Marker Squire Binding - Adjustable AFD - Works with AT Boots?

I stopped in at Starthaus the other day. Was chatting with FlexonPhil and Snowhottie? about new gear, etc. Was looking at the new Marker Squire binding and noticed that it has a ramped, adjustable height, sliding AFD. Sort of like on the Duke/Baron, but it doesn't have quite as much range of motion. I'm wondering if this could be the new holy grail. An alpine binding that works with AT boots that have AT soles.

I haven't found a good picture of it online, but here's the best I've found:

http://www.blue-tomato.com/medias/ge...0_600_600.jpeg

There's a hex screw under the AFD that you adjust and it ramps the AFD back and forth. It does it this way rather than adjusting the height of the toe clamps.

FlexonPhil - have you had a chance to test out whether they'll work? With various AT boots? At least with the Dynafit ZZeus you had in-shop that match my boots? Would love to hear your feedback.

Very innnnnnnnteresting...

http://www.imaginaire.ca/Images2/Holmes-Image-Loupe.jpg

I found some better pictures, but they're embedded as flash in another page so I can't figure out how to embed them here. You can view them here:

http://www.skis.com/wide-brake-ski-b...1-p196359.html - Click on the second image (the one with a top view), then use the zoom button and you get get a close-up of the toe.

is the mount pattern the same as a jester?

we don't have any squires in the shop, but based on that photo, the hole pattern is the same as the griffon and jester.

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Originally Posted by Sinecure

I found some better pictures, but they're embedded as flash in another page so I can't figure out how to embed them here. You can view them here:

http://www.skis.com/wide-brake-ski-b...1-p196359.html - Click on the second image (the one with a top view), then use the zoom button and you get get a close-up of the toe.

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I see it now. There's a hole in the black plastic at the rear of the toepiece, and then the screw goes forward from there.

From the photo it looks likely that they'd work with AT boots. AFD looks almost exactly like the Duke/Baron--at least in shape and mechanism. Adjustment is different though as the Duke/Baron adjusts the AFD height from the front. But the adjustment mechanism looks like it works the same, just from the other side.

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Originally Posted by LightRanger

I see it now. There's a hole in the black plastic at the rear of the toepiece, and then the screw goes forward from there.

From the photo it looks likely that they'd work with AT boots. AFD looks almost exactly like the Duke/Baron--at least in shape and mechanism. Adjustment is different though as the Duke/Baron adjusts the AFD height from the front. But the adjustment mechanism looks like it works the same, just from the other side.

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That's right. But the AFD doesn't have quite as much range of motion as the Duke/Baron. It definitely ramps up and down, but what I want to know is does it go down low enough to work with AT boots. The ramp on the Duke/Baron is pretty dramatic. The Squire doesn't look as dramatic, hence my curiosity. I know FlexonPhil has a pair or two in their shop so I'm hoping they mount em up for a customer and have a chance to test with AT boots.

This question has come up so many times over the years that if the Squire works, it will be something of a holy grail among bindings, as mentioned in my first post.

@770g each w/100brakes - that would be nice

DIN 11 max, but still a great development

from
Marker "The lightest binding of its kind, the Squire is built on a 76mm minimum ski width platform and features the new Triple Pivot Compact Toe and Hollow Linkage Heel. The adjustable toe height allows precise adjustment to any boot lug. "

why adjust toe height if not for AT?
jester has none?!

PS - is "triple pivot toe" the new Biometric pre-releaseing toe :fm:

perhaps thst is the reason for the height adjust - if they have an upward release, then they might need a toe height to control pre-load vertically

I wonder if a franken-binding is possible just by interchanging parts. If we could refit the AFD parts to a jester it might be pretty sweet...

^^^ i like the cut of your jib, mister.

While we are waiting for F12's to arrive, the Squires are drawing some attention to if the toe AFD will adjust enough for a vibram soled boots. Oh, and the mounting is the same as the Grif-sters.

Just talked to the marker rep at a clinic tonite.

He says no go on the squire. Apparently, not enough clearance to fit a vibram sole. Not sure if it is liability speak or not, but apparently most boots wont fit well.

FWIW

then why the hell did they bother to add it? seriously?

perhaps this just addresses the toe-click issues people had with kryptons and jesters?

I thought the Squire was a JR binding? Perhaps the adjustable was added because of how small kiddy boots can be?

TRIPLE PIVOT COMPACT TOE

The new, very compact toe comes with a cross-axis toe spring. Sole holder rollers and gliding AFD provide extra protection and security expected from Marker binding models. Why should touring skiers accept less protection? An aluminium strut brace stiffens the whole construction, providing added support while remaining extremely light weight.

heh

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Originally Posted by PowTron

I thought the Squire was a JR binding? Perhaps the adjustable was added because of how small kiddy boots can be?

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That sounds right. edit: (in that they are making it adjustable for a junior boot)

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Originally Posted by PowTron

I thought the Squire was a JR binding? Perhaps the adjustable was added because of how small kiddy boots can be?

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I've been meaning to post about the Squires. The gf needs some new alpine binders and these caught my eye.

She skis around her DIN around 7, so that works, but it is a kids binding. I wonder if an adult should be skiing them for 30 days / winter? Retention when required is a must, can a kids binding provide that?

(Hijack: If around Vancouver wants to swap some minty mint mint high (8-16) DIN binders for some lower DIN clamps PM me!)

How does a binding with a DIN setting of 11, rated to 100kg, make it a kids only binding? I set my DIN at 9, this binding should suffice.

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Originally Posted by PowTron

I thought the Squire was a JR binding? Perhaps the adjustable was added because of how small kiddy boots can be?

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Squire is NOT a junior binding. It is a light-weight, adult binding marketed at teenage boys to put on their ugly park skis.

A true "junior" binding is made for a junior boot. That means different standards for toe-height and toe-width.

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Originally Posted by Sinecure

How does a binding with a DIN setting of 11, rated to 100kg, make it a kids only binding? I set my DIN at 9, this binding should suffice.

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Originally Posted by skimaxpower

Squire is NOT a junior binding. It is a light-weight, adult binding marketed at teenage boys to put on their ugly park skis.

A true "junior" binding is made for a junior boot. That means different standards for toe-height and toe-width.

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Fury muff. Good points. It just looked like a kids binding that's all.

The one that comes with the wider brakes is the white model. The stupid colored one comes with narrow brakes.

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Originally Posted by Huck_Schmuck

Fury muff. Good points. It just looked like a kids binding that's all.

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That is all I meant, is that it looks like it is made of legos.

Sinecure, I wasn't challenging your manliness :)

bump anyone have more info?

Flexon Phil, I thought you were going to mount up a pair and try them out with some AT boots - preferably the Dynafit Zzeus you have in the shop since they match what I wear.