Union Forces - Snowboarding Forum

02-20-2010, 10:19 PM

So I picked up some union forces based on the high opionion that alot of contibutors to this site seem have of them. After a long hyanious from the sport I threw them on an old plankish board of mine and headed up to my local mountain to see what the latest advances in modern technology had to offer. In one word I could sum up my opinion as disappointed. The feel and response that was touted by so many fanbois was completely lacking in my experience.

I found them to do their job well in the sense that when I leaned back heelside they responded, but franlky they didn't do their job any better then what most companies were selling for a quarter of the price ten years ago.

It was only my first time on the bindiings but ultimately I was unimpressed. Comparing them to a model from back in the day the build quality seemed noticably more flimsy. Additionally I fail to see what inovations have been introduced. The only discernable difference seems to be the ability to adjust the heel cup.

Mabey my gripe with them is due to the lack of feel they had. Next time out I'm definately taking out the eva inserts. Also I think i'm gonna un-rotate the high backs to neutral. We'll see but as it stands I gotta say that I feel kinda cheated dropping $150 on the suckers.

crazyface · 02-20-2010, 10:53 PM

i love my forces. they have a great flex for doing anything.

Technine Icon · 02-21-2010, 12:27 AM

I gotta disagree I love my Unions.

crispynz1 · 02-21-2010, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darckeen

So I picked up some union forces based on the high opionion that alot of contibutors to this site seem have of them. After a long hyanious from the sport I threw them on an old plankish board of mine and headed up to my local mountain to see what the latest advances in modern technology had to offer. In one word I could sum up my opinion as disappointed. The feel and response that was touted by so many fanbois was completely lacking in my experience.

I found them to do their job well in the sense that when I leaned back heelside they responded, but franlky they didn't do their job any better then what most companies were selling for a quarter of the price ten years ago.

It was only my first time on the bindiings but ultimately I was unimpressed. Comparing them to a model from back in the day the build quality seemed noticably more flimsy. Additionally I fail to see what inovations have been introduced. The only discernable difference seems to be the ability to adjust the heel cup.

Mabey my gripe with them is due to the lack of feel they had. Next time out I'm definately taking out the eva inserts. Also I think i'm gonna un-rotate the high backs to neutral. We'll see but as it stands I gotta say that I feel kinda cheated dropping $150 on the suckers.

Maybe it's your long hyanious???? from the sport & that "old plankish board of mine" that was the problem. They work fine without rotating the highbacks.

Suburban Blend · 02-21-2010, 08:19 AM

I LOVE my UNION Forces. Lifetime warranty on the baseplates, and as a dealer, I replace any buckles or straps that wear out for all my customers.

Extremo · 02-21-2010, 12:55 PM

Damn people just dont get it...I remember those old 10 lbs bindings made of steel too. There's a reason they dont exsist anymore. The force are designed for certain types of riding flexing in ways those old junk yard scraps couldn't. If you wanted something more responsive then you should have looked for it.

02-22-2010, 08:45 PM

Dude, I LOVE MY UNION FORCES MC.. It goes so well with my K2 Zero.. Pure ownage!

RVM · 03-08-2010, 04:33 PM

I love my Union Forces.

Try a new board, maybe new boots.

LTManiac · 03-08-2010, 05:09 PM

Well, I first received my forces and they were a bit messed up. I needed a new screw (the bolt was placed a fit further down, so I had to get a longer one). My first day with the forces.. wasn't that great. Toe ratchet was hard to loosen, the highback was digging into my calf and they generally felt uncomfortable due to pressure points. I was really thinking about returning them.

But after a couple of days, they started growing on me. Just like a new pair of shoes.. I had to break them in. The highback became REALLY comfortable, pressure points disappeared and I can really feel the flex of the board now. I'm really glad I got the Forces. The only thing I have to complain about is the toe ratchet. When I lock them into place, sometimes they're a bit hard to take off. But I rather have that problem than having them loosen while I'm riding. These bad boys don't loosen at all.

Maybe you should give them more than 1 day like I did, you might be surprised..

seant46 · 03-08-2010, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Extremo

Damn people just dont get it...I remember those old 10 lbs bindings made of steel too. There's a reason they dont exsist anymore. The force are designed for certain types of riding flexing in ways those old junk yard scraps couldn't. If you wanted something more responsive then you should have looked for it.

You always sound so defensive when someone knocks Union.

02-20-2010, 10:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
darckeen Guest Posts: n/a	Union Forces So I picked up some union forces based on the high opionion that alot of contibutors to this site seem have of them. After a long hyanious from the sport I threw them on an old plankish board of mine and headed up to my local mountain to see what the latest advances in modern technology had to offer. In one word I could sum up my opinion as disappointed. The feel and response that was touted by so many fanbois was completely lacking in my experience. I found them to do their job well in the sense that when I leaned back heelside they responded, but franlky they didn't do their job any better then what most companies were selling for a quarter of the price ten years ago. It was only my first time on the bindiings but ultimately I was unimpressed. Comparing them to a model from back in the day the build quality seemed noticably more flimsy. Additionally I fail to see what inovations have been introduced. The only discernable difference seems to be the ability to adjust the heel cup. Mabey my gripe with them is due to the lack of feel they had. Next time out I'm definately taking out the eva inserts. Also I think i'm gonna un-rotate the high backs to neutral. We'll see but as it stands I gotta say that I feel kinda cheated dropping $150 on the suckers.

02-21-2010, 08:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
Suburban Blend Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Western New York Posts: 761 Blog Entries: 5	I LOVE my UNION Forces. Lifetime warranty on the baseplates, and as a dealer, I replace any buckles or straps that wear out for all my customers. __________________ Suburban Blend

03-08-2010, 04:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
RVM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central California Posts: 515	I love my Union Forces. Try a new board, maybe new boots. __________________ There is no substitution for human competition.

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02-20-2010, 10:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
crazyface Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: PA Posts: 648	i love my forces. they have a great flex for doing anything.

02-21-2010, 12:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
Technine Icon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CT Posts: 1,252	I gotta disagree I love my Unions.

02-21-2010, 12:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
Extremo -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NH Posts: 3,116	Damn people just dont get it...I remember those old 10 lbs bindings made of steel too. There's a reason they dont exsist anymore. The force are designed for certain types of riding flexing in ways those old junk yard scraps couldn't. If you wanted something more responsive then you should have looked for it.

02-22-2010, 08:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
dar.E Guest Posts: n/a	Dude, I LOVE MY UNION FORCES MC.. It goes so well with my K2 Zero.. Pure ownage!

03-08-2010, 05:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
LTManiac Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 74	Well, I first received my forces and they were a bit messed up. I needed a new screw (the bolt was placed a fit further down, so I had to get a longer one). My first day with the forces.. wasn't that great. Toe ratchet was hard to loosen, the highback was digging into my calf and they generally felt uncomfortable due to pressure points. I was really thinking about returning them. But after a couple of days, they started growing on me. Just like a new pair of shoes.. I had to break them in. The highback became REALLY comfortable, pressure points disappeared and I can really feel the flex of the board now. I'm really glad I got the Forces. The only thing I have to complain about is the toe ratchet. When I lock them into place, sometimes they're a bit hard to take off. But I rather have that problem than having them loosen while I'm riding. These bad boys don't loosen at all. Maybe you should give them more than 1 day like I did, you might be surprised..