Burton Diode and Diode EST Snowboard Binding Review
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The Good Ride TakeThe Burton Diode and Diode EST Snowboard Binding Review by The Good RideDays-4
So the Diodes were our choice to demo many of the 2012 boards. After trying them they had a very familiar feel that was like an improved Co2 with a hint of C60 in em. Many of us at The Good Ride like to pair a binding like this with a medium to stiff all mountain board. We spent most of our time on the Re:Flex Diode because we will always test many non-Burton boards but we did get some tim on the EST version. As much as we hate proprietary tech we also love the EST version. It just makes the boards more poppy and playful. With the Malavita EST you get the same springy feel from the board but with the Diode EST you get more of a fast edge to edge response that we feel is better than the Co2's (2011 Co2 is really close) and right there with the 2011 EST C60's. Both models are also light as a feather. The Diodes are in the same weight class as the Union Force MC bindings. If you are all about speed and ollie power the Diode EST's will be the call. If you are all about speed and ride more than just Burton the Diode with Re:Flex tech will do a good job. You just get a lot more power when it comes to generating your own air with the EST Diode.
We do have some apprehension with this new Hinge tech and wonder about it's longevity. Burton usually does a good job making sure their new tech holds up well but until it gets out to the masses you cant be 100% sure how this hinge will hold up. More moving parts usually equals an earlier chance of failure with most equipment so we hope this isn't the case here. If your aren't sure on the hinge tech wait a year to see what happens.
Like all high end Burton bindings they come with an excellent foot bed to create a very shock proof ride. To go with this general theme the adjustability and comfort factor with the EST and Non EST are arguably the best in the industry. We loved this ankle strap that was taken from the 2011 Co2 and 2011 C60. Its provides more comfort, more leverage, and more support where you need it.
If you are looking for the best binding to go with an aggressive to semi aggressive all mountain board both of these do a good job. The Diode EST gets the nod but only because of the Hinge Tech. If the Re:Flex Tech Diode had Hinge Tech as well it would get the nod. Come on Burton! Spread this pop to all boards.
A Good Ride Take on Binding Tech This is a Goodride breakdown for all you that are having a tough time choosing your bindings and what to make of the material you are looking at. Most bindings are Metal, Plastic or some combo of the 2. Metal Bindings have a lot of great aspects. Almost all-metal bindings are made from aluminum. Aluminum is great when it come to weight to stiffness ratio and also pretty durable. There is one key issue with metal/aluminum bindings; they transfer all the vibrations from the board right into your feet. This is the same principle that pelage “bass-less” bindings, your feet got totally tired or fatigued. The newer generations have much better/damp bases so this problem has been minimized and in some cases eliminated. There are some companies that make great bindings despite the vibration issue with Aluminum. Some that come to mind are Ride and Rome. Plastic Bindings also have many great features but let’s address some technical stuff first. Most plastic bindings are really hardened glass plastic mix. The high-end stuff tends to have a more carbon, and carbon fiber added for extra stiffness and weight savings. Plastic bindings really dominate the market right now and most top bindings these days are mostly or all plastic. They can be really stiff and react well to your commands. The new bindings finally dialed in the carbon/ fiber integration to the point that the bindings will perform with the stiffness of metal and absorb more chatter. Most industry leaders have limited or completely eliminated metal from their bindings and we feel that with the materials used right now this is the future. Some mostly plastic companies that we feel rock are Burton, Flux and Union. What kind of binding should you buy? It’s a tough call. Both Plastic and Metal bindings offer freestyle, freeride and all mountain styles. At this point we feel that plastic bindings are edging out metal bindings when it comes to the very high end $300+ category. However it is a tough call in the below $300 category as to which material has the advantage. The Good Ride Take on Burton Burton is huge. They have developed or acquired most of the technology that we use today. Burton is one of the only companies that can provide you with everything you need to snowboard from boards to beanies. Burton even owns arguably the best surfboard company Channel Islands because Jake likes to surf. They are like the Yankees of snowboarding because they can always outspend their competition to win. The positives- Burton provides more products for each gear/clothing/accessory category than any other company. Burton has possibly the best customer service in the snowboarding industry. Burton continuously spends more money than almost any company to develop new tech or just make what they have better. Burton sponsors more pro’s and get’s more high level user feed back than any other company. They have some of the best boots, bindings and boards in the industry. They also have great clothing.
Company Info & SpecsBurton Diode EST 2012Burton DIODE EST Electrifying weightlessness meets an all-new flex sensation.
Plug your boots into the NEW Diode EST™ and you’ll realize immediately that something is different. The revolutionary hinged heelhoop pushes flex in an entirely new direction, giving you a greater range of motion and the ability to pre-load your board for increased pop. The ShredBED™ 3.0 only adds to the sensation by enhancing feel, cushioning, and natural board flex from tip to tail. The fact that it weighs next to nothing is just icing on the cake.
Features + BASEPLATE: NEW Dual-Component EST Featuring The Hinge with Carbon Fiber/Nylon Composite Spar and Carbon Fiber/Nylon Composite Lower + HI-BACK: NEW Ultra-Lightweight Single-Component Carbon Composite Hi-Back + STRAPS: React Strap and Gettagrip Capstrap™ + BUCKLES: Dual-Component Smooth Glide™ Buckles + CUSHIONING: NEW Removable ShredBED 3.0 Cushioning System + Rides Exclusively with Burton Boards Featuring The Channel + Features Re-Ground Materials in Baseplate to Reduce Waste
Colorway: Black
Sizes: S M
Response: 8 Burton Diode With Re:Flex TechBurton DIODE Lightspeed precision flexing to the fourth dimension.
Light and strong thanks to ridiculous amounts of carbon, the NEW Diode makes it hard to tell where you end and your setup begins. With everything minimized, even the straps, and every contour considered, the result is full-wrap response and comfort that’s got the entire team asking for a set. Unlocking the baseplate’s full potential, Re:Flex™ technology delivers an evolution in natural flex, feel, and cushioned control that’s compatible with virtually every board under the sun.
Features + BASEPLATE: NEW Single-Component Carbon Fiber/Nylon Composite Re:Flex + HI-BACK: NEW Ultra-Lightweight Single-Component Carbon Composite Hi-Back + STRAPS: React Strap and Gettagrip Capstrap™ + BUCKLES: Dual-Component Smooth Glide™ Buckles + CUSHIONING: NEW Re:Flex FullBED Cushioning System with B3 Gel and Under-Baseplate Dampening Pad + Features Re-Ground Materials in Baseplate to Reduce Waste
Colorways: Silver Black N’ Blue
Sizes: S M L
Response: 8
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