Thread: An Ode to Metal Topsheet Skis and Burl Construction of Old

I pulled my Fritschi Freerides off my Rossi Axioms a couple nights ago. Those things are just too heavy for anything but lift service. Now this is the second set of freerides in the same, original holes, on these skis (had the grey ones and acquired the Plus's, dropped them in the same holes). I'm a big dude. 195ish lbs. I was up on my tippy toes and putting all my weight over the pozidriver to prevent the screws from stripping. The Axioms had a death grip on them little guys. I effectively ruined one screw, and at one point I was thinking I was going to have to dremel a notch in it to use a flathead. Anyway, each screw was a huge effort to extract. I don't use epoxy or anything either and I hand screwed them in (not with a drill). After that little session I had a dime sized blister on my palm, which is still a little tender.

It's rare these days that a ski will hold a screw like that--especially after it's the second one to go in the hole. I've mounted my fair share of skis this year (Gots, ANTs, Moments, Karhu Jaks, Beasts) and after getting out the heli-coil kit way too often, I have to appreciate a ski that strips a screw WAY before stripping a screw hole.

Here's to you old dogs.

In case it's valuable for you to know how I got that one screw out: it was pretty well stripped in the left-loosey direction, so I tightened it enough to break the death grip from the Axiom and THEN carefully loosened it with what little purchase I still had left.

I actually sold a pair of Axioms years back with bindings I wanted to keep, just cause I couldn't get some of the screws out.

Word up on that dog. Love vertical sidwall construction. I have a pair Atomic Heli-guides that are bomber to the core. Those suckers will not blow and edge no matter how many early season rocks I grind'em on.

On a side note, my 07 Dynastar Pro Riders seem to have the same ole skool burl of yesteryear.