tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post2394621359597670383..comments2024-03-16T10:11:19.302-07:00Comments on Cold Thistle: Tech Bindings? AKA "Dynafit bindings?"Danehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-10259276122586777782012-09-21T08:20:58.250-07:002012-09-21T08:20:58.250-07:00Dane, thanks for the update. I’ve had a pair of t...Dane, thanks for the update. I’ve had a pair of those bindings sitting here since the spring for my next rando race setup, but I had totally forgotten about your experience, especially since until I finally noticed the grooves/notches in my two pairs of titanium Plum 135 heels this summer, I hadn’t quite understood your problem.<br />According to Plum, titanium is so much stronger than steel that breakage is not a concern, or rather, essentially the rattling/looseness of the heel pins will compel swapping them out for a new fork long before they would ever break. (Placing one boot in a Plum 135 and another in an ATK/Sportiva RT, I can definitely notice that difference when rocking them back and forth by hand, although they still skied fine this past season.)<br />Seems like the Dynafit Low Tech Radical uses a steel fork in its race heel (which is combined with a standard Speed Radical toe), so Dynafit definitely has a compatible steel fork (somewhere...).Jonathan S. Shefftzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00532156922403744857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-42410184721976612632012-09-20T09:10:02.634-07:002012-09-20T09:10:02.634-07:00Hi Jonathan,
"was the wear in the form of gr...Hi Jonathan,<br /><br />"was the wear in the form of grooves/notches on the heel pin/fork/U-shape-thingie"<br /><br />yes ;-)<br /><br />"And did it eventually get so rattly that you replaced it with a steel version, or...?"<br /><br />It hasn't gotten that bad yet. Still annoying. I was never able to get the steel replacement springs from John M. but he did send me spare Titanium ones. John, you listening ?!!?? Just haven't gotten to a place where I think they need replacing yet. But it will be this season for sure. Love the bindings but would rather have a steel spring for the difference in grams.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-87446182520995307962012-09-20T08:56:22.577-07:002012-09-20T08:56:22.577-07:00Dane, was the wear in the form of grooves/notches ...Dane, was the wear in the form of grooves/notches on the heel pin/fork/U-shape-thingie (where the boot's heel interface rests when skiing)? And did it eventually get so rattly that you replaced it with a steel version, or...?Jonathan S. Shefftzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00532156922403744857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-38467228584083966302012-01-24T23:34:59.856-08:002012-01-24T23:34:59.856-08:00All Euro products afaik.All Euro products afaik.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-76327797357003960932012-01-24T22:45:16.657-08:002012-01-24T22:45:16.657-08:00Dane, do you know if there are any tech bindings m...Dane, do you know if there are any tech bindings made here in the USA? All seem Europe or Canada.<br /><br />thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-81014707223158051692011-11-02T12:04:16.296-07:002011-11-02T12:04:16.296-07:00Nice info. I would add the Haero Montura bindings ...Nice info. I would add the Haero Montura bindings as well. I have those on my race skis. On the Haeros (as I suspect on the other race tech bindings) with the binding at 90Degrees I am able to ski a flat ski. However, the tolerance is quite narrow. I actually filed just a tiny wee bit off one side to allow me to do this. Harrowing with a 500$+ bindingSteve Sellersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-61073605231104684282011-09-20T14:05:45.746-07:002011-09-20T14:05:45.746-07:00Jonathan,
I was talking about the titanium U shap...Jonathan,<br /><br />I was talking about the titanium U shaped heel spring. They just wear too fast fro my own use. But the up side to that is Dynafit will have steel springs available shortly.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-75836787644239215852011-09-20T13:39:08.851-07:002011-09-20T13:39:08.851-07:00Dane, regarding:
