Tips for riding with bindings

[exx]

I dunno if it fits in here but I think kinda.
So I converted my Lacroix Nazaré into a mountainboard with bindings and sometimes I find myself having real trouble riding with them, especially when something goes wrong.
On a street build I can just jump, tuck and roll but what do I do with bindings?
I find when it does go wrong my body automatically tries to slip out of the bindings but I mostly end up smashed on the road with the front foot stuck in the binding somehow and the rear foot is out most of the time.
I don’t have heel straps, would they improve things?
How do I behave in a crash?
Do I just go down with my ship?

Jumping is out of the question, I am risking breaking something and I can’t afford to, I’m a postman.
Thanks

[Sk8tedad]

I switched to spring clamps for this reason, I can always get out, it has been the best compromise. Mine are Tomiboi I think
Now I have a dream job and a big car payment so I’m wit you on no injuries. One more crash on a shoulder and I’m screwed.

[mulletboardermobbin]

@exx

Do I just go down with my ship?

Yep, i’ve had it happen, it’s definitely a give and take. There’s been times where if didn’t have bindings I would’ve had a worse day (fault codes, lose surfaces, etc).

I had a lockup awhile back and it stopped me dead in my tracks, I found that when the board stops, you don’t.

I basically tucked as hard as I could and landed on my tail bone after lunging forward like a diver on a diving board

Heel straps would help you stay put better, some people like that some do not, I run no heel straps, and I haven’t had problems with them slipping out, but I run them pretty tight

[Jagden]

Started riding with bindings couple of weeks ago. This is the result of the board stops and me fliying and thankfully landing on sand. Could be much worse , looking for some tips too.

[mulletboardermobbin]

A lot translates from snowboarding

Tuck if you can, try to shift weight so you land on a spot that isn’t gonna hurt too much

If you can slip feet out great, but don’t rely on it, expect to fall with the board

For me I like to land on my bag if i’m wearing one, so I tuck head/arms in, and try to twist depending on where the moment of impact is going to be

Tbf tho a lot of times you don’t have much time to think (obviously) so I don’t always get lucky landing where I want to

Unfortunately, it’s still gonna hurt, so that’s where ass pads and back/chest protection come into play

I’ve had a bruise in the same spot, glad to hear that is the worst of it tho, ice it up and some rest and you will be a okay

Is the board in good shape?

[Tasventouras]

I race and ride with the bindings tensioned to a sweet spot where its tight enough to have great leverage and control, but not so tight that my feet won’t come out in a crash. I’ve had a handful of crashes over the years and have managed to get off the board almost every time (so far😅)

[Jagden]

Thanks! The board left intact in the same spot it stopped, only the rider (me of course) flew

[Ash]

slide gloves or at least the gloves that have the small pucks on the palms and knee pads definitely help. there have been a few times where i was falling heel side and was able to push myself back up and prevent the fall, most recently being at electrify expo sf. about 85% of the time, i find myself falling forward so landing on my knees and hands is most common for me. even when i fall backwards, i use my hands to break the fall.

i do run my binding tight which i may change as it’s not easy to get your foot out in a timely manner during a crash

[JaysTCB]

Your front binding needs to be loose enough so that you can slide your foot out of it. But tight enough so that your foot doesn’t slide around.

[frankthedragon]

Yeah I feel like a lot of the times people try to cinch down the bindings to feel locked in, and that’s when you run into problems. If you can’t take out your foot and slide it back in to the same location without loosening it or forcing your foot in, it’s too tight. Even with jumping you’re not relying on the binding itself to lift the board, but rather the sides of your shoes against the L-brackets.

[rich]

I love bindings, the only mistake that many people make like me back then is that the bindings are installed incorrectly, so the distance between the feet and the brackets should be as short as possible. To compensate for this mistake, you tighten the straps tightly until your feet go numb, which isn’t very helpful either.

This old video helped me a lot to reassemble my bindings and adjust them correctly. How he jumps with opened straps is awesome!

Bindings Tutorial

The first year the heel straps scared me but then I started using them and after a short time I got used to them and since then I haven’t been able to ride without them. you have much more control over the board. I see the disadvantage that many people say that you can’t jump off the board with bindings and heel straps as an advantage - it feels so much safer for me.

