Setting up your Burton snowboard bindings correctly is crucial for comfort, control, and performance on the mountain. While the exact process can vary slightly depending on the specific binding model and board compatibility system (like The Channel or traditional inserts), the fundamental steps involve mounting the bindings and setting your stance width and angles.
Understanding Burton's Mounting Systems
Burton primarily uses two main mounting systems for their bindings:
- Re:Flex: Compatible with standard 4x4, 3D, and The Channel™ insert patterns. These bindings use a disc (either universal or 3D-specific) to attach to the board.
- EST (Extra Sensory Technology): Exclusively compatible with Burton's The Channel™ system found on many Burton boards. These bindings do not use a traditional disc; they attach directly to the two slots in the channel.
The reference you provided specifically discusses adjustments for Burton EST bindings on The Channel System, highlighting their ease of use.
General Steps for Setting Up Your Bindings
Here's a breakdown of the typical process:
1. Determine Your Stance
Decide if you are regular (left foot forward) or goofy (right foot forward). If you're unsure, try a simple test: stand naturally and have someone gently push you from behind. The foot you step out with first to regain balance is likely your lead foot.
2. Choose Your Stance Width and Angles
- Stance Width: This is the distance between the center of your bindings. A good starting point is roughly shoulder-width apart. The Channel system makes experimenting with width very easy.
- Stance Angles: This refers to how much your bindings are rotated relative to the length of the board. Angles are measured in degrees, positive for pointing towards the nose and negative for pointing towards the tail.
- Beginners: Often start with a slightly duck-footed stance (e.g., front foot +15 degrees, back foot -6 degrees).
- Freestyle: Riders often prefer a balanced duck stance (e.g., +15/-15) for riding switch (backwards) equally well.
- Freeride/Carving: May use positive angles on both feet, with the front foot more angled than the back (e.g., +18/+6).
You'll find suggested reference points marked on your board (especially with The Channel) and bindings.
3. Mount the Bindings
- For Re:Flex Bindings (with Disc): Position the disc over the desired inserts or within The Channel slot. Align the disc to achieve your chosen stance width and angle. Place the binding baseplate over the disc and secure it using the provided screws. Tighten snugly but be careful not to overtighten, which can damage the board.
- For EST Bindings (with The Channel): These bindings slide directly into the channel slots. Align the binding along the channel to set your stance width. Set your desired angle using the indicators on the binding and the channel system. Insert the two T-nuts into the channel and slide them under the binding's mounting points. Secure the binding to the T-nuts using the provided screws.
4. Fine-Tuning Adjustments
Once initially mounted, you can make small adjustments. This is where systems like Burton's Channel truly excel.
Quick Adjustments with The Channel System
As highlighted in the reference, a key advantage of The Channel System, particularly with EST bindings, is the ease of making adjustments.
"System is that you can make quick adjustments on the Fly. And set your width while you're actually standing on the board simply loosen the screws on either side of the binding. And wle it sideways"
This means you don't necessarily need to take your board off to tweak your stance width. Simply loosen the two screws that secure the binding to the channel enough that the binding can slide. Then, you can slide or "wiggle" the binding along the channel sideways to adjust the width, even while standing on the board, and re-tighten the screws. This allows for quick experimentation and on-the-go changes based on conditions or terrain. Angle adjustments are also made by loosening these same screws, setting the angle, and re-tightening.
Here's a simple table showing common starting angles:
| Riding Style | Front Foot Angle | Back Foot Angle |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | +15° | -6° |
| All-Mountain | +18° | -3° |
| Freestyle | +15° | -15° |
| Freeride/Carve | +18° | +6° |
Remember to test your setup on the snow and make further adjustments as needed. The best setup is the one that feels most comfortable and gives you the most control.
