How to Align a Snowboard's Toe Strap Binding

Snowboarding is an extreme winter sport, where riders slide down slopes with a board attached to their feet. Snowboards must be maintained at least once a year. Aligning the binding on a snowboard is a component of proper maintenance. The bindings are the part of the board that secures the rider to the snowboard. Without a properly aligned set of bindings, you may have trouble controlling the direction of your board, which can lead to dangerous situations. Learn to align the bindings on your snowboard to protect yourself and extend the life of your snowboard.

Things You'll Need

  • Adhesive tape
  • Permanent pen
  • Screwdriver
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Instructions

  1. Remove Bindings

    • 1

      Lay the snowboard on a table. If your snowboard utilizes boot pads, remove them from the bindings and set them aside.

    • 2

      Locate the mounting screws, which secure the bindings to the board. Loosen and remove all the mounting screws using a screwdriver. Put the screws in a bowl to avoid misplacing them.

    • 3

      Pull the bindings away from the board to remove them. Mark each binding using adhesive tape and a permanent pen to remember which binding was secured at the nose and which was mounted at the tail. You will mount the bindings back to the board in the same position.

    Inspect Bindings

    • 4

      Look at the snowboard. You should notice a series of holes drilled into the snowboard. These are mounting holes, which help align the bindings and the snowboard.

    • 5

      Inspect the mounting holes for chips or cracks. If your mounting holes are severely damaged, you may need to purchase a new snowboard. Look for cracks too large to properly secure the mounting screws.

    • 6

      Take one of the mounting screws and insert it through each of the mounting holes. Check for stripped mounting holes where the mounting screw goes straight through the hole without any resistance. This is an indication that you may need a new snowboard.

    Align Bindings

    • 7

      Set your stance angle. The stance angle refers to the angle the binding makes with the snowboard. A neutral stance of 0 degrees means your bindings are perpendicular to the board. A forward, or positive, stance means both bindings are facing toward the nose of the board. This stance is often using by beginners. A duck, or negative, stance means the front foot is facing slightly forward and the back foot is facing slightly to the rear. This stance is often used in freestyle and trick riding.

    • 8

      Find your stance center. The stance center refers to the placement of your feet at the center width of the board. Ideally, there should be an equal amount of space between the distance of your foot and heel from their perspective edges of the board. Place your snow boots into the bindings. Adjust the bindings to the left or right of the board until the boots are perfectly centered across the width of the board.

    • 9

      Adjust your stance setback. The stance setback refers to the placement of your feet along the length of the board. A 0 stance means your feet are perfectly centered longwise on the board. This is offers balanced control and smooth carving. An offset stance means your feet are mounted slightly towards the tail of the board. This offers aggressive turning and is often used in deep-powder snow and freestyle riding.

    Mount Bindings

    • 10

      Recall which binding was previously mounted at the nose of the snowboard. Place this binding on the board.

    • 11

      Align the binding with the mounting holes at the nose of the board. Slide a mounting bolt through the center plate located in the middle of the binding.

    • 12

      Tighten the mounting bolt using a screwdriver. Adjust the bindings into a riding stance that suits you. Set your stance angle. Find your stance center. Adjust your stance setback.

    • 13

      Secure the mounting screws at the front and rear of the binding once you have adjusted your bindings into a comfortable riding angle. Slide the screws through the binding and into the drilled holes of the snowboard. Tighten the bolts using a screwdriver.

    • 14

      Repeat this mounting procedure with the remaining binding at the tail of the board.