Suggestions for which bindings to buy

Partyb · Posted: Feb 14, 2003 9:15 am Post subject: Suggestions for which bindings to buy

I am asking for your comments regarding what wakeboard bindings I should buy. I was going to buy some LF ultras. But with the LF co.'s problems I am reluctant. I am looking for something simple, I do need all the "bells & whistles." I guess I am an intermediate rider, I can do inverts and am taking tricks out into the flats so I want some cushion when I land. What do you think? I know it has a lot to do with personal preference already.

skobi1 · Addict Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 639 City: eugene, or

If you go HL make sure to get the pro footpad, as far as simple goes I think I'd go for the byerly, Its' simple and has all the bells and whistles(did you mean simple and I do NOT need all the bells and.....?)

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

I like my Parks a lot. Belmonts are also pretty good, but I like the parks better. My friend who used to have the byerly's didn't like the forward lean, but I heard they got rid of that in 03.

Nick
________
Zx14 Vs Hayabusa

Partyb · Posted: Feb 14, 2003 9:51 am Post subject:

Yea, sorry, I meant that I do NOT need all the bells. Just something simple, like ultras. I think the byerly's sound a little stiff, is that true?

Mariognarly · Addict Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 853

I am going to be buying some Ultras this year regardless of the LF thing. They will be back up in one way or another, and IMO, LF makes the best bindings out there. I hate all the lace up bindings and all that sort. If I wanted laces id bolt my bball shoes to my board. Laces arent going to hold my foot down, especially in water...laces stretch when they get wet. Id go with the ultras, they are simple and supportive. They are at a great price and IMO you cant get a better binding. Its also super light.

Partyb · Posted: Feb 14, 2003 10:36 am Post subject:

Those are some excellent points mario

seven20 · Posted: Feb 14, 2003 11:13 am Post subject:

I love my EXO's. I have the 2003's, and don't regret buying them even with the closing of LF. They will be back. If you want something simple, I would go with the ultras, I would recommend them over any of the hyperlites i have looked at/friends ride.

Grouch · Posted: Feb 14, 2003 11:19 am Post subject:

Check out the Hyperlite HighBacks. They dont have any bells or whistles, just a fog horn.

quigglymaster · Posted: Feb 14, 2003 3:53 pm Post subject:

the high backs r fricking beasts. they're so heavy. it's crazy!

Magellan · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 255 City: AZ

CWB Grips. Almost the whole team uses them due to the "low maintenance" thing you're speaking of.
$199

Loose_Cannon · Outlaw Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 104 City: Florida

i was just going to say that magellan hah

Mariognarly · Addict Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 853

I tried on a pair of 03 ultras and they were the lightest binding ive ever tried on. Ive used 03 Obrien System, 02 Exos, 01 Ultras and now 03 Ultras. I would go with the 03 Ultras because they offer good heel support with the ability to break loose a bit in the binding for tweaking out grabs and such. They are also very simple, super easy to get into I found (along with some lube, newt juiced it up and I was in with one strong pull, same on the way out, didnt have to use newt juice), and the overlays are made stronger this year because they had problems last year with them ripping. The footbed has arch support which help keep your knees straight when you land so you dont push your knees together and knock em'. They also used new material in the 03 Ultras, its softer and smoother than the older models, really squishy and my foot was in total comfort zone when I put them on.

But really it comes down to your riding style. If you want a ton of ankle support that goes higher up your calf, go with the Exos, however you loose the ability to break out of the binding to tweak grabs, its a solid hold.

If you want to be able to tweak out grabs, with still solid ankle support, comfortable footbed and insides, and very light too mind you, go with the Ultras.

If you can, get a shop that will allow you to trade bindings in that you buy there for others after you've ridden them 2 or 3 times. But it comes down to your style of riding. And about the whole LF and Obrien thing, they are HUGE companies, complete innovators in the sport. Names like that just dont fall off the table, LF and Obrien will be bought by someone and their warranty and all that will be back into full swing. They are just simply too big to go down....kinda like when you plug the toilet...but thats a whole different story. Shocked

I vote for the Ultras Smile

RUSSIAN · Posted: Feb 15, 2003 1:11 am Post subject:

the byerly's are stiff. I've had mine for two years and have no problems with the laces, they don't stretch and hold my foot down just like anything else

joram · Posted: Feb 15, 2003 6:47 am Post subject:

ive been riding with ultras forever and im never going back!

slaydit · Posted: Feb 15, 2003 8:50 pm Post subject:

get the belmonts or byerlys...dope shoes.

-jey

orzech · Posted: Feb 15, 2003 10:17 pm Post subject:

Belmonts... do not even need lube to get in... and hard crashes my feet will not release

Mariognarly · Addict Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 853

Wouldn't you want your bindings to release on a hard crash?

slaydit · Posted: Feb 15, 2003 11:03 pm Post subject:

ok...well super duper hard crashes yeah, but not like the time to time face smacker...or the time to time ball slapper.

-jey

laser145 · Posted: Feb 16, 2003 12:24 am Post subject:

No you don't want them to release, if only one releases then you run a big risk of breaking the other ankle. Better if they both stay on

anarchy99 · Addict Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 616 City: tacoma

i have to hand it to the parks if you go with the h/l. they kick it in my book. i love them. i was planning on going for the belmonts because i tryed them like 3 times then i went to buy them and tryed the parks and it shut them out. go for those our try the 3060 2003 they look sweet and really easy like last years highbacks.

Chukee_R · Posted: Feb 18, 2003 10:19 pm Post subject:

The parks they feel like you're walkin in jello Smile

nik nik · Newbie Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 5 City: australia

Go this years Byerly. Good boot, good sole and nice lace up! can't beat it! SLICKS the word!

Partyb · Posted: Feb 19, 2003 6:54 am Post subject:

I finally bought the Parks yesterday. Hyperlite footbed seems better then LF and my local shop had 02 Parks for 40% percent off.