Thread: EC Tele Quiver - NTN/112s/inserts/etc. - advice.

About me: 6’2”, 180lbs, moderately athletic, about 20 years on snow with the last seven being tele, probably will be skiing 20-25 days east coast this year (living in upstate NY) and hopefully 14-21 days out somewhere in the bigger mountains (out West, Europe, etc.)

Skis currently have: 2004 179cm BD Crossbows mounted with BD O3 (ice skiing primarily and summer ski mountaineering) & 2004ish 188cm stiff bros mounted with R8’s (out west, little BC every once in a while)

Considering:

179 Crossbows with Plum Guides for EC BC (Adirondack slides) and spring/summer ski mountaineering with possible inbounds stuff when super icy.

190? Wailer 112RP with NTN – for the EC powder days, bigger mountains, backcountry, etc.

188 Bro with NTN (NTN plate) - for...whenever?

170-180ish twintip park ski with NTN – something (most likely used or a SAC deal) to play around with on the EC. I'm not a huge park guy, but I think it could be fun. Any recommendations?

Most of my weekday skiing will be at small local hills and weekends will either be in the Adirondacks, whether inbounds or on the Slides, or VT/NH. Then I should (hopefully) have a few weeks in the mountains somewhere in the world. Last time I had a season in the east coast was 07-08 and while I love the Bros out west, I felt they didn’t bite on the ice as much and usually resorted to the Crossbows, which worked well. (Note: I never did any special edge sharpening and/or detuning of the skis). I’ve improved as a skier since then though. Two winters ago I did a week at a BC hut in British Columbia and the Bros were of course great in the open. But in the trees, their large turn radius (right?) made it pretty challenging to get the ski to turn quickly and make turns. I’m sure some if it is in my technique, skill, and power, but correct me if I’m wrong, the Bros want big, open terrain. Seeing/reading/drooling over the 112RP make it sound like it would perfectly fit the bill of being turny in tight terrain, while still being able to hold decent speed stability in the open (I’m not a huge speed demon either). Any other skis I should consider besides the 112s? And if I went with the Wailers, does 190 - with their shorter running length - sound right?

Boots: I’ve had Scarpa T1’s for six years or so and am switching to NTN (and I would also like Dynafit compatibility), so looking at TX Comp and Terminator X. The weight difference between the TX Comp and Terminator X seems marginal, so I would tend towards the four buckle boot, the TX Comp: anyone disagree? Is the sizing about the same as T1’s?

Inserts/Binding Freedom: I’m not that knowledgeable on ski tech - and I did search the forums - but from everything I could find, it sounds like inserts could simplify my quiver substantially. The way I understand it, inserts go into the ski where the bindings mount (NTN and Plum for me) and then the bindings can be swapped amongst skis, correct? If that’s the case, then I would be able to get rid of my T1 boots and it simplifies the quiver situation substantially.

Bumpage...any thoughts?

What is the question?

My first reaction would be that you're getting very little out of Bro Stiffs with R8 bindings. The bindings are not active. In general, they are quite sloppy. Put the Plumb Guides on those boards and experience a huge increase in edge control, ability to drive the tip, etc.

here ya go

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...-skis-for-sale

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...-plus-BB-plate

Coming from the T1 I'd suggest the comps. I went with the tx pro and feel that they are a little wimpy. I would like to get the comps.

T1 to Tx pro/comp sizing is the same in the length but the NTN boots are a lot wider.

Can't offer much opinion on the skis except to say that I was looking for a quick turning ski for tours in the selkirks and picked the 112rp. Also considered the nunataq, and praxis BC. For EC I wonder if the praxis may be a better width?

I cannot understand buying a quality light ski just to put the heaviest POS binding on it. If you really want to use the skis for BC and bigger mountains put the Plums on them.

^^^ Plums look really nice but they suck for telemarking.

Originally Posted by whacked

What is the question?

If my plan makes sense, mostly, and if there was anything else I should investigate.

Originally Posted by gritter

Coming from the T1 I'd suggest the comps. I went with the tx pro and feel that they are a little wimpy. I would like to get the comps.

T1 to Tx pro/comp sizing is the same in the length but the NTN boots are a lot wider.

Can't offer much opinion on the skis except to say that I was looking for a quick turning ski for tours in the selkirks and picked the 112rp. Also considered the nunataq, and praxis BC. For EC I wonder if the praxis may be a better width?

Thanks for the help on the boots. I went with the TX Pros for now as I'd like the touring capability. After getting used to NTN I find the Pros lacking, then I'll check out the Comps. I'll investigate the nunataq and praxis BC a little more; thanks.

Yep. If I had it to do over again, I'd get Comps too, having been a BIG fan of T1's. The Pros are pretty good though - the bellows are just a bit soft. Other than that, great boot.

As far as skis, I ski in MN, and my main ski has been the Volkl Wall for the last 3 years. Great EC/MW ski @ 87mm waist. I don't know a thing about any of the other skis you mentioned. I love twins for resort tele though.

Good to hear, axe: thanks.

Anyone have experience with NTN and inserts? After talking to Jon and googling a bit, I found some decent info on the Quiver Killer website: looks like NTN requires 12x 8mm button screws.

The question is inserts. NTN or any other binding will not matter. If they are installed properly and you use locktite and check the screws occasionally QK will work fine.

As far as the above comments IMHO Cobra R-8s are not sloppy they are a great binding for what you pay and could drive any ski with a good boot.

The TX Comp is a big step up from Pros but you could also ski any ski in any terrain with Pros. The Pros are my BC boot and I ski the most challenging BC lines of my season in the spring couloirs with them.