Using Softboot Bindings

[shortydude]

I'm close to ordering softboot bindings. I've got nice pair of Vans' Contra snowboard boots. They have a single boa system.

My question is, do you basically keep the bindings on your skiboards all the time? I'm pretty sure you leave them on the boards at lunch time and go inside wearing the softboots. But, do you leave them on the boards in the bags or do you carry the bindings separately back & forth between the car and the hill?

[Greco]

Which soft boot bindings? I'll talk about the ones I see at SBOL. For FiveForty/SJ they do not have a tool less quick release so I just leave them on the boards and use the large SBOL longboard bag. For the Head bindings you have the option to remove the bindings by just flipping a lever. I still use the SBOL bag but I'll bring one or two pairs extra and swap the bindings depending on the conditions. I've done that with the 540/SJ but it takes longer and requires loosening and removing and retightening 8 screws.

[Gromit]

Greco

Some folks on the facebook Skiboard Connection site have recently asked about using the Burton Step On bindings and matching snowboard boots with skiboards.
I wondered whether you had ever tried them yourself or set-up some for a customer?
I'm only asking out of curiosity and maybe for the benefit of other folks who may read this thread.

Looking at the available Step On bindings, I would think that the Loback isn't a good candidate for a RVL8 Snowboard Binding Upgrade Kit?

[shortydude]

For me I think the Head bindings would be best. I tend to use a 155cm rolling snowboard bag, so room's not really an issue. From the car to the hill I use a sling.

[shortydude]

Greco, how would a set of large Head bindings be shipped, Fedex or USPS? I use different delivery addresses for each. I actually prefer USPS, I live in a small town and they make us use a PO Box. So deliveries get kind of weird sometimes.

[Greco]

Greco

Some folks on the facebook Skiboard Connection site have recently asked about using the Burton Step On bindings and matching snowboard boots with skiboards.
I wondered whether you had ever tried them yourself or set-up some for a customer?
I'm only asking out of curiosity and maybe for the benefit of other folks who may read this thread.

Looking at the available Step On bindings, I would think that the Loback isn't a good candidate for a RVL8 Snowboard Binding Upgrade Kit?

I haven't tried but I do refer people with specific questions to the skiboard connection posts about them.

[Greco]

Greco, how would a set of large Head bindings be shipped, Fedex or USPS? I use different delivery addresses for each. I actually prefer USPS, I live in a small town and they make us use a PO Box. So deliveries get kind of weird sometimes.

We can ship anyway you want. Email me before placing an order and I can sort it for you.

[shortydude]

The binding arrived today. That was crazy fast shipping, thanks.
First impression is WOW these are built like a tank.
They should hold up really well.

In the kit there's a 3"x5"x 1/8" piece of single sticky sided black foam.
It seems too soft of foam to be a snowboard stomp pad.
There's only one so I don't think it goes under the risers.
What is it?

The short OEM speed disc machine screws appear to have factory threadlock on them.
Should I use some blue Locktite on the supplied long bolts?

The speed disc's have a graphic on them that says "Board Center" with an arrow.
That would be fine if you wanted to ride skiboards side saddle like a snowboard
Pointing that graphic to the side seems to be more user friendly for us.

My Mondo 30 boots fit fine in these Large size bindings.
But, it will take some trial & error to get the straps dialed in.

Speaking of dials, I'm not sure how to orient the top strap in relation to the boa dial.
The boa dial is right in the natural path of the top strap.
If the strap goes over the boa dial it'll put pressure into the dial.
If the strap goes above the boa dial it will put pressure down on the dial.
The structural part of the strap is 2 & 3/8" wide, backed with a 4" wide foam pad.
The boa dial has a 1.5" diameter.
I could cut back or even remove that top strap 4" pad and
the smaller main strap should tuck in nicely above and behind the boa dial.
I'm not sure what the best way to go on that is.
I'm leaning toward removing that top strap 4" wide foam padding.

I've got these mocked up on a set of black & white Blunts.
I've got plenty of Phantom DPS to treat the Blunts if I decide to go with them.

Can ya tell, I'm looking forward to trying this new setup?

[Greco]

The board center arrows point to the inside of each skiboard. I don't use loctite. I put the 3rd strap over top of my boa dials. Not sure what the extra pad is for, it comes with the binding from Head. I hope this helps.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

[shortydude]

Thanks for the tip about the arrows pointing inward toward each other. That worked out slick.

I removed the 4" wide pad from inside the top strap and used small washers as spacers to keep the screws from poking out inside. The washers on the stationary end of the top straps also helps distribute the force between a thumb screw and the strap leather which keeps it from bunching up when the thumbscrew is torqued down. The top strap now rides comfortably above the boa and doesn't put any stress on the knob.

[Greco]

Can you post some pictures?

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[shortydude]

Getting Approval


Inside side of the top strap 4" wide padding. it is tapered away from the boa dial.


Outside side of the top strap 4" wide padding.
It looks like cut line outlines to keep it away from the boa dial.

[shortydude]

Boa Dial clearance without the top strap padding installed.


Top strap fixed end thumbscrew with washer spacer so screw doesn't protrude inside.
.

[shortydude]

I may cut the bottom ears off the padding and reinstall them.
That could give more even pressure on the boot cuff materials.
That should put the padding even with the bottom of the top strap seen in the boa pic.
I'd probably still keep a thin washer under the thumbscrew to protect that material.

The top of top strap is currently angled up to the top of the boot cuff.
That creates that spacing at the bottom of the top strap by the boa dial.
Reinstalling that pad would help fill that gap.

If I cut the top ear off the padding, the top of the top strap would still ride right at the top of the boot cuff.

[shortydude]

I left the top strap padding installed and intact. As long as they're pulled up to where the top of strap is at the top of the boot there's really not much pressure at all on the boa knob and the bottom wing of the padding probably makes a decent snow shield to kind of protect the knob.

I've also been having a really difficult time getting the frames on and off the discs. I solved that by cutting some HDPE (milk jug plastic) into a disc just slightly smaller than the diameter of the speed disc and put it between the disc and riser. That really thin spacer makes a night and day difference in mounting/unmounting the boot frames. I put a spacer under both speed discs.