Which bindings: Asnes MR 48

[edylan]

Hi all. Been lurking on the site for a while, just registered so I can ask my first question. Thanks in advance for all your input!

Background: I'm a lifelong alpine skier who's cross country track skied maybe a dozen or so times in the past decade. For this season I'm super excited to be picking up my first pair of skis and to commit to a few days a week on the track and a few trips off track through the season to stay in shape and explore the nature. I bought the Asnes Mountain Race 48 Skins based on what I saw and read here on this forum and elsewhere online.

I'm pretty convinced I want to go with NNN BC bindings since I'm not racing and want the versatility for when going BC, but am unsure which binding fits the bill. I also haven't committed to boots yet - just picked up Alpina Alaska's from REI in a few sizes to figure out if they fit but wanted to make sure I am matching boots with bindings correctly.

Question: is there a gold standard binding I should put on the MR 48s? I see a few threads referencing a few bindings, some of which have overhang that I think I want to avoid. So anyway, just seeking your collective wisdom on boots and bindings.

Thanks all!
Dylan

[lilcliffy]

Hello and WELCOME Edylan!!

I have zero experience with that ski- you should get some responses from skiers that are-

However- I would suggest you find the boot you want and that will decide the binding.
Gareth

[lilcliffy]

Also- Lars' recent post pushes the advantages of an adjustable XC binding (e.g. NIS) with touring skis that have a fixed integrated skin (e.g. MR48).

[Woodserson]

There's a good breakdown on binding system strategy for this ski along with a fanastic review at Alta Backcountry:

The most difficult decision regarding this ski is what binding to put on it. I skied it with my normal Madshus classic NNN boots, and felt a little under-gunned on the tight, twisty trails at Brainard Lake. Elaine used it with a combi boot that has a stiffer sole and, more importantly, more lateral stiffness, and had good luck. In this case, I’d recommend steering clear of the most expensive boots, as more recreational models are generally stiffer and have more insulation.

No doubt, this ski paired with NNN BC bindings and boots would absolutely rock for Brainard-style, tight, twisty conditions, while giving up some performance at the track. For something like skiing across Greenland or Expedition Amundsen, where pulling a pulk adds additional balance concerns, I’d certainly install an NNN BC binding and use an appropriate boot (At Expedition Amundsen, it was THE ski of choice for the fastest competitors). And while I love the simplicity of 3-pin boots and bindings, to me that’s not a good option for a ski I plan to use at least a little bit in the track, as the sides of the binding will drag on the grooves.

I’d say if the intended purpose is 70% or more backcountry, install it with NNN BC. Anything less than that, and it’ll work better with a regular nordic NNN binding and a combi boot with some stiffness in the uppers. Of course, better skiers can get away with less boot stability, and visa versa.

I put NNN on mine, and it was an excellent choice for my application, I don't feel outgunned at all. Would recommend. However, if you are planning on doing more BC Nordic skiing (maybe with other skis) and you want to keep your life simple with one pair of boots, then go the NNNBC route. Or get two pairs of boots. Lots of options.

Face it in the end you're going to be drowning in boots, skis, poles, and wondering why all your money just went to Norway.

Hey, do your MR48's have any tip splay if you press the bases together? Like rocker but more subtle?

[edylan]

Also- Lars' recent post pushes the advantages of an adjustable XC binding (e.g. NIS) with touring skis that have a fixed integrated skin (e.g. MR48).

Oh, nice. Do you have a link to it?

[edylan]

There's a good breakdown on binding system strategy for this ski along with a fanastic review at Alta Backcountry:

The most difficult decision regarding this ski is what binding to put on it. I skied it with my normal Madshus classic NNN boots, and felt a little under-gunned on the tight, twisty trails at Brainard Lake. Elaine used it with a combi boot that has a stiffer sole and, more importantly, more lateral stiffness, and had good luck. In this case, I’d recommend steering clear of the most expensive boots, as more recreational models are generally stiffer and have more insulation.

No doubt, this ski paired with NNN BC bindings and boots would absolutely rock for Brainard-style, tight, twisty conditions, while giving up some performance at the track. For something like skiing across Greenland or Expedition Amundsen, where pulling a pulk adds additional balance concerns, I’d certainly install an NNN BC binding and use an appropriate boot (At Expedition Amundsen, it was THE ski of choice for the fastest competitors). And while I love the simplicity of 3-pin boots and bindings, to me that’s not a good option for a ski I plan to use at least a little bit in the track, as the sides of the binding will drag on the grooves.

I’d say if the intended purpose is 70% or more backcountry, install it with NNN BC. Anything less than that, and it’ll work better with a regular nordic NNN binding and a combi boot with some stiffness in the uppers. Of course, better skiers can get away with less boot stability, and visa versa.

I put NNN on mine, and it was an excellent choice for my application, I don't feel outgunned at all. Would recommend. However, if you are planning on doing more BC Nordic skiing (maybe with other skis) and you want to keep your life simple with one pair of boots, then go the NNNBC route. Or get two pairs of boots. Lots of options.

Face it in the end you're going to be drowning in boots, skis, poles, and wondering why all your money just went to Norway.

Hey, do your MR48's have any tip splay if you press the bases together? Like rocker but more subtle?

Ha, if my biking and alpine skiing investments are any indicator, then you're probably right! That said, I am hoping for a few seasons to stick to this ski and setup for all my intended uses. Maybe that's naive or whatever but hoping I picked the right skis to make that a reality.

To that point, I think from what I'm reading nnn bc will be more flexible for my needs - one pair of boots for possibly fatter skis in the future, the ability to break trail and do some hut trips, ability to tow my son in a ski trailer and still have fun on the skin track.

Do you have a suggestion for what nnn bc bindings I should use that will fit? I can't seem to figure this out. Many thanks!

And my skis are in the mail but once I have them I'll check on your question on tip splay.

[Stephen]

@edylan, if you want the narrow, manual, NNN BC Binding, there is only one option, made by Rottefella.
For example,

[lilcliffy]

Also- Lars' recent post pushes the advantages of an adjustable XC binding (e.g. NIS) with touring skis that have a fixed integrated skin (e.g. MR48).

Oh, nice. Do you have a link to it?

http://www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.p ... =50#p45080

[Stephen]

@edylan, my post was for the NNN BC bindings.
If you want the adjustable bindings, I am not familiar with those and @lilcliffy linked to that post, above.

EDIT:
Someone correct me if I’m mistaken, but I think the NIS bindings match only NNN shoes and that boots, and NNN BC shoes / boots require NNN BC bindings.
A little confusing with all those NNNs in there!

[Woodserson]

@edylan, my post was for the NNN BC bindings.
If you want the adjustable bindings, I am not familiar with those and @lilcliffy linked to that post, above.

EDIT:
Someone correct me if I’m mistaken, but I think the NIS bindings match only NNN shoes and that boots, and NNN BC shoes / boots require NNN BC bindings.
A little confusing with all those NNNs in there!

NIS and IFP plates (that attach to skis and allow for multiple positions-- many skis are now sold with the plate already mounted) are NNN compatible. The underpinnings are a bit different but the boot is the same.

NNN-BC is NNN-BC. No plate, and no adjustability. Get the "Manual" version of this binding if you can find it (see Stephen post above), though the "Magnum" would be the same holes, just a wider footplate and 30g heavier.