Binding replacement on Elan SLX fusion skis

[Benny Profane]

I bought these skis about four years ago very slightly used for super cheap, and they are awesome on eastern ice. Basically a consumer race slalom. They are heavy as shit, though, probably because of the "integrated" rental bindings they are sold with. Would I be screwing up the character of these things if I switch over to lighter, fixed bindings? Will it make the area under the foot less stiff?

[RShea]

You probably know that this is a system binding with integrated plates in the ski. There is also some flex and movement in that plate. (At least that is how the local mountain Elan rep explained it to me when the first Fusion series of skis came out some years back.)

Is the ski model you are mentioning have any TITANIUM metal in it? Usually noted on the top sheet if there are dual Titanium plating is inside the ski- adding weight over a wood core/fiberglass.

[Benny Profane]

Not really. Bought the skis for 150 and had some fun on them. Never got into what makes them tick. All I know is, they are heavy as shit.

[Todd Zander]

Not really. Bought the skis for 150 and had some fun on them. Never got into what makes them tick. All I know is, they are heavy as shit.

$1/cm... Sounds like you scored a good deal.

[Shredhead]

Not really. Bought the skis for 150 and had some fun on them.

Then call it good.

Don't spend money to try and make them something they're not.

Pick up a newer/lighter setup in the spring for cheap. You won't be using them much now anyhow.

[yellofin]

$1/cm... Sounds like you scored a good deal.

Funny, he's a little dooche

[Harry]

I thought you were moving to Colorado in a week or two ? Ditch those carving skis and get some fattys, bro !

[Benny Profane]

I know, I know, but, they may be fun on days it hasn't snowed in a week.
Maybe I should just go rent a bike down in Denver instead.

[RShea]

Not really. Bought the skis for 150 and had some fun on them. Never got into what makes them tick. All I know is, they are heavy as shit.

Sell them and get something else with similar low turning radius in a lighter ski then with a lighter binding if weight is an issue

[creaky fossil]

if I remember right the Fusion skis have a flex-bar integrated into the ski construction and the otherwise-Tyrolia bindings mount to that, and you can't make them a flat ski. Elan sold some of those Fusion era skis in both ways, flat and integrated. I had some M666 in 03 or so, they had the Fusion deal.

but how is the weight an issue? they can't be as heavy as the Atomic Metrons from that era.

[RShea]

Creaky is right about some flex-bar mount system that was integrated into the ski when it was manufactured for the system binding, and the Elan Fusion bindings are a rebranded Tyrolia binding made for them. The bindings use a slide mechanism for any boot size without having any screws or holes. All Elan bindings since around 2003 or there about have been made by Tyrolia. Before that, they used Marker bindings rebranded...

[skimaxpower]

Don't spend money to try and make them something they're not.

^ Yup.

My advice: leave them back east, so when you visit home you don't have to travel with skis. Get some wide boards for moving out west, and you'll forget all about that carving performance.

[Timberridge]

they can't be as heavy as the Atomic Metrons from that era.

QFT. A friend of a friend asked me to fix a core shot in one of those a few years ago and I considered pouring melted lead into the gash...holee shit.

Benny, do not make the EC division of TGR more embarrassed of you than we already are. Based on what I read on TGR about what's hot in the West, you should get 191 Billy Goats shod with 18 DIN FKS for your western adventure. If skis were guns and it was 1873, those BG's would be the equivalent of riding into CO with a Colt Peacemaker. Clint Fucking Eastwood did not ride into Lago with a Derringer.

pm Dowork for a Magic sticker and slap it on for additional cred.

[Benny Profane]

No. Speaking of TGR, I will be making my ski purchases from Splat. Duh.

Well, unless I stumble into a nice deal in late March.

[Timberridge]

No. Speaking of TGR, I will be making my ski purchases from Splat.

Good move, plus you get ban insurance if you ever slip up here.

That's something the boys at ON3P can't give you.

[creaky fossil]

Benny, do not make the EC division of TGR more embarrassed of you than we already are. Based on what I read on TGR about what's hot in the West, you should get 191 Billy Goats shod with 18 DIN FKS for your western adventure.

what? Benny weighs 125? 191 is like hitting from the ladies' tees.