Summit
10-14-2003, 09:29 PM
I attended CSAW today at Copper and I was very lucky to get a change to mess around with a Naxo NA01 binding and speak with a BCA rep about it.
Here is my review to clear up some mythes and flesh out some details not covered as deeply in the magazines.
This is NOT a first year binding. This is the second year under production.
The bindings go up to DIN 12, not 10. The DIN settings cannot be turned by fingers past DIN 5 or so... simply can't do it. The comments about a simple knock while skiing possibly changing the settings is something that could NEVER happen (unless maybe you are skiing DIN 4 but who the hell would?).
The AFD is awesome and bomber. It is designed somewhat similar to the Look AFDs. It is a moving plate and the the Naxo AFD plate is much larger than the Look AFD. It and should work great with AT boots and alpine boots. The toe side release seems great too... didn't mess with vertical release or the heel.
The plastic "shock absorber" metnioned by some that sits under the ball of the forebfoot is attatched with some sort of adhesive and not a screw... except it is NOT a shock absorber as near as I can tell, but rather a shaped piece of plastic to tilt the mount in walk mode before lifting so you can get the special Naxo stride thingy (which is reportedly a nice feeling and maybe an energy saver). When the heel is locked down it doesn't seem like it would experience any shock loading so it shouldn't need a screw.
The toe piece seems great. It's not S914 bomber, but neither are the Freerides. I'd say they are about equal. I saw four screws on the front and I think two or three for the back.
The twin poles under the foot seem plenty sturdy and the binding will provide 37mm of lift.
The binding did not seem to have much if any play while unlocked and had no play while locked down. Solid as it should be.
I wish it had 4 heel elevator settings like the Freerides have instead of just 3.
The yellow tail piece discussed by some: BCA said they were the only people who ever managed to break it. They said that design this year is different from last year (it seems fairly beefy) and the heel positions all have notchies to keep you from being able move the heel sideways in a fall which could rip the front.
The tail lockdown seems as good as the Freerides although it seems like it would be harder to lock and unlock with poles.
Thats it... it is not a wimpy binding. NAXO! IT'S WHAT'S FOR DINNER! It looks like it is as good as the Freeride possibly better in some respects and I will definately be buying the NA01 as soon as I can get one! I can't wait to try it on the snow!
And a told you so: Like I said before, if BCA is distributing it, it must be a good, reliable, and durable piece of gear.
Here is my review to clear up some mythes and flesh out some details not covered as deeply in the magazines.
This is NOT a first year binding. This is the second year under production.
The bindings go up to DIN 12, not 10. The DIN settings cannot be turned by fingers past DIN 5 or so... simply can't do it. The comments about a simple knock while skiing possibly changing the settings is something that could NEVER happen (unless maybe you are skiing DIN 4 but who the hell would?).
The AFD is awesome and bomber. It is designed somewhat similar to the Look AFDs. It is a moving plate and the the Naxo AFD plate is much larger than the Look AFD. It and should work great with AT boots and alpine boots. The toe side release seems great too... didn't mess with vertical release or the heel.
The plastic "shock absorber" metnioned by some that sits under the ball of the forebfoot is attatched with some sort of adhesive and not a screw... except it is NOT a shock absorber as near as I can tell, but rather a shaped piece of plastic to tilt the mount in walk mode before lifting so you can get the special Naxo stride thingy (which is reportedly a nice feeling and maybe an energy saver). When the heel is locked down it doesn't seem like it would experience any shock loading so it shouldn't need a screw.
The toe piece seems great. It's not S914 bomber, but neither are the Freerides. I'd say they are about equal. I saw four screws on the front and I think two or three for the back.
The twin poles under the foot seem plenty sturdy and the binding will provide 37mm of lift.
The binding did not seem to have much if any play while unlocked and had no play while locked down. Solid as it should be.
I wish it had 4 heel elevator settings like the Freerides have instead of just 3.
The yellow tail piece discussed by some: BCA said they were the only people who ever managed to break it. They said that design this year is different from last year (it seems fairly beefy) and the heel positions all have notchies to keep you from being able move the heel sideways in a fall which could rip the front.
The tail lockdown seems as good as the Freerides although it seems like it would be harder to lock and unlock with poles.
Thats it... it is not a wimpy binding. NAXO! IT'S WHAT'S FOR DINNER! It looks like it is as good as the Freeride possibly better in some respects and I will definately be buying the NA01 as soon as I can get one! I can't wait to try it on the snow!
And a told you so: Like I said before, if BCA is distributing it, it must be a good, reliable, and durable piece of gear.