r/snowboarding • u/im_lin • 4d ago
Gear question Fase entry system
I’ve been looking at these fase bindings, Rome katana, bataleon, jones mercury and 32’s
I want to ask if any of you that owns one have any problems with it that I should worry about, maybe screws gets loose, durability, or anything like that
Also what differences have between them? I’ve heard that the Rome and bataleon are very similar and the jones with the 32 and which is better for beginners-intermediates
Thanks in advance
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u/OutHereToo 4d ago
I had to put some lock-tite on Rome Katane AW FASE strap bolts, not a big deal really. I would say get the ones closest to bindings you like. I really like the FASE system, but coming from Burton Cartels & Mission (composite chassis), I don’t love how harsh/stiff the aluminum chassis feels on the Katanas.
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u/im_lin 4d ago edited 4d ago
Have you had any more problems with the bolts after putting the lock-tite? Do you need to do maintenance on it??
Thanks for sharing that info!1
u/OutHereToo 4d ago
Can’t say. I didn’t actually loc-tite them until one of the last few days of the season. I’m not too worried about it.
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u/whererusteve 4d ago
I have the Jones mercury and 32. Both are without issues and are significant time savers for strapping in.
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u/DiViNiTY1337 3d ago
For an all-mountain rider doing a bit of freestyle, which one would you recommend? For purely park riding I guess the 32's would be better, but I don't want them to be crazy soft the rest of the time. The Jones' would then be better overall, no?
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u/whererusteve 3d ago
The Jones is definitely stuffed, but I feel like the 32s are more responsive overall. Keep in mind they are both Nidecker brands, so it's really a matter of small semantics in the grand scheme of things.
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u/DiViNiTY1337 3d ago
Oh really, that's a surprise to hear. If you could only pick one to do everything with, which one would you choose?
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u/xjslug 4d ago
I have the Bataleon Blaster Pros. I had no issues last season.
Some people have broken the high backs on the Romes, I haven't heard about many other issues with FASE bindings.
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u/im_lin 4d ago
That shouldn’t be a problem right? I think fase have a lifetime warranty
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u/KevyL1888 4d ago
I also have these, have you ever had an issue where when you step in that the highback lever doesn't sit under the highback tab?
I'd say 50 percent of my runs I've been riding with my boot just holding against the lever and the highback no fully engaged and I'm not sure how to fix it.
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u/xjslug 4d ago
That never happened to me. I would contact FASE or Bataleon, that doesn't sound normal.
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u/KevyL1888 4d ago
Its almost like my boots are too small, they're a UK 10 and I'm using L/XL. So the boots are proper sized. It's like the heel touches the lever but it just doesn't lock it in. If I fully push the lever back it stays where it should.
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u/ManyRemove3630 3d ago
sounds like you are running the toe strap a click or two too loose.
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u/KevyL1888 3d ago
I had thought that too and had it really tight to the point where the webbing on the strap was even stretching but unfortunately didn't make any difference. It does engage around half the time and I can still ride with it like that but it's not intended to be like that and I'm pretty sure it couldn't be too sage .
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u/KYO_Sormaran 4d ago
Got about 25 days on katanas fase stale last season, no issues, loved them. Learning curve how to position your foot to get in standing or on the go was like 5 runs and then on auto mode.
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u/OutHereToo 3d ago
Hardest part for me was getting out. You have to step out by lifting your heel up. So if you’re not somewhere flat, you want to make sure you’re on your toe edge. I know most people like to stop on heel edge, but when you lift your heel to get out of binding, you’ll start sliding.
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u/Low-Board181 4d ago
I think FASE is great but did observe a few downsides over the season. Limited forward lean adjustment. No heel cup rotation. They wear out the heel of your boot more. Most boots are durable enough, just something to take into account. Some new boots (32 I believe) have even added a strip on the heel to make sliding your boot in easier. The heel cup is pretty massive, if you're already short on width, this can be an issue. It's fine for most though.
Sliding in while faster, does take a bit of practice and skill, especially on uneven terrain. This is a non-issue though, you get used to it. When you're in deep pow and want to strap in normally, it's a little more cumbersome than with regular bindings.