"And no question a titanium ...Dane, regarding:<br />"And no question a titanium heel piece, bolt/springs, have no business being used there."<br />-- Is that in the heel unit or the toe unit of the race binding?Jonathan S. Shefftzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00532156922403744857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-30019787094695688032011-08-09T12:12:29.457-07:002011-08-09T12:12:29.457-07:00http://mtnsaremyhome.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-race...http://mtnsaremyhome.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-race-skis.html<br /><br />I also have these plates on a set of Broad Peaks I have too many pairs of skis....<br /><br />Yeah the picket trip was amazing in so many ways! <br /><br />Nice blog to you too, I'm kind of a gear nut/industrial design student and I try to say up on happening things.<br />Cheers!<br />Kirkmtnsaremyhomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07729755973696235800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-66742342210010351202011-08-07T09:48:05.800-07:002011-08-07T09:48:05.800-07:00Great overview of the tech system. I also think t...Great overview of the tech system. I also think the idea and hopefully a trend of using ski boots for climbing (or tech fittings on climbing boots!) has great promise. I recently bought some Silvrettas for approach, but now with the TLT5 and being able to take skis for decent while still being light and flexible on the up opens up so many more possibilites for speed and safety and fun. <br /><br />The one issue I see with using dynafits for climbing is possible damaga from rock. Have you ever heard of this? Any ideas on protecting the fittings? I I've also run into the problem of mud building up in the front and rear fittings during an approach, which then freezes after getting on the snow. During transition it takes 10 minuts to clear out the fittings - especially the rears - with an ice tool in order to get the skis on. Any ideas for preventing this as well?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-14291690983013674732011-08-05T08:16:26.913-07:002011-08-05T08:16:26.913-07:00Thanks for that write up on the Aspects, Dane. 8lb...Thanks for that write up on the Aspects, Dane. 8lbs a pair sounds great to me! My current 3rd hand setup is 8 per ski and don't even ask about the boots...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-64531556312396936592011-08-02T18:21:26.473-07:002011-08-02T18:21:26.473-07:00Hey Kirk, great blog and awesome line you guys jus...Hey Kirk, great blog and awesome line you guys just got in. Well done! Send me the pics and I'll add them and a link to your blog.<br /><br />best, DaneDanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-76655731136878062412011-08-02T17:23:33.881-07:002011-08-02T17:23:33.881-07:00Just as an FYI I essentially made B & D plates...Just as an FYI I essentially made B & D plates out of 1/16in polycarbonate sheets that weigh in at 4g each. After a season of full use they are sill going strong with no problems or cracking. I can post photos if anyone is interested.Kirk Turnerhttp://mtnsaremyhome.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-25092150300684168942011-08-02T11:20:49.060-07:002011-08-02T11:20:49.060-07:00Thanks Jonathon. That is why I asked.:) I just ...Thanks Jonathon. That is why I asked.:) I just weighed the B&D plates and elevators again on the Speeds. Elevators are 86g per pair (3oz), plates 20g (.7oz)pair. Weight savings is 2.3 oz.<br /><br />It wasn't doubled so no clue how I came up with that number.<br /><br />I will edit that one. Much appreciated.<br /><br />On the Low Tech Race? If you rotate 90 degrees you can ride a flat (or slightly negative) ski.<br /><br />But there is no detent at 90 degrees on these so the binding will quickly move to the detented 45 position and snag the boot. I was convined the shop mismounted them the first time out. But John Milne verified the setting as correct. Rather disappointing as you might suspect.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-21208260948353990722011-08-02T09:01:59.257-07:002011-08-02T09:01:59.257-07:00“There is an option to shed some of the weight fro...“There is an option to shed some of the weight from the Dynafit Speed by pulling off the original climbing plate and adding a pair of B&D Ski Gear top plates. That will drop around 130 grams per pair or 4.5 ounces.”<br />– I’ve measured it at less than an ounce per binding, so you’re off by a factor of over 2x.<br /><br />“The LowTech race has no "flat" setting on the heel.”<br />– So exactly what happens when you rotate the heel unit 90 degrees? With my Plum race bindings, that provides for a flat setting (actually, slightly negative), which is useful for extended stretches of nearly horizontal terrain.Jonathan S. Shefftzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00532156922403744857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-689143761769071982011-07-31T13:08:51.933-07:002011-07-31T13:08:51.933-07:00Thanks Mike. Good to get your feed back. Your ar...Thanks Mike. Good to get your feed back. Your article on the Plum Guide binding is a definative article I think on the use of *all the tech style bindings*. Your tech tip of locking the binding to clear the pin holes and then unlocking them to ski was exactly the kind of info most of us need. I didn't find that bit repeated anywhere else and I was looking.