The new Rottefella XPLORE OFFTRACK Binding System Review

Real reviews by real skiers. What a concept! Add your own today. Reviews only please, questions can be posted as replies but new threads looking for opinions should be posted to the main Telemark Talk Forum.
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FrenchFred
Posts: 69
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2019 2:07 pm
Location: Grenoble
Ski style: Cross Country Downhill - Mainly downhill
Favorite Skis: FT62, K2 Backlite 74
Favorite boots: Alaska NNNBC, Alpha Free XP
Occupation: Trying to find new fun spot in my backyard.

Re: The new Rottefella XPLORE OFFTRACK Binding System Review

Post by FrenchFred » Thu Jan 06, 2022 11:30 am

Woodserson wrote:
Mon Jan 03, 2022 6:37 pm
FrenchFred wrote:
Sun Jan 02, 2022 2:35 pm
Hy all

NNNBC is not dead ! ;)

I use this set up
20220102_145837.jpg

And it perform pretty well .
I would like to post the video but the mp4 extension lock the post ?!...

Regards
Fred

Fred
NICE Fred

This is a great set-up. I got a pair of 195cm for really cheap, and it's a good one I wouldn't mind a shorter one. They are really solid and heavy and smooth. I was impressed with the downhill capability. A good ski with some rocker too!

How are you setting up the leash into the binding?
Hy
Here a picture of my DIY leash
20220106_171856.jpg
I drill a 3,5mm hole in the binding body.
Then I use a 3mm rope.
I lock the rope inside the binding with a double stop knot.
I do the same way to lock the carrabiner.
Hope it's clear...

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fisheater
Posts: 2509
Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2016 8:06 pm
Location: Oakland County, MI
Ski style: All my own, and age doesn't help
Favorite Skis: Gamme 54, Falketind 62, I hope to add a third soon
Favorite boots: Alpina Alaska, Alico Ski March
Occupation: Construction Manager

Re: The new Rottefella XPLORE OFFTRACK Binding System Review

Post by fisheater » Thu Jan 06, 2022 6:14 pm

@FrenchFred That is simple, and light. I like it, even more than my simple solution



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jyw5
Posts: 489
Joined: Tue Nov 19, 2019 12:52 am

Re: The new Rottefella XPLORE OFFTRACK Binding System Review

Post by jyw5 » Thu Jan 13, 2022 11:44 am

FrenchFred wrote:
Thu Jan 06, 2022 11:30 am
Woodserson wrote:
Mon Jan 03, 2022 6:37 pm
FrenchFred wrote:
Sun Jan 02, 2022 2:35 pm
Hy all

NNNBC is not dead ! ;)

I use this set up
20220102_145837.jpg

And it perform pretty well .
I would like to post the video but the mp4 extension lock the post ?!...

Regards
Fred

Fred
NICE Fred

This is a great set-up. I got a pair of 195cm for really cheap, and it's a good one I wouldn't mind a shorter one. They are really solid and heavy and smooth. I was impressed with the downhill capability. A good ski with some rocker too!

How are you setting up the leash into the binding?
Hy
Here a picture of my DIY leash
20220106_171856.jpg
I drill a 3,5mm hole in the binding body.
Then I use a 3mm rope.
I lock the rope inside the binding with a double stop knot.
I do the same way to lock the carrabiner.
Hope it's clear...
I like that! thanks. finally, a real solution.

now I just need to figure out which ski is best at the resort.



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randoskier
Posts: 902
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 2:08 am
Location: Yank in Italy
Ski style: awkward
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Favorite boots: go-go
Occupation: International Pop Sensation

Re: The new Rottefella XPLORE OFFTRACK Binding System Review

Post by randoskier » Fri Jan 14, 2022 11:34 am

FrenchFred wrote:
Wed Jan 05, 2022 2:01 pm
As I said.
NNNBC is not dead for xcD ! :twisted: ;)

But Xplore seems to be really great !
Fred
You have very good technique!

BTW if you are "searching for adventure in your own back yard" as your profile noted- may I suggest Valjouffrey (38)?

Is there any snow in the Vercors this year? Auvergne?



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Peschamel
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:34 am
Location: Switzerland
Ski style: XC, XCd attemps
Favorite Skis: Madshus BC 55; Madshus Endurace Classic; Fischer S-Bound 98
Favorite boots: Alfa Guard Advance, Fischer RC3 Classic
Occupation: Lawyer

Re: The new Rottefella XPLORE OFFTRACK Binding System Review

Post by Peschamel » Thu Mar 03, 2022 11:42 am

Mounting is super easy. They come with TORX screws. 5 holes in each ski. And the coolest thing is that you can use 2 holes from your previous NNN-BC mount and still be around pin line... 8-)

Oh, also... FWIW, I don't even bother with 2 of the screws... I just don't use them. I feel like 3 screws is more than enough even for downhill stuff... But don't listen to what I say... (In fact, I only use a total of 2 screws on my XPLORE skis. More than enough for everything nordic, no need to redrill, and super easy/fast to swap!
@Johnny: Hey man, do I get this right: Coming from NNN BC I can use two existing holes and the others to drill are not too close to the NNN BC ones to interfere? So hasslefree update? Thanks!
Lykke til og god tur!



