Need some help with Snowjam/540 softboot bindings

[newbie2011]

Hi guys,

I was able to get an used pair of RVL8 Snowjam 540 snowboard bindings (having the extra RVL8 third strap) and I have a few issues that maybe someone else already ran into:
- one of the ankle buckle's ratchet has the middle, black lever broken, the one that is used when you need to unstrap. I don't seem to find online any replacement parts for the 540, would some/any different ankle buckle fit ? Or should I replace the whole part, slider and everything ?
- the binding seem to be the "medium" size ( this specific model looks like it was available in medium or large) but my new 25.5 Malamute boot seem to overhang quite a bit over the toes end of the binding, is this a problem ?
- the front pad, under the toes, has a second set of front holes, maybe 5mm more upfront, should I try to move it, would it make a significant difference ?
- the screws for that pad don's screw directly into the binding, there's some metal inserts, how do I take them out ? Brute force or there's some other subtle way to do it ?

[Greco]

Hey Newbie2011,

1) Does this look like it might work - Ratchet buckles
2) This likely isn't a problem and is typical, but you might be able to move the plastic piece that the toe sits on. On some bindings that piece is screwed in and there is another set of holes to allow it to be moved further from the center.
3) This sounds like what I just mentioned in #2. I would move it if your boot is significantly bigger.
4) Brute force, I think they have blue loctite on them. I also believe they require a #3 (not #2) Phillips screwdriver, or bit.

[newbie2011]

Thanks a lot Greco for your quick answer !

Hey Newbie2011,
1) Does this look like it might work - Ratchet buckles

It looks this way, it's worth a try anyway, I'll get a pair, thank you

Hey Newbie2011,
\2) This likely isn't a problem and is typical, but you might be able to move the plastic piece that the toe sits on. On some bindings that piece is screwed in and there is another set of holes to allow it to be moved further from the center.
3) This sounds like what I just mentioned in #2. I would move it if your boot is significantly bigger.

I've watched carefully your videos on softboots and you also seem to have 1-1.5 inches hanging out, cannot tell accurately from the video. Any idea how much is too much ? Mine would have 1.5 inch, maybe a bit more hanging out, do you think it would it be too much ?

Moving the foot pad further will bring an extra 1/4-1/3 inch, seems just 6-7mm more, not sure if it's worth the trouble

Hey Newbie2011,
4) Brute force, I think they have blue loctite on them. I also believe they require a #3 (not #2) Phillips screwdriver, or bit.

definitely blue loctite is there, when unscrewing I got small blue bits falling off. Makes sense as the holes seem bare, no threads and plastic material, screws would not stay in otherwise.

Looks like it would be worth the trouble if the 1.5 inch of extra length is too much...

I do usually put my weight on the outside board and apply pressure on the big toe for carving (ski style), but don't know if I would feel that toe kinda half-pressing on thin air

[newbie2011]

1) Does this look like it might work - Ratchet buckles

I've contacted a couple of sellers on eBay that are selling the same ratchets, it looks like those won't fit, as the length from the middle of the screw hole to the base of the hook is 39mm, versus the original size of around 35mm. Looked into some other options, brand or no-name, so far haven't found anything that would fit the same. One Salomon was quite close, but made for a slightly thinner ladder. I might get such ladder, but I'm looking into different bindings as well, as my toes seem to be overhang too much - over 1.5 inches, closer to 2", outside the pad, and moving the screws for 7-8mm doesn't seem that it would be enough.

Any recos of bindings that worked for you guys ? I've seen models that have already different shapes of openings in the highback, so the 3rd strap can be attached very easy

[Greco]

I've contacted a couple of sellers on eBay that are selling the same ratchets, it looks like those won't fit, as the length from the middle of the screw hole to the base of the hook is 39mm, versus the original size of around 35mm. Looked into some other options, brand or no-name, so far haven't found anything that would fit the same. One Salomon was quite close, but made for a slightly thinner ladder. I might get such ladder, but I'm looking into different bindings as well, as my toes seem to be overhang too much - over 1.5 inches, closer to 2", outside the pad, and moving the screws for 7-8mm doesn't seem that it would be enough.

Any recos of bindings that worked for you guys ? I've seen models that have already different shapes of openings in the highback, so the 3rd strap can be attached very easy

You could just replace the strap and the ratchet, they typically come together anyway.
Regarding new bindings, you don't need to find ones with high back openings. It's easy to drill holes to install - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoNbpmHE2Cc

[newbie2011]

You could just replace the strap and the ratchet, they typically come together anyway.

Right, it would be the simplest fix, but I'm still not sure if the boots don't overhang too much in the front, looks close to 2 inches to me, kind of feels too much ...

Regarding new bindings, you don't need to find ones with high back openings. It's easy to drill holes to install - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoNbpmHE2Cc

Seen this, very useful, thank you Greco, you're absolutely right, openings are optional, not a "must have"

[newbie2011]

One more question: how tight the boots and the upper strap should be ? Ski boots tight? The laces system of the boots doesn't allow the same tightness as ski boots, and while the third strap is reasonably tight, on the whole there's still some play there. Should I aim for close to no play of the ensemble, and aggressively tighten everything "to the bone" ?

[Greco]

One more question: how tight the boots and the upper strap should be ? Ski boots tight? The laces system of the boots doesn't allow the same tightness as ski boots, and while the third strap is reasonably tight, on the whole there's still some play there. Should I aim for close to no play of the ensemble, and aggressively tighten everything "to the bone" ?

It depends how you ride. For me, I ride very fast and aggressive with a lot of hard carving so it's super important that I get as quick of a transfer of energy from my legs/feet to my boards as possible. Because of this I keep everything as tight as possible and check it after any falls or when I suspect something might have loosened. I also use boots with front and side BOA dials because I figured the lacing systems won't be as tight.

[newbie2011]

It depends how you ride. For me, I ride very fast and aggressive with a lot of hard carving so it's super important that I get as quick of a transfer of energy from my legs/feet to my boards as possible. Because of this I keep everything as tight as possible and check it after any falls or when I suspect something might have loosened. I also use boots with front and side BOA dials because I figured the lacing systems won't be as tight.

Similar ride, especially on steep slopes, and I was thinking that most of the stiffness of boots & bindings is lost if there's too much play at the top... I'll make sure I tighten up everything, thanks Greco

I avoided Boa dials because I was concerned they will interfere with the third strap, they seem to be placed exactly at the "wrong" place for our usage. You have them sitting below/above the third strap ?

[newbie2011]

I end up returning the Malamute, they were not comfortable, slightly too narrow and that was unpleasant after 10-20 minutes of just sitting around. Quite hard to get into - but that's my high arch getting in the way - and the soles were quite hard, probably because of the tight width, it felt worse than standing on concrete after a short period of time. Also I was expecting snowboard boots to be lighter weight, they were not.

Heel retention was good, felt very well locked in, the inner ankle strap was good as well, from the ankles downward boots were solid around my feet.

Lacing system is not great, liner laces stop rather low, which leaves already a bit of play at the top. The outside boot laces were better, but still not very tight, and the combination was quite messy, laces mingling everywhere when you put the boots on. Also the small pocket, meant to keep the laces plastic holder thingy in, it was clearly meant for a different version, as it was not matching the shape of the thingy.

They are reputed to be one of the stiffest boots, but cannot judge it much just by walking around. Anyway they come with some J-bars to make them more stiff if needed. I guess this is less of an issue for us, given the third strap that we're using on skiboards.