Pros/Cons Small vs. Large Duke

**robnow** · 09-28-2007, 09:21 AM

If I am correct, Small Dukes run up to boot sole length of 320 and the large starts at 305. So for those who fit b/w 305 and 320 which would be better, and more specifically, which would be stiffer?

Pros of Small:
Lighter weight - Any idea the difference?
Would allow more natural flex of ski

The issue of binding stiffness keeps coming up so would the Large Duke be actually stiffer than the Small. I'm assuming the heel plate on the small would be placed more in front of the heel of the boot where as on the large would be placed more behind the heel. Would this then mean the large would be the more stiff of the two-less torque ot twisting? Or do you think the difference would be negligible?

Thoughts?

**hemas** · 09-28-2007, 09:23 AM

Same with Duke as with all AT-bindings... Go small.

**The Dad** · 09-28-2007, 09:41 AM

As a practical matter, I'd go small for the simple reason that you're unlikely to move to boots with a larger BSL, but if you opt for more performance, you may end up with a smaller one. (IIRC, AT boots also typically have smaller BSLs than their alpine brethren.)

Sucks for me, with my current 324mm BSL, because I had no choice but to go for the large.

**BallsDeep** · 09-28-2007, 09:44 AM

My BSL is 313 (or maybe 314, can't remember) and I went with the small. My only deciding factor was weight though, I really didn't think about torque.

**Caucasian Asian** · 09-28-2007, 10:17 AM

I usually have a large Duke in the AM, and sometimes take I a small Duke after work.

**Pooze** · 09-28-2007, 10:32 AM

FYI: With a bsl of 325mm, I was wrestling with this same issue. A rep at Marker indicated the small will actually adjust out to 325mm no problem.

**The Dad** · 09-28-2007, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Pooze

FYI: With a bsl of 325mm, I was wrestling with this same issue. A rep at Marker indicated the small will actually adjust out to 325mm no problem.

. Probably too late for my order with ptex1.

**Eds** · 09-28-2007, 05:16 PM

AT binders tend to underestimate the amount of adjusting they can do.....

**Ottime** · 09-29-2007, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Caucasian Asian

I usually have a large Duke in the AM, and sometimes take I a small Duke after work.

, only two Dukes a day? I get that done by 7am.

**mc_roon** · 10-01-2007, 04:30 AM

Originally Posted by Pooze

FYI: With a bsl of 325mm, I was wrestling with this same issue. A rep at Marker indicated the small will actually adjust out to 325mm no problem.

WHAT? my bsl is 325 so i got a large duke. fuck me

**altasnowbirdripper** · 10-03-2007, 08:44 AM

perfect timing is bliss..well said!

Originally Posted by Caucasian Asian

I usually have a large Duke in the AM, and sometimes take I a small Duke after work.

**Spats** · 10-03-2007, 12:50 PM

The heelpiece on Freerides puts a lot of torque on the bar, and the heel release doesn't keep the bar from twisting very well. This means that the toe gives you most of your torsional stiffness, and a shorter binding will help quite a bit.

With the Duke, the heel is very securely locked down on both sides of a wide footprint. I think that, with the way the Duke attaches to the ski, it will matter a lot less than with Freerides.

**Tele'ndaboat** · 10-03-2007, 12:56 PM

It's not the size of the duke, its how you use it

**Fritz** · 10-03-2007, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Ottime

, only two Dukes a day? I get that done by 7am.

Depending on how many percocets I've had, sometimes 0 per day.

**Caucasian Asian** · 10-03-2007, 02:50 PM

I've been dealing with draft-beer Dukes all day.

**couloirman** · 10-10-2007, 12:11 PM

what is the relat between mondo size and BSL? I have scarpa denalis with a liner that says mondo 285, nothing on the shell(Im a street shoe 10.5). Is BSL simply me measuring the sole from tip to heel? Just trying to figure which size duke to get...

EDIT: I think I'm a 317 if my measurement of the bottom sole of the boot is correct, so small it is(but a close fit). Maybe its like din range though, not wanting to ride a binding at the highest end of the din setting, not trying to ride it at the highest size setting either?

**Cirquerider** · 10-10-2007, 12:35 PM

couloirman, unless I misunderstand your question, just measure the sole length in millimeters. You can even measure in inches and convert.

**couloirman** · 10-10-2007, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by Cirquerider

I know, I should have put the "Im a JONG" disclaimer at the start of the post. I just wasn't POSITIVE if that was the way to measure BSL, but it sure seemed logical...

**The Dad** · 10-10-2007, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by couloirman

what is the relat between mondo size and BSL? I have scarpa denalis with a liner that says mondo 285, nothing on the shell(Im a street shoe 10.5). Is BSL simply me measuring the sole from tip to heel?

Mondo measures the interior length, while BSL is the exterior. Thus, while they'll tend to vary proportionally within a given model or brand of boot, they don't necessarily correlate directly as a general principle.

Just measure. A good shop will do that, rather than depending on the markings.