Comments on: Setting up Flow bindings

by: Matt

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 04:00:34 +0000

Been riding 10 years or so on Burton Freeride bindings and went for some Flow Amp5 07′ this year on a super cheap eBay deal. Bought a pair for my wife too. We both really liked the bindings-ease of in and out and overall comfort was great-founds them responsive-had some heel lift-however I kinda’ like a bit of movement in my bindings anyway. Iwould really like it if they we lighter-but I didn’t want to ante up the dollars for the lighter high end version. Overall very happy with the bidnings-not sure how durable they’re gonna’ be-all plastic ratchets etc. I’d recommend them-particularly for the comfort factor. My wife LOVED not having to sit down off a lift-so she’s hooked on them. One hassle-and it’s so minor-to be irrelevant-is that they are a little harder to stack in the car etc as the bindings don’t fold flat like conventional-unless you want to undo one side of the boot strap/pocket thing-meaning you have to re-set it-as I said, not a big deal.

Matt

by: Josh

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:55:02 +0000

I’ve been using these pair of flow amp9i for a year now, & over all enjoy. The one major headache I have encountered is the top left retaining clip on my back foot will sometimes get stuck in a “forward” position, blowing that high back open. This happens if I am careless checking it off the lift binding in (it seems ice gets in) or if I land off a big jump, jarring it open. This is massively frustrating in the park. I even had both bindings do this once @ the same time last month @ whistler, ejecting me from the board after landing a jump! I would appreciate any thoughts/advice with this, because if I could fix this, I would completely endorse them.

by: Adam

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:00:57 +0000

Hey Jimmymck

I’m just back from a trip with a friend who has been using Flow’s for the last 3 years and this trip - through gritted teeth - stated he’ll be going back to straps when these Flow’s give out on him. I think it was teh combination of the powder issues and not being able to get them set up properly for the first 4 days or so that got to him.

Thanks for the comment by the way.

by: Jimmymck

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:50:03 +0000

I have been riding flows for 5 years and wouldn’t go back. On the plus side they are more comfortable and far easier to get into. If you are riding mostly groomers and snatching the in resort off piste action they’ll ensure you’re first away from the lift, gondola etc. Once you have the knack you can snap your back foot in when you are already moving quite easily and be away down the hill whilst your mates are still strapping in.

On the down side they are a bummer to get out of if you fall off in deep powder, difficult to set up and easy to overtighten. I have snapped the retaining pin on the high back twice and personally I don’t think these are beefy enough on the cheaper models. However both times I managed to get a free in resort repair and have had no problems with them since.

I think the vast majority of riders would find that the plusses outweigh the drawbacks. If you really are a backcountry hero then maybe they aren’t for you.

by: La_La

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:04:55 +0000

I’m an original ’subtle’ orange Flow bindings user from WAY back in the day (2001 I think!) I was persuaded against the matching ‘Banana Boots’ and went for just the bindings in the end ;) Loved them but always got heel lift (suspect my massive Vans Boots had something to do with it!) Definitely nice and easy, first off at the top of the slope every time! (I needed a head start) Indeed tricky in backcountry powder but I had more enthusiasm than skill, so shouldn’t have probably been there in the first place;)

Anyway, had to take some time off boarding with a totally spazzed tendon, so when I finally dragged my board bag down off the top of the wardrobe to dust off my completely rusty skills in Italy I didn’t realise til I got there that one of the toe straps had gone walkabout! (You try to explain to nice Italian people in the middle of nowhere what a Flow binding is!) Had to hire some good old fashioned step ins (didn’t like it - my ankle’s not up to it anymore!)

Anyway - need to get hold of new strap - any Flow users know best place to get some in the UK? (maybe a complete spare set is a good idea!) Any advice appreciated.

by: Adam

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:21:05 +0000

check your email, cheers

by: Bazx6r

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:17:34 +0000

yes mate loads, how do i get them to you?

by: Adam

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 23:26:27 +0000

Sounds cool. Easy to forget that there are ski hills in England! You didn’t happen to take any photos? Would be cool to post up a mini-trip report here.

by: Bazx6r

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:49:37 +0000

Dude, we went up to Yad Moss on saturday, 2 hour drive to get there but it was worth it, the lift wasn’t running but we wont let a little thing like the spoil the fun and i had to carry my heavy bindings all the way up the hill ha ha, not many people there but all snow boarders very cool

by: Adam

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:33:56 +0000

Well said Bazx6r. Something tells me the debate will rage on however.

And watch out for snow tomorrow! Though doubt there will be enough to go sliding on.

by: Bazx6r

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:29:02 +0000

In the uk, we don’t get much snow so we have to go to the in-door venues where you pay by the hour, with the flow binding you get a lot more goes down the slope in your hour, while other guys with regular bindings are sat on their ass clicking away you are half way down already, too many people moan about pointless stuff, just enjoy your selves

by: Adam

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:39:20 +0000

>>because your foot enters through the back?

Yes, mainly that. It can be difficult pulling the back ratchet down to get your boot out when you’re buried in snow!

But I wouldn’t let that put you off, unless you’re planning on spending loads of time in the backcountry. I’m not using Flow’s at the moment, but would consider them again at some point. If you can try a set, I’d recommend that.

They can be super comfortable, with no strap pain when set up properly, but they also can weigh a ton, unless you go for top of the range.

by: Per

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:34:09 +0000

Because of this difficulty would this deter you in recommending Flow bindings?

by: Per

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:33:17 +0000

And this is just because your foot enters through the back and needs to be kicked in…Correct?

by: Adam

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:13:26 +0000

Yes, I’ve definitely had issues with Flow bindings in deep powder.

by: Per

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:08:34 +0000

I have a question…I have heard that people sometimes have difficulty getting back into the binding while riding backcountry in deep pow. True?

by: “I hate Flow bindings” » Hitting Kickers

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:12:07 +0000

[...] “I hate Flow bindings” - what about those that love Flow bindings? “how to get fit for snowboarding” - I should probably have a read of that. Only 3 and a bit weeks til Cervinia. “kickers horse” - eh? “ski socks vs snowboard socks” - one that’s bitten me in the arse before. Get proper snowboard socks! “Transformer snowboards” - sounds cool. Related posts: [...]