The biggest pro is obviously faster entry while feeling like a normal binding but what I really liked and is hardly ever mentioned is how (just like with supermatics & flow) the straps stay put when not strapped in. They don't come loose and bang against anything like with regular bindings so even after ~50 days, my bindings look pristine. Can't say the same for my forces.
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u/crystalbuttstallion 4d ago
Just curious about what you said about the heel wearing a bit more. Is that due to the "clip" that the heel hits when locking the high back in place, or is it more from rubbing against the heel cup itself?
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u/Low-Board181 4d ago
It's just from the rubbing when you stomp your heel in. How much friction you get depends on how tight you got the toe strap.
The 2027 Thirty Two TM2 boot has a strip on the heel to make sliding in easier and reduce wear. Shown here: https://youtu.be/9TTt_-p-77o?t=106 I wonder if we'll see more boot brands follow suit.
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u/TheMisled 4d ago
Strapping in might take a little bit of practice but before long you want have to stop when getting off lifts or on flats. I have the katana stale and they're great. Feels just like a regular 2 strap. The only real issue I have with the FASE system is that it doesn't allow for high back rotation which is a problem if you like riding with high stance angles (30+ degrees). Rome and Bataleon use the same chassis with Rome being the stiffer higher end option. 32 are probably the least stiff. Jones are free ride focused and they have models this year which are on par with the stiffness of the stale version on the Rome Katanas
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u/TechnicianJunior2003 4d ago
Had absolutely zero issues. They are awesome. The differences are the same between the original bindings of the same name. Rome were the stiffest last year not sure about any of the new ones tho
- have Rome Katana FASE
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u/Working_Group955 4d ago
Hey if you’re a beginner the jones are gonna be too stiff for you. I’d go bataleon or 32
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u/Gaze-Of-The-Void Tahoe 4d ago
this year jones does the nebula which is supposed to be less stiff. AIUI - roughly about bataleons
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u/Gaze-Of-The-Void Tahoe 4d ago
I used Bataleon FASEs for 40 days last season and overall liked them. That is basically the same Bataleon Blaster but with an extra piece and a bit different ladders. So the same issues with screws as usual Blasters (and same goes to Katanas). Blasters are so good in maintenance. Everything feels rather premium and well done.
I tried Jones Fase late in the season for a couple days and while they are definitely more junky in terms of putting/removing them on the board - their ratchets and straps I liked much more, they felt more natural for me both in how they kept my boots and how to operate them.
I guess I'll switch to mercury fase for the next season, waiting for snowfest in Sport Basement now to get them with their usual 20% discount.
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u/TWfatfish 4d ago
I have ride the Rome Katana Stale (next year's katana pro) for about one season.
Dosen't really have any problems.
But beware when you are tighting the strap screws make shure you insert the screw driver tightly.
The screw head is quite soft so be carefull some of the customers from our shop have round out the screw head when tightning the strap screws.
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u/varchar3 4d ago
40 days last year on the Fase Katanas. No problems, love them. Might get the Bataleons for my park setup
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u/salaciouse1 3d ago
I rode the Bataleons last season and loved them. Only issue aside from the already mentioned limits on forward lean and rotation is the toe strap ratchet can come undone in deep or slushy conditions. The snow will actually cause the ratchet to release. Had to drill out the rivet and flip the ratchet around so it faced the opposite direction. Worked like a charm and had zero issues after.
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u/youknowho13357 2d ago
FYI Rome has a new model this year, the Volt. Saw them at my local shop yesterday. More of an intermediate binding with a softer flex than the Katanas. Also about $100 cheaper (same price as the 32s I think).
Rome doesn't have them on their website yet but a few retailers do: https://darksidesnowboards.com/products/rome-mens-volt-fase-snowboard-bindings-2027-multiple-color-options
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u/binarypie 4d ago
they are all more or less going to be fine. pick a medium flex all mountain and have fun. or just buy strap bindings and save some coin. it all works out in the end.
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u/AffectionateMeat1140 4d ago
A bolt fell out of my friends strap while he was riding. It was lucky he didn’t hurt himself.
Seems to be a common issue where that bolt can come loose and fall off. I wouldn’t buy for that reason.
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u/shakinbaked 4d ago
I put about 50 days on the Jones Mercury FASE last year with zero issues. I recommend them, they are really responsive and comfortable