Xplore & the advantages of stiff stole for XC

[JohnSKepler]

People stuck in the past and older technology will never be able to see and even apprehend new innovations and progress, blinded by their own ignorance and their retarded last millennium beliefs.

There are many reasons to prefer older technologies and this doesn't preclude apprehension of new innovations. Some examples: cheaper; durable (new innovations haven't withstood the test of time precisely because they are new); simpler; less dependent upon complex systems (it takes rudimentary knowledge to fix most things on a truck from the 60s, sometimes not even possible on today's trucks with all the computers); I could go on, but this should be sufficient to make the point that embracing every new advance isn't necessarily the best approach.

Isn't @Johnny an/The Admin? I propose changing the name of this thread from physics to philosophy. They come from the same root and, at one time (not that long ago) were the same thing.

There was once this thing call wisdom that wasn't intelligence, it wasn't charisma, and it didn't involve shouting loudly on social media (not that anyone on TT would ever do that!) It was understanding Truth, having the ability to see intersections between things, seeing change for what it is, and using this intuitive sense called "wisdom" to make value judgments that somehow predicted what turned out to be the correct path.

People do get stuck in the past and, in our case, married to older technology for a variety of reasons. People are also enamored of change for a variety of reasons. Being emotionally driven in either case is not wise. Being emotionally driven doesn't mean you can't come to a correct conclusion but it does mean coming to the correct conclusion is likely random. At the same time, wisdom can arrive at truth but doesn't guarantee the goals important to one person or another will be achieved, or not.

I remember these business owners back east who became emotionally tied to their old Fortran missile simulation when the newer technology (C and C++) were taking over. There are still some things about Fortran that I prefer but for building embedded systems, C and C++ were/are clearly superior. Those guys lost a lot of business by being emotionally driven. It ruined the company but they somehow walked away rich. Were they wise? They did achieve their goals but a lot of good people got hurt.

Where wisdom is leading me here is to wonder where the Xplore/Cable frankenbinding is or if I'm going to have to figure that out on my own!

[mca80]

People with the assumption that new innovation and progress are always good things will be blinded by their own ignorance and retarded subservience to technology that this isn't always the case.

[lowangle al]

The three pin system is probably the sloppiest of them all, but it works. I would have tried NNN a long time ago but couldn't find a boot that fit.

As I can see becoming an East Coast resort skier some day I would like to demo NTN. I'm a never say never guy. For the skiing I do now NTN doesn't have a light enough boot for me.

[wabene]

3 pin, sloppy, whaaaaa!?

[GrimSurfer]

People with the assumption that new innovation and progress are always good things will be blinded by their own ignorance and retarded subservience to technology that this isn't always the case.

That works both ways.

In general, however, advances in materials and design have delivered consistently better performance in just about every technical field. People often focus on initial teething problems and reject new tech long after it has been perfected.

Rottefella is doing the right thing by controlling sole manufacturing. It will prevent the tech being let down by boot makers shaving dollars (and reliability) from the pins and soles. This will likely translate into some quick and effective mods, should user failures reach the threshold needed to rule out abuse or normal production errors.

[mca80]

In general, however, advances in materials and design have delivered consistently better performance in just about every technical field.

True, but at what cost? A question very few ask, and those enamored with "progress" are unable to even ask. Ivan Illich once made a clever argument that the bicycle is faster than the automobile.

On a related note:



Edit: P.S. I am writing this after a nice sauna, a very old technology that is vastly superior to a shower. Complete with pine tar soap and shampoo, and some pine tar flavored salmiakki candy to go with the vodka. Tempted to get some old woodies solely for the purpose of prepping them with torch and tar. Will put 3pin on them just for tradition and order Alico SM. Question is, does a cable transmit force?

[lowangle al]

Question is, does a cable transmit force?

I think that was concluded in another thread. The cable creates the force, the bof transmits it to the ski and the ski edge transmits it to the snow. I think that's all you need to know about it.

[Nitram Tocrut]

Is it just me or I feel like this thread is about to derail even more from the OP question?

If TTalk was a train, there we would be so many train wreck!

Just saying

[mca80]

Question is, does a cable transmit force?

I think that was concluded in another thread. The cable creates the force, the bof transmits it to the ski and the ski edge transmits it to the snow. I think that's all you need to know about it.

I was just being a smartass, sorry.

[TheMusher]

Haha at this point I appreciate the enthusiasm.

I’ll soon do an attempt to summarize what I’ve heard thus far. High level summary- the opinion seems split in two categories:

1) Rottefella nailed it with the Xplore
2) Xplore seems too stiff for my endeavors.

Interestingly, most in category 2 haven’t tried it yet. Maybe not surprising, given their perception is not compatible with the investment.

Category 1 seems especially pleased with Alpina Alaska XP and the precise flex point of the sole, which apparently is particularly important when the sole in general is so stiff. Think this is a valuable insight. They also appreciate that it is just flexi enough for striding/easy kick & glide and using the BoF downhill, but not more. This category also seem made up of super-users and contributors (Lilcliffy, Tom M, Johnny)

Then you have the undecided, like you and me, who also haven’t tried it yet.

I’ll add some other considerations soon.

Edit: Free Johnny. Still digesting the fact that he is committed to combat gravitation with a free pivot..