Ride Optimo Contraband Review And Buying Advice

Ride Optimo Contraband 2011 Review by The Good Ride

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The Ride Optimo is the more sturdy high-end version of the Ride Nitrate Contraband that has better shock absorption. The new ease of entry toe strap is rather weird and we aren’t sure how we feel about these bindings. The Nitrane line is love or hate. The one strap adjustment is what K2, Flow, and Gnu are all doing with their bindings but none of us at the good ride feel it takes that much longer.  Most of us actually think it takes away from making a binding perform better.   Another problem is how much effort it takes to get these bindings set up for your shoe size.  Watch the setup video.  It’s a joke compared to some bindings like Flux bindings that are almost toolless.  Another problem is when you’re on the hill the toe strap cannot be adjusted when the binding is on the board.  So if you need to adjust it’s a major production with many tools to get everything set up.  Another thing is the rubber on the toe strap seems like it won’t’ last a long time but we aren’t sure of that since the Nitrane’s are only in their second year. The Optimo seems to have a more sturdy strap so that’s a good thing.   The new high back is rather goofy looking but its performance is better than the 2010 model.

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