New Burton bindings

[tambo]

ze Fishmunga needs a new board, and we were looking at the Custom or Custom X. But Burton have come up with a new binding system called the ESD or something similar.
As ze Munga just got brand new bindings in Japow, do you know if the baseplates are interchangeable between the 2 types of Burton bindings? graemlins/snowboard2.gif

The Wildman is looking at the Dom Grom... he'sbecome such a park rat. graemlins/boarder.gif

[kort]

I think you are referring to that "EST" setup....

From what I have seen on the Burton website, you can use non-EST bindings on an EST board - you just need to get the EST compatabible baseplates

[Tobi]

From what I understand the answer is no.

The EST boards do not have holes in them for normal bindings.

The EST bindings have a lower baseplate so that you are closer to the board, which in turn gives better response.

[snowman]

you can use none est bindings you just need the right base plate. but you can not use est bindings on a normal board

[tambo]

thanks guys... thats what we were expecting

[dopestyle]

any burton binding can go on an ICS board. all ICS boards come with a baseplate that will work with any burton binding.

the EST are bindings. EST will only go on an ICS board.

[kort]

One thing about the EST bindings - have been talking to a few stores over here in Breck and the general feedback from the people here is NOT positive.

Basically this seasons EST bindings dont have a solid baseplate so if you crank the bindings tight, the bindings flex causing you foot to bend in something of a "U" shape. This leads to some rather sore feet rather quickly....I was curious so I had a look at an EST binding and sure enough it was pretty flexy......

Apparently Burton are addressing this problem for next year...I spoke with 3 stores here and all 3 said people have come in complaining about how cra EST is.......made me stay away from them for at least this season thats for sure!

anyways thought the above might be something you would want to know - personally I tend to stay away from "new" technology/gimmicks for the first season - let the manufacturer iron out the issues first....

[dopestyle]

but the whole thing about the est bindings is the fact that its baseless. thats what they were trying to do... for better board feel, more natural board flex. est = extra sensory technology. no baseplate.

i have tried them myself and didnt notice any of the probs you mentioned.

[kort]

If its baseless then that fine, however if a high enough number of people are providing negative feedback then surely that would affect sales. The fact I spoke to 3 different stores and all 3 stores provided very similar feedback is saything something about the current product.

Sore feet is something I certainly want to avoid when I ride :)

[snowman]

I know a few crew that ride with them.. no complaints... i dont see how they could flex up in the middle as they are fixed secure either side....

[Paul Oberin]

Funny thing is when I saw the Burton version for the first time, I thought this kind of thing has been tried many years earlier and it was scraped mainly because of the excessive flex that occurred by only having a central mounting point, but I thought maybe Burton will have done the research required, but now I am thinking maybe not, the retaining instep straps are attached at a point closer to the rear of the binding, and with central mounting points, I can easily see how too much flex could happen.
I am another that likes to wait and see before jumping into so called new technology, and even more cautious when I see old technology that didn't work last time re invented.
Burton will improve it for future models or scrap it altogether, as they are a company that don't accept poorly functioning equipment for long.

As for any benefit in having your boot closer to the top sheet on a board, is an arguable point in my opinion, sure in theory it allows the board to flex better, but really how much did conventional bindings really restrict the flex of a board under your foot anyway, sounds a lot like sales fast talking to me, having a conventional binding that raises the boot a little allows for the rider to use a narrower board, that can also be argued to provide a real benefit.

[foxpuppet]

burton ran the est on the jeremy jones model last year, this year they have a bunch more decks with it and the 09 line has even more. seems to be getting more popular. i ride an uninc with the est tech and it was a super fun setup. much more board feel over my previous uninc which was the old 2X type. i'm not sure what it rides like with conventional bindings. one major advantage is the width you can achieve in stance and perfect angle choice. what ever angle you want you can have(except inline hardboot style) it's more of a surf feel and the ability to adjust so easy was great in j-pow. set way back for pow. slide up for groom/park
i loved it and think it really is a well thought out and great system to use.

[tambo]

ze Fischmunga was after a board with that design.... but he's ended up with a basic Custom.... not that he can complain about that!

[Fresheez]

Can't go wrong with the Custom. Great choice, I'm on my 3rd one this season.

[tambo]

and the Wildman has a Dom Grom which he has personalised the graphics on.
Gotta say, when we have 7 new boards in the house since mid December, perhaps we are a little snow obsessed? Not to mention 4 new sets of skis and one antique set! Now I know where the $$ have been going :D

[kort]

7 new boards?! wowies you ARE a real gearhead...and I thought our (me and +1) 6 boards was bad......might have to try and find 1 more board just to compete ;)

[Straight_Line]

^^^ no, stick to even numbers that way you can put one on each foot the way snow play was meant to be played :D

[tambo]

well... there are 6 of us.. so maybe you still outdo us, kort! :D

[snowchimo]

don't Burton's Unidisks have a configuration for est boards?

I am sure that you could orient the disk some how, but it would kind of defeat the purpose of an est system, as you are reverting back to fastening your bindings with the disk, as opposed to the screws on either side,

Also, if you did happen to connect the unidisk through 2 screws, it would make for a pretty flimsy connection as well..
I dont think it would be recommended.

that is just my thoughts..