Adjusting Your Snowboard Bindings: 101
Posted by admin on Feb 16, 2010
I’ve been snowboarding for 12 years now and in that time, I’m sad to say, I never learned how to set or adjust my own bindings or stance angle. I always left this up to my partner or the guys in the shop, and I just took their word for it. Last year, days before heading to Chamonix, my husband decided it was high time for me to take care of my own gear, so he handed me the screw driver and told me to figure it out for myself.
Through a lot of frustration and research I discovered that there is no one answer for what your stance should be. Stance is all based on what feels best for the rider and takes into consideration how aggressive a rider you are, whether you are goofy or regular, if you ride switch, and so much more. The best way to find a stance that feels right to you is to get on the bunny slope and try out a few variations.
Before you do that though, you’ll need to know how to adjust your bindings. To do this on the slope you’re going to need a Snowboard Tool. A Snowboard Tool is basically a compact screwdriver which has a ratchet mechanism that easily allows you to switch directions, i.e., screw in or unscrew. These tools can vary from simple to complex but all usually contain clever hiding places for additional bits. Whether you are a gear-head or not, this tool is a must have for all riders.
Next, looking at your bindings, you’ll see there are markings of degrees on the base plate. Also, there are screws on the base plate, usually three or four, which keeps the binding on the board. Using your tool, you should be able to partially unscrew these screws just enough so that you can manoeuvre the angle of the binding without actually having to take all the screws out. This technique helps avoid you dropping a screw in the snow while adjusting your stance angle on the hill.
With all the screws loose but still attached to the board, you should now be able to adjust your stance by gently twisting the binding right or left. Now for the frustrating part: which degree do you set each foot? This is where it comes down to preference. Some riders like a duck stance, meaning the toes on each foot are pointing outward. Some people like their back foot perpendicular and only a forward angle on the front foot. Then again, some people like both feet forward. If you’re a beginner, start with a basic stance of your front foot angled forward and your back either straight, or slightly forward.
Once you have your preferred angles set, use your tool and screw in all the screws. You can now strap into your bindings and see how things feel, being careful not to damage your board or edges depending on what type of flooring you are on. If you are happy with the settings, then you are now ready for the hill.
When you get on the hill, take a run with your new stance. If you feel like you are having difficulty turning, if the board feels squirrelly under you, or if things just don’t feel right in general, then find a safe spot on the side of the slope, or make your way to the bottom and find a space where you can get down and adjust your bindings. It’s all about figuring out what feels right for you, so get out your handy tool and get yourself sorted. It will likely take a few adjustments, but you’ll get there in the end and you’ll have done it all on your own. Go you!
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Jamey Wheeler
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/adjusting-your-snowboard-bindings-101-732175.html
Snowboarding Gear: Are Morrow Blaze Boards good? Airwalk bindings?
Posted by admin on Nov 22, 2009
I recently got into snowboarding and dont know diddly squat about the gears. My co-worker is trying to sell me a Morrow Blaze Snowboard unused and his Airwalk bindings, for like $200. I’m a gettin a good deal? Someone who has experience with these names will help greatly.. any suggestions? tips? concerns? Let me know if I should buy it..
any morrow board is crapolla first of all. second, airwalks are ok bindings. they are what i started out with. the thing to remember is, both of these brands are good if you are starting out but when you get better you are going to want better equipment. burton bindings with toecaps are pretty much top of the line. ride bindings are also about the best it’s gonna get. in terms of boards, the best out there are forum, burton, ride, rome, academy, tech nine, and maybe capita.
keep shreddin!
Can You Find Me Some Cheap Snowboarding Gear?
Posted by admin on Nov 14, 2009
I’m a beginner at snowboarding, I need a snowboard, snowboard boots, and bindings. I’m 95 pounds ( I know i’m skinny) and i’m between 5"5 and 5"8. And can you please find as cheap as possible! TY Very Much.
here you go huge selection.
http://backcountryoutlet.com
http://moosejaw.com
http://dogfunk.com
http://www.sierrasnowboard.com/
http://the-house.com
http://www.boardparadise.com/snow/
http://www.whiskeymilitia.com/ – timed sales, you could get lucky though.
