Breaking in CWB Faction Hinge Bindings

brew

What's the best thing to use to widen/loosen the part that snaps down around your ankle in the Hinge bindings? I love the bindings, but after I ride for a little while my feet start to go to sleep/cramp because of how tight they are on my heels. They fit perfectly the rest of the way through the foot, it's just somewhat tight on my ankle.

I've thought about using a beer bottle or something along those lines, but I don't know how to get it to stay tight in the back of the bindings.

I realize that riding will help break them in, but my riding time is fairly limited.

kmagnuss · Posted: Jul 08, 2007 7:12 pm Post subject:

Have you tried loosening up the cable?

brew · Posted: Jul 08, 2007 7:17 pm Post subject:

No, I read in the instructions where they recommended to not mess with the cable system. It doesn't feel like the back is clamping down too tight, it just feels like the part that locks down around your heel is a little too narrow. I can take my fingers and stretch it out some, which is why I figured there has to be a way to break it in or mold it.

kmagnuss · Posted: Jul 09, 2007 7:26 am Post subject:

Mine said that loosening the cable "usually" isn't necessary. Give it a try, you might like it. I had to tighten mine up some.

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

brew, hot water - use the bathtub not the spa!

GuitsBoy · Posted: Jul 09, 2007 11:22 am Post subject:

I thought the whole articulated toe was so you didnt have to go hot-tubbin with the bindings on... Mine fit perfect from the very first set.

SeaLyon · Posted: Jul 09, 2007 3:24 pm Post subject:

Just don't lossen them to much, make sure you still have enough still in so they don't strip the threads out.
I love the Factions but they did my feet the same to.

Justin 25 · Addict Joined: 29 Aug 2006 Posts: 797

My Factions fit fine, but i think i'd agree with everyone else and say you need to loosen the cable.

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

GuitsBoy, the articulated toe is a OSFA deal, but there is still an outer overlay to deal with along with other rubber parts.

Most folks fit perfect first time. Others, with odd shaped feet, need a little break in before things settle in.

LakeIolaLuke · Posted: Jul 09, 2007 6:07 pm Post subject:

I have the same problem with cwb's...the cup for the hinge is just too narrow. The articulated toe is nice though, no crushing spots like many other bindings tend to have. It's just that plastic really digs into my heel, and it's not like it's gonna get any softer the more you ride them

scott a · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 9810

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

scott a, depends. If the hard plastic is the problem, then yeah it's not gonna change. But if the heel pads in there are the issue, then they should break in a bit - and the tubbin method usually works to speed the process up a bit.

scott a · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 9810

It sounds like the heel cup is too narrow, no?

It's a problem that just can't be fixed. It's the way the binding fits, and like all bindings it's just not for everyone.

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

scott a, from his description it's hard to tell what exactly he means. If he feels he is hitting the hard plastic then there is nothing he can do. If he just feels "tight" in the binder then there is a good chance helping things break in by hot tubbin might give him the space he needs.

So, I guess I am saying I don't know what he means. Confused

brew · Posted: Jul 10, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject:

It just fits tight across my ankle/heel area when it is cranked down. I have wiggle room in the front/middle part of the bindings, so I don't think it is a sizing issue. I also have normal shaped feet.

The plastic part of the bindings are not cutting into my feet. It just seems like the foam part in the heel area is clamping down to tight. I'll try the hot water and see how that goes. I would like to avoid messing with the wire settings.

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

I never saw anything saying they advised not to adjust the cable, just directions on how to. Matter of fact if you call CWB they will most likely tell you to try adjusting it. When they set it at the factory they can't set it specific to everybody's feet. After a few sets with a new pair a lot of people will probably want to adjust them.

Does it hurt across the front of your ankle also? is it hard to flip the hinge with your foot in?

make sure you are getting your heel pushed as far forward as it will go before flipping the hinge. If you are doing that already and hot water doesn't work, then your only other option is adjusting the cable.

I wouldn't expect the hot water to work much though. I would guess that it is either cable or it is just a bad fit for your foot.

brew · Posted: Jul 10, 2007 7:12 pm Post subject: