OS2s

[Jim Callen]

Well, I got a chance to test my new OS2s yesterday at loveland, and I must say, they are quite an improvement over the original Olympics, if you can believe it. I couldn't at first.

The biggest new feature on these bindings is the powerplate. I noticed immediately the added feel and control I had over the board. It responded to my every little imput more so that the original Olympics, both on groomed trails and in the powder. But even though it was more responsive, it was more damp as well. I was able to navigate uneven terrain more easily and it wouldn't mess with me as much. That probably has to do with the elastomer under the powerplates, as well as these little elastomer o-rings that went under and above the circular nut for the kingpin. I tried runs with the rings in and out, and I could totally feel a difference.

Adjustment is even easier on this series. Because the top part of the bindings now rests on the power plate, I no longer have to deal with tightening the cant/lift screws every time I move the bindings. I just tightened the kingpin and went the whole day. I periodically checked them to see how they were doing, and no loosening at all.

The improvements made to the bindings are seriously awesome, plus they're lighter. The footprint of the bindings is much smaller, by almost 2 inches! Plus, they sit lower on the bindings if you want, and for me that's a good thing.

All in all, I love these bindings.

[bobdea]

I concure
great bindings, also softer than the OS1
killer stuff get some

[Jim Callen]

Ralann- What?????

[BlueB]

Ralann- What?????

Something very strange is going on here... First Brian's post dissapearing, then Ralann?

I thought it is just absurde that giving good comments to Cateks would cause trouble, but...?
Isn't this supposed to be an open speach community about carving and other important things in life? :) Catecks included?
If there was no competition, what would push Fin to make even better model few years down the line?
C'mn guys, Catecks are good bindings, not better, but not any worse than Bombers. I would gladly ride both models.

Boris

[Jim Callen]

Brian posted? I missed that one apparently.

[Bullwings]

Also great news that some of us are already carving this season, it won't be long now for the West Coast :AR15firin

--Hugh :cool:


what areas of the west coast? things are not looking good for Socal right now. I'm still getting 90F (32C??) weather on some days during the hottest part of the day. all the local resorts are still reporting weather around high 40s low 50s during the middle of the day. I just checked the national weather service http://www.nws.noaa.gov/ and i wouldn't expect to see much precipitation until around mid december. Mammoth/tahoe areas will probably fair better.

back OT, the cateks look awesome. that being said, as a new comer to plate bindings, Catek's greatest strength also looks to be one of its weaknesses also (especially if you're new). the amount of adjustability on the OS2s just looks overwhelming and intimidating for a new switch over rider. cant and lift are relatively new things to me. i've seen cant on soft bindings (not the catek freerides), but it looked like an imprecise setup (they were just foam/rubber pads on the bindings with some slope/tilt on them).


I was deciding on the OS2s and the TD2s about 2 months ago, and I picked up the TD2s due to what looked like an easier setup (granted, you're stuck with the 0, 3, 6 degree plates that you chose, which could end up being more $$$ if you decide to pick up the extra 4 disks for a complete set for each foot). I figure once I figure out and have an idea of what's going on with how I want to set my TD2s, I'll pick up some OS2s for my second board. Plus, if I have both, i can make a fair comparison of which i like better. Or, I might find one to suit me better for a certain style of riding and vise versa with another style/terrain. research through the alpine community has pretty much given me the message that you can't go wrong with either binding (although there's probably a bit more here that lean toward teh TD2s, which is understandable since it is the bomber site).

[mr_roboteye]

I've got an all burton race plate fleet right now. I know that parts will become more difficult to find soon. I'll be shelling out either this year or next for a big binding upgrade. I've held off moving on a set of either because the setup that I ride is plenty stiff and I feared getting jarred around even worse than I am now. I like the observation about the elastomer rings in the cateks allowing the binding to absorb more irregularities than an all aluminum binding should be able to. I would never have bought the catek OS1's. As soon as I saw the aluminum baseplate that had steel screws resting on it I knew that it would be a pain in the ass to keep those screws tight since the aluminum will just flow out from under the stress of the steel screws. The bombers are beautifully designed and crafted, but if I was to buy some bindings tomorrow, it would be the catek OS2's. I like them because there is no guessing at what cant / lift discs is going to be the right one, and have infinite adjustability. Also, since I have smaller feet, I will fit the small plate, so I don't get hit with the weight penalty of a binding that is designed to fit a boot that's a lot bigger than mine. And lastly, the catek's have both 4x4 and "3 hole" on the same disc. "Nice" On the minus side, catek doesn't have second board kits and titanium bail / screw options.

No disrespect to Fin and the site, I applaud his efforts to keep hardbooting alive. In fact, I went to the opening day at the Vancouver snow show today and at a swap that is accessible to 2.5+ million people, how many alpine boards do you think were there? There were five, and three of them belonged on a garage wall. But if I wanted to Jib and bonk, dude it was heaven.

later,

Dave R.

[BlueB]

Dave,
You can try my TD2s with soft yellow elastomers, and you might be able to try OS1 / OS2 of other Cypress riders. Then you can decide for yourself...
If it wasn't for your fleet of Burton boards, Snowpros would offer similar feel to Race Plates, with benefit of sturdier bails.
Boris

[Jim Callen]

Dave- Catek has second board kits. All you need is another base plate and you can just swap the top part of the bindings between boards. Also, I loved my OS1's. If you can get a hold of a set for cheap, I would.

[trikerdad]

I split a pair of OS2's and a pair of TD2's. OS2's in the front and TD2's in the back because I like lots of toe lift, more than the six degrees max you get with the Bombers. Both are great bindings but, I would stick with TD2's, if they had more lift available, just because there are so many parts and pieces with the Olympics.

[crucible]

I started hardplating in Burton Carriers, and their relative fragility meant that I was careful with my technique from the beginning.

Then I moved into Burton race plates, then Blax and Snowpro race plates, then finally after one too many bails snapping, into my first set of catek OS-1's five years ago.

Now my quivver is split between OS-1's and OS-2's, with 4/6 of my spare baseplates being the OS-2's. I have two spare powerplates on my EDC boards to speed up the binding transitions, and the extra cost in getting the powerplates is about the only downside to Catek's new set-up.

Now I haven't had the pleasure of riding TD-2's, but am looking to pick up my first pair this year for comparison. I'm also looking to get a pair of bomber splitboard bindings for my splitboard.



George

[BlueB]

Now I haven't had the pleasure of riding TD-2's, but am looking to pick up my first pair this year for comparison.


You'll try my new ones, brother. The "cost" is myself trying that Ti Proton beast of yours :D

Boris

[mr_roboteye]

Dave- Catek has second board kits. All you need is another base plate and you can just swap the top part of the bindings between boards. Also, I loved my OS1's. If you can get a hold of a set for cheap, I would.

Thanks Jim, you've made an easy decision easier.



Dave,
You can try my TD2s with soft yellow elastomers, and you might be able to try OS1 / OS2 of other Cypress riders. Then you can decide for yourself...
If it wasn't for your fleet of Burton boards, Snowpros would offer similar feel to Race Plates, with benefit of sturdier bails.
Boris

I look forward to it, thanks Boris,

later,

Dave R.