EarnYourTurns » Bindings

Preview: Elan Adrenaline AT Binding

B.Litz — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:36:54 +0000

Elan/Head's Adrenaline
MSRP: $525 • Weight: 5 lbs., 13.5 oz. (2650 g)

Hot on the heels of Marker’s Duke revamp and Salomon/Atomic’s new AT binding comes the Adrenaline, yet another AT binding where beef is the obsession, not weight. Designed and built by storied Austrian binding manufacturer, Tyrolia, the Adrenaline with be sold under both the Head and Elan marques.

Utterly few and far between at this stage of the game stateside, both the Head (red plastic highlights) and Elan (green plastic highlights) versions were on display during the recent SIA show. The operative word here being “on display” as none were available for actual testing. The samples did give an indication though of what we can expect from the binding.

Elan Adrenaline will work with most alpine and AT boots.

Being the offspring of an alpine binding company it comes as no surprise that the Adrenaline takes aim at the free-ride sidecountry crowd, with an emphasis on downhill performance, a wide stance for driving today’s fat skis, true step-in ease of entry, and high maximum DIN settings — plus a free-pivot for skinning back from harvesting freshies out-of-bounds. Weight-wise, the Adrenalines will be competitive with the Duke and Guardian/Tracker. With a stated weight of 5 lbs., 13.5 oz. (2650 grams) per pair they will not be vying for a place on the feet of the minimalist light ‘n’ fast tourers and rando-racers — nor were they designed to.

Like other air-worthy backcountry bindings, the Adrenaline will accept all modern alpine boots and the vast majority of alpine touring boots on the market, but not all. Older-generation Dynafit TLT4-type boots, with their tightly cropped toes are not compatible with any non-Tech bindings.

Per Tyrolia’s marketing material, Adrenaline’s key attributes include:

Tool-less length adjustment and two heights of climbing peg (7° shown).

Estimated street price: $449.00
Two versions (DIN 13 and 16) each coming in two lengths: 270-330mm and 300-360mm (BSL).
Switch between ski and walk mode without exiting the binding – mode switch fully operational with a ski pole.
Lightweight Titanal reinforcements throughout binding.
Fiberglass reinforced polymer “plate”.
Toe height said to be lower than a Duke – no definitive numbers on this yet.
Adjustable toe height for alpine and AT boots.

True 90° range of free-pivot touring motion with fiberglass reinfoced polymer baseplate.

Wide 70mm anti-friction device for constant release values when used with AT boots.
True 90° range of motion (see pic).
71mm wide Titanal toe mounting plate.
80mm wide rear Titanal track/mounting plate for enhanced stability, especially on wider skis.
Tool-less, 60mm length adjustment.
Low tension “double-hinged” rear heel piece for easy non-emergency egress from the binding.
Freeflex design minimizes ski dead spot under boot/binding.
Four brake widths (88mm, 97mm, 115mm, 130mm).
Three climbing heights — 0°, 7°, 13°.
Wide-set climbing post set directly under the heel for stability and “effective force transmission”.
Dampened with rubber fittings.
Anodized aluminum crampons in three crampon widths (90mm, 105mm, 120mm).
Stated weight: 2650 grams/5 lbs., 13.5 oz.

Of course a preview is just that, a preview, and not a predictor of the efficaciousness of a product’s engineering and durability. However the Adrenaline, at first fondle, appears to be a thoughtful and well-engineered freshman entry into the modern world of alpine touring bindings though one best suited for fit backcountry skiers, sidecountry excursions, and for skiers wanting one binding that can ski just like an alpine binding for day-in/day-out resort riding as well as off-piste adventures. Of course only time, and some real usage, will tell whether the Adrenaline is in line to succeed the Duke, or, if it will remain merely a pretender to the throne.

A final note: There were a few discrepancies in the information provided by Elan and Tyrolia. This includes the fact that Tyrolia is claiming two separate DIN-range bindings, one DIN 5—16 and one DIN 3.5—13. Elan on the other hand spoke of only one binding with a DIN 5—16 range. This is just one of those situations where the bindings samples, and support materials, were so fresh that the folks at both companies were still getting a grip on all facets of the new bindings. We’ll certainly stay on this stuff until we get it all sussed out.

First Look: Rottefella’s NTN Freedom

Dostie — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:27:06 +0000

Decision time can be a nail biting experience. At what point do you go ahead and make the plunge? When it’s time for a new binding or boot the question on the table is whether to stick with the duckbill (75mm) or switch to a duckbutt (NTN).

Getting off on the right foot with NTN Freedom.

Since its introduction in 2007 telemarkers are slowly being magnetized by the power and control that NTN provides. Those who spend most days burning turns have already fallen under the spell of NTN. With the announcement that the Freedom binding will have touring performance on par with 75mm offerings, NTN has even more appeal.

Telemarkers who earn more than they burn have been holding out for better uphill performance, at least 50° worth. Rottefella claims 90° but they’re talking about the range of motion possible at your knee, which is a combination of the range of motion of the toe plate, plus the flex of your sole, ankle, and knee. Based on a photo of a boot pivoted forward while in tour mode the ROM of the NTN Freedom is at least 50°. It may not be record setting, but 50° is plenty for making jack-knife sharp kick turns when you need them.

A solid 50° ROM is plenty for long strides and tight kick turns.

Like its predecessor the Freeride, there remains a light amount of tension while touring with the Freedom. Even though the pivot is not frictionless, it has way less resistance than when the toe is locked. If you’re just heading up a skin track, it is difficult to even notice. When you want to make a tight switchback, that resistance means you need to snap the tail of the ski just right, and with enough force to overcome the light tension to get the tips to come up. It isn’t anything a bit of practice can’t cure, unless you’re too lazy to learn.

Members of the backcountry media 'test' the tourability of the Freedom binding at Solitude ski resort before the lifts open.

That light resistance feels like a lot when you lift the toe plate with your hands in tour mode, but you can hardly feel it with your legs. There will, however, be a few other consequences to this. Firstly, ski tips will not float to the surface in super light fluff. This will be more evident the lighter the snow is, and less obvious as snow density increases, or the width of your ski increases. Also, that minor tension may take a toll on a big vertical day, sapping strength slowly but surely. However the good news is that light tension will allow you to do a side-stepping motion on a traverse without the tails of your skis dropping your way. For the majority of days and conditions though, the light resistance is an acceptable compromise to enjoy the many other benefits that NTN offers.

When I finally had a chance to handle the binding one of my concerns was that you would need to bend over to pull on the pink tab to put it in touring mode. Indeed, you can, but there’s really no need. To flip it in to tour mode, flip up the front lever with the ledge of your ski pole handle. This will release the clamp on the 2nd heel, but as it releases the cable tension in the binding it also causes the mode switch to pop up. With it accordioned up you can toggle the front lever back down leaving your boot clamped to the binding, but in touring mode. An easy maneuver, and you don’t need to bend over either.

Rottefella's Freedom will have two plate sizes.

To get the total weight under 3½ pounds and keep Rottefella’s touring mechanism – a design first seen on the Cobra Free and used with the NTN Freeride – required some serious rethinking. At a certain point weight does make a serious difference, and four pounds, while bearable, is pushing the limits of reasonable weight for a touring binding.

So Rottefella went back to the drawing board, so to speak.

Metal was pared back where ever possible, from skeletonizing the front lever to flat out eliminating the binding frame and mounting plate. I realized the necessity of the binding frame was questionable when I bent about four of them during a test for Backcountry magazine in 2008. They iced up on to the mounting plate and the plates were binding on the heads of the mounting screws. Since I didn’t have a hammer, I tried kicking them off and bent the frames in the process. Andrew McLean had big fun documenting that. After rebending ‘em with pliers they survived the rest of the test.

Current NTN customers will complain about the loss of the mounting plate but it simply had to go to keep the weight down. In addition the mounting pattern was changed from a 4-hole to a 6-hole pattern. This same 6-hole pattern will be adopted on future mounting plates for the NTN Freeride to make swapping bindings possible without drilling new holes, but swapping bindings between Freedom and Freeride won’t be easy.

Overall entrance and exit to the binding is the same as the NTN Freeride. It’s fast and easy, maybe even easier than the Freeride version.

How does it feel when arcing? . . . Like an NTN binding.

On an early morning tour at the recent Outdoor Retailer On-Snow Demo day Rottefella reps took pains to explain that the Freedom wasn’t as powerful, torsionally rigid, or as quick to respond as the Freeride. That may be true, but in two quick runs on scrappy hardpack the difference was hard to tell, even though I compared the two bindings side by side for half a run. My experience suggests the Freedom delivers powerful yet soulfully deep tele turns, and holds a solid edge on hardpack. For reference I was skiing in TX-Pro boots with blue springs at level 3 (out of 5).

Let freedom ring! Rottefella drops weight, adds more range of motion for better touring.

It is worth mentioning that not everyone in the media group was enamored with how NTN skied. Then again, I remember having to make adjustments to my telemark style when first converting from leather to plastic, and again from 75mm to NTN. Thus, the basic ‘feel’ of the Freedom binding is very similar to the Freeride and will require some technique adjustment if you’re coming directly from a 75mm cable binding.

I would be remiss if I overlooked one of the more compelling features of NTN — the release system. When the heel is flat it offers a safety release based on the tension of the clamping cable. It isn’t DIN rated or TUV certified, but it does seem to work. Plus, I’ll keep saying it, it has a quick release that could make it easy to jettison those skis on command if you’re riding a rumbling slab of doom. Just pull up on the front lever and your binding opens up and you get to say bye bye to those anchors formerly known as skis. This move ought to help you stay on top – but no guarantees.

Rottefella's NTN Freedom • 3 lbs., 4 oz./pair (1468 g/pr) • MSRP: $429 USD

Overall my first impression is that Rottefella has finally delivered a binding that not only provides powerful turns, safety release, convenient entrance and exit from the binding, and brakes, but now it comes with a touring feature that isn’t limited by a less than adequate range of motion. Rottefella is even planning to offer crampons to go with the Freedom binding. If you’ve been waiting for the promise of NTN to be fulfilled, there isn’t much reason to sit on the fence any longer, but you will have to wait until Fall 2012.

Preview: G3 Enzo

Dostie — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:30:18 +0000

Back in August, 2011 it was hinted that there were three new bindings to be introduced in the winter of 2012. Well it’s Winter 2012 and Rottefella’s Freedom is old news. A second binding I was referring to was the TTS binding, which, theoretically will have enough modifications to it to make it “new” from the standpoint of revised components and improved adjustability.

G3's Enzo • 3lbs. 13 oz./pair (1734 g/pr) • $289

The one nobody caught wind of until after Christmas was Enzo, G3′s return to the tele market. On first look Enzo appears to be a synthesis of numerous bindings already on the market.

The most obvious is the duplication of 22 Design’s cable configuration. There are a few noticeable differences like a different spring housing, regular compression springs instead of flat-wire springs, and a yoke of solid wire around the heel instead of braided cable, but that’s window dressing on the same basic design.

Then there is the toe plate which is reminiscent of the wrap-around design Voile uses with their Switchback — it’s rather immune to snow packing underneath. The same concept is also found in the Burnt Mountain Designs Tele Bulldog and Lite Dogz.

The mode switch is a combination of Black Diamond’s simple push-button switch that you toggle for touring or turning with a ski pole. At the back of the toe-plate, two prongs extend from inside a sealed toe riser to hold down a rear spreader bar, just like Voile’s Switchback.

With all those ingredients G3′s Enzo has a lot to like about it. Easy mode switching, adjustable power and lots of it, plus leagues of theoretical improvement over the Targa Icent to prevent icing up.

And what’s with the name? There’s always a story behind G3′s product names. Does the Enzo merely signify the end of new ideas for 75mm telemark, where the only changes possible are a rearrangement of the pieces? Or does it have something to do with Lorenzo? It will be interesting to see the marketing story on that one.

Preview: Marker Duke upgrade for 12/13

Dostie — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:23:36 +0000

New colors on the The Duke signify a wider, stronger frame for more power.

It’s no secret that Marker’s Duke has dominated binding sales for young and aggressive backcountry skiers since it was first introduced in 2007. It now has three siblings, the equally capable Baron with a DIN rating of only 12, plus the more tour friendly F12 and F10.

Not content to sit on their laurels, especially now that Salomon has woken to the potential in the backcountry with their own version of a huck-worthy backcountry binder the Duke gets a face lift for next year, and a wider foundation for transferring even more power to the edges of today’s super fat skis.

To be more specific, the Duke’s new Extended Power Frame Chassis will be 88mm wide, a stunning 28% wider. Refinements to the heel and toe dimensions not only make the binding sleeker, but lighter too, although it still tips the scales at just over six pounds per pair. The Baron and the rest of the touring family from Marker remain essentially unchanged for next year.

Review: A closer look at Hammerhead (beta)

Dostie — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 02:29:56 +0000

Rerun: This article first appeared on Couloir Online 08aug01

Rainey Designs beta program delivers major improvements

The Hammerhead increases control for 21st century plastic boots to the same degree that the SuperLoop or Voile 3-pin cable did for leather boots back in the day. Which means the Hammerhead must be doing something dramatically different than other bindings. It is. The key elements are a 6 inch spring with a full two inches of travel (so you can’t bottom it out) and a cable that’s routed underfoot.

The original Hammerhead, circa 2001, that changed telemarks perception of itself.

In a nutshell, performance was improved over the beta version at either end of the tension scale. In high tension mode, the spring was softer, allowing it to engage more progressively. By comparison, the beta version kicked in pretty hard. Then, at the touring end, the new Hammerhead provides gobs more freedom in the heel for easier uphill skinning.

Perhaps the biggest testimonial on how the Hammerhead can improve your telemark technique was witnessed during recent tests on Mt. Hood. Jeremy, a Portland local, was having a tough time weighting his rear foot on his 2nd day ever tele’ing. After locking into a pair of Hammerheads his trailing foot was no longer precariously trolling for snow snakes several feet behind while his arms flailed wildly attempting to gain control. Instead his rear foot was only a foot behind and, unlike before, he was clearly able to hold an edge with the rear ski. While not in perfect position (c’mon, it was only his 2nd day), his arms ceased to flail wildly as well. Now imagine adding a Hammerhead to your finely honed technique.

Not everyone will appreciate the way, or degree to which it increases control. If you prefer a neutral feel, you might consider it too much. However, Rainey maintains his tradition of adjustable pivot points, so you can easily achieve a neutral feel.

The Hammerhead does more than deliver downhill power. Backcountry skiers will be grateful for the attention given to ease of adjustment, the reduction of rocker launch, and most importantly, the ability to adjust the pivot points for a truly free heel touring experience (note: this was before free pivoting tele bindings). Adjusting tension is as simple as spinning the spring-like cable sheath between the cable spreader and the heel yoke. For major changes in tension, push the button on the cable guides and move ‘em forward for less, back for more. For that true, free heel feeling alluded to above, you can completely remove the cable guides. It should also be noted that cutting the cable will be near impossible because it is routed inside the protective armor of the toe plate, not outside it.

We do have a few concerns about the Hammerhead, notably its long term durability in regard to its ability to stay attached to a ski (it creates more force, hence more force to rip them out), the longevity of the cable guide push pins, and snow buildup. Despite that, we must confess that analytically the Hammerhead appears rather bombproof. We will however, emphasize our caution until time proves otherwise.

Rainey Designs
Hammerhead
Weight/pair: 34oz
Price: $200.00
Options: Climbing Bails, Ski Crampons

Hammerhead Beta Program Breaks Ground

Breaking new ground is standard fare for Russell Rainey. Having been through 10 years of trying to make the SuperLoop break proof, Rainey decided that was way too long to develop a solid product. Those who broke their SuperLoops agree, and unfortunately lots of telemarkers with a scared past are slow to forgive. Many blame manufacturers for “testing” their product on the consumer.

So Rainey decided to turn the tables. Rather than trying to respond to consumer complaints with annual upgrades, he decided to reverse the classically cynical sales mantra, “sell, then tell”, and tell his customers up front that if they bought the first 300 pairs of his new binding, the Hammerhead, they would be participating in a beta test program.

Lots of folks scoffed, but it makes sense. In larger industries with larger customer bases it is a simple procedure to get a large customer sample to prove product concepts, work out bugs, and refine them before taking them public as a finished product. The problem with the telemark industry is that the available number of testers that manufacturers will trust is typically small. They are only willing to work with those on the inside circle. The boldness of Rainey’s move was to open up and work with his customers.

From the revisions evident in the production version of the Hammerhead, it appears to have paid off. Rather than working with a group of insiders, Rainey opened up the field and got real feedback from real people who were willing to gamble $200 bucks that the Hammerhead was better than any other telemark binding. Unlike inside testers, they had something at stake and were intent on getting their money’s worth.

Now that the production version is refined enough to start selling, Rainey is confident enough to kick in the second part of his beta program. Everyone who paid their entrance fee to be on the Hammerhead test team will receive a completely new pair of Hammerheads. For those who laughed about the beta testers getting stuck with a premature product, it appears the testers are having the last laugh at everyone who didn’t get in on the program.

