Baller Nando Posted August 22, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 22, 2018 After all the discussion of the benefits of freeing up my rear foot, I figured I'd give one a try. I assembled the RTP and old school Maha heel holder as shown, replaced my Reflex R-style, and headed to the lake. After SEVEN tries I got up. First set (out of course) felt awful. Second set, got up on the first try- progress! Felt a little better, so I shortened to -32 and on my third turn launched myself OTF- the kind where the driver was still laughing as he asked me if I was okay- I only wish I had video, you'd be entertained. So, do I give it another try or go with my instincts and bolt the R back on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member Than_Bogan Posted August 22, 2018 Supporting Member Share Posted August 22, 2018 Depends entirely on your goals and timeframe. If you're chasing performance, especially in the near-term, then get that thing the hell off of there. But if you want to explore and learn about balance and the various subtle things that bindings do, there's plenty more left to learn with it on there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ The_MS Posted August 22, 2018 Baller_ Share Posted August 22, 2018 I went from a rear Wiley to the Radar HRT and it took 4 sets to feel good. My on side is better as a result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller WoodySkier Posted August 22, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 22, 2018 Why did you put that weird heel cup on there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Nando Posted August 22, 2018 Author Baller Share Posted August 22, 2018 @WoodySkier, I used one of those many years ago, before I switched to double boots and really liked it, so I found one and put it on. I can say that it doesn't change the feel from just the toe at all. I couldn't believe how weird this felt- way back when I first tried double boots, it took me maybe two sets to feel comfortable, then when I went from Animals to the Reflex with R-style, it took about four sets, but this surprised me by how alien it felt. Scared the crap out of myself just taking it easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller aspski Posted August 22, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 22, 2018 What would be the benefit of going from double boot to RTP? I always thought of double boot being higher performance (even though some of the top skiers run a RTP) When starting behind my dads old boat, I always got up with my back foot out of the ski, but now that I own a proper ski boat, I can start with both feet in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member Than_Bogan Posted August 22, 2018 Supporting Member Share Posted August 22, 2018 @aspski Your comment in parentheses is extremely important. Obviously, Nate Smith would run double-boot if he thought that was "higher performance." Fwiw, I am a double-boot guy, but in the slalom course, especially at extreme shortline, there is an enormous need to move weight forward without bending forward, and many believe an RTP makes that easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller aspski Posted August 22, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 22, 2018 @Than_Bogan Interesting, I never gave the forward movement much thought. Personally I like to be more bolted down, so a double boot may be the way I go in the future as I feel pretty loose on the back foot with just a RTP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skialex Posted August 22, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 22, 2018 I would loose the heel cup, move the plate further back In order for my foot to go all the way in the toe loop, which I guess it’s really tight. Maybe move the loop forward a hole on the plate. Then give it some more tries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Nando Posted August 22, 2018 Author Baller Share Posted August 22, 2018 @skialex, the fit is good (I tried on a medium I had on hand and switched to a large I also had). One thing that bothered me was that my big toe was right under the release arm- not uncomfortable or anything, but I was aware it was there. The Maha heel actually kind of works like a shoehorn to push your foot into the loop. It is also angled to allow some upward heel movement. It doesn't interfere with the toe loop at all and only prevents your foot from slipping backwards (except when it didn't ;) ). What I've found with the Reflex R-style is that cranking the buckles inhibits my ability to shift my weight without rocking forward, so I run that pretty loose. My big reason for posting this is I was just surprised how much this threw me off- literally in the case of the big OTF. Then it started pouring so we didn't take a third set... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller vtmecheng Posted August 22, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 22, 2018 It's crazy how similar your experience trying a RTP is to mine trying a double boot. I posted about it last weekend. My OTF was on the third pass. I'm sticking with what's been working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Nando Posted August 23, 2018 Author Baller Share Posted August 23, 2018 @vtmecheng, I’m with you- I was making progress getting back after some down years and then I decided I had to mess with my setup. I went back tonight and am back to my usual mediocre skiing. Time to work on the part between my ears- that’s the problem, not the part that’s on my feet- nothing wrong with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skialex Posted August 23, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2018 @Nando I just had a thought, r-style is level with the front reflex, Wiley’s RTP has a very thin footbed, it works for many, but for me it doesn’t work when my rear foot sits lower than my front. Maybe this is the primary reason for not liking the RTP. Just a thought though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ The_MS Posted August 23, 2018 Baller_ Share Posted August 23, 2018 I would agree with @Than_Bogan and it is definitely putting me on my front foot. An indicator is that I have not had to tighten the binding screws on the rear. I can tell my back foot was the go to in troubled times and if I try that with the HRTP I can’t get the angle I can with the full boot. My tendency to go the rear foot has lessened as a result of being able to center up easier. My vision and angle in and out of my on side has totally changed for the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Stevie Boy Posted August 23, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2018 @Than_Bogan stated "especially at extreme shortline, there is an enormous need to move weight forward without bending forward" I also think it allows a lot more freedom regards Hip Movement and Rotation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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