Telemark steep skiing set up?

[eirik@cruxfilm.no]

Hi,
After 16 years, and with the introduction of the new Scarpa TX Pro and wanting to have more fun when doing more mellow stuff, I am back on telemark again. Left it after some years on the Rottefella NTN bindings. I have allready accuired a new great all mountain set up: Dynastar M tour 100, Outlaw X and the new Scarpa Pro X. I mounted another set of Outlaw X binders on some Momemnt Wildcats I have as my powder skis.
I am now looking for a set up dedicated for steep skiing, colouir hunting/easy alpine mix climbing and bigger days in spring snow in areas like the Lyngen Alps. I am considering the Dynastar M Vertical 88, but curious if I should go for a teletech set up for this set up, saving even more weight or if I just be happy with the allready saved weight on the lighter skis them self. I think the Outlaw X is the best touring binding when it comes to the downhill part and love that I can go from touring to skiing without removing the skis and adjust the activeness of the binding. The step in works great so far.
But should I consider the Meidjo 3 SR or 22 design Lynx for something like this? Guess it will be like 300 grams lighter each fot. Not a super big deal. More inportant to have good bindings for the downhill part. Any steep skiing telemarkers here with some input?
Living in Northern Norway.

[kinkilla]

I'm personally on the Lynx with a K2 Wayback 88 for my spring skiing setup that will see steeper terrain. I've inserted all my tele skis so I can swap between Outlaws and Lynx on any ski. The weight savings and pin tech for touring are worth it for me. I do think you sacrifice some durability and introduce potential failure points with that though. The biggest issue has been snow packing on the sole of the TX Pro and then causing the claw to disengage, sometimes spectacularly resulting in the flex plates getting pushed up into the toe springs. See failure mode here : https://www.backcountrytalk.com/foru...ilure-pointThe Meidjo 3 SR hasn't had the same issues with pre-release on the new boot but I'd still work on making sure your boot soles are clear before getting into ski mode. I personally didn't love the way they skied, but I also didn't tinker around with it too much. If I were going into it having to buy a new binding I'd consider the Voile TTS Transit pretty strongly. It's got less moving parts to it, skied well when I was able to demo a pair and has the ability to pull off the heel throw for a lighter weight uphill.As far as the ski itself, I'd be wary of a paulownia core without a reinforced binding plate. It's kind of a rite of passage to catastrophically destroy a ski by pulling the binding out while tele skiing and the lightweight skis increase that chance. That being said many take that risk. Voile offers some skis that are the same as their ultralight mountaineering skis like the endeavor with reinforced binding plates but you won't be saving weight over your current Mtour 100s. Saving much weight on your current skis introduces risk.

[TeleBeaver]

The Meidjo skis more similarly to an outlaw in my experience. The flex plate on the lynx causes a different sensation than almost any other telemark binding and I never really loved it. Had them on 171 Voile objectives for spring tours and on 189 DPS lotus 120 for winter powder. I found I prefered the Meidjo way more for both use cases, this coming from someone who agrees that the outlaw is the best skiing NTN binding on the market. The tech pins and lighter weight are definitely "worth it" for a ski that will see more vertical imo. The Voile TTS is the best version of that style of binding available, but cannot be set up as stiff as the meidjo/lynx/outlaw. In the rearmost activity position with the standard springs, it is about as active as a meidjo with standard springs and lower preload. I run the redline springs on my meidjos and stiffy springs on the outlaw, and the Voile TTS can't match that flex. For durability reasons I would not go too light on the skis. Something short and skinny will be lighter weight by nature, but going with a super lightweight core will likely lead to failure with telemark bindings.

[gritter]

Tele bindings are such a personal thing that it is hard to recommend, however I have used Lynx, Outlaw and Meidjo and my take is as follows:

Outlaw X - the most robust, least likely to pre-release, but heavy and you cant use a proper ski crampon IIRC.

Lynx - I find this to be the best skiing binding that I have used - better than the Outlaw X. I like the immediate engagement of the plate and it is the best binding there is for touring due to the free pivot, low weight and easy transition from tour to ski mode and back again. However I have pre-released from it and had a few breakages.

Meidjo 3 - I think it is a bit more reliable in its release (which is adjustable, albeit not DIN). Skis similarly to the Outlaw. Tours nearly as well as the Lynx (free pivot / low weight) but you have to exit the binding to go from ski to tour mode (no biggie) and if you use the powder casing to reduce snow buildup (recommended) then it does not have a fully flat tour mode (although it is close enough that it won't bother most).