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Johnny
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Location: Quebec / Vermont
Ski style: Dancing with God with leathers / Racing against the machine with plastics
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Favorite boots: Alpina Alaska XP, Alfa Guards, Scarpa TX Comp
Occupation: Full-time ski bum

Re: The new Rottefella XPLORE OFFTRACK Binding System Review

Post by Johnny » Fri Mar 04, 2022 1:58 pm

Peschamel wrote:
Thu Mar 03, 2022 11:42 am
Coming from NNN BC I can use two existing holes and the others to drill are not too close to the NNN BC ones to interfere? So hasslefree update?
Yep, exactly. Hasslefree update... Make sure to use your favorite adhesive on the screws though. Unlike the stock NNNBC screws, the new Torx ones get loose VERY easily in a short amount of time...!
/...\ Peace, Love, Telemark and Tofu /...\
"And if you like to risk your neck, we'll boom down Sutton in old Quebec..."



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Stephen
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6’3” / 191cm — 172# / 78kg, size 47 / 30 mondo

Re: The new Rottefella XPLORE OFFTRACK Binding System Review

Post by Stephen » Mon Oct 31, 2022 3:36 pm

Theme wrote:
Mon Oct 31, 2022 9:15 am
.
.
Xplore may enhance these abilities even further, but I am worried of the rather short screws they come with. I probably will resort to finding some longer screws to combat the binding ripping off.
.
.
I noticed this is a recent post, so looked to compare the screw penetration on the NNN BC binding vs the Xplore binding.
(I have one new of each for comparison.)

The mounting screws must be reasonably sufficient, but seem unnecessarily and ridiculously short.
The Xplore binding screws have 2-3mm less penetration.

In fairness, the NNN BC binding has two screws on the back side of the toe bar and one further forward.
With this setup the two back screws will take almost all the force in most extreme load situations.
Whereas the Xplore has four screws in the load area, two in front and two behind the toe pin lock mechanism.
This is a better design for handling high loads than the NNN BC screw pattern.

This is a case where I would want to use epoxy glue to get the best possible bond into the ski core.

I assume this has been well tested and that the screws have been found to be sufficient, but if anyone knows otherwise, or has an easy replacement option for the screws, I would love to know.



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Theme
Posts: 148
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Occupation: Hiker trash, gear junkie, ski bum and anything inbetween

Re: The new Rottefella XPLORE OFFTRACK Binding System Review

Post by Theme » Mon Oct 31, 2022 3:49 pm

Stephen wrote:
Mon Oct 31, 2022 3:36 pm
Theme wrote:
Mon Oct 31, 2022 9:15 am
.
.
Xplore may enhance these abilities even further, but I am worried of the rather short screws they come with. I probably will resort to finding some longer screws to combat the binding ripping off.
.
.
I noticed this is a recent post, so looked to compare the screw penetration on the NNN BC binding vs the Xplore binding.
(I have one new of each for comparison.)

The mounting screws must be reasonably sufficient, but seem unnecessarily and ridiculously short.
The Xplore binding screws have 2-3mm less penetration.

In fairness, the NNN BC binding has two screws on the back side of the toe bar and one further forward.
With this setup the two back screws will take almost all the force in most extreme load situations.
Whereas the Xplore has four screws in the load area, two in front and two behind the toe pin lock mechanism.
This is a better design for handling high loads than the NNN BC screw pattern.

This is a case where I would want to use epoxy glue to get the best possible bond into the ski core.

I assume this has been well tested and that the screws have been found to be sufficient, but if anyone knows otherwise, or has an easy replacement option for the screws, I would love to know.
Thanks for your thoughts Stephen!

The NNNBC front screws fit like a dream in the Xplore screw holes with little to no slack, but do perforate too deep for most skis. However, the middle section of 300cm long Järvinen Lapponia is about ~40mm thick as far as I remember correctly, cannot confirm at this very moment. I may ask my favorite shop for spares, in this rare occasion



User avatar
Stephen
Posts: 1451
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2020 12:49 am
Location: PNW USA
Ski style: Aspirational Hack
Favorite Skis: Armada Tracer 118 (195), Gamme (210), Ingstad (205), Objective BC (178), Nordica Enforcer 94
Favorite boots: Alfa Guard Advance, Scarpa TX Pro
Occupation: Beyond
6’3” / 191cm — 172# / 78kg, size 47 / 30 mondo

Re: The new Rottefella XPLORE OFFTRACK Binding System Review

Post by Stephen » Tue Nov 01, 2022 5:50 pm

What the Heck!

I have a set of Xplore bindings -- no template in the box.
Click on links (https://rottefella.com/bindings-accesso ... s-and-jigs) for the Template that have been posted in various places, that point to rottefella.com, and get:
Whoops, our bad...

Maybe I'm missing something, but can't find that template anywhere on the Internet.
It's easy to think Rottefella wants only ski shops to mount the binding...

Anyone have a saved copy of the Template file, or a working link to the Template?

Thanks!



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Tom M
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Ski style: Skate on Groomed, XCD Off, Backcountry Tele
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Occupation: Retired
Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCam0VG ... shelf_id=1

Re: The new Rottefella XPLORE OFFTRACK Binding System Review

Post by Tom M » Tue Nov 01, 2022 8:48 pm




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