Small complaint about bindings

[skategoat]

Does anyone else have a problem with getting the binding length on TDs and Cateks "just right"?

The problem stems from the finite nature of the length adjustment. Yes, there are lots of different holes that give you options for length but sometimes, the right length for my boot falls between two holes.

Right now, because I replaced the heel pads on my boots, I'm faced with either a too tight or a too loose binding. Of course, I opt for the too tight setting when riding but I can actually feel the sole of the boot compressing at this setting.

On my old Oxygens, I have two screws that I turn to get the right size. Is there anything wrong/weak about this type of design?

Feature request for TD3s - a micro-adjustment that gives me infinite settings (to a point) for sole length.

[Mike T]

... there is microadjustment, the bails are threaded. See Jack's article (http://www.bomberonline.com//articles/setup.cfm), last paragraph on step 4.

This turns out be be enough adjustment for me; hopefully it will for you as well. No such equivalent on the Cateks.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Intec bindings are a lot less sensitive to sole length adjustments than toe-clip bindings. One of the (many IMNSHO) advantages. If your boot soles shrink a little bit on a cold day, no biggie.

[skategoat]

Mike:

I forgot about the bail threads. However, I still would like something that can be adjusted on the hill, with a screwdriver. This helps compensate for changes due temperature.

Henry

[mirror70]

If the bails are loose after your boots get cold, then they were too loose to begin with. This isn't something you fiddle with, it is something you set once and then leave that way until you loan the bindings out to someone with a different sized boot.

[D-Sub]

yeah..do boots really shrink that much?

Skategoat...dude...its TWO BOLTS and a few turns here and there. Ive done it "on hill" just fine.

there are a couple nitpicky things about bombers, like, if you have the heel or toe blocks in too far they can cover the bolts attaching the top plate to the cant/lift disk. that can be a bummer.

[skategoat]

mirror:

You're assuming the boots and bindings never change or age.

Two things happen for sure:

1) Toe and heel pads on the boots wear and compress.

2) On the toe clip, the hole that the bail pass through changes shape and loosens.

A third thing probably happens but I can't confirm:

3) The bails stretch.

All three of the items require adjustment of the sole length. Fiddling is, unfortunately, required because sometimes you think you've got it just right on the workbench then you go out and ride and by the afternoon, the bindings are loose. Field adjustment is required.

Henry

[skategoat]

D-Sub:

Notice how I said "Small complaint"?

Henry

[D-Sub]

yup, small complaint.

personally though... a screwdriver isnt an option. I like the one wrench adjustability, dont you?

maybe tho...in future revisions, something could be incorporated to fine tune bail fit without disassembly!

[Jon Dahl]

any additional moving parts just means one more thing that could break or loosen up. I think that should be weighed against the ease of on hill adjustment.

[Erik J]

I carry my allen wrench in my pocket. Also you only have to loosen one of the shoulder bolts on the bails to tighten them using the microadjust. Unscrew the side without the spring and twist it aound once or twice by hand (BOTH sides of the bail equally). You're only taking one bolt off - I've done this in less than two minutes at the top of the mountain.

As for the boots shrinking, I've actually felt the plastic squeezing my feet like a vice on a -10 deg. morning. Ouch

[tilledog]

5 mil wrench.

3 more words.... suck it up.

22 more words... Don't you enjoy fiddlin' with your gear? Take a break... Have a smoke... adjust your bindings... rest your legs... enjoy the mountain...

Davo

[D-Sub]

Originally posted by Erik J
I carry my allen wrench in my pocket. Also you only have to loosen one of the shoulder bolts on the bails to tighten them using the microadjust. Unscrew the side without the spring and twist it aound once or twice by hand (BOTH sides of the bail equally). You're only taking one bolt off - I've done this in less than two minutes at the top of the mountain.

As for the boots shrinking, I've actually felt the plastic squeezing my feet like a vice on a -10 deg. morning. Ouch

heh. didnt even think about that. just undo one side and twist the whole bail, then adjust the open side accordingly. funny

[wavechaser]

...watch that allen wrench in the pocket thing...I fell on mine once and it stabbed me! Now I put it in a homemade neoprene pouch with padding.

[bobdea]

and lets say you cant find your 5 mm wrench
duct tape on the contact points of your bindings will add some volume
I have done it and it does work
I am sure that is not recomended but it has worked for me.