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Opus mount and boot advice?

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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
Hi folks. I was looking for some advice on a good mount for the line opus and a boot recommendation.
As far as the mount, I have been told by a friend that from his experience on the ep pro that the midsole mount would be sufficient. The reason I am not taking his advice is that we have two very different styles of skiing. I ride switch quite a bit and he is more of a traditional skier. I currently own a pair of chronic cryptos and have them mounted at +3 of midsole and they do exactly what I want. Last year I started getting away from the park and am spending more and more time off trail. I demoed last years bacons and moved the demo binding to +3 of midsole and absolutely loved them. Now I understand that the opus is a totally different ski and not many have had the opportunity to ride them yet. I am mostly asking for recommendations from anyone familiar with the ep pros I guess.
Then on to boots. I currently have been riding on the salomon SPK pros. They are super comfy but are way too soft and my foots all over the place in them. I also have a set of the older rossi 4 buckle scratchs with the stiffening function. They are decent but the toe bang kills me. So I'm looking for suggestions on a boot that will work well with the opus. It doesn't need to be AT/touring capable. I am planning on mounting the marker griffons and won't have that function anyway. I have been looking at the tecnica agent 120s and the atomic hawk 120s but I am open to any suggestions. I would like the stiff flex but I do ride all over from west to east and park to backcountry in all conditions.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Jun 13 2011 12:36PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6679 - Karma: 11,013
Concerning your boot help, you match your boot to you, not to the ski. Your boot should match your foot shape, your leg shape, and have a flex that matches your ankle flexibility and weight range. You do all of that and you will have a really good starting point. Thus, the only person that can help you chose the right boot is a boot-fitter. What will be a great boot for someone else, could be the worst thing for you and vice-versa. Don't take boot recommendations, just get properly fitted.
Jun 13 2011 12:56PM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
Thanks.  Maybe I shoulda clarified a little better.  I am in my 30s and have been skiing a really long time.  I know all about what your telling me and I'm not flamin ya but thats not what I was asking.  I guess I'm more looking for suggestions on what a decent boot would be for my new style of skiing.  The new new school I guess.  I am very familiar with park specific boots and how to fit etc.  I'm looking for some all mountain suggestions that perhaps is coming down the pike next year or something current I should look into.  After I get some suggestions then I will try fit and such.  Your response would be spot on for someone new to skiing so I'm not flaming ya.  Thanks anyway
Jun 13 2011 1:04PM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
And then to clarify further on the boot advice.  I measure a low volume foot but i've never felt comfy in most low volume boots.  Pretty sure someone may jump in with the konflict recommendation and if so ya gotta sell me hard on them.  I've never ridden them but next years puke brown looks hideous.  I dont buy for looks but it'll def steer me away in some cases.  Plus my friends who have them can never seem to get the fit right.  They will tell ya they love them but theyre constantly remolding that intuition liner.  Not bad mouthin.  Jus skeptical.
Jun 13 2011 1:14PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6679 - Karma: 11,013
For sure man, but not to beat a dead horse a ski boot's main function is to fit you properly. It's the reason some of our park riders are in our race boots- it's what fits them the best so they use a race boot for park. It's really comes down to what fits you the best. Now, if you fit (just as an example) well into an Atomic Race Tec 130, the Volt (which is the freestyle version, which means it has a rubber boot board) would also fit you. But it's not park specific; no boot is park specific or race specific or all mountain specific. Just graphic changes or slight shock absorption changes make a boot park/all mountain.

