EzLounging

scrub wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2023 7:23 am The DT ankle straps commonly found on the Genesis and Hitchhiker have the ratchet integrated and can't be changed. They can be identified by the two cross plastic pieces, the hammock on these is a little more forgiving and allow you to lean into the straps more
The Cartel strap have replaceable ratchets and are generally smooth glide but some have come with DT ratchets, they can be identified by the single plastic piece across the front. They are also generally a little less forgiving than the genesis

kimchi wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2023 10:53 am @jota I'm pretty sure these are Hitchhiker (Burton's splitboard binding) straps. I hit them up a few years ago looking for backup parts and Im pretty sure this is what they sent me. The original set that was on my Hitchhikers were integrated.

Limited repairability is a bigger problem in the back country. I'm not sure why these aren't standard though, looks like they still use the integrated straps a lot.

kimchi wrote: Wed Nov 08, 2023 12:33 am
Haven't actually put the new [Free Thinker] to snow (obviously), but I put it through the ever scientific practice of carpet boarding. It doesn't feel that stiff to me. I'd call it a 6 or 6.5.

Obviously carpet boarding isn't actually riding, but I'd be pretty surprised if it's more aggressive than the Blossom I demoed last year.

kimchi wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:02 pm
One thing I’ll give Burton, that WFO base be fast. Off identical wax jobs, the Aero was fast enough but the FT was FLYING. Dont know if it’s a higher end base material or the finer factory structure, but I definitely accelerated down fall line quicker on in the FT. The speed was almost a drawback given my experience, but would be a lot of fun on a different board.

kimchi wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:02 pm

kimchi wrote: Wed Nov 08, 2023 12:33 am
Haven't actually put the new [Free Thinker] to snow (obviously), but I put it through the ever scientific practice of carpet boarding. It doesn't feel that stiff to me. I'd call it a 6 or 6.5.

Obviously carpet boarding isn't actually riding, but I'd be pretty surprised if it's more aggressive than the Blossom I demoed last year.

Follow up, I was very wrong. Free Thinker 160W was waaaaaay stiffer on snow than expected. Not crazy aggressive but I was working hard for some pitiful tail presses. I’ve never misjudged flex that bad. Felt comparable to the Aeronaut in my basement, but noticeable stiffer lengthwise riding same day, same run. Felt stiffer than the Blossom 158 I demoed last year, which I enjoyed more.

I took two laps and decided to catch and release.

I had a feeling I wouldn’t love it, I haven’t loved a true twin in a decade and the sidecut is tighter than preferred— 7.7 m, the boards I’ve loved recently are more around 8.3. The stiffness required speed to come to life, but then the sidecut felt twitchy opening up throttle. I was also working way harder to hold my edge in firm spots and got washy a few times, while no issues on Aero.

I couldn’t wait to get back on the Aero. I picked up both in off-season and from basically the first turn I knew the FT had no chance.

One thing I’ll give Burton, that WFO base be fast. Off identical wax jobs, the Aero was fast enough but the FT was FLYING. Dont know if it’s a higher end base material or the finer factory structure, but I definitely accelerated down fall line quicker on in the FT. The speed was almost a drawback given my experience, but would be a lot of fun on a different board.