Re: BINDINGS
Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2022 11:16 am
I've written something like this on the prior EL but i think it may be beneficial in these discussions. But if we break down the goal of a binding it's really to transfer the energy from the rider to the board for manipulation and control. We can look at the design of a binding as in a sense a lever connecting the rider and board. Different bindings modify multiple elements of this lever to change this energy transference for comfort and control; such as higher or lower highbacks, stiffness (more or less glass), strap materials, position, ect. etc.
What NOW does different is due to the hinge they're able to increase the leverage force towards the edge of the board (where you want it). Think of it like a teeter totter where the greatest pressure is under the far out end where it contacts the ground. Don't put your toe under that point bc it's going to feel the full force of that energy coming down. Obviously NOWs aren't as dramatic in terms of the pivot point as a teeter totter, but that's still what they do on a smaller scale. The NOWs increase in leverage also means that in some degree the rider needs to put in less energy to get the same result. Compared to other bindings where contact is spread across the width of the board evenly if you want more energy to your toe edge you have to use your foot to get it there.
Additionally, traditional binding mounts have full contact of the binding base to the board which means every vibration in the board feeds back into the binding and then back to the foot and leg of the rider. A few bindings have put a rubber pad under the binding base to try and dampen those micro vibrations, but most bindings are just a hard surface mount. To draw a parallel, anyone that rides a motorcycle knows the grip fatigue of holding onto the hand grips, and that gloves are recommended because they alleviate some of that fatigue by cutting down on the direct vibration into the riders hands. Think about the energy of ripping down a groomer and all that board chatter and vibrations feeding back into the rider.
But because of the hinge the NOW binding has a bit of 'float' that takes up some of that vibration, and also the rubber contact pads dampen it also. This leads to less foot and leg fatigue in the rider.
What we're talking about is imo on the margin NOW does a better job of improving what the rider wants while also decreasing what the rider doesn't. Again, it's on the margin. This is probably like shaving grams off your bike. It's not going to revolutionize anyone riding. But to a certain level rider it's noticeable and well worth it.
For the record I typically ride the softer sets of NOW pads on my heelside and a medium on the toe side. I always like to add that the terrain likely factors into that.
What NOW does different is due to the hinge they're able to increase the leverage force towards the edge of the board (where you want it). Think of it like a teeter totter where the greatest pressure is under the far out end where it contacts the ground. Don't put your toe under that point bc it's going to feel the full force of that energy coming down. Obviously NOWs aren't as dramatic in terms of the pivot point as a teeter totter, but that's still what they do on a smaller scale. The NOWs increase in leverage also means that in some degree the rider needs to put in less energy to get the same result. Compared to other bindings where contact is spread across the width of the board evenly if you want more energy to your toe edge you have to use your foot to get it there.
Additionally, traditional binding mounts have full contact of the binding base to the board which means every vibration in the board feeds back into the binding and then back to the foot and leg of the rider. A few bindings have put a rubber pad under the binding base to try and dampen those micro vibrations, but most bindings are just a hard surface mount. To draw a parallel, anyone that rides a motorcycle knows the grip fatigue of holding onto the hand grips, and that gloves are recommended because they alleviate some of that fatigue by cutting down on the direct vibration into the riders hands. Think about the energy of ripping down a groomer and all that board chatter and vibrations feeding back into the rider.
But because of the hinge the NOW binding has a bit of 'float' that takes up some of that vibration, and also the rubber contact pads dampen it also. This leads to less foot and leg fatigue in the rider.
What we're talking about is imo on the margin NOW does a better job of improving what the rider wants while also decreasing what the rider doesn't. Again, it's on the margin. This is probably like shaving grams off your bike. It's not going to revolutionize anyone riding. But to a certain level rider it's noticeable and well worth it.
For the record I typically ride the softer sets of NOW pads on my heelside and a medium on the toe side. I always like to add that the terrain likely factors into that.
but just cause it throws people off sometimes - yes there’s a “hinge” and the solid baseplate rocks back & forth, but it’s a minor movement, and the overall design & bushings keep the binding planted on the board as per usual - there’s no hinge/rocking feeling (although I heard reports of that during their first production year). It’s simply the same general motion as a traditional binding flexing, but designed into the baseplate to be useful. Again, I think it’s a pretty simple approach, nothing complicated. Wish I had tried them years ago.