22 Designs Vice and Hammerhead Bindings hurting my knees

[soar07]

Does anyone have some good ideas on how to find a good traditional tele binding that is good torsionally but still provides a good ability to flex? I had old Rottefella bindings on som Volkl Mantras that I loved but they wore out. I have tried 22 Designs bindings on all my skis and I even mounted them to my old Mantras which I used to love. Now on the same skis that I love but with the Hammerhwads on them I hate the position I feel my knees in when skiing. Also the skis ski like crap compared to how they used to ski. Granted I am getting older (50) but it feels like the heel blocks are too high and that puts my front leg into a position that is uncomfortable. I am using Scarpa T-1 boots. I experimented with taking out the heel blocks and that was not a good idea. I am thinking of cutting them down to reduce the angle and feeling of trying to lunge with my heel elevated in turns. Thanks for any advice or thoughts you guys may have!

[connyro]

You know that you can adjust the activity of the HH by moving the cable guide position, right?

Also, are the T1s new too? It almost sounds like you don't like the position that your boots put you in.

[dnt_upton]

Also, are the T1s new too? It almost sounds like you don't like the position that your boots put you in.

If you are new to T1s, this it it. Try: put in walk mode, stand as upright as you can, switch to ski mode and see if they lock out in a more upright stance.

[soar07]

Yes Boots are part of problem. I usually ski w them in walk mode. But I was not aware u could lock them more upright. I will try that ! Thank you

[soar07]

But I have had t1s for years and it seems the HHs are accentuating problem

[dnt_upton]

hmm, interesting. I'd be curious if you could try a binding like the Switchback or X2 and see if that solves the problem. Sounds like you have inserts in your skis, though the hole patterns wouldn't match the HH pattern. Or just go back to the Cobras?

[soar07]

So perhaps before I try to change all my bindings maybe I should try a different pair of boots perhaps? Does anybody have any recommendations previously I had T2s and I loved those. Maybe that's what I should go back to? Thanks for all the inputs.

[dnt_upton]

T2 Ecos are great, very comfortable, and more upright. You can find good deals on them.

So I'm a little confused as to whether you've been using T1s, T2s, or both over the last 5-10 years. The move to the modern T1 or T Race (now discontinued) can be awkward b/c of the forward lean factor. That sounded like the most likely until you said you've been skiing T1s for years.

FWIW, 22D's Axl and Vice have a 2 degree ramp angle -- not terribly significant. Not sure about HHs, but they are probably comparable.

[soar07]

T2s were my first Tele boot I used them for years before the T-1s. I went to the T1 5-6 years ago. And yes when I first got them I did not like the more forward stance and still dont. But I found in walk mode that the issue went away. Bit that was before the HH and Vice binodngs took over my quiver of skis. I think the Vice ramp angle combined with the boots might be the problem now based on what you are saying. Thank you for taking the time to answer! I have felt like the combo was feeling more and more like alpine gear which is a bummer for my knees!

[TomH]

If you don't like the ramp angle in the HH's, you could always build a small shim and raise the toe a little.

Like someone else mentioned, have you adjusted the pivots? If you've got HH's set on 5 (all the way back), they're going to feel really strange coming off old Cobras, which would feel closer to position 3 in the HH's. If you're using Vices, you'd probably want position 1 or 2.

Otherwise, Rotte still sells the Cobra R8 if you just want to go with the same.