So regardless of your style of skiing, the boot's primary function is to be an extension of your leg. If it fits you, it will work for everything you want it to.
Jun 13 2011 1:59PM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
We may now be beating a dead horse.  Haha.  I really do get all that.  I was semi considering the 2012 full tilt booter and getting a stiffer front shell for that very reason.  I'm mostly curious about ideas for boots other than what I have previously stated.  I have actually tried on the volt.  Its real close, but the 11' hawk 120 felt better.  Not perfect but better.  Thing is that you have to ski these things to really know.  When I bought the SPK I thought for sure I had found the perfect boot.  They flexed nice and were tight but super comfy.  No pressure points at all.  After two times out on them I wanted to throw them in the trash.  Nothin but pressure points and they literally packed out after two days.  Not a good pack out either.  Like waaaay too loose with tons of heel lift packed out.  I've shimmed them and such and made them functional but they are not optimal.  maybe I should look at race boots.  My one buddy skis on nothin but race boots but he's a real hoppy skier where I am much more flowy.  Eh....I dunno?
Jun 13 2011 2:15PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6679 - Karma: 11,013
The good news is that you are describing fit problems. You bring up a great example- the SPK has a last width of 105mm, the Volt is 98mm. Both boots are built for the same exact purpose, but both will not work for you as the fits are way too different. Pack out, slop, pressure points- all are fit problems that should have been diagnosed by a good boot-fitter before you even went skiing.

Whether or not someone has more of a hoppy style or flowy style, the boot fits your subjective biomechanical build, not your skiing style. People can suggest great boots all day long to you, but the only boot that will work for you will be the one that will fits you the best.

If a shop is letting you try on a Booter and a Hawx 120, you should leave. They do not know what they are doing.
Jun 13 2011 2:25PM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
Negative.  haha.  I tried the booter on in a totally different state and it was just for sh*ts and giggles to see how the wider toe box felt.  As far as a good fitter goes, good fitters are super biased in my experience and a "good fitter" in park city pushed me into the SPK even though I was measured low volume.  Come to find out they had a surplus of the SPK pros they wanted to get rid of.  I dont trust fitters or shops to go in blind anymore.  Hence why I am here just looking for suggestions on new or upcoming boots that may work.  Fairly certain the booter will not work.   I was just using an example of that I've been all over the place as far as boot type.  
Jun 13 2011 2:47PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6679 - Karma: 11,013
Well it sounds like you also need to find a reputable shop. I used to be the head boot-fitter at a shop in Vermont, and I can say that not all of us are douche bags like that guy in Utah. Perhaps someone on here can give you a good recommendation on a shop in your area that is trustworthy and solid?

Finding a good shop is super crucial because they should have a boot-fit guarantee so if something doesn't work out, they will either adjust the fit or take it back etc. Definitely make sure you get your next boot (whatever it may be) from a shop that has a boot-fit guarantee.
Jun 13 2011 3:06PM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
I could absolutely tell that you were a fitter.  haha.  Where at in VT?  I lived at Killy for a few seasons in the 90s. 
Jun 13 2011 3:16PM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
And also ya gotta understand that for a long time the mentality was that boot fitters are for whiney rich folks.  Dont get me wrong I was always ok with a shim or heat gun as needed but the whole custom foot bed never translated to my type.  Maybe now that I'm older I need to get over it and actually spend $1500 on a set of boots.....right...haha
Jun 13 2011 3:20PM
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Dhank
Posts: 17 - Karma: 10
Full Tilt First Chair. Best boot ever.
Jul 27 2011 12:54PM
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thomjphilly
Posts: 181 - Karma: 10
I got a bit lazy and didn't notice in all the boot chat if the Opus mounting point was ever discussed.  I had a chance to ski them for a while with the benefit of a small foot and and a rental binding so I could set it up a few different ways.  I set it up true center, at -1cm, and then again at -4.5cm (as far back as i could).  Since the Opus is almost symmetrical in shape and is symmetrical in flex it should ski best close to center and it does.  At 4.5 back it just felt a little squirrely and unsure and as I don't spend too much time riding skis that are true center that also felt like I lost out on a bit of edge hold especially in choppy and harder snow.  At -1cm from center the Opus skis like and absolute dream, thanks to the rocker profile I didn't feel like I had to lean back to stay on top of crud and soft snow (had 8" to play with) and it still had all the playfulness you would expect from a Pollard designed ski.  So long story short mount it -1 from center and be happy. 
Jul 27 2011 3:09PM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
Dammit why won't this post?....ok so let's say I haven't mounted yet....which I have but I have options....so....by my measurements the midsole line is -2 of dead center anyway right?....actually I think it's -4 but if you base it off of actual running surface it's -2.....right?
Jul 27 2011 5:49PM
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Ducky.
Posts: 5811 - Karma: 1,420
*facepalm
Jul 27 2011 5:51PM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
Yeah yeah....that's nice....but seriously does anyone know where dead center is on the opus in relation to the midsole line?.......cause I could still throw a schizo on there if need be.
Jul 27 2011 6:04PM
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andrewmeehan
Posts: 765 - Karma: 364
GTFO.


