Union vs Flux - Page 2 - Snowboarding Forum

phony_stark · 01-04-2013, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Extremo

The contact pro is a jib oriented park binding. It's not for freeriding.

The Atlas baseplate is as stiff as the Force but it has a softer highback and softer ankle straps. If you're spending more time in the park I'd recommend the Atlas, if you're spending more time riding the entire mountain then get the Force.

I'm going to disagree with the contact pro assessment.

They're carbon injected and have a responsive, but flat highback. They're on the softer side, but they are by no means only for park and Jib. They're currently Gigi Ruf's pro model and I wouldn't call him a park rat. They have more lateral flex than the Atlas/Force, but, for me, there was no drastic loss in response straight back.

As far as Unions go, Pros and the Atlas are can't go wrong purchases for all types of riding.

Extremo · 01-04-2013, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phony_stark

I'm going to disagree with the contact pro assessment.

They're carbon injected and have a responsive, but flat highback. They're on the softer side, but they are by no means only for park and Jib. They're currently Gigi Ruf's pro model and I wouldn't call him a park rat. They have more lateral flex than the Atlas/Force, but, for me, there was no drastic loss in response straight back.

As far as Unions go, Pros and the Atlas are can't go wrong purchases for all types of riding.

Gigi rides the superpro's. The contact pro's have a lot of torsional and lateral flex. So much that I don't even like them for park. Too loose feeling.

phony_stark · 01-04-2013, 01:40 PM

That's true, he'll be on something different for 2014.

I think this is a preference thing. I'm guessing you like stiffer bindings.

Gdog42 · 01-04-2013, 02:28 PM

Here's a different idea:
Consider the regular Contacts instead of the Contact Pros. The Contact's highback has good flex for the park, but the base is much more responsive because it has a lot less EVA dampening zones (just under heel) than on the Contact Pro (all over the entire base).

The Force is also a great binding for all-mountain and park. However, some people have said it's a little heavier and I know for sure that the toe strap ratchets are difficult to release, as I have them.

I also have a pair of the DLX bindings, which I'm using now but I improved them by putting the Force straps on them but kept on the DLX ratchets, which hold just as good but release a lot more easily than the Force ratchets.

The DLX highback has very similar flex the the Contact highback, and I use these bindings both for all mountain and park, just like you plan on doing. The softer highback has not been a problem for me whenever I've done powder and ice on steep terrain. They're actually really responsive when I go heelside.

So, with all this in mind, you might be best with the Contact bindings. I know, they look like they're just meant for park because Scott Stevens rides them, but they'd definitely work just as good for all-mountain.

Nivek · 01-04-2013, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Extremo

Gigi rides the superpro's. The contact pro's have a lot of torsional and lateral flex. So much that I don't even like them for park. Too loose feeling.

He may not ride them now, but he's the reason they exist. He liked the Contact and wanted something beefier: Contact Pro. As evidence: you'll notice the distance between the bottom of the highback and heelcup is greater when folded down on the Pro than any other Union. Ruf found that while bootpacking and holding onto the heelcups the regular highbacks from Union would dig into his hands. So when he got involved with the Contact Pro he had them mill out the bottom section for more hand space.

While it is soft, its not jibby. There's a difference. They're a surfy all mountain binding, a good one. It doesnt sound like he'll be doing "aggressive" freeriding so I dont think he'll out power the Pro's.

OP:
Depends what you want and whether you're willing to deal with a toe strap that may or may not fit. The Flux's will fit, the Unions might not. You'll get more dampening from the Union, more response from the TT30, more comfort from the TT30 in my experience, and if it matters to you the Flux's are 100% tool less adjustmets aside from mounting them.

Gdog, have you ridden either the Contacts or Pros? Cause it sounds like you havent. The Contact is one of the softest bindings I've ever been in. They felt too soft on a Sub Zero. The Pros macth up well on rockered mid flex all mountain decks. Far from softer than Contacts. Not to mention they're the same base frame except the Pro's are carbon injected and the Contacts are glass reinforced.

phony_stark · 01-04-2013, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nivek

He may not ride them now, but he's the reason they exist. He liked the Contact and wanted something beefier: Contact Pro. As evidence: you'll notice the distance between the bottom of the highback and heelcup is greater when folded down on the Pro than any other Union. Ruf found that while bootpacking and holding onto the heelcups the regular highbacks from Union would dig into his hands. So when he got involved with the Contact Pro he had them mill out the bottom section for more hand space.

While it is soft, its not jibby. There's a difference. They're a surfy all mountain binding, a good one. It doesnt sound like he'll be doing "aggressive" freeriding so I dont think he'll out power the Pro's.

Gdog, have you ridden either the Contacts or Pros? Cause it sounds like you havent. The Contact is one of the softest bindings I've ever been in. They felt too soft on a Sub Zero. The Pros macth up well on rockered mid flex all mountain decks. Far from softer than Contacts. Not to mention they're the same base frame except the Pro's are carbon injected and the Contacts are glass reinforced.

This and This.

To add:

The DLX highback has a similar shape as the contacts but in no way are the flexes similar. The contact highback is pretty soft, to the point where, even with the forward lean cranked, it felt like there was nothing back there, or that it had folded.

DLX is an awesome binding for the price, and are fine for all mountain and park. Regular Contacts...for me, not so much.

Triple8Sol · 01-04-2013, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by googs185

So you think the TT30s beat out the Contact Pros? Why did you sell them?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple8Sol

I moved away from Flux this year b/c of their lack of canted footbeds, but Union doesn't do that either, so that's not really an issue for you.

I really hope Flux adds canted footbeds to their line-up for next season, as that would make me have to seriously consider going back. They had some of the best straps for me when I was running the TT30, SF45, Super Titan, and DMCC over the previous 3yrs.

googs185 · 01-04-2013, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple8Sol

I really hope Flux adds canted footbeds to their line-up for next season, as that would make me have to seriously consider going back. They had some of the best straps for me when I was running the TT30, SF45, Super Titan, and DMCC over the previous 3yrs.

Oh ok. But other than the straps, what makes them better than the contact pros? Are they good for park and all mountain?

Extremo · 01-04-2013, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nivek

He may not ride them now, but he's the reason they exist. He liked the Contact and wanted something beefier: Contact Pro. As evidence: you'll notice the distance between the bottom of the highback and heelcup is greater when folded down on the Pro than any other Union. Ruf found that while bootpacking and holding onto the heelcups the regular highbacks from Union would dig into his hands. So when he got involved with the Contact Pro he had them mill out the bottom section for more hand space.

While it is soft, its not jibby. There's a difference. They're a surfy all mountain binding, a good one. It doesnt sound like he'll be doing "aggressive" freeriding so I dont think he'll out power the Pro's.

Yeah obviously he there his 'Pro model'. And I've heard the story before. You can see him riding them in pics all over the web. But even before the superpros came out he was in volcom ads riding the MC's and team forces. I'm guessing because they had their limitations. In pow, I'm sure they're surfy. But on the stuff we ride out here it's easy to out power them. There are more suitable bindings in the line.

tonyisnowhere · 01-04-2013, 07:12 PM

I got a sweet deal on last years Union SL. Those ride really nice! Any reason you are not considering those?

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01-04-2013, 01:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
phony_stark Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 488	That's true, he'll be on something different for 2014. I think this is a preference thing. I'm guessing you like stiffer bindings.

01-04-2013, 02:28 PM	#14 (permalink)
Gdog42 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: MI Posts: 405	Here's a different idea: Consider the regular Contacts instead of the Contact Pros. The Contact's highback has good flex for the park, but the base is much more responsive because it has a lot less EVA dampening zones (just under heel) than on the Contact Pro (all over the entire base). The Force is also a great binding for all-mountain and park. However, some people have said it's a little heavier and I know for sure that the toe strap ratchets are difficult to release, as I have them. I also have a pair of the DLX bindings, which I'm using now but I improved them by putting the Force straps on them but kept on the DLX ratchets, which hold just as good but release a lot more easily than the Force ratchets. The DLX highback has very similar flex the the Contact highback, and I use these bindings both for all mountain and park, just like you plan on doing. The softer highback has not been a problem for me whenever I've done powder and ice on steep terrain. They're actually really responsive when I go heelside. So, with all this in mind, you might be best with the Contact bindings. I know, they look like they're just meant for park because Scott Stevens rides them, but they'd definitely work just as good for all-mountain.

01-04-2013, 07:12 PM	#20 (permalink)
tonyisnowhere Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Trenton NJ Posts: 218	I got a sweet deal on last years Union SL. Those ride really nice! Any reason you are not considering those?