How do you pick out snowboarding gear?
Posted by admin on Sep 23, 2009
This season i would like to start snowboarding. I need help figuring out how to pick out the right snowboard size, boot size, and bindings. Here’s me info. in case it helps:
height – 5′ 5"
weight – 145
shoe size – 10.5 – 11
Also, where is the cheapest place to get quality stuff?
Can some one give me some pointers please?
Awesome decision to start snowboarding. First off, one thing you’ll learn is that a lot of people will tell you to get a board that comes somewhere between your chin and nose. Or something of the sort. Truth is, even more people are going to tell you that your board will depend on your weight alone and rarely your height. This is who you need to listen to lol. Boards are designed based on weight, not really height. For you, a board ranging from a 152cm to a 154cm, possibly right in between will work for you. Go to your local snowboarding destination and rent a board for a day and see which one you feel most comfortable in because it’s also about personal preference, an awesome thing about this sport. Nothing is set in stone for you, whatever feels good to you is what you use, not what everyone’s going to tell you. And for your boot, I’d go to a store for those so you can try them on and know for sure which ones you want and what size fits perfectly. Find an associate there to help you out because a lot of your snowboard boots today have heat-molded liners. Which means the boot might feel snug at first but after you break it in it will really open up, at least a half size, sometimes slightly more. You can either break it in the old fashion way by shredding the mountains everyday, all day OR you can have the store selling the boots to you put them on a special heat machine which will form the linear to your likings, making them customized to the curves of your feet. The ultimate comfort. Bindings are simple though. You’ll most likely need a binding in size large. Large bindings are classified as boot sizes of 10 and up. Just as a suggestion, for your boots and bindings, I’d go Burton. They’re amazing. The bindings made by Burton are designed differently than other bindings. The highbacks (the support lip that’s against the entire back of your calf) are anchored more forward than other bindings, not only strengthening the highback overall, but also enabling it to be more flexable and responsive than others. It’s an awesome and innovative idea that put Burton a step ahead in bindings. But also, Burton has has made it so that their boots work best with their bindings and vis versa. So if I were you, I’d get Burton bindings and boots together. Go to www.Burton.com to check out their entire line. Some cheap sites for snowboard gear are the-house.com, actionvillage.com, porterstahoe.com, shredshop.com, and there are loads more. But your best bet is to visit your local snowboard shops. Even a lot of ski shops have junk for boarding if you don’t have snowboard shops near by. Nice thing about going to these places for your gear is that you can bargain with them on prices and most places sell their stuff from last year at 50% or more off. It’s awesome, the kind of deals you can get away with from these places on junk that’s just from last year. You’d be surprised on what kind of money you can save. Even if you want this years stuff, you can usually get 10% off the stuff just by asking or negotiating. Use it to your benefit dude, you’ll get outta there without tearin a hole in your wallet for it all. Good luck this year man, have fun.
What is the best website (cheapest prices) to get snowboarding gear ?
Posted by admin on Sep 17, 2009
I need to bindings, new boots, and new pants but everything is so expensive, i would like to get good gear but for cheaper prices
http://backcountryoutlet.com
http://moosejaw.com
http://dogfunk.com
http://www.sierrasnowboard.com/
http://the-house.com
http://www.boardparadise.com/snow/
http://www.spadout.com/c/snowboarding/
http://www.whiskeymilitia.com/ – timed sales, you could get lucky though.
Backcountry Snowboarding: GoPro Helmet POV Camera- The Sherwins – Mammoth, CA
Posted by admin on Sep 1, 2009
http://headtripcameras.com — Bluebird day after a 4′ storm. 2,000′ vertical descent- skier’s left of “The Hose” in the Sherwins Mountain Range in Mammoth Lakes, CA. I was strapped into my Burton Fish, wearing my GoPro HERO Helmet Camera- which i also sell & rent in town- check out http://headtripcameras.com
Duration : 0:3:39
