Rome Madison Snowboard Binding Review

$210
Intermediate to Expert All Mountain to Freestyle
The Rome Madison is a very well made binding that appeals to a large varety of riding styles. The Madison takes a similar design to the Rome Strut but it's much softer and more smooth of a ride. The Madison also has a very different freestyle/all mountain oriented ankle strap that allows more freedom of movement. For 2011 the Rome Madison went the way of the top mens bindings and this has some distinct advantages over 2010. The base plate has been hollowed out at the nose and tail to allow for more cushioning, a lighter weight and a little better response. The extra cushioning is the best part about the new base plate. Most bindings over time screw up the top sheet but rome minimizes the dammage with rubber that runs along the bottom. It also makes for a little more damp of a ride. We'd like to see a cant option for the Madison like Rome has with the mens. For 2012 not much has changed. The ankle strap has the same design but has a more sleek look compared to 2011. The Rome Madison is a pain to get dialed out for your boot size but once it's done you shouldn't have to do it again. It has a smooth response that isn't too sharp but also isn't too dull. All in all this is a binding that will work with many boards, boots and many riding styles.

How It Rides
Flex	Med	Response	Good	Dampening	Excellent
Adjustability	Excellent	Weight	Light	Shock Absorption	Excellent
Comfort	Excellent	Lateral Movement	Good	Board/Boot Integration	Excellent

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The Good Ride Take

A quick look at the 2012 Rome Madison

The Good Ride Take on Rome
Rome is relatively new but has some of the best people in the industry working there. For example the designer of the Burton custom is now a principle and designer at Rome. Their strong point is that they make exceptional park and all mountain boards. They have also made some really good boots, binding and clothing. They have exceptional customer service and everyone at Rome seems to love what they are doing. Rome should be considered when you are looking to buy and they are often overlooked. Every product we have experienced from Rome has always been well made. We would like to see a few more Freeride boards, boots, and bindings but all in all Rome has the average to 100+ day all mountain rider dialed.

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.

Company Info & Specs

Rome Madison 2012

Flex/Feel

Buttery-Poppy

Tech Details

V-Rod Baseplate
A narrow footprint diagonally across the baseplate gives natural board flex and tweakability, while still delivering unmatched power to your edges
UnderWrap.2 Heel Hoop
Unmatched toe-to-heel power, without unwanted side-to-side stiffness
Madison Asym Highback
Super lightweight design that is shaped to the calf of women riders
ConFormist.2 Toe Strap
Low-profile over-the-toe or over-the-top strap placement; it’s your choice
Contour Ankle Strap
Cush, mid-level support with form-fitting gel for higher levels of tweak
SubBase-V Pad
Anti-vibration technology that enhances board feel
The Rome Customization Foundation
Highback Rotation; 9Times Ankle Strap Position; Adjustable Toe and Heel Ramps; 0-24 Degree Forward Lean
The Rome QuickTech Foundation
AutoStrap; QuickStrap.2 Technology; QuickLock Forward Lean

Rome Madison 2011

Ergonomically contoured to match the biomechanics of women riders, the Madison has always been MFR’s choice for the support where she needs it for control and the flexibility where she wants it for the freedom of freestyle. For a woman like her that kills it on rails, park jumps and backcountry powder, this is the binding that meets the demands she places on product. Like the 390 and Targa, the 2011 Madison has been heavily upgraded with the new V-Rod Baseplate for a more advanced combination of direct power and tweakable feel. MSRP: $210.00 USD

Flex

Buttery-Poppy

V-Rod Baseplate

“Rocker” baseplate design that lets the board flex while unifying toe-to-heel power and side-to-side freedom

UnderWrap.2 Heel Hoop

Unmatched leverage over toe and heel edges, at a reduced weight

Madison Asym Highback

Low on the inside to relieve pressure on women’s calves; high on the outside for full power.

ConFormist.2 Toe Strap with Toe Jam

The best-fitting, lowest profile toe strap in snowboarding, with added grip for more control

Contour Ankle Strap

The 3D shape and cold-resistant gel ensure a bio-correct fit with your ankle. Low-profile for greater freedom.

SubBase-V Pad

Softens hard landings, dampens, and adds side-to-side flexibility

Highback Rotation

0° to 12° of rotation places power where you like it

9Times Ankle Strap Positioning

You decide how much ankle support you want

Adjustable Toe and Heel Ramp

Customized fit to the length and shape of your boot

AutoStrap

Cleared for strapping in quickly

QuickStrap.2 Technology

Tool-free strap length adjustment. Screw screws.

QuickLock Forward Lean

Tool-free forward lean adjustment

Rome Madison 2010

Strap In and Step Up The days of slapping a pink paint-job on a binding and calling a “women’s” design died the day Madison was born a few years back. If we were even stupid enough to try to pull that as a joke, MFR would probably be blasting down the front door of 1 Derby Lane with a shotgun. Lightweight and versatile, kitted out with an UnderWrap heel hoop for optimal toe-to-heel power, and outfitted with cushy ankle straps that conform to your riding needs, the Madison packs an undeniable surplus of performance-enhanced pleasure. MSRP: $210.00 USD

ConFormist.2 Toe Strap Toe strap placement over-the-toe or over-the-top Highback Rotation Support customized to the rider AutoStrap on ankle Straps automatically pull out of the way QuickStrap.2 Technology The quickest way to customize your strap length QuickLock Forward Lean Updated for even easier adjustment 4 x 4 Disc Micro-adjust your stance width

Flex