Thread: Is my Duke dead?

I have a pair of 08-09 dukes and on the toes there are these 4 pieces that have broke off. Anybody know if these should not be skied or whether these pieces are just cosmetic. I'm #140 and do not usually break anything. Could this be a warranty issue?

Where the piece broke off



The back side of the broken piece



One of the pieces kinda stayed in place


But the toe bed (don't know what that piece is called) lifts up

Search Function??

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...d.php?t=155907

Fully replaceable part, but im starting to wonder if a redesign is necessary. These seem to be breaking in larger #'s now. Unfortunate. I was pretty confident in these binders up until I broke mine this last weekend.

Call around to local shops that carry them. This is replaceable. Easy DIY fix if you have the part. If not go the warranty route.

I found the part locally yesterday and had it fixed in about 15 min. Hope it doesnt break too soon again.

Just for giggles, what boots you running in them? I kinda have a theory as to why they are breaking, but won't let it out until I get some more data.

Thanks.

warranty them.
The AFD on mine broke, along with many others.

ug my bad. thank.

I think it comes from using AFD as snow removal tool.

I have made a point of avoiding this after I got my warranty pair, and it seems to be fine now.

I'm sure it will be breaking next week. Fuck karma.

Boot is a Rossignol Bandit Composite with Fucked up toes and heals.... need new boots

Originally Posted by volklpowdermaniac

I think it comes from using AFD as snow removal tool.

I have made a point of avoiding this after I got my warranty pair, and it seems to be fine now.

I'm sure it will be breaking next week. Fuck karma.

I NEVER do this...ever....so mines a different case.

Again easily DIY replaceable if you have the part, but I hope they fix this in future generations.

I had much hope for this as a "do it all" binder. Oh well back to the drawing board.

Originally Posted by volklpowdermaniac

I think it comes from using AFD as snow removal tool.

That is my 1st thought or hucking to flat. I did both the day they broke. I was lucky enough to hit up a Marker rep on the mtn within minutes.

Hucking to flat has been done but no AFD snow removal.

Originally Posted by Skidog

Just for giggles, what boots you running in them? I kinda have a theory as to why they are breaking, but won't let it out until I get some more data.

It seems kind of obvious to me. The entire AFD support (the part that is breaking) is only supported vertically at the extreme ends. And that support is partial, as it sits on sloped rails. The only thing that keeps the AFD support from sliding down the sloped rails in response to downward pressure is the bolt in the center that holds it in its fore-aft place. That puts the bit of material between the bolt-in-the-center and the rails under shear stress. If you slide the actual AFD aside, you can see that that area is relieved(!)

That alone might not be enough to cause a problem. But remember that the AFD support is only supported itself at the extreme ends. I figure if you can somehow load the center of the AFD, you would force the AFD support to bow, or break if it's a hard and brittle material. This might happen more easily with a deformable sole.

I guess you can make the AFD support from a stronger material, weight-be-damned, but then I'd start worrying about those sloped rails. Breaking those would require the entire frame be replaced.

Originally Posted by DtEW

This might happen more easily with a deformable sole.

this is my theory for sure...good catch...

I think the using vibram soles will increase the occurrence of this breakage. I think that when the rubber compresses it puts much more force onto that AFD.

I cant explain the amount of failures with DIN boots, but it seems obvious on boots that can compress.

My impression is that this seems to be happpening to this year's Dukes... is that the case?

I think I will be trying to get a spare piece to put in my locker.

got a set of 09/10 model for a warranty replacement from marker on pr of busted 1st gens, the new ones seem to have some minor design mods, bigger hole on baseplate for the middle bolt, rounded edges on heel piece( no more dimples on boots), and this new fugly color combo.


haven't looked well @ the toe height adjustment piece that broke on your set, when i get back to vegas i will investigate.

here's a shot of the new designed(?)toe height adjustment piece on the 09/10 dukes:

Originally Posted by cdlv

here's a shot of the new designed toe height adjustment piece on the 09/10 dukes:

how are they different? In that pic they look that same....

Thanks.

Originally Posted by cdlv

here's a shot of the new designed toe height adjustment piece on the 09/10 dukes:

My broken replaced AFD...

Looks the same to me...please point out the differences.

yeah looks like yr right on it being the same, sorry for the cornfuzion.

Originally Posted by cdlv

yeah looks like yr right on it being the same, sorry for the cornfuzion.

no worries...sucks that they didnt fix probably the weakest point on the binding.

Oh well...WHITE STEEZE for you...

I'm getting a pair of dukes, I can get a slightly used 09 pair of dukes for $250 or I could by the 09/10 dukes for $200 more. Are there any changes in the 09/10 dukes that make them better/more reliable then the 08/09 dukes other then the ugly color that would make them worth spending an extra $200?

I haven't seen any significant improvement in the 09/10 that would justify another $200. If it's just the binding screw hole, I haven't really noticed it when mounting them. Just make sure the dude who mounts them does so well, and doesn't crank down on the centre screw.

As for the AFD, just take care when adjusting it, and do it proper. The Duke is a touring-capable binding and though bomber in many ways, has to be treated as such. Most of the issues I see with the Duke are with users who never tour with them, but expect it to perform the same as an alpine binding that lacks the complexity of moving parts and adjustments the Duke has.

The Duke is like a Porsche etc. It needs constant tuning and care.