light weight fanatics take note:

gregL
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12 Jul 2004 04:42 #169553 by gregL

light weight fanatics take note: was created by gregL

Dynafit is apparently now making its own superlight, non-releasing race version of the TLT binding (similar to the ones the French and Italian World Cup rando racers have been machining on their own). They have no lateral release and no climbing height adjustment, but are absurdly light (257 grams per pair, vs. 660 grams for the regular TLT). This is the first time I've seen them for sale: www.baechli-bergsport.ch/default.asp?WMF...&WREC=72127971&WKEY=[65534:72127971]&CIBACHREFID=Tourenbind/Zubehör My German isn't good enough to figure out how much they would actually cost - it looks like they mail you a form for overseas purchases, you fill it out, and they deduct 7.6% in taxes from the price? Also Scarpa F1's are on sale at Backcountry.com, $348.60 with free shipping . . . not many sizes left, though. www.backcountry.com/store/BLD0607.html?c...cat_id=3&id=MEBssrIL

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GregLange
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12 Jul 2004 10:29 #169554 by GregLange

Replied by GregLange on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

...And, doing a quick calculation between Swiss Franc and $US, that's about $282.00/pair, w/o shipping. NOT BAD, if you are following Andrew Mc's new "GoLite" philosophy. I'd be curious about injury factors, or the "learning how to fall all over again" factor. Thanks for the research, Greg. PS: I'm headed to a new find on July 24. Interested?

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gregL
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12 Jul 2004 10:44 #169555 by gregL

Replied by gregL on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Greg: I've a tentative engagement at Baker the 20th-21st, but yes. PM me here or e-mail me at the Comcast address. gregL

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Paul Belitz
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13 Jul 2004 06:32 #169557 by Paul Belitz

Replied by Paul Belitz on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Yikes! 339 Euros for this thing! My basic grasp of German seems to indicated that it does, in fact, release both laterally and vertically, but you can't adjust the setting (obviously). And for 199 Euros, you can get a pair of the heelpieces alone, if you have Dynafits already! Is saving 300 grams worth funky release? ???

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powscraper
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13 Jul 2004 06:49 #169558 by powscraper

Replied by powscraper on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

300 grams is 300 grams, you Zubehör! (???) Then again a pound of fat weighs more...

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gregL
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13 Jul 2004 08:16 #169560 by gregL

Replied by gregL on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Paul: The price is actually in Swiss Francs, about $274.332 US at the moment. I believe it releases vertically but you need to file the pins or plate in your boot heel to change the DIN setting (I've heard you can make it release easier doing this). I don't think it releases laterally, as there is no spring/cam arrangment like the regular TLT, and of course you can't use the TLT brakes. I think they figure if you need these, you're skiing sub-1,000 gram 160cm skis and aren't worried about release or retention devices.

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Paul Belitz
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13 Jul 2004 10:21 #169561 by Paul Belitz

Replied by Paul Belitz on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Oops, you're right about the currency. As for the release, it's hard to tell, but it looks almost like the two pins are acually the ends of a U-shaped bar. So for lateral release the bar's inherent spring qualities are used. McLean once posted a photo of a custom binding that workes like this. Interesting. All the German site says is that the (nonadjustable) releaseability is dependent on the elasticity of the material. On a related note, I can't decide whether I should spring for a very light Dynafit setup (new boots) or an ultra-fat heavy setup (that my Denalis will work with). Decisions, decisions.

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Paul Belitz
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13 Jul 2004 10:23 #169562 by Paul Belitz

Replied by Paul Belitz on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

300 grams is 300 grams, you Zubehör! (???) Then again a pound of fat weighs more...

The law of diminishing returns! If you go for this binding you'd better be sanding down your skis, removing boot tongues, and wearing one piece scholler suits, too!

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gregL
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13 Jul 2004 11:46 - 13 Jul 2004 14:43 #169564 by gregL

Replied by gregL on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Andrew seems to have removed that picture from his server, but he mentioned guys searching out vintage 1986 TLT heels that came with the U-shaped spring and machining custom heelpieces to hold them. The picture showed a shiny silver minimalist contraption with a small "flap" that you flipped over to cover the pin ends when you wanted to skin. It seems like overkill unless you are thinking in terms of a dedicated pair of rando race skis; 99% of the time I want ski brakes and adjustable release even on my light setup. How about a medium wide/medium light setup? I just picked up a pair of 177 R:EX's off eBay and I'm looking for a set of Dynafit Comforts w. wide brakes to go on them . . . anyone selling?

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Paul Belitz
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13 Jul 2004 14:09 #169565 by Paul Belitz

Replied by Paul Belitz on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Yeah, I was thinking of that photo. I hadn't realized it was an old stock heelpiece. Now I'm curious.

What boots are you planning on using? Megaride? Surely not your F1s!

