Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Middlebury, VT
    Posts
    1,992

    Tyrolia (Elan/Fischer/4FRNT) Adrenalin first impressions

    My Elan-branded Adrenalins showed up last night, thought I would post up some first impressions. I will add more as I mount them up and get some days on them.

    First up, weight: Weighed a single binding with the 115mm brake and all screws on a food scale, weighed it 5 times, all the same reading at 1388 grams.

    Next up, build/design thoughts: Overall, VERY Duke-like, but you knew that already. Having spent a fair amount of time on Dukes (my only binding for the last 5 seasons), I feel pretty comfortable with making comparisons. There are some things I really like about the Adrenalin, and some things that will bear testing. Here are my thoughts so far:

    What I like so far: Every screw holds on to a metal plate. In the toe, the steel plate forms the frame that also holds the metal pivot pin, so all of the torque is borne primarily by metal parts. Having replaced a few Duke nylon baseplates from hole wear (inserts), and having had the experience of twisting the nylon toe pivot frame area while touring (well, falling while touring, to be fair), this is comforting. In the heel, the titanium slider frame that holds the heel down is solid and confidence-inspiring. It floats on a metal plate, held down by t-topped screws (think old Marker front toe screw). Tolerances appear pretty tight, so I don't expect much slop. That said, a spinner in one of those screws could spell problems, and the special screws mean inserts are likely not an option. Lastly, I really like the ability to switch to free heel mode without removing the ski. In the VT woods, there are often brief flat spots between pitches, so the ability to switch quickly back and forth is a real asset to me. Having watched my sister experience auto-tele mode on her Fritschis twice in one run in the Bolton backcountry, though, I am pleased to say that the touring switch lever appears to be short enough that it likely will not be an issue.

    What I don't love...yet: My primary points of reticence from this early look involve the touring switch hardware. It's pretty simple. A lever behind the heel attaches, by a metal band, to the titanium plate. Moving the lever pushes (or pulls) the metal band and slides the ti plate onto or off of catches on the heel piece to lock or unlock it. Simple is good, and I like the idea. My concern is the metal band. First, it seems less sturdy than the other metal parts. Second, it attaches to the ti plate with pins. I wonder how the plate will hold up to ham-fisted powder hungry skiers shoving over hard at an iced-up mechanism again and again. If the band bends, or the pins shear, that could be a problem. Of course, the same could be said for any number of other mechanisms. And on balance, I find it reassuring that all of the moving parts in the touring system are metal, not plastic. Next, the ti plate moves on the four t-topped screws. This is also simple, but has a potential downfall if a screw becomes a spinner, or they are not tightened properly and there is too much space in the system. Of course, spinners and untightened screws are problematic for any binding, so this may not be an issue. Lastly, the toe wings are plastic, not metal as on the Duke. I thought metal was wise, but their longevity will remain to be seen.

    Overall, they seem a tidy, well-thought out package. I am excited to mount them up and spend some time on them to report back on how they operate over time. I would have mounted them last night, but they shorted me one of the T-topped screws, and they require both a 9mm and 7mm bit to mount, I only have the 9 at home. Oh well.
    Last edited by weasel1; 12-01-2012 at 05:55 AM.
    "I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."- Alan Greenspan

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Middlebury, VT
    Posts
    1,992
    Addit for pics. Mounted one up, waiting for the missing screw to finish the other one. Here are some pics.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	WP_000536.jpg 
Views:	250 
Size:	1.57 MB 
ID:	126830Click image for larger version. 

Name:	WP_000533.jpg 
Views:	218 
Size:	925.0 KB 
ID:	126831Click image for larger version. 

Name:	WP_000532.jpg 
Views:	200 
Size:	751.2 KB 
ID:	126832Click image for larger version. 

Name:	WP_000530.jpg 
Views:	1814 
Size:	857.2 KB 
ID:	126833Click image for larger version. 

Name:	WP_000528.jpg 
Views:	437 
Size:	1.34 MB 
ID:	126834Click image for larger version. 

Name:	WP_000524.jpg 
Views:	258 
Size:	1.47 MB 
ID:	126835
    Last edited by weasel1; 12-01-2012 at 03:05 PM.
    "I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."- Alan Greenspan

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Missoula, MT
    Posts
    22,462
    Any chance it has a full alpine (with upward release) toe of any kind?
    Do any of these new gen touring bindings have that?
    No longer stuck.

    Quote Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn View Post
    Just an uneducated guess.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Middlebury, VT
    Posts
    1,992
    None of the promo stuff indicated a straight up release, and I would have expected they would if it did.
    "I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."- Alan Greenspan

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    The Ice Coast
    Posts
    945
    Quote Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn View Post
    Any chance it has a full alpine (with upward release) toe of any kind?
    Do any of these new gen touring bindings have that?
    Holy Grail. Can't be that hard, engineering wise, to have an upward release with lockout. But suspect added weight and lack of demand from folks who get back on their tails regularly, so don't even want for alpine. Meanwhile, this looks well designed. And significantly lighter than the others.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Middlebury, VT
    Posts
    1,992
    My weight was for one binding, puts it about 4 grams lighter than the Duke is listed at....so basically the same weight. Certainly lighter than the Guardian though.
    "I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."- Alan Greenspan

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Middlebury, VT
    Posts
    1,992
    An update, though not much of one. Skied first full day inbounds this week, mostly bumps and shrubbery. No touring. They skied well. No noticeable play or slop at all, energy transmission felt very direct with strong grip. Heel felt secure, no pre-releases at 10 (5'8, 260lbs, 317 BSL). Felt well-balanced, overall. Had lots of opportunities to pop off of bumps and whales and such and, though I am not an air specialist, always felt secure on the landings and balanced on my feet.

    Headed to Florida for two weeks, so no updates for a while, but will post again with some touring time on them when I get back.
    "I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."- Alan Greenspan

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •