Line bindings and the struggle to re-shape ski retail.

J

jetski

Member
One binding many skis. Sick concept put forth by the only company with the balls to shake up the industry. Other companies are more than capable of developing a system with removeable binders but they choose not to. The big companies do not want bindings that are able to switch from one set to the other because they would loose money. When the pilot system was first released I asked a high up rep if "blank" skis would be sold. He changed the subject super fast telling me crap about how sick the binding ski interface is. I feel sorry for people that buy an integrated binding system only to trash their skis on a rock. In the next few years some companies will try to push integrated freeski/binding combos. At all costs do not support this. We need to be able to mount any binding on any ski.

Line realizes that most skiers want a quiver with skis for every type of snow conditions and the reactor will make this happen. I know I will get pounced on for supporting the reactor but it is a concept way ahead of its time that I am willing to back all the way. Is it the only binding I own? No. Have I broken a set? Yes. Will I break another? Probably but I can also tear through 912's pretty quick as well.

I guess the point of this rant is most likely pointless but I want to point out that I'm making a point, by pointing out that hating Line is pointless and counter-productive to the growth of our industry. So point point point and peace.

 
I reckon you're on to something there. Any new product is likely to be a bit shakey in it's first few years- especially something as complex as a binding. It will hopefully get better.

And as a concept it's a sound idea.
 
IM not a line fan, but there idea for that binding is sick, I have 2 pairs of skis and am gettin a third thats 3 bindings, if i only had one that would save me 700 to 900 dollars (cad). Once they work out the kinks ill rock them, but i think they should make it a two peice, cuz i dont like the one one peice bindings alter the flex pattern
 
omg dude, the number of fucked up line bindings that ive seen... they suck dude ,really, thast inset system inst nearly as good as a regular binding, with holes properly drilled with a company jig
 
the binding only touches the ski in the middle, where the 4 mouting holes are it doesn't alter the flex pattern
 
i love the idea of the reactor, but its not ready yet. when they come out with an interchangable binding that performs like a p12 i will gladly purchase it. and i agree we should not support integrated binding systems.
 
Why do you hate them? Have you ever tried them? Oh right NS says to hate and you are just following like a sheep. It is okay to state opinion but back it up!

Line bindings are gay because I heard they suck. or if you prefer... Line bindings suck because I heard they are gay. Think for yourself!
 
I once had a pair and they were great. no problems at all. The only thing with me is that im not the biggest dude on the planet so weight is an issue for me. they are heavy as fuck so i sold em for some 912's. thats my only complaint with them. i support the idea fully.
 
The concept is completely right but it is going to take alot more time to get them perfectly and to turn skiers onto them. I had them a couple season's ago (and they shipped to stores almost 2 months late) so I was already pissed off I could ski my new motherships. But then after just 1 week of bad snow conditions and not skiing hard, the front toe piece ripped right off the front. It was almost like they rushed the technology. They were also very very heavy too. Once I hear from other people that the Reactors are great, then I might..MIGHT, go for them again.
 
HAHAHA thats awesome.

On a lighter note I work in the Only territory that Line WON'T be selling the Reactor in because my rep did the RIGHT thing and REFUSED to sell it. He has been in it with Jason from the beginning and he said he just has to wait for it to get better before he'll risk anyone elses life/ski career. They need to find someone to buy it off them and make it work. They've been trying to do that for two years and nobody will.
 
There are many bindings on the market that suck for park and pipe which are being produced by major companies who have the ability to do anything to make them better. Props to Levinthal for stepping up to make something happen specifically geared toward this sector. As I remember it, that binding had been on the drawing board for years but it took forever to bring it to market.

Then you gotta look at Look/Rossi who switched up their pivot heel when it was starting to take over the market. WTF? They claim all these technical improvements but at the end of the day, they basically threw away a design that millions of skiers were in to!

So good or bad; right or wrong; at least the Reactor has a mission!

Bindings are all equally as dangerous and they all have two functions, release and retention. And they ALL break!
 
take up telemark

7tm second ski unit

ReleaseUnit.jpg


bishop bomber second ski unit

http://www.bombertele.com/images/ISO_subplate_med.jpg
 
"In the next few years some companies will try to push integrated freeski/binding combos. At all costs do not support this."

and what makes you think this?.....
 
More companies like Armada and 4frnt need to step away from what is 'traditional' and put research into shit specific to us. Yes, it may lose you money at first, but we are never going to grow as an industry without people taking some risks and introducing new technologies.
 
Purely speculation that is based 100% on my knowledge of the industry and my opinion alone. haha

For example the pilot system started small and is slowly creeping into Salomons line-up. There are more examples.
 
Also, knowing anything about how Corporations work. If something means more money for the company, it gets done, regardless of how stupid it is.

Skis with integrated bindings = more money, therefore, it will be done as much as possible in the future.
 
But they give you choice. I will use Salomons pilot system as example again. They easily could sell blanks and you could use one set of binders for multiple sets with nothing more than a tourque hex key. But they don't want you to do that. Ever notice that retail Salomon bindings have gotten worse since the release of the pilot? Old Salomon bindings would out last any Salomon ski by a couple of seasons so they needed to make them slightly more desposible.

wow... x-files shit right there
 
And I will just say that I think they do need to do something to set themselves apart from the other companies. They are already stating to do it infact. Armada has it's new pole system. 4-Frnt has it's 'new' bindings. Companies that don't do something WILL get sucked out of the industry, because with so many to choose from, there has to be a REASON to buy them... peace though, Iw ill argue later.
 
some companies want people to be able to afford more shit for less, while others want to make more money for less shit. some want to share their joys while other want to keep the little man down.
 
I agree it's not, but companies are trying to do something to set them apart. I agree thatt none of them probably WILL do something revolutionary, because that means dumping money into R&D, and none of these fucking companies have a heart to do it when they are making money as is. Line did, and although it was a failure so far, I have super respect for what they're trying to do.

I wanna see a magnetic binding system that allows you to pretty much just step onto the ski.

Maybe I'll invent it?
 
Oh you did NOT go there.... that's LOW. you knwo damn well how much time school takes up when you're in engineering at a decent college.

But just since you broght it up, I acutally just had a friend go pick me up some shit so I can print templates of the mold ribs we need cut. But ya, the press should be pumping out some skis within a month or two.

as for the magnetic binding system, I got the whole idea in my head, just gotta get some time to do some research on materials and test it. then I sell it to both the ski and snowboard industries, and watch the cash flow like champange.
 
haha. remember how when step in snowboard bindings first came out, everyone thought they were the shit? and now... people went back to the old fashioned strap in way. i think magnetic bindings are going down the same road. i wouldn't even give them a try to tell you the truth. there's to was in hell i would trust magnets to hold my skis to my feet.

totally not the subject of the thread, but i felt the need to say in anyways.
 
anyways, back to the discussion at hand.

I think it's important to pump money into these companies that are in our industry. Not Salomon, or the huge corporate owned ones. Once we start doing that, they can start developing new technologies.

Look at the Lib-Tech skis for example. That's some crazy shit they ahve on it, and if it works out, I think they'll become a huge player in the industry, BECAUSE of their technology.
 
things will never change without someone taking risks in crazy new ideas.

I've heard a lot of people say that the reason so many great ideas and inventions have come about before the person is 30 is because they aren't trained to be confined in their thinking. I'm not saying I'm one of those, but it's the crazy ideas that lead to the huge innovations.
 
I will still stand my my stance. Taking risks is what faciliates changes. I don't think you can argue against that.

However, I agree that companies may not do it because they are money hungry and don't care about the industry. Ya, I said it.
 
Thanks for adding your input, it made the thread much better.

I didn't notice the weight unless I was carrying them, The lift is minimal and I skied 40 days before they broke.

I'm not saying they are the best binding on the market but they are better than some.

Lets pretend that the binding wasn't targeted to freeskiers or park rats. I'm pretty sure the average joe public skier would not break the reactors. The Line binding is beat on by skiers who demand quality and abuse their equipment. They didn't quite hold up but they will get better cause guys like me are supporting them.
 
the reactors are a great idea, but think about other things that started out as a great idea but took hundreds of trys to perfect, even with other bindings, i seriously dought that the first try at making a look binding performs as amazing as they do today, give it time and i think the reactors will be by far the best binding out there, they just need to work out some serious kinks
 
good point...one binding many skis...

they had the concept, but apply that concept to a salomon...instead of drilling 8 holes, have 8 adjustable holes that can fit any size boot, kind of what that snowboard company did a few years ago with their binding system. When there are no bindings attached the rivets slide up and down on a track, but when tightened into a binding, they remain in place. Think about it.
 
although the bombers are sick, there still aren't any decent releasable tele bindings for park, so i would say alpine is waaaay ahead
 
Actually line bindings are the lightest bindings that are on a track on the market, they are way lighter than demo bindings. They should save weight by making smalls, mediums and larges that fit different categories of boots so they wouldn't need a complete track.
 
heres what i have, ninthwards and looks and thats what ill stay w/

unless line sponcers me or soemthing.
 
How is having a bad product and NOT changing it year to year to make it better "facilitating change?" Not to mention the only chance they're taking is the random possibility that maybe this year it won't get cold enough that the plastic housing on their product doesn't crack! The idea is great and I apreciated this kind of idealism last year when I was totally on your side but they did Absolutely Nothing to upgrade this years Reactor from last Season so I'm taking this year off from being one of you blind faithful. The second they even Attempt to improve it I'll be back on board and test it for them Again but not a second sooner. It isn't being sold in Northern CA one of the fastest growing twintip ski markets wake up!
 
Big companies have a board of directors and investors who demand nothing else than profits, while small companies have core people who buy their shit. If the reactor technology is sold to a larger company... you can kiss it good bye. Only reason why they might buy it is so nobody else can produce it.

Heres a thought, what if a few of the smaller companies merged togehter? Lets say... a Line-Armada merger. Your talking 2 of the most core companies out their who would love to get that thing out on the market working properly. Kinda like how look and rossi are the same.
 
I wasn't talking about line specifically, but ok, I can see how you would think that.
 
Dude, normal mounted bindings ain't shit. People drop their fucking gear up and pick it up the next day and think some fucking magic happened in between. They just drilled some holes in yo shits with a metal and plastic jig (its pretty uncommon anyways that the springs are aligned perfectly anyways). If you want to use one binding for a bunch of skis just measure and mark your skis, buy the drill bit and inserts and put them in yourself. Or have a shop do it, its really not that hard. Any shop that mounts tele skis should know how to do it, tele bindings rip out and you put inserts in. The line binding is an ill idea for the release pattern, inserts is a pretty standard thing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top