Malavitas, that's a good one two punch if you're planning on staying burton. Sorry you're having to wade through all of this silliness, especially shredlife, who, I honestly have no idea what he does on these forums except follow people around who may like Unions and say "I DON'T LIKE THEM!! ARRRRGHHHH" Kung Martin don't let these guys rile you up, but don't take their opinion lightly...some of these dudes have been riding Unions for HOURS, BRO! Last edited by phony_stark; 11-09-2012 at 12:10 PM. Reason: Kung Martin

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