what do you guys think of the new hinge bindings?

icanollie121 · Criminal Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 53

YOu heard me guys! what is your opinion on CWB's new hinge bindings?

icanollie121 · Criminal Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 53

i happen to have to new vapor hinges

icanollie121 · Criminal Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 53

here's the link

http://cwbwakeboards.com/2007/index.php?mod=bindings_detail&id_prd=34&id_hed=5[/url]

Elysia · Outlaw Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 105

new? im going to say this again...
"CWB bindings are in there dark ages"

Blindside_137 · Posted: Apr 17, 2007 3:36 pm Post subject:

The edit feature is your friend Wink

And I think the hinge is alright

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Elysia, please provide your reasoning behind that comment.

-rsklhm- · Posted: Apr 17, 2007 6:57 pm Post subject:

I'm not gonna say there in the dark ages, but to be honest I dont really care for em... but thats just personal opinion.

wakeG · Outlaw Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 241

I like them, they were way more comfortable than my last bindings. easy to put on and get out of, good heel hold down, the only real problem I had (which wasn't even that bad of a problem compared to my last bindings) was that sometimes the thing that clinches the laces tight, I have no clue what the real name for it is. doesn’t stay closed too easily sometimes I had to really push on it to get it to stay, compared to the clinchy thing on my old pair of bindings, but even that wasn't that big of an issue just took some getting used to.

AndyAndy · Addict Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 660 City: cutchogue

i will gladly explain why cwb bindings are in "the dark ages". and i personally feel as though the dark ages woudl be giving cwb more credit than they deserve. and before you rip me apart for talking up other companies gear, i recommend you bite your tongue, becuase up until a month ago I was riding cwb hinges and have no affiliations or obligations towards any board companies.

this may stir up some feelings, but cwb bindings suck.

Take a look at a set of hinge tech bindings. If you ignore the hinge, they look like any other binding. Ruber overlays with laces to tighten them. This technology has been around for ages. Literally, CWB bindings use the exact same materials, design, and technology that most bindings have for the last 10 years. But the problem is that this technology is outdated, and its use is declining steadily. Look at the high end bindings made by other companies, namely hyperlite, liquid force, and especially ronix. Noone uses that shitty rubber anymore. The new bindings being put out by other companies are just incomparable to the cwb stuff. Going from my CWB zeus's to the 3DS, Watson closed toe and ultimately the ronix cell was the best decision i have ever made with my gear. These new bindings are a breeze to get into, and feel better than anything i have ever ridden in. no heel lift, no movement, they feel like snowboard boots, and are designed after snowboard boots. they feel so much better, are so much more comfortable, and give you such better control of the board i cant even explain it. which is probably why this post is turning into such a rant. I guess what i am really trying to say is cwb is using dead technology that is going to get them nowhere while trying to shamelessly promote an innovation that is useless because of the technological advances that have been made in bindings in recent years. If you are going to get new bindings this year, go demo some closed to bindings. You may not liek them at first. the first closed to i rode was the liquid force shane and i hated it, but then i found other ones i liked and i would never go back.

Epic · Addict Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Posts: 765

Very well said jfl452. Nothing against CWB, I tried on the Zeus bindings and thought they were quite comfortable, but the whole "hinge" thing is overrated. It takes about 5 seconds to get my bindings on (Cells) and they are amazingly comfortable. I would never buy a set of bindings because they were "easier to get into." All bindings are pretty easy to get on and the newer ones don't even require lube so what's the advantage of the "hinge"?

lukewtwt · Outlaw Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 200 City: Memphis

nickl011 · Posted: Apr 18, 2007 6:48 am Post subject:

chavez, your avatars are awesome. Cool

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

lukewtwt, that is well put - although I do think Hinge has a place in the advanced bindings as I will explain below. And you are correct - the articulated toe is not rubber at all. It uses EVA (which is essentially a stretchy foam) wrapped in lycra and neoprene.

One other thing I would like to add. IMO - Certain snow (and hockey) technologies are a wildcard in the wake arena. One thing in particular that throws up a large red flag for me, is heat molding.

