Been a long time I did not post here ;-)

Just wanted to share another snowkite invention made in Quebec.

This is called the Snowkite Pivot System. Those are plates you install between the bindings and the snowboard to allow a free rotation from a regular, to race, duck, or goofy stance will riding.

I just bought a pair myself and will try this weekend for my first snowkite session of the year. Will let you know how this goes but I have seen the guy with the prototype last year and it looked super fun.



Check this post but it's in French :-(

http://kiteforum.ca/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1008

Can try with google translate

google translation

After watching PBKiteboarding's videos, with his pivoting bindings, I've wanted to try them. Glad to see a commercial solution. Please report back how it goes, I may have to pick up a pair.

Edit: just found the price....may have to stick with plain old snowboard bindings....you can get a new board & binding combo for that $$$

How much are they going for?

they are pretty expensive 350$ CDN

Not sure how to translate but the injection mold to make them was quite expensive (the inventor told me). his making cost is still quite high. this is a very new product and there are only 100 made for this season (they will go fast)

got mines installed on my snow yesterday. quite simple 10 minutes. very professionnal packaging. high quality product.

just need to test today or tomorrow

first video online

http://www.vimeo.com/17696746

Amazing stuff!!!!! Hopefully they make a good mark so that they are cheaper next season. Obviously they would make for a more comfy ride, but how does it affect your control???? I would also be concerned with injuries through twisting if you bailed hard. Very interested in this though. Good Find

Tooling for injection molding is not cheap- I have a buddy that does it for a living. We used to race RC and he said the tooling for the plastic parts trees in an rc car kit would run about $300,000 minimum. Small runs for something like this by nature are not cheap. More sales=more throughput=lower prices in the future. Neat idea though-hope it takes off.

Tres bien! Me likey a lot ... pity we got no snow here

BTW the binding I have on my board now - Burton's IIRC - cost me NZ$550 several years ago. I'd spend money on something like that happily though cos you can't beat quality.

Nearly got a job as an engineer at a tool'n'die company wa-aaay back when in NZ ... they did stuff for injection molding. Making the product cost sweet F.A. but the die itself was silly expensive ...

Man that has me soooo tempted but I've hardly logged time on the snowboard. Of course that works both ways......maybe I should just go right to this and forget what I've learned thus far in terms of board feel? I can totally see the benefit here - especially for those of us not accustomed to having feet locked in a fixed position.

Denis, any reports on the pivot system?

Quote:

Originally posted by macboy Denis, any reports on the pivot system?

I have had some sessions with it. snowkite conditions have not been very good this year so far. we start having some snow it was mostly ice before.

But here is my report:

after first session

- it takes about 20-30 minutes at least to get used to it. coming from fixed bindings, it feels weird in the first time.

- after my first session I decided to adjust the rotating tension. it takes some adjustement to get the sweet spot. it might be different for each rider.

- biggest advantage is leg fatigue. when you feel some fatigue in the legs, you just swap legs positions and fatigue release !!

- another advantage is racing. taking a forward race position easily increase speed

- transitions are smoother

- Had no problem with small jumps. landing is still easy

after 3 sessions

- i have increased my stance on my board and have decided to limit the inside angle to 30 degres while outside angle is still up to 45.


2 weeks ago


now I am very used to it. I dont feel it anymore that I have these.

after 1 hour session, I was offered to try an dedicated snowkite board but of course with a FIXED stance.

this is when I noticed the big advantage having the rotating fixs.

I CAN'T ride fixed binding anymore. I feel locked and hate it.

conclusion: it takes sometime to get used to it until you dont notice anymore, but then you can't go back. you need them.

very happy with them

Quote:

Originally posted by DenisLaMenace Quote: Originally posted by macboy - biggest advantage is leg fatigue. when you feel some fatigue in the legs, you just swap legs positions and fatigue release !! you have me sold ... im pretty sore after a session. i was thinking of cutting down my back leg support so it feels more like my ATB Board.

I think I'm sold too - and I'm fortunate to not be too accustomed to fixed bindings yet so the learning curve should be easier for me. I'm gonna force the snowboard from now on, resorting to skis only if it "saves the day".

Just wanted to update this. Idiot me didn't notice that there is a "change this to English for me" link in the top right of the website. Not that it's much different than the Google translation but still - helps keep exposure for the Pivot system near the top of the threads while we're still in the grip of winter.

woah, that looks crazy!

Looks like a comfy ride for cruizing.

Part of me says it simply must sacrifice *some* control though.

For instance, lots of control needed to salvage sketchy landings.

Any sketchy landings recently on these things Denis? Wouldn't mind knowing how they handled it.

Ordered minutes ago. I'll be sure to let everyone know how they go with my noob-ish snowboarding skills. I have a sneaking suspicion they will really help me with my switch riding troubles - seems odd that I can ride toeside goofy just fine but have issues with switch. This'll be one of the first indicators for me (once I give my legs/muscles ample "adjustment" time).

nice, keep us up to date.

Board style will also make a big difference, is your board a true twin (sidecut and stance centered) or directional (sidecut and stance set back, normally about 3/4" now it seems)?

I recently retired my old freeriding all mountain board (larger setback) for a true twin (k2 parkstar) - much better. Lost a bit on edging, but apparently boards like the skatebanana with it's magnatraction tech don't. Everything feels balanced on the true twin, and is giving me the confidence to try new things I wouldn't have with my old all mountain beast.

looks like this system has a sibling for the water, for those interested

http://www.sportsgear-solutions.com/

Well, after drooling for years... I got a set.

MGPS was a sponsor of this year's Dillon Snowkite Open, and they put up a set for the Raffle, I was the lucky winner!

:eekdrull: After really drooling over these for awhile, I've got my own. I only have about 35-40 min riding on them, in very light wind, but wow, oh wow. I'm in love. makes me feel like I've got free heels, like on ATB. Seriously feeling the stoke on the plates, can't wait to really get a day on them.

Huge thanks to Anton@Colorado Kite Force for putting on the DSO, and to MG for creating these crazy things.

double post, whoops

Congrats I'd love some but we dont get enough snow