Jul 27 2011 6:09PM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9218 - Karma: 5,402
give line a ring or send them an email, they'll probably be able to help you out. I think someone on here has the opus's though. maybe they'll see this thread.
Jul 27 2011 6:32PM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
Yeah well you know line....they gotta give ya the whole "midsole is the recommended mount and anything other than that can alter how it skis." but that any company as a liability thing...I heard from a friend of a friend from ep himself that the midsole line is optimal but I ain't him ya know?...I'm jus curious if someone can give a legit answer on how far back from true center is midsole...I've already got markets mounted and can switch em out for schizos if my measurements were wrong....it skis great now but it does feel a touch front tippy at the midsole mount....if it is only +2 to true center than I may not mess with it but if it's like 4-5 I'm swapping bindings.
Jul 27 2011 7:27PM
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thomjphilly
Posts: 181 - Karma: 10
If you haven't mounted them flip one so the tail is up, put is against the other ski tip up, and measure the distance between.  Then divide by two and that is how far back the marked midsole is from true center.
Jul 28 2011 12:05PM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
Yeah I did that and it's about +2 from the midsole mark
Jul 28 2011 3:07PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868

If they're anything like the EP Pro, they'll have 1 mark on them and that's where they're best.

I mounted my EPPs true center (about 1.5cm in front of the mark) and while they were HEAPS of fun I did go over the handlebars all the time dropping into pow.

Jul 28 2011 9:16PM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
Interesting...wish I could get a decent answer out of one of the line guys....they're super helpful but they typically recommend the midsole line for liability....I went +3 of the mark on my cryptos even after the recommended the midsole mark and I wouldn't ride those any other way....so I dunno....do I keep my bindings where they are based off the midsole mark or spend some loot and swap em out with schizos so I can go forward?....+3 could be worth it but by my measurements the mid mark is only -2 from true center...curious if anyone came up with a different measurement or a decent tech answer from line on the exact difference.
Jul 28 2011 9:27PM
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Crocodile
Posts: 281 - Karma: 11
I've heard you say numerous times how good the opus was when you tried it, so why don't you mount it in the same spot?
Jul 29 2011 4:19AM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Cause when they're your skis they have to be perfect, duh.


What are your previous skis, mounts, and how did you like those? Give us some idea of whats comfy for you on other skis and we should be able to give you a good idea on something new.
Jul 29 2011 4:35AM
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canterbury
Posts: 2382 - Karma: 55
how much difference does 2cm really make?
Jul 29 2011 5:16AM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
Exactly my point on the 2....it's not worth getting new bindings over....unless of course I bought a new park ski and then....haha....anyway....actually 2cm makes a big difference....1 not so noticeable 2 makes a difference and 3 can give you a snowbone.....but ginko like on my cryptos I'm +3.5 of midsole which I believe is -1.5 from center...and I love those...my 11' bacons are at +3 of the midsole mark which I think -1 from dead center.....sooo much fun.....right now my opus is mounted at midsole for those who haven't read....and I do love it but like I said it feel jus a touch tippy....it hasn't been an issue yet because I have yet to ride it anything other than spring crud booshit....being too far back will however affect me personally once I start tryin to spin....sounds dumb but for some reason I have a real issue with over/under rotating if a mount isn't real close to center....swing weight becomes a big deal to me in the air....even the slightest....I've had skis that I loved when grounded but jus never felt natural spinning so I sold em.....whoa tangent.....anyway I think if someone could confirm the distance between the midsole mark and true center I'd be straight and could make my decision based off that....I've measured tip to tail, flipped one ski and measured the difference....I keep comin up with the midsole mark being -2 of dead center....now when I measure actual running surface it becomes -1 because there's slightly more rise in the tip than tail so I dunno....if it's only -2 I'll prob jus leave it but if it's -4 I gotta slap a schizo on there jus for piece of mind.
Jul 29 2011 8:49AM
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