mbs straps on GTX

Hey everyone!
I'm interested in putting these bindings on my GTX: PARTS — MBS.COM
Any suggestions? I'm worried about possibly drilling into the electronics/battery, any tips on how to avoid this?
Any tips, suggestions, how-to etc for adding foot straps to the GTX deck would be very much appreciated!
Thanks in advanced!

 

I would recommend you strip the board down to the deck, removing the battery and electronics enclosure. Drill your mounting holes and affix flush mounted hardware from the enclosure side upwards ie a countersunk bolt from the enclosure side with the nut on the bindings side. Main concern would be that the mounting hardware impacts the battery. Lithium batteries do not take well to being punctured or damaged, that's how fires start.

 

Based on videos (where the battery is located on gtx), there appears to be fair bit of area around where the components are dug into the board, thus I believe that wouldn't be an issue at all unless you decided to mount right where the battery is (which I don't - prefer to have a wide stance so need them as close to the edges as possible anyway). but I was definitely thinking that when I saw photos here with drilled holes on the Carbon GT right where the components are in the middle! Wonder how they managed that? But I digress, I wish there was more step-by-step guides to follow regardless.

 

If you're staying clear of the enclosure you should be fine, sounds like you have thought it through. I would just mark where you want the bindings to be roughly and see where the bolts would need to be located, should be straightforward.

 

I don't know about that! I have no idea what I'm doing, and if it can be avoided I'd rather not drill into the deck at all! I'd love an option to have the end of the bindings clamp down on the side of the board and the other end clamped down through the gap on the top and bottom of the board (where the trucks are). Now that would be very ideal!

 

Grand Theft Angel,

My 2 cents…. First I couldn’t tell which bindings from the link you are actually looking at but they all appear to be the kind you tighten down. So those are kind of a U shape. Not certain I would recommend those for the skateboard. The first serious fall would not be pleasant. If you are going to use bindings there are some shaped more like an L that would allow you to come out of them much easier during a fall. I don’t use bindings on my board so I don’t have a model to send your way. Second you might be able to get longer screws and mount say one binding to the top of the deck from the back truck but doing that for the front would make for a weird stance. In that case drilling would be the only option. One way or the other get the bindings you want and eye ball how they would go on your board while standing on the board in your preferred position. Mark the holes and see where on the deck you would have to drill. I also wouldn’t clamp anything down; go with nuts and bolts with washers if you attach this to your board. I’ve drilled plenty of regular boards and the lamination is pretty darn strong. Don’t know if this helps but either way Skate on and Enjoy!

 

Use these: S2 Bindings.

No modification to the board needed, you just need some slightly longer truck screws. I can't say enough about them, I would never ride without them.

 

Thanks xrayturner and rickbad! I'll keep you posted on what happens.

 

• • S2's were difficult to find as of the Spring 2020. I tried Dakine Foot Hooks, which are similar. They were originally designed for Kite Surfing \ Wind Surfing but had adaptations for Skateboard. After experimenting with a hook on each end I have chosen to keep rear hook only. It is convenient as a brace against a quick start or hard acceleration.
• I am going to try the old school velcro footstraps. I've gotten more comfortable taking the Evolve GTR off-road into the dirt and grass. I am imitating the mountain boards I've seen over the years, much like snowboarders use bindings to stay attached. I plan on using the quality common sense installation advice from member fs996 (thank you fs996) Although it will be labor intensive, I don't see another approach that would keep me from costly mistakes.