Heat molding is a concept that works by using expanding foam (expands when heated). This is great, but even the best heat molded boots pack out after time. One very large reason why it does take a while to pack them out, is the constant heat source that is the human body is attached to them for usually many hours on end. Now, that said, when you introduce a coolant to the mix (water), and use them in short bursts (15-30 mins), it is my opinion that the packing process is going to be greatly enhanced and these boots are going to lose that snowboard boot feel and become like yet another pair of worn out shoes in a much shorter amount of time. I am sure you can heat mold them again - most snow & hockey equipment can be remolded a handful of times with varying effect - but how many times will you do this before they just don't hold the shape any longer, and your $400 boots are now no better than your $200 keep them on the boat so anyone can use them boots? I do not have an answer for that question, and I suspect that nobody really does, yet.

This is a large reason why companies like Connelly have not gone down that road. There are potential problems with using certain technologies on the water. So, instead of trying to use materials commonly found in other sports, they are better using materials that have been around in watersport for quite some time. The "articulated toe" for example, completely eliminates this "need" for molded bindings. It assumes the shape of your foot, and creates even hold across it.

Luke does a great job of mentioning the Hinge use for beginners and those who just don't want to mess with it. I will go a step further and say that the Hinge allows folks who have had ankle or knee trauma in the past to enter and exit the boots with minimal effort and twisting. This is extremely important to someone who may not have full articulation of their ankle joint any longer, or someone who cannot contort their leg even a small amount to wrestle their foot to the bottom of a binding. I do realize that many of the modern boots do not require as much work to get in to, but for some, even a small amount of work is painful.

Anyhow, if you don't like the bindings for the way they fit, fine. But let's dispense with this "dark ages" garbage. Connelly simply has chosen to enhance their binders using new technologies within a more traditional wrapper.

Bottom line?

Competition is good for the consumer. Think about how many choices you have now compared to what you had just 5 years ago. Idea

lfpimp, there are plenty more like that one in the "MS Paint" thread in Non-Wake. Some really funny shiz!

devon · Posted: Apr 18, 2007 7:20 am Post subject:

chavez, wow i havnt read a novel in a while

i was trying the hinge binding and i really like them but Epic, is right, most bindings theses days are really easy to get you feet into so i would get one with such a price difference
_________________
Cooking Chef

GuitsBoy · Posted: Apr 18, 2007 9:16 am Post subject:

I pucked up my 2007 CWB Factions at the end of last year and got to ride them for a couple weeks before it got too cold. For my particular feet, these bindings are clearly far above and beyond the rest.

I have size 13 feet. Theyre long and thin. I find it almost impossible to get into any of my old bindings no matter how much boot lube I use. And once I get in them, I feel like im not locked in well at all.

With the factions, entry is fantastic. So easy. Would never ever need lube. Once in, you can cinch down the laces and I finally have that locked in feeling. Ive only popped out once catching a heel side edge. The Factions are downright comfy too.

The only tradeoff with the factions is the added weight. Its a bit noticeable, but seeing as im 6'1 / 215 the weight dosnt really bother me as much as it would bother some of teh little guys.

Ive owned 2003 hyperlite bindings, 2004 doubleup wraps, 2004 Obrien's, 2005 LF alphas, 2006 LF sphynx's, and finally the 2007 CWB Factions. Nothing else has the hold, and ease of entry as the CWBs.

matt1808 · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 1981

To me the easy entry wasn't even a factor when choosing the CWB hinge bindings. The deciding factor to me is the hold down, comfort, and response that you get from the hinge and articulated toe combined. I have tried the high end bindings from the other companies and they don't give you any more hold down or response and to me weren't as comfortable. The others have som comfortable boots, but for me the CWBs fit best and were the most comfortable.

As far as the materials we will see this year. If you look at last year I would much rather stick with CWBs tried and trusted materials, then the LFs or Hypes that wont last past a month or two. From what I have seen of the Ronix bindings they should be pretty durable, but I don't expect much of an improvement from hype or LF.

icanollie121 · Criminal Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 53

You guys have alot of points! But No matter how bad you put down CWB i love the comfortable fit and snuggness of the bindings!

