CINCH CTX

Comments about K2 Snowboarding Cinch CTX:

These bindings have been great for me as i was always last to have strapped up. Having read many mixed reviews which stated the binding either don't work or give you sore forearms (which i have had in the past) it comes down to one thing.... seating your foot properly in the binding before flicking the rachet. Once you realise this they're a breeze to use. I dig my toe edge into the slope and strap in while standing and now wait for everyone else :-) Would defo recommend these and my mates, who all said i was mad and should get traditional straps, now wonder why they all have to put up with a cold, wet, rear ends!

Comments about K2 Snowboarding Cinch CTX:

I really like the rear entry but with that you clearly sacrifice all responsiveness that you get out of any ratchet binding. The wire on the back has snapped on me a couple times and the latches on the opposite side of the ratchets pop open all the time. The strap on the side of the latches also slides up the strap because the ridges are not big enough or rugged enough. When you take a fall any and all snow at your feet will get into the ratchets and keep the lock on the strap away from the strap. This was the third pair of K2 bindings that I've had and all have been awful along with their boots. My advice is that unless you go really easy on your equipment or just looking for something that's really expensive and bad in performance don't go with K2.

Comments about K2 Snowboarding Cinch CTX:

First i got the CTC 2009 and loved it, except abit too heavy. Then I wanna upgrade it to the lightest model of it and make it last forever, but it failed. When i saw CTX coming out I was so excited, I pre-ordered it, but it disappointed me alot. CTC didn't have this problem, but CTX, the cable at the back kept popping out when i wanna pull up the highback. Ended up took me longer to get ready than regular bindings, why is that??? THIS BOTHERS ME THE MOST!!!! REALLY ANNOYING. sometimes the cable just got stuck, no matter how i pull it just wouldn't go up, then trying harder, and the cable poped out from the housing.

The high back pully strap stuck out makes the high back couldn't go all the way to the lowest position, made me stepped on the ankle strap most of the time.

Well, K2, please at least fix the cable popping out problem, or i will not try a cinch binding from you anymore.... seriously.... I missed my old CTC.....

Comments about K2 Snowboarding Cinch CTX:

I always need to adjust/loosen the straps before getting into the binding which takes away the reason why I bought the Cinch: To not to have to mess for a long time around...

Comments about K2 Snowboarding Cinch CTX:

I really wanted to like these… The Cinch design itself is excellently engineered and is far superior to the Flow entry system (I had Flows previously). In theory, with the "snap in" entry system and the adjustable binding straps, this should be the best of both worlds, with the only trade-off being the extra weight. Unfortunately, it's just not there.

The entry system seems easy when you try it sitting down, or on a perfectly flat and friction-free surface. That isn't how it works in real life though, when you're on a slope and have snow under the board. It takes a lot of practice to get it right, and you'll never look graceful doing it. It can be a quick entry if done right, but I guarantee your forearms will be burning by the end of the day from the force it takes to lock it in, and how much time are you really saving over conventional bindings? 10 seconds?

The fatal flaw is the binding straps. They're borderline useless. Tightening the straps doesn't take a whole lot of effort, but loosening them can be very difficult even in the best conditions. If there's snow/ice in there? Forget about it, they might as well be a solid piece of steel. You're not loosening those straps without using a lot of energy.

Bottom line: In theory, this binding is quick and easy to get into, and fully adjustable like a normal binding. In reality, they're a pain to get into, and you'll never get them to "fit" as well as a $100 pair of bindings because the straps suck. I'm reviewing the CTX model, and there's no excuse for the cheapest part of a high-end binding to be that useless. Oh yea, they're also very expensive and heavy. If you absolutely HAVE to have a pair of bindings that you can get into standing up without adjusting any straps, and you're debating between these and a set of Flows, get these. But if you're debating between these and a regular old pair of bindings, get the regular pair.

Comments about K2 Snowboarding Cinch CTX:

Great

Comments about K2 Snowboarding Cinch CTX:

I got the pair of CTX in the beginning of 2010/11 season. They were mated to 2010 K2 Dark Star 160W. Love them both!!! Looking forward to a new 2011/12 pair of CTX paired with K2 Happy Hour :)

Have a great riding season!

Comments about K2 Snowboarding Cinch CTX:

The fast entry really makes a difference when after 5 seconds you are sliding away, dodging people strapping in.
Extremely well built and comfortable, the CTX are perfect for my all mountain riding, and in deep powder you can use the traditional straps, or kick a ledge to use the back entry.
A tool to tune the cable would have been helpful, but once you have your CTX set up they way you like them it will take you just 5 seconds to pull the highback up.
Sometimes the toe straps moves, from toe to top position when pushing. Having a way to avoid that would help too.
Other than that they are perfect power delivering machines.

Comments about K2 Snowboarding Cinch CTX:

I had an older pair of cinches and didn't think it could get better until i bought these here .Some of the changes like the canted footbeds and and the back buckle curved out to grab easier are changes that make a difference.Also the strap is a lot heavier duty which is nice piece of mind out on the slopes since i had mine break on the old pair.I'll admit that the front ratchet was easier to dial in but after its set you don't really touch it again.Super comfy ride try a pair you wont regret it !!!

Comments about K2 Snowboarding Cinch CTX:

great for intermideate riders that like to hit the park