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Thread: touring bindings for wife
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03-05-2018, 11:35 AM #1
touring bindings for wife
Since I have free-heeled my entire life and don't know much about alpine touring bindings thought I would get some input. My wife currently has some older Fritschi Freeride Pro bindings on a pair of Savory 7 skis. She has gone into insta-tele mode on a couple of occasions and the bindings just seem to have a lot of play in them. She also doesn't like how high they put the boot sole off the ski deck.
These are a touring/powder day lift served setup. Not looking for tech bindings. Any thoughts on something that would put her a little closer to the ski deck, relatively lightweight, fairly robust, and reasonably priced? A tall order I know. Any of the newer Fritschi bindings that might work and still use the same mount pattern?
Feel free to blast me for not researching first, but thought I would look for some suggestions first, then narrow it down from there by doing some homework.
Thanks
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03-05-2018, 11:41 AM #2
The immediate and obvious answer is the new Salomon S/LAB Shift. Only problem is it doesnt come out until next Fall. It should make the entire frame-binding category obsolete. Pins on the way up, full alpine binding on the way down. But weighs about 50-100g more than the Kingpins and it isn't cheap. MSRP will be $550. I guess that's not too bad since the Tectons are $650 and Kingpins 500.
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03-05-2018, 11:53 AM #3
Any of the current frame bindings will be an improvement over those old Fritschis. You can find used Marker Barrons for cheap ($150?). Something like that would work just fine for you. The one downside to the function of the Marker frame bindings is that you must step out of the binder to switch between touring and skinning modes.
I'm almost 100 percent certain that you will be drilling new holes no matter what you get. So you can forget about that idea.
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03-05-2018, 11:53 AM #4
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03-05-2018, 11:54 AM #5Registered User
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Not looking for tech bindings meaning her boots don't have inserts or she doesn't want something fiddly and light?
If no inserts, that limits her to frame bindings. I think Guardians have the lowest stack height and should be a lot more solid than some old Freerides.
If she has inserts, that opens up the Shift/Kingpin/Tecton options, but as mentioned they're a bit pricier.
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03-05-2018, 11:54 AM #6
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03-05-2018, 12:06 PM #7Registered User
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"Alpine rock and steep, deep powder are what I seek, and I will always find solace there." - Bean Bowers
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03-05-2018, 12:14 PM #8
Hmmm, okay so tech might still be an option, although additional cost. She doesn't like to fiddle with things and I know Dynafits historically were called "dynafiddles". Whether that was deserved or not I have no idea.
Also, definitely wanting to keep it on the cheaper side of things if possible and not overly concerned about weight since our joint tours are pretty mellow with limited vertical.
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03-05-2018, 12:26 PM #9
I bought tech soles for my QST boots. They work great, but they are staying on permanently, since the screw holes to swap are plastic threaded, I don't want to destroy those with multiple swaps.
If you are looking for frame bindings though, I've got some Atomic Tracker 16 Smalls. 265-320mm BSL, 7-16 DIN. I'd do $190 shipped.
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03-05-2018, 12:36 PM #10
I run QST Pro 130s with the tech soles. I do not swap the soles - just run the tech sole all the time with WTR alpine bindings for my alpine skis, and a tech binding for touring. A Google search found them here, and I'm sure there are other places: https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5055-1...Sole-Plus-Pads
Speaking from experience though, you may want to buy your wife a dedicated touring setup. I spent two seasons touring with my wife in alpine boots and a frame binding. Spending the extra money for my wife's touring specific equipment was worth it. She's actually excited to get out there all day and hike uphill now. It's all about comfort, efficiency, and total energy expended when you are climbing, eh?
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03-05-2018, 12:37 PM #11Registered User
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"Alpine rock and steep, deep powder are what I seek, and I will always find solace there." - Bean Bowers
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03-05-2018, 12:41 PM #12
Shifts are $440 shipped on the TGR group buy. Don't spend $200 on frame bindings, not in this day and age of better options. Pretend a birthday and Christmas combo type thing if you have to.
Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
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03-05-2018, 12:44 PM #13
That might be a very valid point, but trying to convince to spend more money on skis will be a difficult proposition at best.
Originally Posted by thefortrees
I guess mounting something on them now that may serve for a pure lift served setup later might be an option then. So sticking with a beefier touring binding that she could ride lifts with later would make sense still I guess, and if she really wants to start touring more we could get her a dedicated touring setup in the next year or so.
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03-05-2018, 12:50 PM #14Registered User
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My sincere advice:
1. Buy cheap 95 underfoot skis. Mount with cheap tech bindings. Use this spring. I bet you can find a reasonable setup for under $300.
2. Buy Shift next fall. Mount on resort/pow skis."Alpine rock and steep, deep powder are what I seek, and I will always find solace there." - Bean Bowers
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03-05-2018, 12:52 PM #15
If you want her to keep touring, she will be in a tech set up sooner or later. Just need to decide when. Edit to add: what auvgeek said. Start with the tech binding, then do the other parts.