If I was touring in Lyngen then the Meidjo and Lynx would be the only bindings on my list. I used to use exclusively the Lynx, but I have used the Meidjo more this season, and if I were starting out then I think that is what I would use on any ski that might see some uphill. P.S. If you happen to be a size small (mondo 26 or lower) and are in / around Tromso at any point then I have both the Lynx and Meidjo which you could demo.

[wantriot]

I feel so antiquated in my preference for the Rottefella NTN Freedom for inbounds/backcountry setup and 22 Designs Lynx for dedicated backcountry setups. All the cool kids seem to have moved on from the Freedom but I'm still a big fan of its feel, potential for lateral release, and engagement point. Without question, for dedicated spring/steep skiing, I'm all in on Lynx. That said, I'm in North America so backup parts for breakage is much easier with 22 Designs, and I've only skied the 2.1 Meidjo and think that the 3 would address most of my concerns.

[eirik@cruxfilm.no]

Thanks for the input all of you. You do not think that the Dynastar will hold be strong enough for a telebinidng and skiing like this?

[gritter]

I've used Lynx on Praxis GPO and DPS L120s without issue. They are smaller sizes for reference though - 182 in the GPO and 178 (?) in the L120.

[eirik@cruxfilm.no]

Must be possible to create a set up like this and not be afraid of losing your skis because of binding failure

[Suzy Chapstick]

Meidjo 3 with brakes would be excellent for this. Easiest to put in (as long as your sole is clear of snow) and brakes to hold them in place.

[dschane]

I think it's also worth checking out Voile's new Transit TTS binding. I am on Lynx and absolutely love it, but for reasons that I cannot explain, there are a fair number of folks who struggle with the binding and it seems that there are fewer of them with Voile's Transit TTS. This is of course going from anecdotal info. only. Since you're on Outlaw X and enjoying it, I don't think you'll have a problem adjusting to either binding.

[eirik@cruxfilm.no]

I will check out the Voile. Leaning towards going for the known Outlaw X or the Meidjo.What I am most worried about know is if the binding will rip out of the skis. Really would love to use the Dynastar M Vertical 88. Got them for halv the price as well brand new and been on multiple Dynastar skis before.

[Tom_H]

A lot of whether you'll tear out a binding comes down to your skiing style. If you drop low and routinely max out the springs, you're putting that torque directly to the screws/mount and something will eventually give. Lightweight cores will just give easier/quicker if that's your ski style. If you're a taller skier, it might not be a problem, but there's always the oh shit moments when you hit a compression and bottom out the binding..... Inserts tend to help retain tele bindings, but if they do let go, you're left with a bigger hole....

[Meadow Skipper]

I wonder what setup Rick Wyatt used to tele the Grand in ‘82?

[eirik@cruxfilm.no]

Thanks for all the input. Spoken with different stores today, and they all said the Dynastar is not a smart choice. But for example the Kästle TX88 that is not much heavier but is reenforced will work well. I like to go low when it is steep and/or challenging terrain, but tend to be a bit more relaxed in powder and mellow terrain. Anyone tried the Kästle ski and tele?

[bodywhomper]

I wonder what setup Rick Wyatt used to tele the Grand in ‘82?

Alu clamps. I can’t recall the skis.

I got to spend a day touring with Rick when he led my day group of an avi course I took through the Friends of the UAC. I was the only one in our group that knew of his Grand Teton feat. And I was the only tele skier in the group. He was on AT gear. We discussed that trip a little bit that day. We also made fun of each other. And witnessed some interesting terrain management in Wolverine cirque.


For the OP, binding reinforcement should be a priority, along with, IMHO, a kit that you are very comfortable skiing and a ski that can be a little forgiving. My experience is that forgiving ski is helpful (and safer) when you’re tired or skiing fucked up snow. I have no experience with the kastle or the dynastar that you’re describing.

[Meadow Skipper]

^ I liked your Wyatt story.

[Peruvian]

Meidjo has 8 screws holding down the toe and flex plate. You can ski them plenty low and not bottom out the double springs.

[dschane]

And a great excuse to show off the New England snowpack. Very jealous. Meanwhile, Juneau is getting soaked.
And I'll echo the point on Binding Freedom inserts -- they help with pullout strength and I've installed them into light paulownia-core skis without problems. Some mfrs are not reinforcing the binding area with maple and, of course, others do with a metal layer. I think the former carries a much lower weight penalty.

