NTN FreeDOM Mount Tale

[GEO]

This year I mounted up a fresh pair of simple rockered 100mm sticks with the lighter NTN freedDOM, for BC & lighter duty lift service.

So far I toured 20 yards with them in the backyard, with the nice more open pivot (more open than the FreeRIDE).
I realized that the mount job is too far back on the ski.

It's an interesting problem, because I mounted them for typical ('optimal') boot center skiing, on the mark Black Diamond scribed/ suggest. I also checked Center Running Surface CRS & where BoF (Ball of Foot) would be positioned. I usually add chord center (CC) & Ski balance point (BP) out of habit, although these days I don't much pay attention to them. I am sure these skis will alpine & tele well AS IS, but they ain't gonna tour!

I should have paid more attention to the balance point of the ski (in combination to the boot & binding, which of course is not easily possible). I've never seen a modern standard mount become so obviously problematic: you lift your ski and the shovel drops fast and the ski wacks your heel, uncomfortably...

It looks like a redrill solution and mounting further forward.... But how should I have avoided this? Can i help you avoid making the same mistake?

Has anyone run into something similar? Or go ahead and add your NTN mount stories below....
(I am no pro, but I have mounted my and my friends many different free heel bindings for over 20 years, without one failure... ummm, until now ).

[Cannatonic]

It looks like a redrill and mounting further forward.... But how should I have avoided this? Can i help you avoid making the same mistake?

no! Skis come in too many shapes & sizes today, there's no way to know where to mount each one IMO. I've got a few pairs of skis with extra holes from re-mounting. there's plenty of wood, a few extra holes won't hurt anything.

I think it helps to check where balance point and the center point are in relation to each other, but every ski feels different in practice.

[lowangle al]

Geo, I would try to ski them before you remount, you might like them. I don't know how far you have to move them but a couple of cm won't make a lot of difference IME.

[dnt_upton]

Which BD skis? Me thinks th problem is you are used to center mounted skis and now have a more traditional pair. Mounting on the recommended line and not liking it is not a fuck up. Agree that u need to ski them first.

[Rodbelan]

I am with dnt on this one... Give them a good try first. Plus, It is also good to have different skis with different mount location; you are then in the obligation to find the sweet spot—regarding balance—every time you change ski. I learned a lot from that sort of experience. And you could always remount them and experience something new; skis aren't like patrimonial or sacred temple. Drill those babies man. I've got some pairs that look like swiss cheeze...

[GEO]

Hey guys - thanks for the tips. I know they'll ski great, but my concern is their pivot point and tour. I'm not worried about redrilling, I just wish I would of saved my self the hour and half and two beers....

Yes, the ski on the left here (4FRNT) is the set up I've been dreaming of since the 80s for all round big lift service, and is already 4 years old (also 100mm underfoot). I recently set up bigger Rossi Super 7s with NTN - but I gave up on those, and mounted them alpine. They kinda sucked tele....

Anyway - the 2010 BDs or whatever year they are (above) are not touring well. My point I think is to warn others, ask the pros, maybe ask Rotefella about some additional directions concerning balance point when mounting FreeDOMs. As you can see in the photo, the BD bindings are not all that far back on the ski, but compared to my more center-mounted 4FRNTs, they are. The 4FRNTs do in fact also tour well, but I was seeking a loss in weight.....

I also want to try what I hear and lot of people talking about these days - e.g., the Meidjo.

[dnt_upton]

Not seeing the picture.

There are lots of good reviews of the Meidjo. Icing affects some but not all. But everyone seems to love the way they ski.

[GEO]

edited (removed)

[MikeK]

Photos are not showing up. I think it has some kind of privacy setting that is blocking everyone but you from seeing.

[GEO]

Thanks for the heads up. I fixed it / bump now.

They are'nt the worst pair of skis; they are not carbon and they have no sexy swiss flag on them, BUT they were cheap & have a certain history...

I started doing some of the Meidjo / other Tech binding homework and may add some links here. (FYI I still have lots of 75mm gear too).

http://www.backcountrytalk.earnyourturn ... -NTN/page5