Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

Hello Telemarkers!

I bought my first XCD ski equipment this spring, and it has not really lived up to my expectations, unfortunately.

The equipment consists of a pair of Åsnes Nansens with Rottefella Super Telemark bindings (both used) and a pair of new Crispi Bre.

After a 40km ski trip I got the Bres replaced on warranty because of an issue with the sole that caused the leather to be damaged by the binding.

At first I thought the binding was the issue, so in the meantime, I aquired some Voile 3-pin telemark bindings as these are known as a bomb proof alternative.

After approximately 20km on the new pair of shoes and Voile bindings, the shoes seem to work about as expected. However, the Voile pins are completely worn out(!).

I'm utterly disappointed as I expected this equipment, especially the bindings, to basically outlast the 75mm standard as more skiers migrate to Xplore.

My question is: does anyone have any clue of what might have happened with my binding? Is it a user error, the boots or the binding (or all three) that are at fault?

The Voile HD Mountaineer, or the 3-pin cable is not a great binding for many modern thermomolded 75 mm boots. Voile has even reintroduced another 75 mm binding option that I presume is targeted for modern thinner soled thermomolded boots. I have found the Rottefella Super Telemark binding to be a superior option for these types of boots.
As far as your boots, it looks as though you clipped in with the holes misaligned once or twice. I’ve done it before, ended up with boots that looked like your’s at the pin holes and I am much more careful now.
Those boots aren’t cheap. If those were my boots, and I liked the skis, I would buy brand new Rotte ST bindings. However that’s me. I don’t ski in your boots, and I can afford a new pair of bindings. However that’s the best advice I have.
I do wish you the best of luck. Also, I have seen many times other members have better ideas than mine.

But what about the condition of those pins? Seems very odd.

Please contact Voile and attach a photo of the pin wear.
https://www.voile.com/contact-us.html
I've never seen anything like that kind of wear after only 20 km.
I would be curious to know what they think.

Didn’t notice the condition of the pins. That failure seems like mostly likely was a production failure.

Don't know what happened to the post I thought I posted here right after fisheater's first post, but the basics were: The pinholes on the boots are normal and of no concern. There's no way the damage to the pins on the bindings were caused by the boots; wear like that would require a file or grinder. You certain you got the bindings new? If so, I'd do as Tom suggests; the folks at Voile are extremely helpful and knowledgeable.

I ski Crispi Bre on Rottefella Super Telemark all the time and never had any issue that "damaged the leather." I also have some Voile 3pin/cable that must be 30 years old and the pins look nothing like yours. I would second the question if they weren't used and modified when you got them.

I agree with the other comments--and in 45 yar of xc skiing on pin bindings have never seen pins damaged like that.
I'd contact Voile.

But there is a metal plate in the pin area of some boots.

I had the same issue with a new pair of Voile 3-pin Traverse bindings and new Scarpa T4s about 3 years ago. Scarpa ended up warranty replacing the boots from the accelerated wear, but Voile said the pins (even in their worn state) were good to go.

They looked exactly like yours after the first 4 mile ski on them, but I've skied them for years since with no issues. Not saying it's not worth talking to the Voile folks, but hopefully offering some peace of mind about their continued usability!