Furthermore, Rainey has said that he will provide the beta test team with whatever functional upgrades are developed as a result of this first year’s lessons. He’s banking on the fact that the number of significant changes between the beta and production version of the Hammerhead equated to about five years of development time by the old method of responding to customer complaints. That should mean there aren’t many more to go before it can’t be fixed anymore without developing a totally new product.

Telemark bindings as a whole come up short compared to randonnée on several counts. Now that boot design has stabilized consumers will be impatient to see the rest of the backcountry features absent from the telemark equation filled in. It would seem that adoption of this sort of Beta test program might speed things up. It might not either. The market will be watching the success or failure of the Hammerhead very closely for more than one reason. Stay tuned.

Look for more insight on this and many other bindings, plus an in-depth look at the direction telemark bindings are headed in the October 2001 issue of Couloir Magazine (shipped mid-September to subscribers).

Note: This article first appeared at Couloir Online 08aug01

Tinkering with TTS (Tech Toes + Axl Springs)

Ben Kadas — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:23:11 +0000

Like many telemarkers I was skeptical of the Telemark Tech System (TTS) when it was unveiled at the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Winter Show. Being familiar with Dynafit bindings, I knew that the tech toe piece couldn’t be as robust as a standard telemark binding. By removing the heel it was essentially emasculated, becoming a flimsy toe attachment with no controls. Little did I know how two little pins could be so much more. Once the gears were rolling it was only a matter of time before I started to tinker with my own TTS.

TTS dynafit-telemark shift plate mock up

I mounted my first set of TTS on Dynafit-telemark shift plates. I used the extra telemark mounting holes behind the tech toe mount to locate the hold downs for the heel assembly. I made the spring assembly hold down (fulcrum) from a polyurethane shim (cutting board) reinforced with aluminum channel and I used a steel pin as the pivot point. I added a riser (more cutting board) to the Dynafit toe to improve clearance between the boot sole and the hold down, and to equalize rocker induced heel rise.

Round 1
My first version of a home-brewed TTS used the expansion cable springs from Voile’s three pin cable binding. Despite the older design, the expansion cable spring wires worked surprisingly well, providing decent spring travel and better retention than expected. Being light weight and having a convenient side closure, this style of retention shows promise in combination with a tech heel because it might allow both telemark and AT capability in the same rig.

Round 2
For round two I tried the Hardwire cartridge assembly. As expected it provided more lateral control and more activity (retention) than the expansion spring wires — similar to HH position 2-3, but still not as much as I’d hoped for. I had compromised on the fulcrum position, placing it 65mm from the tech pins to prevent maxing out the cartridges too quickly. Given longer cartridges with more spring travel, I think the fulcrum could be moved rearward an additional 5-10mm to increase activity.

A unique challenge with TTS is that forward rotation of the boot toe is not limited by a toe box/bale, as a result it takes significant heel retention and spring travel to effectively control the boot. The real surprise of TTS was that the Dynafit toe piece held the boot much better than I’d anticipated, though I did switch it into tour mode to minimize release.

Though TTS worked better than expected I still wanted it to be more active and have sufficient ROM while under power to be a viable option for low-stance tele-skiers. The Axl’s long, stiff springs seemed liked an ideal match for a Tele Tech System.

Round 3

Dyna-Axl, ver. 3. Fulcrum 75mm behind Tech fittings. Better, but not good enough.

Since the Axl allows more spring travel I moved the fulcrum back to 75mm between fulcrum and tech pins (nearly identical to ‘beta’ version of TTS). I removed the cable and spring assembly from the Axl and threaded the cable through the hold down. Unfortunately the cable was too long, barely providing any preload even with a mondo 30 boot. On the carpet it felt like HH#3-4. On snow, however, it felt like barely any retention at all. I was dumbstruck – it felt so solid on the carpet. Clearly my implementation of the Axl cable system needed further work.

Round 4

Dyna-Axl, ver. 4. Channel stock allowed Slic Pin adjustment and excellent power.

Over the summer I let the TTS ideas fade until early Fall when the bug bit again. It seemed what was needed was a way to mount the Axl cable assembly to incorporate the moveable slick pin and flex plate, this would improve the cable run and allow for a more rearward hold down. I had an idea to use a channel, not unlike the NTN frame design. As luck would have it, a friend provided some binding mounts, which, with minor modification allowed me to mount the entire Axl spring and heel assembly, from the aluminum cable retainer rearward.

In contrasting the two Dyna-Axl bindings, note that both bindings have about the same sole angle and spring compression, but the revised binding has a more forward cuff angle, greater bellows flex, and a more rounded ball of foot. I believe this is due to the flex plate allowing a fulcrum further back. Small changes can make a big difference.

An early cold snap had our local hill open in November, so it was to the hills of North Carolina that I went, TTS in hand, just one week before Thanksgiving. The white ribbon of death was looking good all things considered, crowds were few, and the snow was firm corduroy, narrow, fast and smooth. I set the Axl slick pin in position one (least active) and started making turns. Not bad at all. Action was smooth, retention similar
to an HH#4-5.

The most amazing part was that it worked so much better than the complete failure of the previous Spring. On my second run I skipped to position three (most active). Quickly I realized that this was far too active for early season turns, it felt like my heels were tied to the skis, it literally made my tips auger into the slope. So I backed off to position two (medium activity) and took a third run, and the rest is history.

In position two the Dyna-Axl bindings were still quite active, equal to an HH position 5 with stiffy springs, which is a bit much for many skiers, but just the way I like it! I proceeded to take a number of runs to get the feel of the system. Then it dawned on me: it worked, the darn thing worked! And not only did it work, but it worked incredibly well. It was as smooth as any binding I’d ever skied, it had a modicum of release, brake potential (available with La Sportiva and ATK tech bindings), it was lightweight, it had three effective levels of activity, and because there’s no toe box, there was no toe crunch or bellows collapse. I skied for three hours that day, made hundreds of turns, and it felt great!

830 g/binding or 3 lbs. 10.5 oz. per pair. Not exactly light anymore, but a good mix of uphill and downhill performance.

The real proof came at Thanksgiving when I skied three days at Brighton in Utah. It was early season conditions with thin cover, but a good base allowing for fast groomers top to bottom, some mild bump action, and a little fresh in the trees. The bindings performed amazingly well. Over a three day period I did nothing more than adjust the preload as the Axl cables and springs stretched out. I maintained the binding in position two and skied them hard. I suffered no releases, no pre-release, and no failures. I give the Dyna-Axl TTS Two Thumbs Up!

More nitty gritty details on page 2
© 2011

Review: Voile’s Switchback X2 (2011)

Dostie — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:40:05 +0000

Simply put, Voile’s Switchback X2 isn’t just the more powerful sibling of Voile’s popular Switchback binding, it expands the range of performance at both ends of the spectrum – turning and touring.

Voile's Switchback X2. More power, more ROM, only 2 oz. more per foot and $20 more per pair.

As a result, there is little if anything to dislike about the X2. True, it is a tad heavier than a Switchback, but the trade off for power that drives fatties like heavier bindings do for a mere 2 ounces more per foot than the Switchback is undeniably reasonable. By comparison the closest binding with equal power (BD’s O1) weighs 4 ounces more per foot.

Due to the inherent advantages of a free-pivot while skinning the differences in weight tend to dissolve. However, the propensity for icing up by any other telemark binding than either of the Switch brothers makes the X2 a binding that demands a closer look by anyone who telemarks.

In three years the number of times I’ve had a Switchback give me trouble changing modes due to ice build up can be counted on one hand, and for the X2 it never happened over the course of a dozen tours this past year. By comparison, the O1 that I was testing simultaneously iced up abut 20% of the time.

What a difference 1-1/4 inches makes.

The extra power of the X2 comes from moving the pivot of the cable system back a full 1¼” compared to Voiles standard cable attachment position (Hardwire, SX, and Switchback). That and the use of a spring that is about 25% stiffer. Moving the cable pivot back meant extending the length of the toe plate and a consequent increase in the overall weight of the binding. Frankly, 2 oz. more per foot is barely noticeable except on a scale.

Durability has been improved a notch as well. The toe plate remains stainless steel with a unitary, wrap-around design. With the cable pivot point moved further back, more stresses will ensue so Voile increase the radii at all the bends to reduce the opportunity for cracking and inevitable failure. This change applies to the regular Switchback as well.

The most uncanny part of this binding is how strong it feels for a binding that does not have the cable routed underfoot. Until the X2 came along it seemed clear that the most powerful tele bindings all had a cable system that was routed underfoot. The natural conclusion was that side-routed cable bindings simply can’t deliver that level of power.

According to all the bench tests that have been performed to document the forces involved in a telemark system the tension in the cable system is fairly similar among all cable bindings when the heel of the boot is raised 20° or more. The differences lie in the first ten degrees of heel lift, and side-routed cable systems simply have a slower rate of increase than underfoot cables.

Voile's Switchback X2 $299 3lbs., 4 oz./pair. And my friends at Backcountry Mag agree, it rocks!

Indeed, on a bench test it may be revealed that the X2, like the Switchback, is slow to engage. However, it wasn’t obvious while skiing. The only thing I noticed was that the X2 continues to provide a smooth engagement which is an absolute delight in softer snow. Surprisingly though, it feels like it responds just as quickly as underfoot versions. A friend on the least coast commented that, “it lets your boot flex where it wants to flex, at the bellows.”

So the final result is fast turn initiation, and one that doesn’t try to force your boot to flex where it wasn’t meant to flex. Perhaps that is why it felt like it engaged smoothly.

As ever, the mode switch is easy to use, and reliable. The only problem with it is finding the thin, pear-shaped metal ring as it hides under an inevitable layer of snow. But, once you get the tip of your ski pole in the steel ring, the spring enhanced switch moves super easily left to tour or right to turn. Just remember “righty tighty” for skiing, “lefty loosey” for skinning.

Part of the reason the Switchback bindings are resistant to icing up is how the wrap-around stainless steel toeplate is positioned around a toe riser plate. Every other free-pivoting binding pivots above, and the action of walking causes snow to get packed between the toe plate and the surface below. By wrapping the toe plate around the riser block, snow tends to get scraped off with every step, not packed down. In addition, the prongs that hold down the locking bar at the rear get recessed inside the toe riser while touring, so they are not even available to become coated with ice. The result is a virtual absence of icing up and consequent mode switch problems. While others are fussing with locking their toe for turns, you can be making first tracks.

A very unexpected improvement in the X2 over the standard Switchback is a larger free-pivot range of motion, a solid 60° – YMMV. Turns out that after changing the radii of the various bends, the wedge is tighter so your boot will not extend as far at the front. After closer inspection it turns out a mere 2mm difference in the front edge of the duckbill can allow another 5°–10° of rotation. So, there’s a bit of fuzziness on the ROM, but you can probably count on more than 55° even with a bumper of ice that may build up on the reinforcing ribs around the axle. Either way, a nice improvement that affects the standard Switchback as well.

Surprise!!! Over 60° of free-pivot ROM!

To accompany Voile’s legendary, hassle-free touring function the heel post sports two climbing pegs at 55mm or 75mm above flat, which are mounted at either end of the plastic block. Contrary to my view of the Switchback heel post, the current heel post system works beautifully. The geometry of the sidewalls on the post have been revised so that the climbing wires lift with your ski poles to about 30° with hardly any resistance, and then add enough resistance that you need to give a firm tug with your ski pole to get ‘em to latch upright. A nice improvement which is now standard for all Voile bindings.

One of the beauties of Voile’s heel post system is the use of a slot which allows you to easily adjust its position. When you get it set right the rear of the block provides a nice lip that allows you to latch the heel lever of the cable assembly under it so it doesn’t flop around in transit.

Is there anything not to like about Voile’s Switchback X2? Only if you insist on having even more power. It is not the most powerful binding on the market, nor does it claim to be, but the X2 is hardly neutral either. That and like most other telemark bindings, it is not releasable.

It offers plenty of power, especially for backcountry worthy skis. If you ride obese planks you have issues the X2 wasn’t meant to help you with. For everyone else, what’s not to like about an excellent mix of low weight, hassle free touring, durability and more than enough power? Go get some!

Voile
Switchback X2
MSRP: $299
Weight: 26 oz/ binding (0.74 kg/ binding), 3 lbs., 4 oz. /pair (1.48 kg/pr)
Size range (mondo): 27 – 31 (mondo) with standard cable bars
24 – 26.5 (mondo) with short cable bars
Optional crampons available.

Switchback review

Jenn’s view too, of Switchback X2

BC Update: Salomon/Atomic AT Binding

Dostie — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 04:30:15 +0000

Since being sent photos from Darren Rhalves garage of the new Alpine Touring binding coming from Salomon and Atomic some details could be immediately understood, and a few assumed, but some were missing. When presented with the evidence already made public the Salomon PR folks graciously put me in touch with Cody Townsend, one of the athlete/developers of these new AT bindings.

Salomon's Guardian switches between locked and free without having to exit the binding.

Right off the bat Cody confirmed that the binding does indeed switch from locked to free-heel mode without having to exit the binding. It is true that most times you are switching modes with AT gear you’re stopping to put skins on and need to step out of your bindings anyway. But not always, so it’s nice to have that convenient option.

Next concern was the propensity for the binding to ice up. They all do, so it’s just a matter of how often.

Keeping in mind developers get myopic over the shortcomings of their own inventions, Cody sounded fairly candid when he said he , “experienced less ice up with these bindings than with other comparable AT bindings.”

Crude estimate of the Tracker/Guardian's ROM. Looks to be at least 60°+. Sweet!

That was prefaced by admitting , “Out of probably 40 to 50 tours (from 5 minutes to 3 hours) I only had one ice up situation that I had to take the binding off and clear the ice with my pole, and it was easy to clean out because of the low number of corners for ice to be wedged into.”

Cody felt another factor contributed minimal icing. The Guardian/Tracker is designed to not go completely flat when touring which helps prevent snow from packing into ice underfoot.

Regarding other features, his praise fits a script you would expect – that it rocks for downhill control and bombproof durability – but he still sounds genuine. Besides, his comments really confirm what the market demands anyway and let’s hope Salomon knows better than to bring sub-standard products to market prematurely.

Mug Shot: Atomic's Tracker

So it will be most interesting to see how it fares in the real world being punished by the posse of young backcountry chargers who put a premium on GoPro air time. Cody said he did a number of 60-footers with the beta version so if it’s good enough for him on that I’m sure the Salomon fans will be lining up early to put a pair on next years planks.

© 2011

Related Links:
Salomon’s dedicated Guardian page!
Salomon/Atomic AT Binding comin’ (5oct11)

Review: 22 Designs Axl (2011 version)

Dostie — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 01:33:34 +0000

When it comes to heavy metal rocking with a free heel there is no more powerful binding on planet tele than 22 Designs Axl. It is possible to make the TTS or NTN binding more powerful but actually I shudder that you should need any more tele-resistänçe than Axl delivers. Put another way, if you need more tension than this binding adds to your boot, you probably ought to just lock ‘yer heels.

Axl 2011 - 4 lbs. of pure power with a free-pivot. MSRP: $320

It has taken a few years to prove out but even the minor weaknesses of the most popular backcountry tele binding, BD’s O1 become significant when you factor in the level of power available with the Axl. Hammerhead set the high water mark for an active binding over a decade ago. Axl added a free pivot, but kept the HH DNA with an ingenious adaption of the HH cable routing that allows the touring pivot.

This is not to say that Axl doesn’t have some weaknesses of its own. Nothing is perfect, but like O1′s, these imperfections are easy to bear. Besides, who would argue with the combination of Hammerhead power and adjustability with an easy to engage free pivot for earning turns?

A solid 45° ROM delivers all the freedom you need, with the uncompromised power and adjustability of a Hammerhead.

Touring Mode
Axl’s range of motion in tour mode is a solid 45°. No worse than a Fritschi Diamir Freeride, and about the same weight. 45° is plenty good for uphill strides and kick-turns.

Icing
However, the AXL can and does ice up. In my experience this is rare, but I don’t doubt the reports that ice can build up on the bottom side of the toeplate, similar to what happens with the O1. The latch still moves, but the toe plate doesn’t get low enough for the latch to grab it. This will require exiting the binding and throwing a few curses at it while you chip the ice off. Rare for me, but YMMV. A dab of silicone grease on the locking tab and heads of the screws should reduce this problem.

A more common phenomenon is for a small bumper of ice to build under the duckbill. Those dang ducks! It reduces an unrestricted 45° range of motion another five degrees, to a noticeably limited 40° ROM. In wet snow this happens a lot. It cleans off easy, but in a perfect world I wouldn’t have to. A minor complaint for the rest of the performance offerings.

There is still plenty of exposed metal on Axl's underbelly, but it is dramatically improved from v1 or the beta version. With a dab of silicone grease to metal parts icing issues usually disappear.

While 40° is a noticeable limit to ROM, especially to those who like to make jack-knife sharp kick turns, outside of this manuever you’ll hardly notice. For the purposes of simply breaking trail in deep snow 40° is plenty, especially if you prefer a competitively angled skin track. Most do so few will notice this limit. I’m a meanderthal, I notice. It puts a minor limit to the length of my stride but that could be overcome with a boot that hinges back at the cuff like some of the rando boots do (no teleboots on the market offer this today).

Pivot Bolt Issue
The locking bolts on the pivot are known to loosen up on pre-2010 versions. If you have this issue, 22 Designs is adamant that you NOT use Loctite™. You will reap bad juju if you do this. Use a slow cure epoxy instead and if possible, a low viscosity epoxy so it easily coats all the threads to really lock it on.

Switching modes is easy with a ski pole. If it gives too much resistance switching back to turn mode, check for ice under the toe plate.

Mode Switch
Switching modes is quite easy and reliable with this binding. I like the level of resistance it offers to changing modes, and the act of levering your ski pole fore for turning, aft for earning is simple. It is easy to find and stick your pole in it when it is covered with snow. While I’m on record that O1′s mode switch is the easiest there is, the Axl switch is arguably as easy, and while not immune, is less prone to icing. Be aware, however, that if the switch is hard to move, it probably is iced up and if your ski pole tips aren’t metal, you will break ‘em if you try to force it.

Climbing Peg
For reducing the angle of attack Axl keeps the spring loaded climbing peg design of the Hammerheel. Hands down the easiest climbing peg to engage that I know of. It comes in three heights to provide 1¼” (32 mm), 1¾ (45 mm) or 2¼” (57 mm) of heel lift for flattening out the uphill skin track. The shape of the heel shim is modified to make room for the dual-underfoot springs, but otherwise it’s the same old Hammerheel.

I’ve heard of these U-shaped wires bending while slamming your ski to hold an edge on an icy traverse so it would be nice to see 22 Designs come up with a solution to this. Even so, perhaps merely adjusting skinning technique could resolve this issue too. The other option would be to use ski crampons.

Harscheisen
Perhaps that’s the only item missing from the Axl package – ski crampoons – to make it a complete ski mountaineering package. I’ll bet 22 Designs could do something that hooks on with a longer Slic-pin.

To adjust turn power just push the locking nub and slide the Slic-pin out, then reposition as desired.

Turning Power
Where the AXL really rocks though, is in the power it offers to control your skis. In the 75mm realm there is no beefier binding. BD’s O1 with rid stiff springs is similar to Axl #1, but Axl #2, let alone #3 are undeniably stronger, even than its older brother, Hammerhead. Not by much, but if you bother to do a side by side comparison you can tell the difference after a few runs. And the adjustment is easy, from high tension to sick tension. Just move the Slic-pin. Press the spring loaded nub on the end with a fingernail and pull it out. The original pins were prone to bending, but 22 Designs has beefed ‘em up.

Flex curves for Axl #2 and #3. BD's O1 (rid-stiff) and Voile Switchback for comparison.
Data courtesy Univ. of Idaho © 2009

There remains a very small ‘neutral’ spot with the Axl caused by the amount of heel lift your boot may add due to rocker on the toe of your boot. You could argue that this isn’t the fault of the binding, and in fact the hysteresis in the sole of the boot is why there is any heel lift at all when unweighted. But it is there, so the springs add nothing to the first 2° or so of heel lift. The resistance you feel is what your boot provides. You certainly won’t notice this dropping a knee; you might notice it in parallel mode depending on how much your duckbill turns up.

A number of people have noticed that the tension in the springs of the Axl are rather stiff out of the box, but they will relax a bit after a few days use at a resort. So by all means, do not judge the resistance of these bindings until you’ve logged at least 40k vert of turns on ‘em.

Weight
Axl is not the lightest binding on the market, nor is it alone. At four pounds per pair it easily meets the criteria of the bigger is better crowd, not only providing plenty of turning power, but with a dominance of steel in its construction and a minimum of plastic, plus a six-hole mounting pattern, durability is a feature 99% of users can count on.

Mounting Notes
Although 22-Designs was able to keep the six-hole pattern, pin line on the toe plate is shifted forward relative to the Hammerhead mounting holes. If you’re swapping Axl’s for Hammerheads and you want the exact same pin-line reference you need to drill new holes 5mm back. However, 5mm isn’t much and if you just swap bindings I doubt you will notice. If you’re drilling in new skis, by all means, adjust accordingly.

For the overly aggro skier, despite the reputation for a 6-hole pattern holding up to abuse much better than a 4-hole, I would still recommend using inserts, at least for the two rear mounting holes.

Though a jig is always recommended, a mounting pattern is available as a printable PDF from the 22 Designs website. It is worth it just to use for positioning the heel post correctly so the heel throw tucks behind it, under the climbing peg, when you’re shouldering your skis and don’t want the cable flopping around.

Conclusion
Four buckle boots paired with Axl’s is a no brainer. The effective pivot point of the cable goes from aggressive to radical, for help with flexing a stiff boot. And with smaller, softer boots, Axl simply adds the horsepower a smaller boot lacks. So no matter what boot you have, if you’re driving fat boards fast, Axl delivers the kind of control that says lock in, drop your knee, hold on and shut up! Few skis or conditions can withstand the bridle Axl delivers. With an easy to engage free pivot, Axl’s are ready to go wherever you want to take them. Bumps, cliffs, and powder stashes in bounds, out of bounds or the backside of beyond.

