Thread: Hammerhead Heel Tension Issues

I recently traded in my G3's for a pair of Hammerheads and so far have been disappointed in performance.

Specifically, I'm having problems with keeping tension on the heel of the boot - I can tighten the hand screws on the rear C-loop as tight as possible while still getting the heel throw up, but as soon as I engage the binding, the heel becomes loose again. The C-loop doesn't seem to be stripped (the threads are in the same position), it's almost as if the front spring isn't 'springing' back to where it should. As a result, I'm stepping out of the bindings 2-3 times per run, even tightening the hand screws as tight as they'll go after each step out. Any suggestions?

I'm skiing in the "4" position and have a large boot - 29.5. Thanks!

They will stretch out a bit initially but you should not be having constant problems like that. Check the cable routing and be sure the plastic plate is firmly on the ski deck.

Are they brand new?

first off, clarify your post- what are these "hand screws"? the adjustable cables? c loop is heel bail?

there should be no way you can max out the adjusts and still fit a 29 boot in the binding. if its just a matter of the adjusts losening, try electrical tape, it should hold for a while.

otherwise the heels are probably stripped (never heard of this happening) or you've managed to set them up very very wrong

I don't want to be too assuming here, but I had a buddy that kept putting his throws on the top shelf of his heel not in the throw groove (the horizontal indentation in the middle of the heel block) when he first started teleing. He was stepping out about 2 to 3 times per run until I watched him get back in his bindings and corrected him. Are you doing this?

Yep, hand screws are the adjustable cables. C-loop is the metal loop around my heel. Plastic plate is firmly on the ski deck, heel throw in the heel groove on my T1s, and I tighten the adjustable cables to the point that I can barely flip up the heel throw, but after engaging the binding just once (big turn, knee close to the ski), the binding is loose again. Would rather not fix with electrical tape given that I just dropped $250 on these bindings (which everyone said were better than G3's) and today was Day 1. Other ideas? Back to G3's?

I typically ski hard (previous skis were Mantras with G3 world cup cartridges), but this is ridiculous.

And hope they weren't set up very very wrong as I got them mounted at my local tele shop that (at least seems to be) in the know...

Heel tubes have stripped threads. The adjuster is basically a threaded spring, so when under tension your adjuster spring is slightly elongating and "popping" to the next thread in the heel tube. It becomes more evident with larger boots because more of the adjuster spring is outside the heel tube to elongate. My brother had this exact same problem(on a brand new binding) and he wears a 30.5. New heel tube = problem solved. Call 22 Designs with your problem and they will send you new ones(and they get them out fast).
I have never had a problem with any sort of "stretching" of cables that make readjustment necessary on an HH(Iwear a 29), unlike G3. There is no question the HH is a way better binding than G3, at least for me.
I would readjust binding and put your boot in on the bench and watch what happens. My brother could grab the adjuster in one hand and heel tube in the other and sharply tug on it and it would pop to the next thread.
Once you get it figured you will never think of your G3's again.

It's worth it to try and work out, Hammerheads definitely superior to G3's, its extremely odd that you're having this kind of trouble. 22 will make it right, you wont regret sticking with them when you get the ski the binders. Good luck...

Tuco is on it! The threads are stripped and this is by no means normal. Our house has at least 6 pairs of HH's and AXL's and we been using HH's since the Rainy days and have never had an issue like yours but I have heard of it. Chris @ 22 designs is a major qualility business man and will take care of your issue no doubt. Send him an email and let him know what's happening. info@twentytwodesigns.com

thanks all - will call or email 22 tomorrow. scared to bring these out again until i get new heel tubes.

please keep us updated on what 22 says. i'm about to make the G3 -> HH switch also.

if the shop sold the bindings to you, just go back there. Are these bindings new? Seems like a very odd problem to have.

You will get a quicker response by just getting in touch with 22 Designs. My brothers happened on a new pair, hasn't had a problem since being sent a new one.

Papa Rainey says it's possible for the threads to strip. Those thread required more QC than almost any other part of the binding. I guess some bad ones can slip out. Replace it.

What the hell would a guy named Rainey know about Hammerheads?

Your old man designed some great stuff, J! I hope he's livin' the good life these days.

He's transfered his energy for improving things to economic development in Rwanda.