Thread: Telemark new set (bindings, boots)

Hey,

I am advance, pretty aggressive skier focused on Backcountry and Big Mountain skiing. I tried telemark skiing twice this season and I have to admit that it's sick and I would like to get better in that next winter. And here my problem arises. I do not really have a clue about telemark equipment that's why I ask you guys to help me with collecting the right staff that would fit my best.

Ok so to start with of course I am still kinda begginer, but I learn fast and on my second time I was actually skiing some powder. I want to have a set-up that I can take really off-piste and ski some powder, because that's where I spend most of my time.

[ame="http://vimeo.com/8195525"]cloudy day after the storm on Vimeo[/ame]
[ame="http://vimeo.com/7979091"]early season pow on Vimeo[/ame]

so that where I probably would take my new set-up at the most. So basically some freeride, backcountry freestyle, trees, switch riding etc.

I already have also a ski - 100 under foot - 135 in nose - 188cm length. If it's going to be good I actually would like to put the binding later on more backcountry freestyle ski, little bit wider under foot, but slightly shorter (sth like armada JJ)

So what I am looking for now are boots and bindings. I do not what something "cheap" that I would have to replace after one season. I also want sth with touring mode (for ascent).

So what I want to ask you for is simply to write me what in your opinion would be the best option for me or what are the characteristics I should look for.

I am currently in USA and I would like to buy some bindings here. I was thinking about getting something from backcountry.com

http://www.backcountry.com/store/gro...-Bindings.html

with focus on g3 Targa ascent, but I would actually to get somethign cheaper in case it is good enough. But of course if you know some better sites, mayby where they got some discounts, it would work fine

Concerning boots I would probably get them already in Europe so either sth from Scarpa or Garmont as they are relatively easy to buy.

Thanks for help !

boots = let your feet decide, scarpa and garmont serve very different types of feet.
Bindings = the BIG issue is NTN vs 75. I've skied only NTN so far and can tell you only very good things about them.

Probably don't want the asscent for what you describe. It will be hard to find something cheaper with a free pivot (touring mode), maybe if it is used. You will probably be happier with a bd O1 or maybe 22designs axl if you go for touring mode with a binding that can rock the down. Depends on how big you are I guess. Voile switchback is also worth considering. Search on gear swap here and tele turnaround over at Ttips for for something used to keep price down. Although bd O1s are on your link for $225 and I picked up some axls for under $250 at the end the season for the wife. Unfortunately the addition of the free pivot adds some $$, but if you are serious about touring you should get it to make your life easier.

my $.02.

ntn ski awesome, but are $$$ and heaviest tele bindings out there. not sure how they tour which would be my biggest concern with them if you are serious about earning your turns.

What V61 said re. boots, but don't forget Crispi.

75mm vs. NTN = NTN, no question.

NTN tour fine. Free pivot isn't 100% free and the travel isn't super huge, but it's enough to get up the steepest things I've ever wanted/tried to skin.

They are fairly heavy which is kind of a bummer, but their performance on the down is unparalleled. Ahem. If you're skiing something fatter than 100mm, then you obviously don't care that much about weight so don't fuss. You can also get extra plates to swap bindings your 100mm ski to your JJs and you won't have to get a whole new set, which helps offset the initial high cost a bit.

Search and ye shall find.

There are merits to passive and light setups (e.g. Voile Switchbacks/T2's) and active and heavy setups (e.g. NTN; big boots/Hammerheads). Nobody but you can determine which will be best for you, and you won't be able to make that determination until you've tele skied for a season or two.

One thing is certain: NTN offers great control and is fine for lift skiing but it's big clunky heavy hardware for big touring days.

My preferences: (a) for touring on tele go light cuz, after all, it's Nordic fucking skiing fer crissake; (b) active heavy stuff is fun for lift served skiing; (c) if I'm touring on steep stuff, I'm on Dynafits these days -- alpine gear for alpine terain. Nordic gear for Nordic terrain. Duh.

I will never go back to 75mm. I can stomach the extra weight of NTN (not much heavier than BD01's, really) for the performance and swappability. On a big fat ski, it's a huge deal. They'll release in a catastrophic fall too. Anyway..yada yada yada...insert nausea inducing NTN debates here.

Good luck. Nordic elegance and years of getting back to your former downhill ability await.

If you can find bombers, buy them they are the best bindings out there. I'm still disapointed I sold them and my t-races to fund an ntn set-up. I skied 100 days on my ntn/crispi this year and was not entirely stoked on them, after about 25 I developed some serious play in them, also I didn't really like the flex point, it felt too far forward. In the end ntn just made me want to ski alpine turns. I would go for 22 designs for touring or bombers for resort. Also if you can fit into t-races, get them. I've tried garmont, crispi, and scarpa boots and the t-race wins hands down in terms of performance.

nice comparison of the scarpa, garmont and crispi NTN boot bellows

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rgeWe7fA_A&feature=related"]YouTube- NTN Boot flex review (highly technical arm flex :-) ) 2009-10.[/nomedia]

I agree with verbier61, try on some different boots and go with a brand that fits your feet pretty well. Garmonts tend to be roomier than Scarpas. I have skied both and both are quality products. Select a boot model based on how big you are. Most people like the T1, but if you are tall and skinny like me the T2X will probably work better, especially since you will be in powder most of the time. Avoid really stiff boots while learning (e.g. T Race), because they make it hard to get a feel for the natural tele stance.