The most important tip with heel straps, which prevented at least 80% of my falls, is to jump. So just lift the front wheels and turn them in the direction where you just lose your balance. At the same time, move your upper body suddenly in the other direction. try this, it really works wonders

[exx]

Thanks guys, I’ll look into all of your insights.
I had to replace a screw plug or whatever they are called, had to do a motor detection and accidentally screwed up my remote calibration and had to calibrate it again, I have yet to make a test drive.

[Facko]

I also ride with full bindings include heel straps. As was told by others, it is also for my much safer. It really prevents me from falling a lot, also in crash situations with bicycle i was able stay on board. If I would not had it, will fly out.

Just her is my recommendation for ride with full bindings.

• my max speed on board is around 50km/h ( in case of some problems with Vesc and breaks, will be able some way control board to stop in grass etc.)
• weight of my board is 17kg so Iam able still comfortably jump with it
• in case of falling mostly end on knees, elbows and hands. In back side falling on my ass:) so choose correctly protection
• try to avoid ride in big traffic, still have lights and ride on chain drive. So everyone knows that Iam ride close to him.
• basically most of it are general rules how to ride a board:)

Ride safe bro:)

And to be able jump like this, You need a bindings

Jumping Progress On Electric Mountainboard #shorts

[mulletboardermobbin]

@Facko

in case of falling mostly end on knees,

I would strongly advise against this

I have plates in my knees, be nice to them, don’t run them into the ground first, tuck and roll, use your momentum to stay lateral, it’s not the speed that hurts it’s the sudden stop

Even with pads don’t play with your knees, I’m young and I can’t stand it already (pun intended)

[Egtscs]

@mulletboardermobbin

Even with pads don’t play with your knees, I’m young and I can’t stand it already (pun intended)

I certainly agree with this but also, where would you suggest falling instead? Even if you’re able to tuck and roll there is some substantial impact you have to take before you can get moving like that, impact I generally take to my hands and elbows (or shoulder lol) which I’d also like to remain functional. While I don’t think anybody should be putting themselves at risk of unnecessary bodily harm I feel like there’s a better chance of avoiding damage if I take that initial impact on my knees rather than my hands, shoulders, or head. Assuming either all or none are padded.

[mulletboardermobbin]

@Egtscs

where would you suggest falling instead

This is a good question, one which I think changes person to person

I wear chest and back protection, I also am a rugby player and quite a thick person for my weight, so I can take a heavy hit to the chest/back/shoulder before I use my arms, knees, hands

My big thing with falls is try not to make it a fall but a slide, hitting the ground sucks, but if you can hit it and use half that energy to keep moving in a certain direction then it certainly makes the hit not as bad imo

For me, If I can, I squat when I feel it coming, and dive towards where I think im going to land, this normally leads to me tucking my head to a certain side, which leads to me flipping over and sliding on my back, I keep the board in the air if I can until I can put it down to stop me

Ive found even strapped down and locked in I can fall with the board attached, I just have to now note it is part of me, the weight will transfer with you and what not

I think my #1 thing with falls is recognize how you fall, and use that to your advantage, whether that be a certain place you like/do not like hitting or coming up with a mental game plan on what to do in certain situations

I’ll be the first to tell you im not scared of falling, and I normally know when its coming, bc I ignore all the signs and keep going.

That definitely has a factor when it comes to how I fall, I beat myself up, but I also heal quite fast (for now)

Doc’s told me to watch my head, thats what I protect now, I can break arms and hands and feet if I want, but ive already been through that and I will gladly take a bruised side/torso over a broken/sprained bone now

[Soulsled]

When I first started using a half binding I kept it really loose. The more comfortable I became with using it as well as bailing the tighter I had the binding until I found that sweet spot between control and safety.

I’ve had one crash with a binding and it wasn’t fun.

Being stuck to a board during a crash is the last thing you would want. The risk of serious leg, hip, joint and lumbar spinal injuries is rather high.

[exx]

I can’t really recall what happened when i had my big crash last Sunday but my feet are intact so I must have gotten out of my bindings but still, I’m considering getting rid of them, so far they have improved handling but the risk of more serious crashes is much greater.
I broke a clavicle, getting it operated next Tuesday and I’m out from riding for I think at least three months but I don’t really think bindings are for me tbh.
I‘m a bailer when it goes wrong which I can’t do with bindings.

[Ash]

i’d try some half bindings if you wanted the extra control. the tomiboi toe hooks would be my go to if i wasn’t racing