NSW
149 posts
I am considering purchasing some bindings as I am starting to do tricks and would prefer the locked in feel to the feel of footstraps (I like the feel of bindings when I wakeboard). I am looking for some feedback:
1. I know there are kiteboard specific bindings made (e.g. the LF ones) but are these all that different to wakeboard bindings?
2. Would there be a problem with simply purchasing wakeboard bindings and whacking them on my board?
3. Are there any features / designs that I should go for when looking for bindings to kite with? For example, lace vs. suction fit (or whatever)
4. I would be looking to put them on my FLX 122. Would any bindings simply fit? I don’t really want to go drilling extra holes in my board (or bindings)
5. Is there anything to look out for when making the move to bindings from straps that may take me by surprise?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Justin
WA
124 posts
Hey J, good to see someone speaking up in support of the ladies by the way. The Aussie male can be a bit of a plank sometimes.
Binding are a great crack, but you want to be sure that you can get out of them quick smart, so the LF ones (or others similar) are probably your best bet. Getting into them one handed while you fly the kite will be another great advantage. Once in, you will love the solid feel, especially when loading up for jumps and even when landing. Problems come when you crash your kite and need some swimming ability, but apart from that, all good.
Not sure about the fixing ability to your FLX - again, a good reason to go kite specific, but you can just use wakeboard bindings, and find the right, and often, longer screws. Important thing in the end is comfort. Find the ones that fit you best and get those on your board as you are going to be taking a lot of pressure through the foot and you want them to be snug and hold you in all the right places.
Hope this helps - laters, Nat
QLD
39 posts
yo
go with lace ups. u dont want ones that u can get out ofreally easy other wise u gonna lose your board when u crash. and the lace ups have 10 times more ankle support. u will only have2 drill one hole at either end of your board and any binding will fit. even the kite specific ones dont fit on most boards if u want a good stance.
WA
272 posts
Cabrinha have bindings called 'Axis', they are pretty comfy and are lace up. They also have a ratchet strap, again some people prefer them & others remove it for fear of not coming out. You want both feet to come out at the same time otherwise you could damage your knee. I cant say i have had this problem yet(touch wood). Try before you buy I guess. There are a lot on the market.
ds
WA
1097 posts
i have seen how hard some are to get in and out of...
if you like i have a cheap set of lf posi suctions, these were the first kite specific bindings (which i have also used wakeboarding)
they are easy as to get into, are lace up and you can either leave them loose until you get used to them or tighten them up for that locked in feel. $70 if you wanna email me.
but if you are looking at buying a new set i would hav to say the lf unions are far superior to the rest. mainly cos they are so easy to get in and out of and are comfy. the diff between these and the wakeboard version is there is some support taken out of the heel to make it easier to get into.
just look in the mags, even other sponsored riders mainly all use unions.
SA
2288 posts
No KBM bull**** yet about claiming bindings are essential.
You only have to look at the best riders in the world doing way better tricks than anyone, Aaron Hadlow, Ruben Lenten and all the leading kiteboarders. ALL FOOTSTRAPS. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LOOK LIKE A WAKEBOARDER TO DO GOOOD TRICKS!!!
I use liquid force elstic heel straps too keep my feet in that being said, they work great when you crash you come off your board on any hard collsion( that would hurt if you were in bindings ) but never come off in the air. THey also dont make your board weigh lke a brick.
Theres nothing wrong with bindings but don't be fooled by the crap you read in the magazines.
"Bindings are becoming an essential part of the leading riders' quivers." Latest KBM pg.70
WA
196 posts
Spacemonkey,
i ride Unions,
and on my lightwind board (WLF) i use straps with heelbungees, but they hardly do a thing! how have they gotta be set up cos they seem to sit very low on my heel all the time...
Justin,
Its definatly worth the bit extra for Unions... or go on one of the wake forums and ask for a 2nd hand set of Ultras, make sure they are 05 ones and then do the modifycation to make them Unions!!!!
QLD
34 posts
I've used both Hyperlite Spins and Byerly's both work well - both are easy to get in and out of, but the Byerly's are my chioce - depends how much you want to spend.
If you ride hard bindings can be pretty unforgiving on board inserts so make sure your board is suited - I pulled inserts on a couple of my early boards. UG say they use integrated SS inserts so maybe they would be OK.
WA
718 posts
FREE FREE FREE and Good
Take bicycle inner tube, tape up each end and screw them under your footstraps.
Makes for a fre, strong heel strap. I came from wakeboarding too and felt the same way you did and these work just as well as bindings and help you transition to footstraps.
I broke heaps of paid for heelstraps beofre I came accross this answer in a magazine and absolutely swear by it....poo...see I just swore
WA
859 posts
I use both foot straps and bindings from bestkiteboarding. I use which ever ones if feel like on any given day, not to be cool like the pro's but for how I feel like riding. Ride what you want and ride it like you want...
On another note, I've also used both the suction style wake bindings and the quick release lace up wake bindings. I'd choose the lace up style any day. You can get into them on your own when you have to, even when flying the kite with the other hand...
regards browneee@bestkiteboarding
NSW
149 posts
Hey all - thanks so much for your responses! I am hearing that the Unions are the way to go, and I will probably end up heading down that track. I am thinking though that I may go for a cheap second hand pair to begin with to see if I like the feel of bindings while kiting - then I will go in for something like Unions.
I will also try that inner tube trick - sounds cool thanks wal.
Thanks again!
Cheers
Justin
VIC
36 posts
Does anyone have an idea how much the 06 Liquid Force bindings are going to retail for. They look great but also look like they might cost more than a board! Does anyone know any retaliers in Victoria that stock the Unions as haven't really seen any around.
Cheers
