Cartel vs Rome 390 vs Union Force

I've been posting this review all over the web, so I might as well post it here on SS, especially after reading Evernods issues with the Cartels:

Over the weekend I got a chance to ride all 3 and compare each. My riding time on each is varied; I spent over 20 days Cartels between last season and this season, I've spent 5 days on the Union Forces and I spent yesterday on the 390's. So I'm going to compare the 390's based on my first impressions.

'06 Cartel - Very responsive and feel more aggressive than the others. I loved the superstraps and highback until I rode the 390 and Force. Now I am noticing some minor pressure points on the superstrap and the Team Skyback digs into my legs a bit (this is with 0 forward lean). I don't feel like the baseplate padding is as comfortable as the Force or 390 and the toecap slips off my '05 Ions and the Salomon F20's I rode last year.

'06 Union Force - A little less aggressive than the 390 and Cartel. The highback offers more freedom of movement laterally than the others yet it is responsive and comfortable. The ankle strap is not padded as softly as the 390 and Cartel yet is has been very comfortable and responsive with no pressure points. The convertible toe strap slips a bit on my Ions but is very comfortable both as a cap and over the top of the boot. Baseplate padding and toe ramp is very comfortable.

'07 Rome 390 - I have only ridden these one day so I'll give you my 1st impressions: Comfy and responsive with loads of adjustability. Of the 3 bindings the 390's had the only toe cap strap that did not slip off the toe of my boots. The highback is more aggressive feeling than the Force but less so than the Cartel. The highback felt much softer when fondling them in the store but when riding it is really comfortable and feels medium stiff. The baseplate padding and toe ramp were very comfortable. The 390 ankle strap has felt very comfortable for me even cranked down hard. Easy to step into, the straps fold out of the way easily.

Overall: I do like the Cartels but I find them less comfortable in comparison. Though the Cartels are a little more responsive I'm more than willing to trade that for the extra comfort and adjustability of the Forces and 390's. I really like the adjustable heelcups on the Forces and 390's and the tooless strap adjustments on the 390 is great.

Bottom Line: I feel that the Forces and 390s are a better deal for the money (Retail: Cartel $220, 390 $190, Force $200), offer more adjustability and more comfort. Anyone want to buy/trade a pair of large '06 Cartels in black?

Edited by shralp - Dec/13/2006 at 11:43am

found it!

i wish they sold Romes here.

ps - Shralp.....

Size 9 Ions..... Size Large Cartels??????

No wonder you are complaining about fit issues. Size 9 Ions should be in a size Medium Cartel.

s 3-8
m 8-10
l 10+

after eight days of riding, both my Technines and Relay Pros feel fine. I have been surprised the shape my legs are in. the Cartels caused a pain in both ankes unlike anything i have ever experienced. it has to be because of that highback and NOT because of the height (as you can see in the pic i posted, SPX55's havea  taller highback). my theory is that it's the forward lean. rotating them did help.
i'm taking a break from them and riding my Relays again tomorrow. it may be my last day until Christmas which makes me sad. hopefully when i come back from Tejas, the Catskills will be buried in snow.

hey - is the main difference between Cartels and Missions the highback?

does anyone have an opinion on Targas vs. 390s? how much stiffer are the Targas?

Originally posted by hoon evernod - i really like the targas but they felt like c60 stiff to me. after a day of riding, i was like "god help me. my legs aren't strong enough for this." but that's me. they do have some sick features. i have pushed rome to create a binding that is 390 flex with targa tech.

Evernod, I rode some Targas last season and felt the same way as Hoon. They felt like P1 Carbons to me (I've never ridden C60's). They had awesome features but were a little too unforgiving for my taste. A 390 with Targa straps would be sick.

A guy at my local Any Mountain scared me off the 390s when he told me that they're great bindings, but the ratchets tend to stick pretty bad... any truth to that?

While I'm at it, the ratchets on the Forces I picked up (and am going to return, they're a size too small) seem a little stubborn.  I damn near cut myself once.  I didn't even consider it a potential issue until I was playing around with Cartels and saw how easy those things release.

I am REALLY considering picking up a pair of Cartels after trying them on... damn near perfect fit for my boot in a Large, no pressure points, no slippage.  I was surprised.




Edited by kimchijajonshim - Dec/16/2006 at 4:16pm

man up! the highbacks rock.

Originally posted by hoon man up! the highbacks rock.

you've all been brainwashed!

"man up"? is that like "cowboy up"?
seems like there are lots of comfortable Options for highbacks that are at least as responsive.

BE FREE PEOPLE!!!!! BE FREE!!!

(i didn't win those Romes, so now i'm waiting for some sort of discount - probably pick up some Unions while i wait)