Compare Prices & Buyer Reviews

Powdertools.com K2 Cinch CTX Snowboard Binding| Men's... $249.95 Check Availability Christy Sports K2 Cinch CTX Snowboard Binding| Men's... $249.95 Check Availability Snowboards.net K2 Cinch CTX Snowboard Bindings 2012... $174.98 Check Availability

The Good Ride Take

A Good Ride Take on Binding Tech

Metal vs Plastic Bindings

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 K2
K2 is a big company that makes a lot of ski and snowboard gear. K2 chose Flat Camber and variations of flat/rocker for their snowboards in the post camber revolution. Their flat camber has a mixed take but their flat/rocker shapes seem to be well liked and some are Good Ride Favorites. When it comes to Bindings K2 spends a lot of time working on the quick strap/release side of things and they have 2 quick release designs. Some like this but others would rather see them work on improved turn initiation, comfort and better board flex under foot. We’d at least like to see them switch to only one quick release and develop their normal bindings more. Their boots are well made, long lasting and comfortable but some don’t have the adjustability that some boots have. Their customer support is very good but there is no phone # on their site so you must contact them via email. All in all K2 does a pretty good job when it comes to making snowboard gear for a wide variety of riders.

Company Info & Specs

K2 Cinch CTX 2012

~The~

Cinch CTX

LUXURY CLASS PERFORMANCE AND QUICKNESS

It doesn’t get any more refined and easy to operate than this. The 2011-2012 K2 CTX snowboard binding combines the very best in K2 binding tech with the patented Cinch™ System. Harshmellow™ cushioning and canted footbeds add the luxury touch to push the CTX into a class all it’s own.

Cinch C2

Strong, Light, Fast

• Reinforced Nylon Baseplate with responsive Aluminum Heelcup
• Lightweight Cored Side Rails
• Tool-less Power Ramp

Harshmellow - Bindings

Canted Footbeds

• Angled inward 3 degrees to match your natural leg position during riding.• More support to the outside of the foot provides improved control and ollie pop.• Reduces fatigue allowing you to ride longer and stronger.

Cinch Airlock

Harshmellow Basepad

• Harshmellow gasket under the chassis isolates vibration• Reduces rider fatigue• Absorbs harsh landing impact

Seamless EVA Footbed

• EVA cover with polycarbonate support frame prevents snow build-up.• Tool-less ‘Pop Top’ Disc Cover for easy access to disc mount screws

Power Ramp

• Tool-Less Adjustment• Integrated with Full Seamless Footbed

Multi Compatible Disc

 

• Two slot design mounts on 4-hole and 3-hole patterns...• Align slots tip-tail for 4-hole• Align slots toe-heel for 3-hole• Powerhold washers provide bomber locking power

Multi Compatible-Offset Discs

• Offset slots to allow for toe-heel centering by rotating it 180 degrees

Cam Lock-Center Adjusting

 

Tool-less and secure adjustment, allows you to precisely center your straps with ease and speed.

Thin Cored Caddi

• Ultra-thin, lightweight construction for high performance comfort• Durable PU laminates

K2 Cinch CTX 2011

Cinch CTX Construction Features

CHASSIS:

NEW! C2 Chassis

FOOTBED FEATURES:

NEW! Canted Footbeds w/ Harshmellow, Seamless EVA w/ Pop-Top Disc Cover, Tool-Less Adjust Power Ramp

HIGHBACK:

Cinch Airlock Highback

ANKLE STRAP:

Thin Cored Caddy Ankle Strap

STRAP FEATURES:

Cam-Lock centering

TOE STRAP:

NEW! Cinch Toe Strap

RATCHET:

Aluminum Litespeed Ratchets w/ Friction Housings

DISC:

Multi-Compatible & Offset Discs

K2 Cinch CTX 2010

Pictures

K2 Cinch CTX 2011

K2 Cinch CTX 2011

K2 Cinch CTX 2010

Other Reviews