Do releasables cause less flex?

[Belle1708]

OK, I feel I need to start another thread, my last one got so much attention, I got a little off base talking about boots.

In my never ending quest of deciding between BWP's and KTP's I have another specific question. I will be getting either board with releasable bindings. I know the BWP has more flex than the KTP, but with the releasable bindings, does that even out the flex between the two boards? Seems to me that since the releasable binding covers more of the board with something rigid, that would negate some of the flex.

Am I right or am I off base here? I'm still trying real hard to convince myself that the KTP may be the way to go for me (I REALLY like the KTP graphics better), so I may be grasping at straws here. I'm still undecided, just trying to put as much as I can on my pro/con list between the two boards.

[illiterateabc]

From a purely logical, scientific standpoint, yes, releasable bindings create a bigger dead zone than non-releasable bindings. Bindings drilled directly into the boards are the worst culprit, while risers do a lot to allow the boards to flex more optimally.

The question is whether or not you can feel the difference on short boards. I have only used my release bindings on the 120s, and so I cannot compare. With non-release, BWPs are buttery. :)

[valmorel]

Actually, if you use the Riser system for releaseables, the dead zone due to the binding is just about exactly the same as with a fixed binding as the Riser is tapered upward away from the board at each end, and the centre part that sits on the board is the same size as a fixie.

[bri_guy]

LOL, Belle, I was just going to reply about the flex to the other post, but then I saw that you opened this one!

I have the Riser Pro Lites with Roxy bindings (releasables), and the way these things are designed is pure genius. Unlike typical rental skiboards, which are mounted in 2 spots (probably an 2x4-hole system which creates a dead zone about the length of your boot sole), the Risers use the standard single 4-hole system, which is the only dead zone in the middle of your board.

The Risers' profile actually look sort of like an upside-down trapezoid, with your boot mounted to the long side, and the board connection on the short bottom side.

Here is a photo of the back-half of my MaryJanes/Spruce Risers so you can see what I'm talking about:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangeprince/4359905883/" title="Bindings + Risers by brianwolk, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4359905883_8fb51fc0ec.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Bindings + Risers" /></a>

The only part that is actually bound to the board is the blackened area at the very bottom-right of the photo. The rest "rises" up and allows for pure flex!

Also (if you haven't already), see this post for more details about the 4-hole system versus the crappy 8-hole system:
http://www.skiboardsonline.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?s=&threadid=248

[nate]

A: buy the KTP's.

B: somewhat unrelated, but I ride spruce risers (a few years old) on Revolts and have noitced that the risers prevent the boards from flexxing to their potential. Specifically, if you try to flex back onto your tails the back end of the aluminium riser hits the board. Scuffs up the topsheet and stops it from flexxing back any more. Not an issue in carving, but does get in the way a bit of tail butters. This might have been fixed in the more recent risers, mine are more boxy and square than the picture above. And I've never heard anyone else complain of this, so maybe it's just me.

[Belle1708]

Thanks guys!

I forgot about the shape of the risers, still allowing for some flex. I thought that if I was getting crazy out there really testing the flex, I'd be scuffing up the top sheet a bit. Maybe that wouldn't be the case with the KTP's, since they don't flex as much?

I SO need to win the lotto, so I can just buy both sets of boards so I don't have to choose!

[bri_guy]

Thanks guys!

I forgot about the shape of the risers, still allowing for some flex. I thought that if I was getting crazy out there really testing the flex, I'd be scuffing up the top sheet a bit. Maybe that wouldn't be the case with the KTP's, since they don't flex as much?

I SO need to win the lotto, so I can just buy both sets of boards so I don't have to choose!

I suppose it's possible to scuff up the top sheets when pushing the limits, but it would also for sure depend on the board. Maybe there is some kind of foam stripping one could attach to the upwards edging of the Risers to help with this?

LOL quite honestly if I won the lotto, I think buying up every board model on SBOL would be my first priority too :)

[Courtney]

Isaac has the MJs and Roxys and he has torn those boards apart. He has hardcore top sheet damage right behind the risers. He shreds hard, not sure if the riser system has caused the damage.. but it doesn't look good.