good kick and glide 75mm binding?

[lilcliffy]

Cool- thanks for correcting me on this again man.

I have no experience with free-pivot tele bindings- I should not be making assumptions!

I should clarify- what I mean is that free-pivot telemark bindings were not designed or intended for xcountry K&G performance. That of course, does not mean that they cannot be used for xcountry skiing.

[lilcliffy]

AND- I did mean efficient K&G- when referring to free-pivot bindings in general.

Regardless of technique- there has to be a limit to the range of motion in your stride and the engagement of the binding/boot resistance (i.e. if you extend beyond the BOF on a free-pivot binding there is no resistance, and therefore, no downward "kick").

[bgregoire]

AND- I did mean efficient K&G- when referring to free-pivot bindings in general.

Regardless of technique- there has to be a limit to the range of motion in your stride and the engagement of the binding/boot resistance (i.e. if you extend beyond the BOF on a free-pivot biding there is no resistance, and therefore, no downward "kick").

You're far from being off-the-wall here Lilclif.

[connyro]

You're far from being off-the-wall here Lilclif.

Agreed that 3-pin is superior to SB for K+G. BUT...you can get good kick with SBs. BOF contact occurs when kicking IF you can flex the sole of the boot (super light skiers need not apply ) and you still do get kick once past the BOF with the right technique. NOT as good as 3-pins though. Some of us XCD so we can tour (XC) out to steeps (5+ miles) and do laps (D) and free pivot bindings are a viable tool for just that. Personally, I prefer 3-pins these days, but those in our group on free pivot bindings have no trouble keeping up with those of us on 3-pins.

[bgregoire]

You're far from being off-the-wall here Lilclif.

Agreed that 3-pin is superior to SB for K+G. BUT...you can get good kick with SBs. BOF contact occurs when kicking IF you can flex the sole of the boot (super light skiers need not apply ) and you still do get kick once past the BOF with the right technique. NOT as good as 3-pins though. Some of us XCD so we can tour (XC) out to steeps (5+ miles) and do laps (D) and free pivot bindings are a viable tool for just that. Personally, I prefer 3-pins these days, but those in our group on free pivot bindings have no trouble keeping up with those of us on 3-pins.

ok, will have to improve my fat intake to truly experience the goodness of SBs.

[connyro]

ok, will have to improve my fat intake to truly experience the goodness of SBs.

...or improve your beer intake as it will accomplish the same thing!

There's not enough discord on this forum, so I thought I'd throw a wrench into the gears

This year, one of our group is using Voile V6 BCs with Spike 3-pins. That is a great (light) setup for touring for TURNS.

[bgregoire]

This year, one of our group is using Voile V6 BCs with Spike 3-pins. That is a great (light) setup for touring for TURNS.

Spike 3-pins? I had a quick look on their site. Interesting, but I don't get it. What is the improvement over traditional rat traps other than the fact thats its step-in?

[connyro]

Spike 3-pins have a much larger toe box that minimizes lateral boot flex/slop. They are stainless steel, handmade, and very burly. The pins are more like sharp spikes that help with clearing iced up pin holes in boots. The bindings mount to skis using 6 screws. They are step in and offer a brake too. Great 3-pin choice for fat scaled skis.

[Cannatonic]

I talked to Alico last year - they said STP carries all the boots they currently make, except for the fire/lumberjack market.

I've suggested to STP that they order a run of Supertelemark's, it'd be good if everyone asked them! They used to carry them, I found a old cached web page showing them for sale at STP.

re: the Voile 3pc cable - I"m sure the cable helps for a lot of people. probably depends on your feet & skiing style. I found it worked OK on some hardpack turns, when I was in deep powder some of the floundering moves I made caused the cables to stretch to the point where they came off my heel. With larger feet the torque increases. Someone with smaller boots or better technique will get more out of them than I did!

the cables give you a back-up to the 3-pin clamp too. Even if you never ski with them, you could carry them for backup. For what I do the simplicity of the Super Tele is better.

[1EyedJack]

I xcd ski S98's with Voile 3pin cables; well broken-in Asolo Snowpines for easy k&g days, Crispi 2-buckle T3s on steeper ground for more control. I rarely use the cables, though have broken them out for hardpack snow. I don't ski resorts.

No need to remove the cable if you intend to use them. If you have the Voile heel, which includes climbing bails, you can secure the cable to the heel for the k&g phase.