Thread: Fritschi Diamir Freeride Pro 2013 binding

Had a talk with the backcountry.com rep and he said that the new Fritschi Diamir Freeride Pro Bindinghas been strengthened up a bit and a great ride compared to the dukes and dynafits. Wanted a second opinion on the binding if anyone has skied them or heard anything good or bad about them.

What's been changed since last year, and how does he define "a great ride?"

Been skiing the Diamir koolaid since 97 and they are a great binding in many regards, particularly for ease of mode switch and tour incline, decent on weight. But they are more wobbly than Marker F10/12/Baron/Duke and much lighter than baron/duke, comparable to f10/12. So it's the old blah-w00f diff weenie wheeling red sky argument.
The marker design is more solid. The f10/12 is close in weight, but doesn't adjust the incline post nearly as well. The markers and dynashits are much more solid feeling. The dynashit is the lightest but requires more specialized boots.
Backcuntry is a wad of suckbags since they fired phUnk among others. Love lost for profit.

that looks like the same shit in a slightly different packaging and it sounds like Backcountry WalMart is now hiring REI caliber employees.

To the best of my memory from OR/SIA last year, the ONLY change to the Freeride Pro is the color. Agree with HC above on bc.com employees.

Originally Posted by adrenalated

To the best of my memory from OR/SIA last year, the ONLY change to the Freeride Pro is the color.

That was my impression, too. In terms of lateral response, the Freeride Pro is a distant third to Dynafit and Duke. It's lighter than the Duke and you can get into tour mode without removing your ski. It's got somewhat better elasticity than any tech binding, at least upward at the heel. Neither of those selling points would convince me to buy them, especially at $499.95. If I were Black Diamond, I'd be riding Fritschi's ass to develop a workable tech binding ASAP.

Originally Posted by Aldburg

Had a talk with the backcountry.com rep and he said that the new Fritschi Diamir Freeride Pro Bindinghas been strengthened up a bit and a great ride compared to the dukes and dynafits. Wanted a second opinion on the binding if anyone has skied them or heard anything good or bad about them.

They say that every year, and every year the binding is pretty much the same. Without having seen anything other than the bc.com picture, I can give you the following review: they don't offer a great ride compared to dukes or dynafits. They tour reasonably well compared to dukes or guardians, but not nearly as well as dynafits. They ski worse than pretty much any other option out there, but there are plenty of people who make do with them.

They're a tad heavier than Tour 12's. The tours also ski pretty uncompromisingly once you're in downhill mode. Haven't skied the freerides though.

Originally Posted by gregL

If I were Black Diamond, I'd be riding Fritschi's ass to develop a workable tech binding ASAP.

A somewhat reliable little bird told me that BD is trying to become the american distributor for Plums.

IMHO, Until Fritschi redesigns their "floating heel," the Freeride's will never be on the same level of skiability as the Dukes.

Just asking but why do the Fritchi's not have "skiability"?

Originally Posted by eshed

A somewhat reliable little bird told me that BD is trying to become the american distributor for Plums.

I've thought that ever since I was at a demo at Loveland and all of the BD skis were mounted w/ Fritschi's and Plums. Kinda makes you wonder...

Originally Posted by eshed

A somewhat reliable little bird told me that BD is trying to become the american distributor for Plums.

Well they are a little late to that game, don't ya think?

Originally Posted by philth

Just asking but why do the Fritchi's not have "skiability"?

The lack of "skiability" is due to the fact that the heel piece floats rather than being fixed and rigid. It feels like the tail of the ski washes out more compared to other designs.

Originally Posted by eshed

A somewhat reliable little bird told me that BD is trying to become the american distributor for Plums.

Plum is already being distributed by redline sports group in boulder, FYI

Originally Posted by DropCliffsNotBombs

The lack of "skiability" is due to the fact that the heel piece floats rather than being fixed and rigid. It feels like the tail of the ski washes out more compared to other designs.

Huh? DCNB talking out his ass? Dynafit heel "floats" too, it's not uncommon for touring bindings

the skiability problem for Fritschi is torsional stiffness; until they swap to a two rail design it's unlikely to ever be fixed.

$499.95 sounds like a sweet deal. The new colors alone are probably worth paying more for?

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

Dynafit heel "floats" too, it's not uncommon for touring bindings

Yes, but with the toes locked into pins in a rigid sole the connection to the ski is rock solid. Granted, a two-rail frame would help, but Fritschi's problem stems mostly from the toepiece being made of plastic and anchored to elastomer blocks, not many people complain about lack of torsional rigidity with the frame unlocked while touring.

Originally Posted by gregL

Yes, but with the toes locked into pins in a rigid sole the connection to the ski is rock solid.

aside from torque on the heelpiece and fore and aft movement of the heel..... sure.

sent an email to black diamond directly and this is what they said, "Fritschi just updated the color of the Freeride Pro for 12/13. Same binding, mechanically, as the 11/12 (red/white) model, otherwise." So same binding new paint job.

Makes the BC.com rep look pretty bad.

Originally Posted by counterfeitfake

Makes the BC.com rep look pretty bad.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion. Maybe they're running a contest and anyone who sells five pairs of Freerides gets a paid afternoon off and a free Tabernacle tour.

Are phUnk and truth not allowed to post here anymore?
How do you even get fired from bc.com? I mean, I probably could because I'm impatient and socially retarded, but what did he do?

Sent from my cell phone. no, a cell phone.

Originally Posted by marshalolson

Plum is already being distributed by redline sports group in boulder, FYI

I remember that announcement much earlier in the year, but last time I checked, neither company's website had anything about such a relationship, and doesn't seem like Plum has picked up any new u.s. retailers for this season?

Originally Posted by gregL

Everyone's entitled to their opinion. Maybe they're running a contest and anyone who sells five pairs of Freerides gets a paid afternoon off and a free Tabernacle tour.

I think it's more along the lines of GGGR and someone's worried about 3rd prize