Stance Setup - Centre of Board

[gc2012]

Hi all,

I have read up on these forums and the internet and tried to sort this myself but hit a roadblock!

I would like to try a centred stance (or make sure I am centred). When I find what I think is the effective length (widest to widest), then the centre point and measure to the centre of my binding when the bindings are both in the centre hole on the board my front binding seems to be 1.5-2" nearer to the centre than the back. So basically if I just take the "standard" setup of that board.

Is it normal to see such a big offset using the central slots or am I measuring the effective centre wrong? Or can I assume that the central slots are the centre of the board?

Thanks
G

[jojotherider]

If the board is a directional board then the mounting holes are going to be set back a bit. So naturally, if the bindings are mounted in the center holes for each pack of inserts, then they'll be offset.

of course, maybe i'm not understanding how you're measuruing for the center of the board.

[gc2012]

Originally Posted by jojotherider

If the board is a directional board then the mounting holes are going to be set back a bit. So naturally, if the bindings are mounted in the center holes for each pack of inserts, then they'll be offset.

OK so. So that might explain it. But to be "safe" if I use centre + centre I should get the natural setup of the board?

Then if I want to make it narrow and keep that setup I just move both bindings in one notch?

[gc2012]

Actually can I add a 2nd question - when I bought the board 2nd hand the guy in the shop set it up. I've now realised its 21/-9. When I do a squat I end up in a position something like this I am a little duck legged anyway

It feels OK but I've nothing else to compare to. Just wondering if it feels OK is it OK or is it worth me trying something more "neutral" like 18/-6 even?

PS - I've done about 2 weeks of boarding am OK on red groomed slopes, getting better but still prob not an intermediate

Thanks
G

[jojotherider]

yeah just move the bindings in closer together. I'd move both in rather than just try to move one binding or the other. Also, if you look at the mounting disks, you'll see that there are different holes you can mount in. So you don't have to jump to the next hole in the board, you can try mounting in the next hole in the binding. Just make adjustments until something is comfortable for you. One thing I did last year was jump down from 3 steps landing evenly on both feet. I figured the width of my feet landing would be a good starting point for mounting my bindings. I ended up going a little wider, but not much.

As far as binding angle, I think that's all just personal preference and body mechanics. I ride with my bindings set at 6/-6. I feel like this lets me get good pressure on the edges. Also, I've tried other angles and they just make my knees hurt. My friends think my angles are too tight and they ride at 12/-9 or 9/-9. Its really just works for you.

Honestly the best thing for you to do is just find a good starting point and carry a multi-tool with you the next time you go ride. Take some runs and make the adjustments you think you need.

Once you figure out what works for you, measure the distance (i like to go measure from the center of the binding) and note the angles. I can tell you off the top of my head that my bindings stance is 23 1/2" wide at 6/-6. I use this same stance on all of my boards, pow/park/all mountain. Its just the stance that works for me.

[poutanen]

Yeah sounds like you've got a directional board. You actually want a bit of setback (the nose is longer than the tail) when you're riding forward most of the time...

For stance angles there's many schools of thought. In general I think a DIFFERENCE of 18-27 degrees is a good starting point. So wanting to go to 18/-6 would put you right on the money at 24 degrees. I ride a -12/+12 but used to ride -9/+9... Back in the day I rode 0/+18 but it seems that nobody rides with a 0 deg back binding anymore! lol

[Lamps]

Originally Posted by poutanen

Yeah sounds like you've got a directional board. You actually want a bit of setback (the nose is longer than the tail) when you're riding forward most of the time...

For stance angles there's many schools of thought. In general I think a DIFFERENCE of 18-27 degrees is a good starting point. So wanting to go to 18/-6 would put you right on the money at 24 degrees. I ride a -12/+12 but used to ride -9/+9... Back in the day I rode 0/+18 but it seems that nobody rides with a 0 deg back binding anymore! lol

Nothing like that 0 degree angle for a little switch riding, eh?

I started +3/+18, every season I get a little closer to duck

[poutanen]

Originally Posted by Lamps

Nothing like that 0 degree angle for a little switch riding, eh?

I started +3/+18, every season I get a little closer to duck

Yeah some of the guys on another forum I'm on are trying to tell me I need to be riding with a forward stance otherwise I'll be a terrible carver! I'm heading out riding with them tomorrow and they're all going to be on alpine boards, so I'm hoping to show them that it is physically possible to carve well with a duck stance... or I may be humbled, we'll see...

[jennifer]

Well, this thread has made me feel a little silly. My bindings are set perfectly straight. I guess that would be 0? Both of them. On my first day out I had back leg at 0 and front leg at some crazy ass angle. My husband set it up for me. Then I figured that I would start at 0 with both and start adjusting from there. lol Think maybe this is why my last lesson went soooooo wrong? Oops.

Clearly I have no clue what I am doing. Kind of wishing the instructors would go over at least a little bit about what angle to stand at. My very first lesson the instructor asked me if I rode regular or goofy....as if I had a clue.

[southy]

Originally Posted by poutanen

Yeah some of the guys on another forum I'm on are trying to tell me I need to be riding with a forward stance otherwise I'll be a terrible carver! I'm heading out riding with them tomorrow and they're all going to be on alpine boards, so I'm hoping to show them that it is physically possible to carve well with a duck stance... or I may be humbled, we'll see...

I rode +24 / +9 for years and tried duck for the first time last season. After a 1-run relearning curve, I linked more perfectly carved turns in the next run than I had all season. It's a personal thing for sure, but I would wholeheartedly disagree with anyone saying you can't carve with a duck stance. It seems to fit my bow-leggedness just fine.