Newb Question re: telemark bindings

[xcdnewb0313]

I have a Alfa/xPlore/Fischer setup that I love for xcd

I am starting to shop for a tele setup that I can ski the resort with and sidecountry/easy access bc. Now when I say resort I'm mainly going out with my 8 year old on mostly blues. Not doing any crazy blacks/double blacks, icy trees, etc... I do a fare amount of deep BC/hard access with my xcd setup (not with my kid) but I mostly go out solo so I'm not going anywhere at the top end of my skill set by a long shot... Especially until I can tele ski confidently.

That being said am I going to notice a major difference between the Rottefella Super 3 pin/cable and say the AXL? The price is just shy of $300 cheaper.

My current front side setup is 9 seasons old so I'm not the type of skier that has to have the top of the line latest and greatest.

For light duty front side and medium duty bc will the Rottefella be a good binding? Telemark Down says it has "some real punch on the descents and can push a wider/fatter ski".

Or will I regret not getting the 22 Design binding?

Lastly, I want to go as light as I can. I'm tired of lugging 20+lb skis/boots into the bc. I LOVE my xcd setup because it's 10lbs. Obviously though that lightweight is why I am looking for more of a resort setup and something that can handle side country/easy access bc where I'm more likely to go full throttle....

Looking at getting the Scarpa t2 boot in case that helps...

[scottyX]

i've seen comments here that the rotte ST binding isn't a great match with the t2 due to the duckbill height, so hopefully someone will confirm or deny that for you. Voile cable binding w/ plastic boots, rotte ST w/ leathers seems to be the general rule. That being said, i think a cable binding like that would be fine for your goals.

even better would be t2 + switchbacks. it's right in that "medium duty BC/light-med duty groomer" range, you'll appreciate the free pivot in the BC, and it's in a pretty sweet spot for weight and activity to help continue developing your technique and confidence.

fwiw, i've skied both setups referred to on exactly that spread of terrain and enjoy both, but i'd always choose the switchbacks because of the free pivot. so assuming you have the money for it, i think you'll get the most bang for your buck with the switchbacks. if you go with a fixed cable binding you'll still be well served, just make sure you get the one that's the best match for your boots.

[fisheater]

I think before you talk about the binding you need to talk about the boot.
I really love skiing my Alaska 75 with my Rotte ST/cable, and I like my T4 with 3pin Hardwire.
Pick the boot first. Pick a ski and binding that match

[xcdnewb0313]

@fisheater @scottyX Thank you for the sound advice. I appreciate it a lot

[phoenix]

Very good advice from fisheater above. I'll add that the Axl/plastic boot/(probably) bigger ski is in a different category than Super Tele's/thinner sole boot/lighter skis. The Axl's would provide a great deal more performance; started skiing them recently with T2's on some Ultra Vectors, and they're noticeably more solid with a smoother flex curve than my Hyper Vector's with Switchbacks (not X2's), which I'd think are comparable to the Super Tele's performance wise (if you squeeze a full thickness sole into the Super's).
They're all fun and capable, depends if you wan to stay in the lighter camp, or want more downhill performance.

[Miloo]

I have a Alfa/xPlore/Fischer setup that I love for xcd

I am starting to shop for a tele setup that I can ski the resort with and sidecountry/easy access bc. Now when I say resort I'm mainly going out with my 8 year old on mostly blues. Not doing any crazy blacks/double blacks, icy trees, etc... I do a fare amount of deep BC/hard access with my xcd setup (not with my kid) but I mostly go out solo so I'm not going anywhere at the top end of my skill set by a long shot... Especially until I can tele ski confidently.

That being said am I going to notice a major difference between the Rottefella Super 3 pin/cable and say the AXL? The price is just shy of $300 cheaper.

My current front side setup is 9 seasons old so I'm not the type of skier that has to have the top of the line latest and greatest.

For light duty front side and medium duty bc will the Rottefella be a good binding? Telemark Down says it has "some real punch on the descents and can push a wider/fatter ski".

Or will I regret not getting the 22 Design binding?

Lastly, I want to go as light as I can. I'm tired of lugging 20+lb skis/boots into the bc. I LOVE my xcd setup because it's 10lbs. Obviously though that lightweight is why I am looking for more of a resort setup and something that can handle side country/easy access bc where I'm more likely to go full throttle....

Looking at getting the Scarpa t2 boot in case that helps...

The Rottefella Super 3 pin/cable will work well for your needs light, solid for resort and medium BC, and cheaper than the AXL. Since you're not pushing extreme terrain, you'll be fine. The Scarpa T2 is a good choice too. Keep it light and enjoy.

[Inspiredcapers]

Annnd just to reiterate- the T2 won’t work with the Rottefella SuperTelemark, the duckbill is too thick. That binding will pair well with a leather boot that has a thinner duckbill (The Fischer Transnordic 75 not being one of those boots, its as thick as the T2).

[telerat]

Much good advice here, and I agree with Inspiredcapers. It is long since I tried a plastic boot in my Super Telemark bindings, but I immediately discarded that as a usable combination. Voile launched the Voile 201 3-pin binding for thinner duckbills: https://www.voile.com/voile-hd-mountain ... nding.html

I assume it matches the Super Telemark bale height and duckbill tolerances. Here is a Voile's video talking about it (as well as Alpina Alaska 75 and XP/Xplore):