[eirik@cruxfilm.no]

I think I will look into the Kästle TX88 that kind of looks a bit like the same ski and a shape that I normally like. It is just 100 grams more and if I go for the Meidjo for example, I will still save 3-400 grams pr foot. And guess be happy enough with the bindings.

Last concern or thoughts are if I should just throw this hole idea and keep the craziest skiing for AT set ups or go the whole way with telemark set ups..

[bodywhomper]

Go the whole way!!


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[eirik@cruxfilm.no]

Got a great deal on the Kästle TX 88. Will go for that ski and I guess I will stay with the Outlaws since this will be my no fall zone ski as well as long tours..

[bodywhomper]

Woot! Happy touring!

This deserves a classic and inspiring manfredi photo I can’t post a photo or link

[eirik@cruxfilm.no]

Ok. Another question. Hade some more days out in the backcountry on the outlaw X. Still like them a lot, but find that after the boots has become less stiff and more like they will be after some use in the resort, I turn up the stiffness on the binding and still have to turn it up a bit more after todays trip. I am around 85-90 kg and ski a bit low and find that I bottom stuff sometimes when I do not want that. Regarding that, what is the most active binding out of the Lynx and the Meidjo? I might get a better offer on the Lynx, but this will not be the most important factor sine it will be the set up that I will do the steeps and explore stuff and climb some easy stuff with. I need an active binding that I can get quite stiff I guess.

[dschane]

Hi, After 16 years, and with the introduction of the new Scarpa TX Pro and wanting to have more fun when doing more mellow stuff, I am back on telemark again. Left it after some years on the Rottefella NTN bindings. I have allready accuired a new great all mountain set up: Dynastar M tour 100, Outlaw X and the new Scarpa Pro X. I mounted another set of Outlaw X binders on some Momemnt Wildcats I have as my powder skis. I am now looking for a set up dedicated for steep skiing, colouir hunting/easy alpine mix climbing and bigger days in spring snow in areas like the Lyngen Alps. I am considering the Dynastar M Vertical 88, but curious if I should go for a teletech set up for this set up, saving even more weight or if I just be happy with the allready saved weight on the lighter skis them self. I think the Outlaw X is the best touring binding when it comes to the downhill part and love that I can go from touring to skiing without removing the skis and adjust the activeness of the binding. The step in works great so far. But should I consider the Meidjo 3 SR or 22 design Lynx for something like this? Guess it will be like 300 grams lighter each fot. Not a super big deal. More inportant to have good bindings for the downhill part. Any steep skiing telemarkers here with some input? Living in Northern Norway.

[I dont know what the fuck is wrong with the formatting, but Ive stopped using apostrophes.] I am 85 kg and also ski low (not knee to ski low, but when conditions are variable to crap or steep, I am going low and compact). I use Outlaw X (large) with the red stiffy springs (and preload set at the lowest level - first ring) and Lynx. I use Binding Freedom inserts and swap bindings on the same ski. I do not bottom out on either binding. I used to bottom out on the early versions of the TTS bindings and was bending the hardwires of the heel throw, which is why I gave those up. The newer versions are softer and longer. I would be very surprised if anyone bottoms out on either Meidjo or Lynx. It has been a long time since I used Meidjo, but I would guess that Lynx and Meidjo with its stiffy springs installed are similar in stiffness/activity, with Lynx being a tad stiffer (Meidjo has more options to soften up -- in my experience, the pivot points on Lynx make very, very little difference). So, Lynx is probably the stiffess binding I have ever used, though you get used to it quickly -- it is the initial resistance where it is stiff and then is progressively smooth to the bottom of the turn. And it is not that much stiffer than Outlaw X with the stiffy springs but opinions may vary. As noted in this thread, users of Meidjo and Lynx both complain of various issues (snow packing in binding, pre-releasing, breakage points, etc). I dont often break shit and have had my share of issues with every binding I have ever used, from Voile.s Switchback to TTS and Lynx. And my ski partners have had plent of shit go wrong with their AT tech toes, Salmon Shifts, Vipecs, and Dynafit Radical heels sheering off. That is all to say experiences tend to vary and I love Lynx. Whatever issues Ive had have been manageable, and it is the best binding Ive ever skied. Oh, one important note - if you are getting a good deal, make sure it is on a newer version. If the springs on the toes are not shiny stainless steel, it is an older version and I wouldnt buy it. The newest versions have a tab on the rear of claw and I can send a pic. about what I mean if you are unsure.