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-83896166565549782772011-07-31T12:44:10.319-07:002011-07-31T12:44:10.319-07:00Nice post Dane. It looks like the PLUM guide has b...Nice post Dane. It looks like the PLUM guide has been updated to a new toe lever.<br /><br />That is going to be a huge improvement...Mike Bromberghttp://www.mikebromberg.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-35323870347529706922011-07-31T12:28:12.483-07:002011-07-31T12:28:12.483-07:00And this I did forget...with all the mind bending ...And this I did forget...with all the mind bending I was doing answering your comment. How does the Aspect ski? They REALLY DO RIP on the down :)Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-39221843984536429402011-07-31T11:42:15.456-07:002011-07-31T11:42:15.456-07:00Anon? Aspect as the one do it all machine? Funny...Anon? Aspect as the one do it all machine? Funny that is the one ski I bought as a ONE ski quiver. Now I have 5 new pairs of ski.<br /><br />The plus side? Colin Haley, who BD sponsors, took Aspects and TLT Ps to Denali this year. And I know he skis the Aspect every where in Cham. Seems to work for him.Take a look at all the stuff Colin is doing in his. His blog is great.<br /><br />The Aspect would not have been the ski I would take to Denali.<br /><br />I am on 178 Aspects. And hey are as light as anything in their class. That is mid length (an mid width) in my new skis. Shortest thing is a 162, longest a 188. I first tried the Aspects with 404s so I could also use my Spantiks and Primes with them in the Alps. Bad idea. That combo, Spantik and Aspect sent me looking for the TLT 5s. Skis had already proven themselves with decent ski boots.<br /><br />As an all around ski I really like the Aspects. But I take BDs logo to heart, "it is all about the down". When it comes to serious touring (read mostly uphill) I want something lighter and skinnier. Aspect is 130/90/117which is mid or getting "fat" these days. 90 at the waste isn't any thing BIG. My Hi5 is just getting BIG at 105 at the waste. I do like the amount of side cut on the Aspect along with it's width. Which is why I decided on it as my "one" ski. With DB top plates on the Speeds in a 178cm they weigh 8# even. Both pair of of my shorter skinnier touring/mountaineering skis weigh 6# even.<br /><br />Great ski, just don't expect too much from it and you'll be happy. As I said I wanted just one ski and over time I thought the Aspect needed some help.<br /><br />I'll likely take either two or three pairs of ski back to Chamonix this winter. I'll take shorter mtneering skis for sure @6#and I'll take the 188cm Hi5s. The Aspects is the one pair I am debating. The Aspects easily beat out my Stokes on that decision though.<br /><br />Although I don't mention any details on how the Aspect skis some good numbers to make a comparisons in the Hi5 review.<br /><br />Bottom line? I ask myself that question again on a regular basis. Yes, of the multiple choices available, the Aspect would still be the one ski I would buy to do everything.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-7839533657669705682011-07-31T05:38:29.393-07:002011-07-31T05:38:29.393-07:00Nice writeup. Timely, too. I'll be in the mark...Nice writeup. Timely, too. I'll be in the market this winter for a new ski/boot/binding setup once I finish school and move into a paying job. TLT 5 is a given and I saw you have the identical ski setup I've been considering in the BD Aspect with Speed binding. How has that worked for you? For a one ski, do it all from long tours to ski mountaineering to a few resort days, whats your opinion?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-13031300485239986372011-07-30T13:26:02.405-07:002011-07-30T13:26:02.405-07:00Great info Ivan, thanks. Locally (Seattle Area) t...Great info Ivan, thanks. Locally (Seattle Area) the Low Tech Race bindings are new to both Dyafit shops I have had mount mine. Ski techs weren't pleased with the three hole back and the "one chance" to get it all right.<br /><br />My TLT 5s are fine ( I measured them just now). But the techs who mounted them for me only asked for one boot :) But I can see where there could be some real problems..thanks for pointing it out!!Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-67406482640853076032011-07-30T13:20:44.117-07:002011-07-30T13:20:44.117-07:00Dane
Good info on the "Tech" style b...Dane<br /><br /> Good info on the "Tech" style bindings. I have been mounting and servicing them since the first generation Dynafits (early 90's). One thing I recommend for mounting and set up is to check both boots for being the same length. For this reason when I install them I request both boots. I have seen 1 and 2mm variations in sole length which can adversely affect release and retention when the spec is 4-6mm. If I encounter soles with a slight difference in length I mark and set up a left and right ski.<br /><br />IvanIvanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319056324624513849noreply@blogger.com