NNN vs NNN-BC on 50ish waisted XC touring skis

[jyw5]

Thanks for the fast reply! can't wait to get them mounted. there should be new snow coverage down at lower elevation in 2-3 wks.

I was just worried about the specs of the magnum. The description says that they are for 52mm skis and wider...but I guess that doesn't matter that the mt51 is 51mm...I read somewhere that the mounting pattern is the same for regular vs magnum...correct me if I'm wrong.

[DPO777]

They may hang over a little, but it is the same template. When I mounted my Gamme 54 I had to buy another pair of NNN-BC bindings so I ordered the standard variety. Magnums are probably easier to open with gloved hands, but my fingers probably aren’t right from rough framing during winters. I used to laugh that I could hold a nail with one finger, because the frost held it. It doesn’t drop much below -15 F around here, so if I need to bare hand things for a minute I’ll be okay.
For you and your magnums, the template is the same, they’ll just hang over a bit. Not nearly as much as 75 mm. You can truly proclaim you did it from easier handling with gloves or mittens!

Fisheater, you know the story of the frozen fingies with the winter framing. Back in the 70s framing in Alberta's -40 using regular manual magnum Estwing hammers you could only wear double cotton dimpys otherwise you were taking out your sidekick with flying hammer or your own feet using heavy gloves. Trigger finger gloves were on the borderline. We used to heat the nails up and throw them in the pouch too hot to handle.

The crazy thing about the Rotti NNN-BC bindings is that it doesn't matter whether regular manuals or Magnums I find there is quite a variance in the lock mechanism tension. I have sets that flip open and close easy and other sets that are a real B.I.T.C.H to open and close especially when they ice up a bit and have mitts on. I do like them and the selection of boots that go with them but I find they ice up more and need to clear out from under foot as well as make sure the pin and pin lock stay clear. I didn't seem to have as much an issue with the NN 75mm 3-pin bindings.

Silicone grease in the lever and lock mechanism seems to help and some plastic safe silicone spray on the underfoot part helps from the snow clumping under the foot giving you that dreaded blown work boot sole feeling. I do wish though they made a heavy duty sliding plate so you could adjust the fore aft position of the binding as needed like the NNN adjustable bindings. Yes it would take some engineering to keep it robust but hell didn't man land on the moon. Another nice add on would be softer shallower flexors for easier heel rise on the on more flatter and mildly rolling track days.

On those transitional skis from NNN bindings to NNN-BC bindings you have to pick a light BC boot with more flex if you want to have a softer transition on those border line waist skis between the performance of NNN gear and the stability of NNN-BC gear.

The Rossi OT65 is an example of a transitional ski for track and light off trail yet Rossi made the decision to sell that ski,in most cases, at a reasonable price with Rossi Turnamic bindings installed that would allow someone to try the light OT concept without blowing a lot of money. Although a lot of readers, taking repetitive and soundly backed up advice just skipped to Rossi BC65s (and similar),BC boots and the BC bindings. Some of the first gen Rossi EVO OT 65s were offered bare, no bindings. A friend dropped a set off but and I have marked for Rotti BC binding but still haven't put them under the drill yet as thinking maybe 75MM or screw on NNN manuals. Lets do a vote LOL.

Not withstanding all that I have seem many on the trails sporting the Rossi OT 65s and extending there equipment a bit in another direction.

I have some older style Rotti BC binding that I can put on and try with the semi flexible Rossi BC X10 boots. One thing I noticed on the older Rotti BC bindings is the long boot grove protrusions back of the boot lock that adds some stability in the boot groves is solid and not segmented like the new BC bindings that have snow pack and stick easier in the segmented boot grove protrusions. Other option I guess is sell or trade them for some other BC skis. Not sure they would sell well unless the price was very attractive. Maybe $150 CAD. $200 CAD would be a hopeful outcome. You wouldn't be able to recover any mounted binding cost on a resale and most of the later versions included the Turnamic binding in the ski retail price.

Seemed like a success for on the fence skiers that they could get their feet wet in the BC end of things to see if it was for them before blowing a lot of money on new BC boots and bindings.

Of course this is a niche ski setup but it is surprising how often that niche ski comes in handy on a quick easy trail run day where it is just fun in the sun day.