Remounting my Mantras - a few quick questions

**Smails** · 01-02-2008, 05:56 PM

Don't worry, this is not another "where should I mount my Mantra's thread." I went 1 1/2cm back on my '08 Mantra and while they rip on anything wide open and floated great in the trees at Stowe I am not a huge fan of how they hook up on ice. I demoed with a more center mount and they were like ice skates and more manageable in bumps. The reality is I will be using them in the east coast primarily so want to remount.

(1) Is the consensus the safe distance between holes is 1 cm? Or do I need to go more? Not that there is a huge difference between going back to center (+ 1 1/2) or just +1 forward.

(2) Right now I have Marker 1800 on them and the heel piece is about centered on the track. If I moved the toe piece +1 or +1 1/2 back toward center should I try to not re-drill the heel piece? What are the odds I will have enough travel?

(3) Would I have an issue re-using the original holes if I go forward, and then decide to go back to the original -1 1/2 mount.

(3a) Am I a complete noozle for doing this? I think I know the answer to that one.

**stuckathuntermtn** · 01-02-2008, 09:11 PM

1cm between holes

**Conundrum** · 01-02-2008, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by Smails

(1) Is the consensus the safe distance between holes is 1 cm? Or do I need to go more? Not that there is a huge difference between going back to center (+ 1 1/2) or just +1 forward.

(2) Right now I have Marker 1800 on them and the heel piece is about centered on the track. If I moved the toe piece +1 or +1 1/2 back toward center should I try to not re-drill the heel piece? What are the odds I will have enough travel?

(3) Would I have an issue re-using the original holes if I go forward, and then decide to go back to the original -1 1/2 mount.

(3a) Am I a complete noozle for doing this? I think I know the answer to that one.

1-1cm between holes is fine. That topsheet has a layer of metal so you can sleep easy.

2-I'm not sure how much adjustibility is in those. Sharpie a mark on the heel and track and then scoot the heel piece forward all the way. The distance between the marks is how far forward so if it's 1cm or more, you are set.

3-No

3a-What's a noozle? All I can come up with is the offspring of douche and nozzle. I'm not saying that's you. Just sayin'

**Smails** · 01-02-2008, 09:58 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I just haven't bought new in a while and don't want to fuck these up. Plus I want to make sure I have the right info before going into a shop I don't trust. The skis rip as is in the right conditions so we will see what I do with this.

Just a little combo word we use from time to time, btw looking forward to getting that G10 conundrum. Thanks again for the deal

**HitMe** · 01-03-2008, 12:57 AM

1 cm center-center would be minimum, but especially if you might intend to go back to the original holes later I would give it 3-5 mm more. Re-using holes on this type of ski usually works, but you might end up having to helicoil an old hole (especially of it has been plugged) and then 1 cm c-c starts to get tight.

I think the Marker 18 only have 20 o 22mm of adjustment. So if you go for 1 cm forwards it might work. But as indicated above, that's easy to test by just measuring how far forwards the binding can go from where you have it now.

Out of curiosity: What length do you have? Might I guess 191?

**Smails** · 01-03-2008, 08:32 AM

Hit me, I have the 184. Thanks for the info on the holes, etc. I am really torn here and my leave them as is. They ski great the deeper it gets and feel really solid at high speed. I am a former racer though and just hate that extra second it takes for the edges to hook up when I need them. The trade off is though that the tips dove a bit and sometimes I felt the tails get in the way when I demoed mounted in the line. For the intended purpose they are great. But I am trying to find the right balance so i can use them for everyday skiing and on powder days.

**cooltsi** · 01-03-2008, 09:08 AM

Would you consider a demo binding? The tyrolia Railflex would be another option. More slop in a wider ski but in my opinion they aren't any worse than a Marker even the 18.0.

**Smails** · 01-03-2008, 09:28 AM

Not really looking for a demo binder, but it would be nice to move them around. I'd like to know how many people who hate marker have skied the all metal high din binders. I raced for a lot of years and pre-released 4 times in one year from Salomons. Never a problem with the markers though. That said, 1200's are garbage and constantly pre-release, never would dispute that.

**HitMe** · 01-03-2008, 01:30 PM

OK 184s. I have mine 1.5 cm back but I skied them mounted on the line too. As you say, they set a rail a bit faster when on the line and you feel more "over" them in a way. But I still prefer mine as they are (back) because of better stability in cut up conditions and generally at speed and better float and ability to load the tips up in pow. But on the other hand I usually end up on my wifes 170 Mantras on small hills (mounted around 15mm back at my sole length). Very fun and surprisingly stable for such a small ski. So, I guess the recommendation would be to keep the 184s and get a pair of 170 or 177...

But seriously, I think the mantra 184 is a very all round ski. For my style the 15mm back mounting works the best overall. Others prefer it on the line. I think you just have to decide and then adjust your style a bit either in pow or when carving them. Go on the line and ski them more "centered" in pow or stay 1.5cm back and just attack harder when carving.

**single** · 01-03-2008, 01:45 PM

This might be what you need... Atomic 4.12 race bindings are very adjustable. (The old ones, they might make new ones. Neox bindings are not adjustable) I think they slide 1 cm up or down. They are heavy, but solid bindings nonetheless. Plus, they are cheap as hell. I have a pair going onto my ants right now.

Its super nice. You just slide a piece on the front of the binding and push it until it sets. Easy to do with gloves on, no tools required.

**cooltsi** · 01-03-2008, 02:23 PM

I have nothing nice to say about 614 or 412 atomic bindings. The heel pieces have let me down a number of times in the prerelease department. I ditched my Big Daddies because of the mounted 614's.

**Smails** · 01-03-2008, 04:16 PM

Does anyone have any thoughts on if perhaps when i demoed I would have had a forward mount? With Tyrolia demo bindings mounted however they are mounted standard and a 26.5 boot could I have perhaps ended up on the + side give the smaller size of my boot?

**Conundrum** · 01-03-2008, 04:29 PM

Most demo places will set you up at boot center unless you ask otherwise. A lot of older demo bindings only moved the heel. Now, most demos move both so most likely you were boot center. 26.5 is almost average for a boot size these days so wouldn't think that they put you forward.

I had 184 Mantras mounted on the line tele and noticed a little tip dive in softer stuff. I never skied them on ice but in firmer conditions, I liked them on the line.

**Smails** · 01-03-2008, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Conundrum

Most demo places will set you up at boot center unless you ask otherwise. A lot of older demo bindings only moved the heel. Now, most demos move both so most likely you were boot center. 26.5 is almost average for a boot size these days so wouldn't think that they put you forward.

I had 184 Mantras mounted on the line tele and noticed a little tip dive in softer stuff. I never skied them on ice but in firmer conditions, I liked them on the line.

Good info, thanks. I had it in my head that the bindings just moved in the heel and that maybe I was forward. Probably not though I suppose. I definitely experienced tip dive and felt like the tails were getting in the way with the center mount. Great carving though. I suppose maybe I should wait until my trip to Alta-Bird to play around with them. I get the feeling I might not like the center mount out there.