Well maybe I'm the faggot America
I'm not a part of a redneck agenda
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03-05-2018, 06:38 PM #16
What about these F10 tours for now, and get her a dedicated tech setup next year?
https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...0-Tour-Binding
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03-05-2018, 07:02 PM #17
Hmmm, more food for thought. She is liking the idea of tech bindings as I talked to her about them on our tour today. The Fritschis were icing up and causing her some grief again. I'm just not sure the Savory skis are the best dedicated touring option to throw tech bindings on.....
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03-05-2018, 07:56 PM #18
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03-05-2018, 09:29 PM #19Registered User
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The lightest options have zero delta and minimal stack height, but require a very precise mount (no bsl adjustment). Heavier options have slightly more stack and ramp, but are easier to mount and some have elastic travel so they ski less "on-off." But I'd doubt your wife will notice the difference in ski-ability coming from those FFPs.
Useful chart: https://skimo.co/pin-heights"Alpine rock and steep, deep powder are what I seek, and I will always find solace there." - Bean Bowers
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03-05-2018, 10:14 PM #20
geez... I probably Just don't understand -- I was always looking to upgrade my wife's equipment. I would ski Whatever I could find... for her to have Better stuff.
so(,) Pin. (Please) use my 'tent payment' toward your wife's touring gear --
tech blocks for the boots seem the place to start. and maybe a picture of the new Sali binding, placed strategically ;
new skis - or new to her light skis...
remember : a pound on the foot... ( like Five in the pack )...
avy gear - and training and Practice with it...
Good luck . . . tj" ... I will do anything to go Skiing ... There Is no pride ... " (Miriam , 2005-2006 epic)
Dec21, 2016. LittleBigLost :
" I think about it everyday. It is my reminder to live life to the fullest. I get up early, go to bed late, 'cuz I got shit to do. Like I said, I'm 61. Not going to wait till I'm 81 to do stuff, ...
Get out there and do stuff!
Enjoy life to the fullest!!
See you on the slopes! "
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03-05-2018, 10:49 PM #21
Well, we already had a plan for a play it back for some mags with that tent money, details to come
Already pretty much decided on a tech setup. Its not about limiting her gear, more about a telewhacker getting a better handle on what would be best for her in the confusing (to me) sudden immersion into the realm of alpine touring bindings.
Already found blocks for $50, just need to figure out bindings....
Have been having her practice with the beacon, digging pits, reading terrain, etc Meadow skipping only right now but avy class in the plan.
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03-06-2018, 02:29 AM #22
. . . reads like a good start, Pin.
fwiw, until the patents expired(,) tech was Dynafit...
I have dynafits and Kingpins; hutash runs Vipecs ( a stronger recommendation than mine imo )
my take is beyond the tried and True ( and even those... ) , it is really about personal preference, whose design one believes in And idiosyncrasies one embraces ( hence, the strategic pic. of the new Sali . . . )
(pure) touring : Dynafit or Vipec ;
touring and lift : kingpin of Shift (Salomon) :
Just My opinion - as an historic gear junkie...
Thank you for your commitment to snow Safety ! !!
( which beacon are you running ( that may give you a hint about bindings . . . : ) )
tj
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03-06-2018, 06:30 AM #23
Good info, thanks! Those shifts definitely look interesting. Kingpins (at least some) looks like you can't run the heel lifter down??? No bueno I think. Both running DSP sports for inquiring minds, ha. (and an original Tracker for burying practice only)
edit to add: whoops, heel lifter issue looks like the Beast, not Kingpin....Last edited by 3PinGrin; 03-06-2018 at 07:27 AM.
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03-06-2018, 01:07 PM #24
G3 Ion LT 12 at a good price here: https://www.campsaver.com/g3-ion-lt-12-binding.html
I run leashes in the backcountry, thoughts on that vs brakes getting in and out of the binding? (I assume the brakes might help in keeping the ski steady for step in)
One issue I see with a lot of the tech bindings is not being able to go from ski mode to climbing mode without taking the ski off. I didn't really think of that being an issue until I thought about rolling terrain. One reason I like tele is having the free heel to get up short uphill sections a little quicker.
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03-06-2018, 02:03 PM #25Registered User
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I prefer leashes, but yes brakes do help somewhat with stepping in. Step in is a non-issue IME with power-towers and masterfit step-in. But the Radical 2.0 with the rotating toe is a bear to step into from what I've heard so I'd avoid that one even with brakes. And if you do go brakes, make sure the brakes will stay up. Some brakes are more headache than they're worth (e.g., Kingpin).
One issue I see with a lot of the tech bindings is not being able to go from ski mode to climbing mode without taking the ski off. I didn't really think of that being an issue until I thought about rolling terrain. One reason I like tele is having the free heel to get up short uphill sections a little quicker.Last edited by auvgeek; 03-06-2018 at 02:29 PM.
"Alpine rock and steep, deep powder are what I seek, and I will always find solace there." - Bean Bowers
photos
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