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gregL
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13 Jul 2004 14:42 - 13 Jul 2004 14:47 #169566 by gregL

Replied by gregL on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

I was going to test drive the F1's first, if it's too much of a mismatch, then yeah, MegaRides. McLean looked to be using Work Stinx with F1's on Baffin Island this year . . .

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Paul Belitz
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13 Jul 2004 15:04 #169567 by Paul Belitz

Replied by Paul Belitz on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Aren't the Works softer than R:EX? I'm pondering ordering some Scarpa Matrices (well, plural of matrix). I'm getting sick of dragging the Denalis and Fritschis to late season snow. Though they do ski well. Let us know how it goes...

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gregL
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09 Aug 2004 10:37 #169652 by gregL

Replied by gregL on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

I couldn't resist - they came in at $381 USD, including rather expensive shipping, some tax or other, and a set of 84mm harscheisen. There is not much there, just a tubular anodized steel barrel with a slotted holder for the u-shaped pin, a tiny aluminum "holder" to keep the pin from sliding backward, and a nylon flipper (not alloy like in Andrew's photo) that clicks up (ski position) or down. The toes are standard TLT's; the heels have a different screw pattern than the TLT heels so you couldn't use the same holes and switch them for racing, unfortunately. Obviously there is no mounting plate to attach TLT brakes to either.

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Paul Belitz
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09 Aug 2004 10:55 #169653 by Paul Belitz

Replied by Paul Belitz on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Did you order the one-piece Schoeller suit, too?

What skis are you putting them on? The new Atomic TourLight Toothpicks?

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gregL
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09 Aug 2004 11:29 #169654 by gregL

Replied by gregL on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

I'm still trying to decide - I've drilled just the toes in my R:EX's so far . . . I thought about putting the light heels on the TM:11's, but I may just mount them on the wider skis and tour on them.

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khyak
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10 Aug 2004 03:25 #169655 by khyak

Replied by khyak on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Atomic rex are an extemely stiff ski. Like to go fast. Do not flex much in powder/cement. Shape is nice - flex is not.

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gregL
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10 Aug 2004 05:05 #169657 by gregL

Replied by gregL on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Pretty much true, but a) khayak seems to ski powder just fine on them and b) they were cheap and I've already got them

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Paul Belitz
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10 Aug 2004 05:31 #169658 by Paul Belitz

Replied by Paul Belitz on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Seems like having a permanent heel lift would be annoying on the flats....but what do I know?

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gregL
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10 Aug 2004 09:03 #169659 by gregL

Replied by gregL on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

I agree, Paul - if there's a long, flat approach I'll definitely take the other skis.

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alpentalcorey
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10 Aug 2004 09:28 #169660 by alpentalcorey

Replied by alpentalcorey on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Well, most of the guys that use these move so fast that any flat stretch probably goes by pretty quickly!

As an example (not on flats though I guess) Toti Bess of Catalonia was timed climbing harmony piste (not sure the vert but I think at least 1000' and maybe a bit more even) at the Whistler race in 12 minutes.

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gregL
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10 Aug 2004 11:32 - 24 Aug 2004 10:35 #169661 by gregL

Replied by gregL on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

I don't believe I'll ever hang with Toti Bes regardless of how light my bindings are, but they are on the R:EX's

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gregL
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15 Aug 2004 04:48 #169664 by gregL

Replied by gregL on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

. . . and for you rando racers on a budget, Atomic TM:11's and TM:10's are on sale at sierratradingpost.com for $99.95 (small sizes only)

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Uphillskier
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17 Aug 2004 17:03 #169670 by Uphillskier

Replied by Uphillskier on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

What is the ski length restriction in most rally races. I'd like to pick up a pair of the TM:ll's.

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gregL
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17 Aug 2004 17:25 #169671 by gregL

Replied by gregL on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Most of the hard cores use 160's, which should be fine if you are as lean as those guys. Andrew McLean says he freeskis on his 160's most of the time; pretty impressive considering where he freeskis. Hard to beat that price . . .

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JKordel
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18 Aug 2004 01:22 #169673 by JKordel

Replied by JKordel on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Thanks for the heads up on the skis GregL. Just ordered some TM:11s.

Somehow I don't think I'll be finding such a good deal on the binders....

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gregL
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18 Aug 2004 04:37 #169674 by gregL

Replied by gregL on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Yikes! $79.95!

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Uphillskier
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18 Aug 2004 12:51 - 18 Aug 2004 12:56 #169682 by Uphillskier

Replied by Uphillskier on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Do you guys know of other web sites that have forums and info on rando racing? So far I have only found the Following: www.uiaa.ch
www.life-link.com

What is Andrew McLean's site?

Sites in English are preferred.

Any info would be appreciated.

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JKordel
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19 Aug 2004 01:59 #169686 by JKordel

Replied by JKordel on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

Here are two sites: www.pawprince.com/

www.bdel.com/powderkeg/

I'm sure others know of more...

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gregL
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19 Aug 2004 03:41 #169687 by gregL

Replied by gregL on topic Re: light weight fanatics take note:

You might look at www.pistehors.com

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