I chose the Uninc 156cm and Uninc EST binding for my snow arsenal this season. I rode the Uninc 154cm JP model back when they were first introduced. It rode awesome in a variety of terrain. Since then, I’ve been on the Burton Jussi, Never Summer Evo, Elevation Engelsman, and Burton Custom X. All of them have been great boards and are unique in their own rights.
I had to step up the size a little bit, exactly 2cm, so now I’m on the 156cm featuring Burton’s new Infinite channel mounting system. This involves a single slotted track for each binding (front & rear). This is similar to the old school Rev and Forum snowboards that used the track system. It is highly reinforced and the engineering behind the mounting bolt & screw pull together, so I doubt it will ever come loose on its own. You can retrofit fit a Burton binding that uses the disc system, or you can opt for the new EST (extra sensory… something) bindings. If you use the disc, you are limited in stance options. With the EST binding, there are 2 bolts on the exterior walls of the base plate. This allows for virtually infinite stance options (width & angles). This is great especially if you’re picky. Even if you’re not, you can just place your feet practically wherever you want, and mount.
The binding doesn’t feel too much different than their conventional. There is a thinner, foam based footbed on the baseplate, rather than a complete nylon bottom. This does provide a feel more like skateboarding or surfing, where the rider is that much closer to the deck surface of the board. This allows for more sensitive feel and control over your board. Although, since boots still have pretty thick soles, the actual difference is minor. Until we get some thinner boots, then this is how it is. I don’t think you would want much more closeness, as icy landings sucked back in the day of baseless bindings.
As for the board feel… yes, there is a metal slot right up the middle of the board. Longitude wise, this doesn’t effect it in any negative means. I feel it actually compliments the carbon fiber I-beam already constructed into this model board and enhances torsional flex. As for latitude flex, it does affect this in some minor ways. Traditional 4×4 and 3D patterns also affected this too. They had to have extra materials for the foundation of the mounting inserts. So, lateral flex in any board is always somewhat affected and once you mount those bindings on, then there is the big hit. Actually, once you place your weight inside those bindings and board, then that is when you can actually test any true flex of your set up.
From my experience on this set up, I’m definitely backing it up. It doesn’t hold such a major change in ride and feel as anticipated. So, if you want to transition over and you are pretty conservative, then it shouldn’t be such a big risk. If you are willing to try new technology, then this offers a lot in certain areas and will impress. I love it and YES, I would get it again next season.
* note: I feel that there are a lot of companies out there that are good, a few that are great. Burton is one of the few manufacturers who have put a lot of time, R & D, effort into making quality products and I feel strongly about that. They are one of the larger companies, but they are still privately owned. Being successful doesn’t mean you’re a sell out, it means you’re good at what you’re doing. They were even nice enough to buy up Forum during their time in financial distress, to help prevent Ski companies and other corporate vultures from entering into the Snowboard ring.
