Step-in Bombers, Intecs, etc.

[CrazyBoy-1]

Has anyone used the Intec heel/step-in binding setup with skiboards? I was thinking of getting the heels and converting one set of bindings for next season, but I want to see if anyone else has tried it. I'm mainly wondering if any stiffness is lost.

[Mark]

somewhere on here theres a link to a big lawsuit about how some one's heeltec heel popped out or something, just something to think about.

[CrazyBoy-1]

Yeah, I saw that. That's the other reason why I wanted to see if anyone else had experience with the setup.

[Bill]

Originally posted by CrazyBoy-1
Yeah, I saw that. That's the other reason why I wanted to see if anyone else had experience with the setup.

Hey, CB. I experimented earlier this year with a similar setup, only instead of the intec system where the pin part of the fastener is on the boot and the socket is on the binding, this is the FAST (Snowpro) system which is reversed. http://www.upzboots.com/bindings.html I went this way partially to avoid stringing a cable through my boot.

http://sbol.ws/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5027

I rode this setup quite a bit and had my doubts going in but found it to be rock-solid, every bit as solid as regular nonrelease bombers. I had zero issues with prerelease. The step-in aspect of it was really convenient and easy. I would be using it more but these boots (UPZ) aren't as comfortable for me as my Rossi soft-lights. The same heel pieces could be fit to the Deeluxe boots that Greco sells, I'm tempted to try a pair to see if they're more comfortable.

Bill

[CrazyBoy-1]

Thanks for the input, Bill. I had seen that post before, but I completely forgot about it over time. I'm glad to see that the setup worked for you.

I've done some more research on step-ins, and I found that there are several designs out there. I've also seen plenty of opinions about stiffness that agree with what you mentioned. I was worried that the opposite would be true, and stiffness would be lost. The fact that they all seem to be stiffer makes me even more interested in the step-in option.

The Track 225's are great boots, and I'm really glad that I invested in them. I'm not sure if the heels that you have would work with them or not.

[CrazyBoy-1]

Bill, I found out that the Intec heels work with UPZ boots. Concordantly, the F.A.S.T heels should work with the Deeluxe boots. However, I also found that the Thermoflex liners will fit the UPZ boots, so that would be another option comfort-wise. I got all that off of the Carver's Almanac site, which also has a great section on all the different step-in options.

[Bill]

Originally posted by CrazyBoy-1
Bill, I found out that the Intec heels work with UPZ boots. Concordantly, the F.A.S.T heels should work with the Deeluxe boots. However, I also found that the Thermoflex liners will fit the UPZ boots, so that would be another option comfort-wise. I got all that off of the Carver's Almanac site, which also has a great section on all the different step-in options.

Thanks, Tim, I thought I was being clever with the UPZ boots since they also have replaceable heel AND toe din modules making them useable with the Spruce risers as well. The UPZ's aren't UNcomfortable, they're just not AS comfortable (or as upright) as the Rossi's. I may well try replacement liners or Greco's Deeluxe boots if I'm still on fire to make this work next season.

Keep us informed on how your own step-in project is coming, I'm curious to see how it goes. It would be cool if there was a slick-working fixie-step-in system.

Bill

[Mark]

I was once looking into those UPZ boots, I emailed Bomber about buying some and they told me they refuse to stock them because of instances of the removable toe or heel ( i forget ) plates seperating completely from the boot. so just be careful guys. I used the raichle SB boots from a while and really liked them.

[CrazyBoy-1]

Yeah, I really like my Deeluxe boots.

My best friend who just decided to switch from snowboarding to skiboarding is pretty set on going the step-in route, and I'm pretty interested in it myself. I'm not sure we'll do much before the start of next season, but I'll be sure to post up some pictures and impressions once we get going with the project.