!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

I haven't been on in a lil while...but i got to thinking the other day and realized that it was summer and now for the next 4-5 months goin to be anticipating getting back out there asap! I can't wait untill winter is upon us!!!! Does anyone else feel that way???????

I've done mostly backcountry the last 2 seasons with the exception of one day at Heavenly last year when I made the pond skimming video posted to this site in the video section. I have been pondering whether I will get a pass this coming season to Heavenly and go as often as is healthy.

I will really like to test some experimental bindings if someone else wants to collaborate on what may be the most supportive boot/binding system pound for pound.

Perry, if you are planning to test out experimental bindings isn't there some company that can sponsor you in this? I mean, that must cost 'money' no?

It probably won't make $ for awhile. I used to sell motor vehicles. I noticed some people came to look at the latest greatest and bought something cheaper on the lot. Might be the only way a company will recoup R&D and what is said to be excessive production costs.

That's a pity. Still your testing those could be categorized under the label R&D no?

At times I build things here and there. Sometimes I notice on about the third project or so it looks and works much better. I guess that is what R&D is about.

Kinda frustrating to think there is probably a way to build a lighter, and much more supportive boot/binding system; and not to be able to test/have available a product that can make riding much easier and enjoyable.

Selling less expensive products to people that are hoping the R&D from a more expensive design has tricked down seems to be one of the returns on R&D investment.

In motorcycle racing there seems to be a few years lag time between actual racing bikes and retail production models of a similar design. If some outfit wants to fund the R&D, I can try to be one of the 1st to try and use them in a competitive environment. There are a lot of organized snowboard competition events in the Lake Tahoe area!

Post edited by: PerryRObray, at: 2008/07/11 22:03

Perry, have you been approaching those manufacturers at all?

Unfortunately I prefer to deal with locals who know the industry. Since I was a little more familiar with this site than actual manufacturers, I decided to see if anyone here wanted to try this project in some way.
Sometimes I wonder if the big, more established companies have to much priorities leaning away from better performing products so profit margin can be increased (at least in their minds).

I'm guessing most people snowboard around 5 to 20 times a year. The bigger established outfits may not see the value in producing a durable and better product that very few individuals overall can appreciate.

That's perhaps so, but it can't hurt to try, no? Perhaps there is one amongst them who might even surprise you.

I personally don't want to do cold calling to companies at the moment. Also I prefer to not work with people who I can't sit down with at relative ease and talk to on something like this.

It seemed a better Idea to work work in conjunction with established industry locals who probably understand the companies better.

Perry, you might have written it and I might have overlooked it, but how do those industry locals react to this?

I've spoken to a local shop owner, a person who has snowboarded for about 15 years or more and is involved with a club that is heavily into snowboarding, and tried to email a third shop owner. All of whom have been acquaintances for a few years at minimum.

I got no reply to the email to an established shop, the rider who is involved with a winter sports club gave the explanation the established companies are looking at profit margins, the shop owner I talked to in person seemed to reply it was a futile effort.

I have pretty much exhausted most people I can think of dealing with locally that I know better.

Post edited by: PerryRObray, at: 2008/07/18 18:52

Eyh man, that is too bad - honest I wonder if they know what chances they are passing up on because -correct me if I'm wrong- in the end it could turn out to be profitable, if charged higher prices due to durability no?

Wonder how many people ride around 100 days a year? They probably appreciate it more.
I guess they should charge way more as they probably won't sell many at a relatively high price anyway. If snowboard patrol and competitive riders use them, they will probably get proform a lot. Maybe that is why the carbon fiber boards have a price of around a grand apiece.

i would be in heaven if i could board over 100 days a year.........

Hmmm but still there will always be people willing to pay for not only quality but also 'the best thing' - I know that also in board-circles there are people that like these kind of 'status symbols' things.

"i would be in heaven if i could board over 100 days a year......... "

It is convenient to make a 7 minute walk from the front door to the biggest main lift. I only do that many days when I live in the same area as the resort.

Unfortunately the last few years have me with other priorities.

Post edited by: PerryRObray, at: 2008/07/21 19:09

"I know that also in board-circles there are people that like these kind of 'status symbols' things. "

Even though someone may not get say 150 to 3 to 4 hundred days on some great equipment, it sure makes them feel good sometimes that it performs better than most, if not all widely distributed models.

It's nice to have deeper pockets!

Even though someone may not get say 150 to 3 to 4 hundred days on some great equipment, it sure makes them feel good sometimes that it performs better than most, if not all widely distributed models.

It's nice to have deeper pockets!

Oh yes So, there comes back the question if it really would be so non-profit to invest in them for manufacturers...

They probably need to act fast as the Olympics are a little over 1 year away.

Yes. You are right. THAT would have been a perfect event for promoting durable gear. I am afraid they now are too late....