Xplore & the advantages of stiff stole for XC

[GrimSurfer]

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

True, but at what cost?

Well if we’re talking about bindings, an NN and NNN BC Magnum binding costs about the same. Boots? About the same. So there is no reason not to make THAT change.

Xplore is more. I expect the price to go down a bit.

Compared to what I see folks shelling out here for different cables, variations on NN etc., the price delta between NN and Xplore is negligible.

Much of the resistance has nothing to do with price. A lot of it comes down to what @Johnny was talking about: a form of nihilism. That’s OK… we all ski with whatever we like. The problems occur when people argue that the newer style bindings don’t work better. They do.

It’s called progress.

[GrimSurfer]

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.

LOL.

I might buy a few hundred of those cables and link them together to turn a generator (since they “create” force). Free energy… forever.

[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?

Well if we’re talking about bindings, an NN and NNN BC Magnum binding costs about the same. Boots? About the same. So there is no reason not to make THAT change.

Xplore is more. I expect the price to go down a bit.

Compared to what I see folks shelling out here for different cables, variations on NN etc., the price delta between NN and Xplore is negligible.

Much of the resistance has nothing to do with price. A lot of it comes down to what @Johnny was talking about: a form of nihilism. That’s OK… we all ski with whatever we like. The problems occur when people argue that the newer style bindings don’t work better. They do.

It’s called progress.

You ocompletely missed the point.

[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.

LOL.

I might buy a few hundred of those cables and link them together to turn a generator (since they “create” force). Free energy… forever.

With that and a few solar panels the electric company will probably owe you money.

[TheMusher]

The problems occur when people argue that the newer style bindings don’t work better. They do.

It’s called progress.

Think the reality is a little bit more complex than just “better” or “worse”.

There are conditions and endeavors where 75mm with cable is better suited than nnn-bc, etc.

That’s why were having this thread - and forum - to understand the variations and conditions-equipment-fit.

When you are out skiing 5 times a week, 5 months a year, you want to have equipment that is suited for the variety of conditions. The same may be true if you just have a few specific weekends per year to indulge.

Not denying that Xplore likely has a larger sweet spot than older bindings, though.

Personally, I’m trying to understand whether Xplore can replace my nnn-bc bindings also for XC adventures.

The preliminary answer seems to be “yes maybe”, but I’m not still convinced it’s the best for, say, traversing Finnmarksvidda or Svalbard. I say this with both performance and reliability in mind.

Would it suffice? Sounds like it. Which is really cool!

[GrimSurfer]

The problems occur when people argue that the newer style bindings don’t work better. They do.

It’s called progress.

Think the reality is a little bit more complex than just “better” or “worse”.

There are conditions and endeavors where 75mm with cable is better suited than nnn-bc, etc.

That’s why were having this thread - and forum - to understand the variations and conditions-equipment-fit.

When you are out skiing 5 times a week, 5 months a year, you want to have equipment that is suited for the variety of conditions. The same is may be true if you just have a few specific weekend per year to indulge.

Not denying that Xplore likely has a larger sweet spot than older bindings, though.

I’m out 4x a week for 3 months a year (this year anyway, due to crappy conditions). Just came back from a 10k sesh in fact.

I get where you’re coming from wrt selecting equipment for conditions though. It makes sense in certain cases, but these are very narrow and specific.

The never ending debate over cable “x” vs cable “y” makes no sense. Neither does the bumper “x” vs bumper “y”. We’re starting to see the same thing in the flexor debate… though some extreme cases (very small proportion of truly expert skiers) may exist.

It seems to me to be the same as any other equipment sport… fettishists come out of the woodwork thinking that gear will trump ability.

[TheMusher]

No doubt, GAS is real..

But if Xplore can fully replace nnn-bc, there is one less G (x N number boots x M number of skis) to stack up.

So to me, it’s one of modern life’s big questions.

[mca80]

Just came back from a 10k sesh in fact.

It seems to me to be the same as any other equipment sport… fettishists come out of the woodwork thinking that gear will trump ability.

Given you made like 4 posts in 45 min about 30 min ago you must have done that 10k quick! Maybe I can get gear that enables me to go that fast

Re point two, there are some, even lots, who want to learn technique on simple old school gear.

[GrimSurfer]

Ok. I lied. It was 9.54k. The 1:21 was actually 1:15 though because I activate my programme when I get to the trailhead (takes a few minutes to clip in, sort myself out).

The trail is minutes from my house.

And yeah, look at the heart rate. I hustle. Not a sight seeing/photo op. I’m out there to lay some tracks down.

[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.

I was just being a smartass, sorry.

I would like to apologize also. I too was being a smart ass.