I have the Nidecker Flow NX-2's but want to try something else. I'm looking at Flux CV's which have a higher heelcup, as well as some of the Now/Yes bindings that have the Skate-tech technology which I heard is pretty good.
I'm not super obsessed with the stiffest highback, but I am curious if anyone has had the above bindings and how bulky the heelcup area is.
Thanks!
Hey @skoonk, I've ridden both of these bindings.
The Flux CV has more clearance but it's quite a soft binding and so I preferred the XV. Though I found the XV uncomfortable and suffered some lower leg pain. Asking around I figured out that I wasn't the only one and I don't ride Flux anymore (lemme know if you want to buy two used sets of XV in Large with custom canting in the footbed for a goofy rider, I won't use these again...)
The Now Skatetech is interesting... I had two sets of the O-Drive, sold one to @tenguspengus. (I always buy my bindings in sets of two for precision board testing.) The O-Drive feels very stiff when you strap in but super loose once you start carving hard. I didn't like that feel, and my tracks were kind of wavy like a serrated edge because I didn't have the direct control over my board with the loose interface. Very comfortable, but not high performance for carving in my experience. Carvers generate so much more edge pressure than skidders so our needs are different. The O-Drive is the binding I would use when the pain from the XVs got to be too much and I needed some relief (this is before I discovered the advantages of rear entry bindings). Now I only use them for powder riding, I wouldn't dream of trying to carve with a heelcup.
Also, in reference to Skatetech, my opinion is that it's better suited to low angle duck stances. The pivot axis is across the foot so it pivots in the toe-heel direction. This is not ideal for steeper posi-posi stances. For example, the Bomber Trench Digger Sidewinder has a pivot axis that runs the length of the foot so it pivots side to side, which is suitable for the very steep stances that hard booters ride (like 60/55). A soft boot posi-posi stance is kind of in the middle of these two and neither of these pivot axes is ideal, though I think the side-to-side movement of the Bombers is still more suitable.
In sum, each of the bindings you asked about will add about 15mm to the total length of your boot+binding. If you're carving, it's just not worth the drag in my opinion. Flow does not make a perfect binding, but reduced profile trumps any other advantages of a standard heelcup binding when carving, in my opinion.
I'm just slaying...
The regular Flux CV has a softer, somewhat surfy, base. The CV-LTD (MF-03) is the same mould, but it has the carbon like the XV. I like the LTD a lot. I generally ride them on my Korua Trenchdigger and my Stranda Shorty.
I did ride them on the JJA-C4 and they worked really well with the Ride Insano. Unfortunately the Insano is just too hard on my old feet. With the softer Vans Verse I didn't think they had enough toe-side drive for the 292WW (and my mondo 260 boots). So I'm now riding the C4 with Rome Cleaver with Bataleon Infinity Straps mounted in the highest position. Clearance isn't as good, but I don't really need it with this board.
I've got the Jones Mercury on my Freecarver 6000. That whole setup is great for icy/chunder carving, but I don't really like them. I might swap my regular CV back onto the 6000, which felt better, but isn't nearly as cushy.
Big White, BC, Canada
BTW, I rode the old Flux TM for a while (mainly for freeriding). I think they were the same base as the XV with just a softer highback. I’ve ridden James XV’s as well. They both have a fat footprint with a lot of lateral drive, which becomes more important at steeper binding angles. But as James points out, they’re not always as comfy without that lateral flex. I felt like they were actually way too locked in (laterally) with the Ride Insano (and even tore a tendon once). Flux have since revised the XV chassis with corner bushings for a bit more play. I haven’t tried them, but for carving I’d certainly go CV LTD. That said, lots of carvers love those old XV’s and you can’t get them anymore, so a good used set might be worth a try. Beware that there’s no foam underfoot, so it’s all response and no cushion. I would not recommend any Flux if you ride a lot of icy hardpack. If you’re on hero snow though, the response and feel is really great.
Big White, BC, Canada
For the Skatetech, I really feel like the flex in the wrong direction. I do shift my weight laterally (nose to tail) and I appear to be bending the Mercury. I kinda expect them to just break at some point.
Big White, BC, Canada
(lemme know if you want to buy two used sets of XV in Large with custom canting in the footbed for a goofy rider, I won't use these again...)
Aren’t they medium? Mondo 25-27.5?
Big White, BC, Canada
Hello everyone! What about those Head RX two bindings?? @wild-cherry, I've seen them in your video on bindings and I heard you said that "all those bindings have the same stiffness"... except for the carbon Flows. Sooo I guess they're "all right" for soft boot carving?
What about those Head RX two bindings?
I think this is a great budget binding without a heelcup. Martina uses these, so far no issues. Softer than I prefer, but half the price of the NX2.
I'm just slaying...
I think this is a great budget binding without a heelcup. Martina uses these, so far no issues. Softer than I prefer, but half the price of the NX2.
Thanks, James! I think I'll go with them then to start my journey)
Hi All, I am planning on getting some Flow NX2 bindings to go with my soon to arrive C4 snowboard. I was looking at the NX2 specs and the regular NX2 fuse binding and the NX2 carbon share the same base plate. The highback on the carbon model is nylon with maybe 30% carbon. So... I'm wondering if it is really that much different. Did anyone get a chance to ride both models and did you notice a big difference in stiffness or not? They also claim the straps are different. Again... did you notice a difference in stiffness or comfort with the straps. Thanks!
Hi @flyguy. Yeah, I walking by this C4 and wondering when you would be ready for it...
So the Flow bindings can be a little confusing, let me take a crack at it.
Pretty sure the Fuse is a different binding than the NX2. It's softer. A decent choice for a lightweight man such as yourself.
The NX2 has two variables: carbon or standard, and hybrid or fusion. I have ridden all of these. I didn't find the carbon highback much stiffer and the standard is fine in my opinion. The straps are crucial though because the Hybrid straps are a toe cap and add significant length to the system. Buy the Fusion strap version, these go over the toe and make the binding shorter length.
So, I recommend NX2 Fusion non-carbon for most riders. Carbon is only recommended for rich people who want the best of everything and heavy and/or highly skilled riders who might benefit from a hair of extra stiffness.
Flow Fuse binding for lighter riders and/or smaller budgets.
I'm just slaying...
thanks for the input, that's exactly what I needed to confirm. As for the board, I will write back on your email. Cheers!
Has anyone that had Ride Insano have any issues with the small thing on the tongue that the boa goes through? Does it cause a pressure point especially in combination with bindings that have the straps coming over the boot (such as Flow NX2)?
Has anyone that had Ride Insano have any issues with the small thing on the tongue that the boa goes through? Does it cause a pressure point especially in combination with bindings that have the straps coming over the boot (such as Flow NX2)?
No issues in combination with NX2s. I never noticed that piece before. I have broken the boa cable a few times though from resting the board's edge on my back foot on the chair.
I'm just slaying...
