Reflex SuperShell 8 DC - unboxing

[Horton]

[Horton]

@Gloersen $0.50 worth of duct tape solves it?

[AdamCord]

@Horton does it require that extra forward set of inserts to work? Looks like it

[ski6jones]

I wonder about the geometry of the release mechanism WRT the boot. With a hard plate connecting the toe to heel parts the relative positions of those parts is more fixed. Attached independently to the ski and the ski flexing the geometry is more variable. Would this interfere with the release characteristics of the binding?

[Horton]

@AdamCord Darn it you were paying attention. Yeah that ski has those extra holes but the whole system works with the standard holes just as well.

[thager]

@Gloersen I could see a thin sheet of flexible cutting board material cut to size and attached under the toe piece maybe working also.

[thager]

Cutting board sheets are polyethylene 12" x 15" x .5mm in size and about $2.50 each at Walmart.

[C5Quest]

How is the for/aft adjustment capabilities? For those of us running a Mikro-just its hard to beat 1/16 movement for setting Bf.

[dave2ball]

If you have to place a thin sheet in 2 places then you may as well place a full sheet under the binding like a very playable plate. This set up really makes it tough to demo skis. Great concept bad design.

[teammalibu]

Like @ski6jones said,How do you set the distance from the toe piece to the heel so you maintain proper release tension when adjusting the binding position on the ski?

[jnan66]

Totally wrong focus I think. Nothing wrong with the current standard plate. It has worked well for 30 years. The boot on the other hand people seem to drill, grind and reform with heat to make it skiable. Design a boot from scratch instead that is optimized for waterskiing instead of taking a roller blade boot and try to make it work.

[OldboyII]

IMO Looks like the Tower of Babel. Built without central idea, but with many little situational changes.

[markn]

Have never tried hard-shells, so hope users can enlighten me. Snow ski bindings allow for lateral release at the toe. This avoids twisting knee injuries or spiral fractures. Obviously, rubber binders offer no lateral release, but do these Reflex bindings rotate at the heel allowing for heel lateral release or just upward?

[Alberto Soares]

I use reflex since 2010 and love the system, with more than 2000 sets, I would not trust the release mechanism attached only with 2 screws, specially on my Goode.

[Hucklefin]

Good way to keep HO and Edge bindings in business imo. I think they missed the mark on this one.

[DW]

@markn - No. The Reflex / HO / Edge style hard boots do not provide a lateral release component. There are side holding screws or cups that keep the heel in place when clamped down, so lateral release happens when the binding releases to allow 3 degrees of freedom. IMO a key area not addressed in water ski boots at least in the design of them. Interloc is also not really designed to shear apart easily.

[dchristman]

Finally, skin to ski top-skin sensitivity and control. I imagine it might be more comfortable than my "old" plate, too, with the new aerospace toe cup rubber in contact with the foot to improve the connection and the experience of skiing.

[skialex]

@dchristman no need to invest in developing a new shell specifically for skiing.You have invented the shelless binding… :D

[Horton]

A few notes from Reflex about the DC system

• They will be including a 3M Transparent film to protect the top of your ski.
• The mounting point of the release has been lowered 3mm so the release to boot geometry is the same as it was with the older systems
• The "rubber" part inside the front toe cup is an aerospace anti-slick and anti-vibration compound.
• The outer laminate of the toe cup is carbon/Innegra. This means it is super durable.

[ral]

I still do not see what is the big advantage of not using a plate.

[Drago]

It's a solution to a non-problem.Ridiculousness.

[KRoundy]

@Horton Does a Radar Vapor boot happen to fit into that toe cup?

[cruznski]

@Alberto Soares You have a good point on the rear binding being held by just the two back inserts. Especially as they come today -they are enough to hold a plate when 6-8 are screwed down but the forces on that rear in a fall are great. and yes the top actual composite is thin (esp on Goodes) skied Goodes for a long while so I think your concern is warranted. Maybe Reflex has tested all this but it seems like you ought to have a better grade insert on the ski too for that set up. And the force is impulse like when you have to release- breaks stiff stuff fast.

[Deanoski]

They need help with R and D IMO

stiff tail boots IMO are not what is needed or used at a high level

no full plate no more micro ?

plus breakage issue on back inserts.