Elysia · Outlaw Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 105

chavez, are you serious? can you tell me what they have done in the last...10 years on their bindings besides a hinge?

nickl011 · Posted: Apr 18, 2007 12:23 pm Post subject:

Elysia, new patent on bindings in the past ten years is an ocomplishment.

Are you serious?

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Elysia, Articulated toe (the single best thing to hit bindings since we ditched sandals, IMO) and the materials involved. Composite baseplates with Lockjaw (this is not just a sturdier "claw"). Recoil (not my favorite device, but still). Achilles pad/Heel lock.

They have done plenty.

I wouldn't expect a 16 year old to have a clue about what it really takes to build a binding or what has changed in wake in the past decade. Assuming of course, that your profile is correct and that you are in fact 16.

You continue to dodge my questions and I am pretty sure the sum total character count of all of your posts is probably less than this one post alone. So, I must ask, are you going to participate in this forum by discussing a topic, or are your going to continue to issue one line unfounded comments and claim yourself victorious when one of the adults here decides that you are not worth his/her time in formulating a response?

If your answer is yes, then I think it would be best if you just did not post here at all. You are not adding to the discussion.

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

newer does not mean better. Tell Greenwood he should ride watson's because ultras use old technology that is holding back his riding. Same goes for randall harris. Anyways I think I would quit wakeboarding if cwb started doing things like hyperlite and liquid force. New materials that dont hold up for more than a month is the way of the future. Rolling Eyes

chavez, can you explain the articulated toe to me. I've tried on the new boots, but i dont see how its that revolutionary. To me it doesnt seem much better than other lycra toe pieces on the market. and was CWB really the first co. to start using achilles pads? thats definitely an impressive innovation.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

pooser, well, Connelly was the first to use them about a decade ago or so in ski bindings.

If you were to take apart the bindings, and see the toe piece alone, what you would see is a molded, segmented, lycra encased, piece of neoprene and EVA. They call it "articulated" because it is molded and segmented to follow the curvature of your ankle. What that allows is a continuously uniform fit, without the possible pressure points caused by traditional overlays.

Basically - it creates a custom mold every time you (or anyone else) stick your foot in to it by simply stretching and holding without restriction. Also, it all but eliminates the break in period or the need to go hot tubbin with the boots. They just fit, from day 1.

matt1808 · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 1981

pooser,

http://www.wakepics.com/view_feature.php/07-CWB-FACTION-Boot-Features-Articulated-Toe_wakeboarding-photos.html?featid=361

http://www.wakepics.com/view_feature.php/CWB-Hinge-Technology_wakeboarding-photos.html?featid=339

First link explains the articulated toe and has a diagram
Second link lists some of CWBs binding innovations

icanollie121 · Criminal Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 53

Chavez! you really know your stuff with these bindings! Do you happen to have a pair?[/quote]

GuitsBoy · Posted: Apr 18, 2007 4:02 pm Post subject:

Elysia · Outlaw Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 105

chavez, yes i lied. i am 40 like you. and im not "dodging" anything...
this thread asked for an opinion and i gave it.
one question...are your like a cwb sales rep? Rolling Eyes

GuitsBoy · Posted: Apr 18, 2007 5:17 pm Post subject:

Mackr0s · Criminal Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 84 City: Plano, TX

Love my 07 Factions, They really grab your heel when you close the hinge. I did have a problem with the hinge popping open, but CWB sent me an insert that went between the two layers that make up the back of the binding and it has fixed the problem.

Also I have noticed on hard landings the footbed has noticeable give to it and absorbs some of the shock. I remeber the first hard landing I took,and the feeling of my feet digging into the footbed, thinking wow that was cool. Right after the landing the footbed went back to original form.

Elysia, seems to be trolling where ever he posts.

HHI Dave · Posted: Apr 19, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject:

My '06 Torqs have been a great binding. They are most certainly easy to get in and out of and are comfortable even once "locked in".

I see a set of CT Shanes in my future, but the Torqs have been great and will eventually become part of my loaner setup. Cool