Bindings- I think you are on the right path looking for a tour mode binding. I have stuck with 75 mm rather than go NTN. Both are probably fine, although NTN is pretty darn new, so less of a 'tried and true' design. I would NOT buy the G3 Ascent. It has a bad reputation for failure and for icing up really bad from snow packing in the touring mechanism. Black Diamond 01s have a bad reputation for wiggling their screws loose and ripping out, as well as other issues. I own both the 22 Designs Axl and the Voile Switchback. Both are well designed and burly. The Axl is way more 'active' I.E. stiff then the Switchback, so if you want a binding that does most of the work for you you could go that route. I think the Switchback is better on a mostly BC powder setup, because they are more tour friendly due to the heel risers and weight. Those are my opinions, for what they are worth.

do you care about release ?

On the old floppy leatehr boots and skinny skis you weren't really going very fast when you fell ,fast forward to the modern plastic boosts and big skis ... you are going just as fast as on alpine gear with no release

I didnt worry about injury till I spiral fractured my Tib/fib then I went right out and got releasables

Do NOT buy NTN unless you have tried them before, very different feeling.
I prefer 75mm all the way,nit alows you to ski waay lower when you feel for it.

If you wanna tour, the BD 01 are fantastic, i can also imagine that Axl's would be great. If you dont wanna buy new boots, the Scarpa T1 is the one's to go with, fantastic boot, and lots of em floating around.

I don't know if I'm stubborn or just plain stupid, but I love my big, heavy BD Custom boots and Hammerhead bindings for everything. I've done long tours in them as well as tons of resort days. Think the bindings are amazing, and the boots are wonderfully comfortable. Used to be in Cobra R8s and Scarpa T1s; loved the boots, but now that I've done so many days in the Hammerheads I think the R8s are a little underpowered. Wish I had the money for some Axls, though...

you should post this question over at ttips.com

http://www.telemarktalk.com/phpBB/vi...58b109943f1117

Sent you a PM today re: 01's if you are interested

hey, sorry but I didn't have an internet connection for some time so I couldn't write you back. Now I would definitely go for axl or hammerheads, but the problem is that I think everything in L size is already sold out... so unless you know the place where I can get them... So now I am considering getting o1 or going for ntn ... so what do you think about it ?

Yes Axl don't bother with the Hammer Head if you want to tour at all. There are maybe used ones floating around, or a shop may still have stock stored away for the summer. Otherwise wait until a new batch comes out this fall/winter, there are several outlets in Europe that stock 22's bindings.

Note Scarpa has added a tour switch to their T-Race for this year an intresting feature. I have never had the chance to try a Crispi Boot, but know several people who really like their Crispis so would also consider trying them out.

Originally Posted by mkielpa

Now I would definitely go for axl or hammerheads, but the problem is that I think everything in L size is already sold out... so unless you know the place where I can get them...

Marshal has a pair here for $135. I bought the other pair from him and they show little to no wear. You can't find a pair of Hammerheads for this cheap anywhere...
[ame="http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195357"]the biggest for sale thread in the history of TGR. - Teton Gravity Research Forums[/ame]

Originally Posted by cstefanic

Marshal has a pair here for $135. I bought the other pair from him and they show little to no wear. You can't find a pair of Hammerheads for this cheap anywhere...
the biggest for sale thread in the history of TGR. - Teton Gravity Research Forums

already sold :/ where can I eventually still get them ?

Well, I was going to suggest checking out TelemarkTalk, but I see you've already put up a WTB ad. I would say that's your best chance besides when they pop up here every once in a while. Check craigslist and ebay, too; you may get lucky. Good luck!

Originally Posted by galenparke

Yes Axl don't bother with the Hammer Head if you want to tour at all. There = Otherwise wait until a new batch comes out this fall/winter, there are several outlets in Europe that stock 22's bindings.

.

examples ?

Telemark-Pyrenees comes to mind first since their site often pops up
http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/

Then Twenty Two Designs, dealers and Demos site has listings in France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and The United Kingdom.
http://www.twentytwodesigns.com/dealers/index.php

Originally Posted by galenparke

Telemark-Pyrenees comes to mind first since their site often pops up
http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/

Then Twenty Two Designs, dealers and Demos site has listings in France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and The United Kingdom.
http://www.twentytwodesigns.com/dealers/index.php

thanks man

As noted the decision is NTN vs 75mm. If going 75mm, I would choose the AXL unless you need release. Personally, I would choose NTN. They tour fine, not as good as ome bindings but good enough. I put 50 days on my setup this past year, about half that in the backcountry, and was overall very happy once I got it all figured out.

Anything but G3 bindings, those are old technology and floppy. Get something at least hard wired, preferably Hammerheads.

I prefer the NTN myself and they do perform amazing things in terms of edge to edge control and quickness. If you have the cash and plan to slay the gnar, NTN does provide the next level in Tele performance, imho...

G3=sloppy NTN=tight, responsive