Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Binding Selection Help

profile picture
sbarlett
Posts: 882 - Karma: 4,255
Hey ns,

I am in desperate need for some new bindings. I am currently still on my first park setup, and regretfully didn't know much about bindings when I bought mine. My STH 10's brakes just blow up whenever I land hard switch, and they pop out of the heelpiece completely because the notches that are supposed to hold them down into the heelpiece get bent and eventually break off after a few days. So this brings us to me picking a new binding.

I am 5'9, 170 and ski pretty aggressively. In the park, nothing crazy, (2's out, up to 540's on jumps) but I definitely need a reliable binding that will hold up for multiple years.

Have been looking at the fks 140's a lot, found a good deal, but the only thing that scares me are the issues with the brakes. Everything else is appealing to me, except for these complaints. Just wondering what you guys suggest for a beefier binding and what you want in one, thanks.
Mar 9 2015 10:57PM
12 2
profile picture
sbarlett
Posts: 882 - Karma: 4,255
Bump
Mar 10 2015 7:28AM
0 0
profile picture
B.Quincy
Posts: 1074 - Karma: 963
My jesters have held up really well. I personally am a fan of marker over fks just because they are easier to repair and not as "sensitive".
Mar 10 2015 11:06AM
1 0
profile picture
.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
STH2 13 or 16 or Attack 13 or 16
Mar 10 2015 1:26PM
1 0
profile picture
sbarlett
Posts: 882 - Karma: 4,255
.lenconSTH2 13 or 16 or Attack 13 or 16


Not going back to Solomon, I've had such bad luck with mine I practically refuse to buy another pair of them
Mar 10 2015 1:44PM
0 1
profile picture
.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
.complexNot going back to Solomon, I've had such bad luck with mine I practically refuse to buy another pair of them


Yeah but you had the first gen and the 10 din. And Id still recommend attacks
Mar 10 2015 3:19PM
1 0
profile picture
Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
Head GTO 15. $100 at Levelninesport.com

http://www.levelninesports.com/Head-Gto-15-Ski-Bindings

Mar 10 2015 3:25PM
1 0
profile picture
sbarlett
Posts: 882 - Karma: 4,255
any other advice?
Mar 10 2015 8:38PM
0 0
profile picture
B.Quincy
Posts: 1074 - Karma: 963
.lenconYeah but you had the first gen and the 10 din. And Id still recommend attacks


Agree with .lencon, the sth2 has some major improvements.
Mar 10 2015 9:08PM
2 0
profile picture
Muggydude
Posts: 701 - Karma: 383
IMHO sth2 is the best park binding out there. I'd get 16 for your weight. Honestly they are very well made and I can't imagine them braking much. I use them and love them.

The STH 10s you have are no where in the realm of the type of binding the STH2 16 is.
Mar 10 2015 10:05PM
2 0
profile picture
sbarlett
Posts: 882 - Karma: 4,255
MuggydudeIMHO sth2 is the best park binding out there. I'd get 16 for your weight. Honestly they are very well made and I can't imagine them braking much. I use them and love them.

The STH 10s you have are no where in the realm of the type of binding the STH2 16 is.


Ok I believe that the sth2 are sick, but in your honest opinion would it be better to get the fks 140 for $200 or the sth2 16's for $300. I have been leaning towards the fks just cause I have heard a lot of good things in addition to them looking sick. Do you know if the brakes on both of these bindings would be a lot stiffer than the old sth 10's? that is my only concern on picking out of the beefier bindings
Mar 10 2015 10:23PM
0 0
profile picture
AlfredHitchCAULK
Posts: 119 - Karma: 10
.complexOk I believe that the sth2 are sick, but in your honest opinion would it be better to get the fks 140 for $200 or the sth2 16's for $300. I have been leaning towards the fks just cause I have heard a lot of good things in addition to them looking sick. Do you know if the brakes on both of these bindings would be a lot stiffer than the old sth 10's? that is my only concern on picking out of the beefier bindings


The fks brakes I think a have a bit thicker metal
Mar 10 2015 10:26PM
0 1
profile picture
Muggydude
Posts: 701 - Karma: 383
For one thing, you should easily be able to get STH2 16s online for $240 or less now: http://www.backcountry.com/salomon-sth-2-wtr-16-ski-binding?CMP_SKU=SAL00B7&MER=0406&skid=SAL00B7-YEL-S115MM&CMP_ID=PLA_GOc001&mv_pc=r101&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&mr:trackingCode=A42F15FA-DE3F-E411-B4FF-BC305BF82376&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&mr:ad=60872172517&mr:keyword&mr:match&mr:filter=99654170437&mkwid=sAh2Wkysn_dc%7cpcrid%7c60872172517&gclid=COmQrOmwn8QCFQavKgod9GwApg&gclsrc=ds



The reason why STH2 16 bindings are superior as a park binding to FKS 180s (let alone 140s), is the brake design. Eject switch in FKS bindings, and there's a good chance you'll bend the brakes, sometimes make them unusable. Replacing brakes on FKS is very hard, and very expensive ($70 at least).

STH2 on the other hand does not tend to bend/break ejecting switch. Have not personally seen a broken STH2 brake yet, they are beefier than the old STH brakes as well. On top of that, if you do break them, they cost only ~$25 to replace.

Now for big mountain performance, the FKS 180s might have a slight edge over STH2, but hardly any. I own both the STH2 16s and FKS 180s for reference btw.
Mar 10 2015 11:46PM
1 0
profile picture
Muggydude
Posts: 701 - Karma: 383
Oh, and it takes all of 1 minute to replace a STH2 brake with a new one (though I doubt you'll ever have to)
Mar 10 2015 11:48PM
1 0
profile picture
.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
Go STH2 over fks. They are cheaper to replace and safer. Also you should be able to find STH2 for under 300. I got mine at my local shop for like 200ish
Mar 11 2015 10:37AM
1 0
All times are Eastern (-5)