Comparison of key features between Axl, O1 and X2

22 Designs
Axl
MSRP: $320
Weight: Standard – 4.0 lbs. (1810 g) • Small – 3.8 lbs. (1724 g)
Size range (mondo): Std for 25.5 or larger, Small for 25.0 or smaller
Riser height: 1.1″ (28 mm) w/2° ramp angle
Optional springs: Stiffy springs ($35)

Axl issues per ttips thread

Axl spring beta per ttips

Review: 7tm Power Tour (2010-11)

Dostie — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:46:04 +0000

When telemark skiing was approaching the apex of its popularity, the tribe knew we had best modify our gear or interest would wane. To that end the Holy Grail of telemark bindings was defined as one with lots of power for downhill control, a free-pivot for touring efficiency, step-in convenience, a safety release and, of course, light weight.

Power engages quickly, but doesn't set any records.

The 7tm Tour was the first to provide a free pivot with a safety release, but it has never developed much of a following due to it’s weight, price, and marginal power. However, for those who demand the safety release, the 7tm Power Tour is a binding to be seriously considered despite its relative weaknesses.

Considering what it was developed for, backcountry skiing, the 7tm is hard to beat for its feature rich set of options.

For fat skis and aggressive styles, there are several other bindings that deliver more power. Nonetheless the Power Tour is plenty adequate for skis narrower than 90mm, and with a four-buckle boot and a bit of skill, provides enough mojo for 100mm wide skis. In addition, being a full 33m above the ski helps with angulation and edging power. Besides, it has a release and the more powerful 75mm bindings do not.

Consider the tour mode. 7tm was the first tele binding to offer it, and with a full 70°+ of frictionless motion, still more than any other 75mm telebinding. The pivot is 14mm in front of pin line which increased rotational inertia and makes the weight difference of the 7tm more noticeable even though the difference is mere ounces per foot. While certainly not optimal, but way better than no pivot, and hardly noticeable unless you compare it to the O1 side by side.

7tm's ROM is a superb 70°+

The biggest bummer with the tour mode is you’ll probably have to bend over to switch modes. However, after three years of testing I never saw it ice up, which makes it much easier to overlook that inconvenience. It seems the rotational nature of the switch makes it self cleaning. With practice you may become adept at using your ski pole. I never did. I should also note, in moist conditions you may, nonetheless have some icing issues, usually a build up under the toe plate preventing the latch from catching.

Flipping your climbing bales is a pain if you try to crouch and flip it with your hand. Again, with a bit of practice you can use your ski pole. The key is a well aimed smack with the pole handle to flip the climbing peg down. By comparison, it is one of the more difficult bindings to switch modes or engage the climbing peg on.

If the power and mode switch seem a compromise you may be willing to overlook those short comings, especially if having a safety release is a requirement. Let me add, make that a reliable release, as in it doesn’t release prematurely, and seems to release when you need it to in combat mode. Perhaps that is merely a reflection of the value that comes from being the only DIN/TUV certified releasable telemark binding on the market, from DIN 4 – 11. Plus the ability to have a safety release allows you to forget about safety leashes since 7tm offers ski brakes.

Will it let go in an avy? Let’s just say you’ve got a heckuvalot better chance with this than, say, a suicide binding like the SuperLoop. However, in an avalanche you’re better to rely on an airbag pack than the safety release of your binding.

Two years ago 7tm completed offering all the features of telemark’s mythical grail in one binding by offering a step in heel latch. Unfortunately, like many other features of the 7tm, it works but has failed to generate any excitement. It does allow for relatively convenient entrance in to the binding. Unfortunately it takes a fair amount of adjusting before you obtain a tension that is both adequate for turning, yet allows for a modicum of step-in convenience.

It certainly isn’t as easy to get in as an alpine binding, or NTN. Besides, the step-in option costs an additional $47.50 and another 3 ounces of weight per foot. Although the standard heel lever of the 7tm is arguably the most difficult to use of all 75mm tele bindings, it’s not bad enough to justify the cost and weight of the step-in option. However, if you want it, it’s available.

STI, 7tm's optional step-in heel assembly.

7tm rounds out backcountry versatility by also offering optional crampons in two widths (85mm & 105mm), plus you have a choice of two climbing peg heights (30mm & 50mm).

The 7tm mounts to the ski with a unique 5-hole pattern that doesn’t match anything else in the tele world. One of the nice side benefits of this binding is you can buy extra mounting plates for only $65 per pair and use the same toe plate on another pair of skis. Though it doesn’t allow the easy fore-aft adjustability of NTN’s swappable mounting plates, it is much easier to transfer the main binding assembly between skis.

One thing users get confused about is how to get back in to the binding when it releases. When it does so the toeplate stays on your boot. The easiest way to get back in is to place the toe in first, then weight the rear of the toeplate to get it to latch into the baseplate. (YouTube example here).

The Tele Grail? If function equals fashion, yes.

If release is important to you and you’re sticking with 75mm norm boots, 7tm is your only option. The release is good, the range of motion for touring awesome, and the power adequate. You can get a more powerful binding with other models, but you’ll have to either sacrifice release, or touring freedom. With sufficient technique, the power is plenty, especially when safety matters more.

7tm Power Tour
(w/climbing bar, standard heel lever)
Price: $400
Weight/pair: 4 lbs., 1 oz. (65 oz / 1.83 kg)

7tm P2 Tour
(w/Step-in Heel, Climbing Bar)
Price: $430
Weight/pr: 4 lbs., 14 oz. (78 oz. / 2.21 kg)

Options:
Ski Brakes – $50 (widths available: 70mm, 83mm, 95mm, 110mm)
Step-In Heel – $47.50
Release Housing – $65.00 (functions as mounting plate for 2nd pair of skis)
Crampons – $75 (85mm), $85 (105mm)

Related Articles:
Review of 7tm Power Tour from Couloir Online Dec. 2006

Review of 7tm Tour from Couloir XVIII-4, Dec. 05

Review of 7tm Tour from Couloir XVII-3, Dec. 04

7tm Power Tour FAQ