Rottefella are you out there listening?

[turnfarmer]

The Xplore is a great concept, can you bring us Xplore V2?

Add easily transition from flexor to free pivot with a simple switch like a Voile switchback.
Add a similar easy transition of flexor hardness.
Add a cable option.
Get a boot manufacturer to make an Xplore Excursion.

With these ther would be real value to the high price of Xplore.

Anyone else want this?

Or any additions to request?

[turnfarmer]

Forgot, Alpina bring back the BC 2000 in Xplore, that was a great boot!

[Manney]

Agree with all except the cable… don’t see a need for them with the boots now on the market. Just another encumbrance.

The materials and design today provides the means to provide the skier with boot flex and support where needed. Way more than flat rubber/leather soles or bellows.

Another option would be an IFP system with a Move type adjustment. A common plate would greatly simplify mounting decisions. Mount on balance point… and shift the binding to suit individual pref or terrain. Charge $$$ for the plate… and Rottefella would get it’s margin (and then some) back from whatever was lost because ppl swap bindings between skis.

It would be strong too. Could use 6-8 screws because it would be long. Would spread the forces to eliminate pullout. Could even have a lug for mounting an adjustable heel lock or riser. Could even be modular… provision for slide on risers of any height, with the binding on top for ppl who want to go that way.

[wabene]

The Xplore is a great concept, can you bring us Xplore V2?

Add easily transition from flexor to free pivot with a simple switch like a Voile switchback.
Add a similar easy transition of flexor hardness.
Add a cable option.
Get a boot manufacturer to make an Xplore Excursion.

With these ther would be real value to the high price of Xplore.

Anyone else want this?

Or any additions to request?

Forgot, Alpina bring back the BC 2000 in Xplore, that was a great boot!

I agree with all of this. A Voile Transit Lite! The cable would allow you to flex a stiff soled downhill oriented boot. A versatile system.

[Tom M]

Or any additions to request?

Modify the heel wire to make it easier to lift with a ski pole. This would be an easy fix and useable with the V1 binding.

[bobbytooslow]

Add easily transition from flexor to free pivot with a simple switch like a Voile switchback.

Get a boot manufacturer to make an Xplore Excursion.

These are both on my tinkering to-do list for this winter. Let's see how hard the platform can be pushed.

[JohnSKepler]

I'd probably rather buy than build these innovations, though as y'all know I'm actively working on a few of these ideas.

I contacted Rottefella a few months ago inquiring about the construction of their Xplore sole. I offered to sign an NDA. They responded with statements about proprietary technology and threats. I do understand and appreciate their patent defense but I also know it isn't always necessary to be an asshole. Honestly, it's the Chinese, not people like me they need to be worried about.

At any rate, I could always buy a pair of Rossignol Xplore boots and cut them up with a band saw to see what the sole looks like inside. That's about all a Rossi pair of boots is good for these days and a pretty cheap entry point for proprietary data. And there's no law against acquiring or providing data, instructions, and 3D printable .stl files for other tinkerers. In fact, their response creates motivation to provide data, instructions, and .stl files.

I do challenge the thought that a cable won't be useful with the Xplore toe. I have virtually no experience with cable bindings other than thinking about them a lot and then strapping them on and striding around my den. But even that little bit taught me that I MUCH prefer the heel-lifting tension coming from my heel than coming from my toes. It is a lot more linear and far easier to modulate. It could eliminate the flexor/bumper or make the system even more configurable to individual preferences. Even with a cable I bet I'd prefer a standard flexor in there. We'll see.

I'm going to put together my approach to an Xplore cable system and see if I like it. Working on a removable heel piece right now. I think the quick way would be a 3D printed part though I don't know if any of the current plastic printing technologies have the necessary shear properties.

If Rottefella is listening, we won't get these products but I will get another letter! Sigh...

[phoenix]

I've never tried an Xplore set up, and not really tempted or impressed at this point. An NNN'ified tech toe. Adding a cable would certainly add performance for those looking for solid turning capabilities, as per Voile's TTS or John's improv version.

I would like to point out for those who are/were unfamiliar with it, that Rottefella sold an NNN BC with a cable decades ago, as their "telemark" version. It was a dismal flop.

[CwmRaider]

I do understand and appreciate their patent defense but I also know it isn't always necessary to be an asshole. Honestly, it's the Chinese, not people like me they need to be worried about.

How does Rottefella know who you really are, who you work for or with? Industrial espionage is a real thing here. I understand your disappointment but I can imagine being on the receiving end of such a request and thinking "no way", unless there is an obvious business opportunity.

[Manney]

I contacted Rottefella a few months ago inquiring about the construction of their Xplore sole. I offered to sign an NDA. They responded with statements about proprietary technology and threats. I do understand and appreciate their patent defense but I also know it isn't always necessary to be an asshole.

It’s important to understand a few things. First, patent infringement is real. Second, R&D to get a product to market is a sunk cost until reimbursed by sales, which can take a long time. Third, all such queries go to the legal department because any words used by a staff member could later be used against a company. Fourth, lawyers write things a certain way because that’s how to best protect their client’s interests (a guard dog wouldn’t last very long it it put back its ears and wagged its tail when strangers approached now, would it?).

I do challenge the thought that a cable won't be useful with the Xplore toe. I have virtually no experience with cable bindings other than thinking about them a lot and then strapping them on and striding around my den. But even that little bit taught me that I MUCH prefer the heel-lifting tension coming from my heel than coming from my toes. It is a lot more linear and far easier to modulate. It could eliminate the flexor/bumper or make the system even more configurable to individual preferences. Even with a cable I bet I'd prefer a standard flexor in there. We'll see.

These bindings are fading from the market for a few reasons. First, because the patent has expired and the competitive nature of the market is squeezing out any money making potential. Second, because enough people who skied them… a lot (myself included) found something they preferred more. Third, because boot manufacturers are withdrawing their support for the binding.

None of that may matter to you though. If you like them, you like them. But it can take time skiing anything before gaining an informed position things.