How much beating can bindings take

[riverc0il]

i have heard of folks down tuning the DINs during the off season but don't do this myself. i suspect it is more important for folks that crank their DINs to the upper end of the spectrum. most bindings should ideally be set between the two extremes of the binding and shouldn't be an issue to be left at the same DIN all the time. though do be sure to check that DIN before you start skiing again

 

[salida]

Koreshot, Why the soft bro's? Just what you thought would suit you best, or did you not like something about the stiffs? I was looking into them... notably the stiff ones.

 

[kbroderick]

My Rossi demo bindings were near one end of the allowed range when tested last year, and I'd attribute it in part to spring fatigue related to my failure to store them properly (i.e. turned down). Metal under stress does fatigue, and reducing or elminating the stress on the springs should result in preserving the original characteristics of them longer.

(Said Rossis, incidentally, currently have a small piece of duct tape holding one of the AFDs together and are effectively retired from regular service at this point. They were new in either the 99-00 or 00-01 season and have seen 40+ days each year since then. I also have older bindings on some of my other skis that seem to function okay but haven't been through a bench test in a while, as well as a set of original Rossi Comp Springs (DIN to 14 vs. the retail model that went to 12, dating to the 95-96 season); they seem to work okay except that one of the adjuster screws for forward pressure has rusted in place. I only brought those out this year after pulling the second edge out of my main skis.

 

[koreshot]

Koreshot, Why the soft bro's? Just what you thought would suit you best, or did you not like something about the stiffs? I was looking into them... notably the stiff ones.

Good question. There are probably 5,000 Bros stiff vs. soft threads on TRG. My decision to go with softs probably has to do with my skill level and my skiing style. The biggest advantage of the Bro stiffs is at mach speeds and while i like to let my skis run downhill at mach speed as much as the next gaper, i spend most of the time (especially on the east coast) in tight gladed areas, narrow trails and bumps where the softs are notably easier to handle. Stiffs would more readily punish me and my lazy turns.

Compared to my first gen seth pistols which i have been using as every day skis out west, the softs are pretty stiff, so its all relative. Below are some pictures comparing the seth pistols and the bros - the biggest difference is the insane amount of camber for a soft snow ski. Check it out:

Lower tip profile than SPs but better rocker:

A TGR maggot fooling around on Bros in Jay's Pump House:

 

[salida]

Beastly I need to get myself a pair!

 

[koreshot]

Beastly I need to get myself a pair!

What do you ski now?

 

[salida]

Atomic Stomps (I work with Atomic, so they are real cheap), a nice light ski with fritschi bindings, did my dirty work for me in Chile, but they are foam core so they wont last to long, pretty soft as well...

 

[SkiDog]

And thats where the difference is I guess. Its not the company saying that the Bros are good everywhere. Its some of the best skiers in the world who are not sponsored or paid by PM Gear taking these skis out on the hill and loving them and reporting back.

The Bros are not made in china is a plus. The wood core is not only very strong, it also doesn't lose its properties as quickly as a foam ski would. Bros are extremely light so many use them as an AT setup. Not knocking the Guns or any other more mainstream ski - I am not one of those custom skis only snobs - but there is something extra that the Bros have over the standard high perf ski, even if it is completely subjective.

I bought these skis primarily to support the little guys, not because I felt like the ski industry couldn't offer a ski that was good enough for me or because the Bros were the best choice for east coast skiing. I am sure a good skier on K-Mart snowschool rental gear would wipe the slopes with my ass whether im on the Bros or not.

Oh no I COMPLETELY agree with you..I think "smaller shop" skis are better constructed obviously because there are limited runs and they pay attention to detail (not assembly line style).

I tend to lean towards wood core skis myself, but the GUNS were $300.00 brand new with Sallie binders on em (buddy works at a ski shop). I just couldnt pass em up..its like a throw away in 2 years ya know. I'm a big dynastar fan since I started skiing when I was like 8. I dont think it was until the "shape ski" movement that I switched to different brands.

I have also mentioned a few times that I never understand the technicalities of skis I dont think...I dont understand terms like "soft" or "hard to turn" "keeps you on your toes and punshies you for sloppy turns"..I put a pair of skis on my feet....and poitn them downhill..they'll turn TRUST me.. ;-) . I also dont demo a lot, or change my quiver all that often, maye thats the reason.

Im all for supporting the little guy for sure...and hey if you're happy with them....thats terrific and really all that matters..

M

P.S. oh and when I said I hear "ski companies" bragging about how "all mtn" their ski is I really meant gear type reviews not manufacturer directly..they always will talk up product. Just seems EVERYONE is claiming they have the "ultimate" all mtn ski...just how it is. Its a change for the better if you ask me...FAT IS WHERE ITS AT.

 

[SkiDog]

i have heard of folks down tuning the DINs during the off season but don't do this myself. i suspect it is more important for folks that crank their DINs to the upper end of the spectrum. most bindings should ideally be set between the two extremes of the binding and shouldn't be an issue to be left at the same DIN all the time. though do be sure to check that DIN before you start skiing again

your arm found that out the hard way huh??? Man that so stunk I remember feeling so bad for you...glad its all better ;-)

M

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I have a pair of new skis that i paid mucho dollars for that will last 60-80 days easy on the hill... do you think its worth mounting these bindings or should I just find new ones? I would rather not drill twice, just put something that will last 80 ski days on.

I wouldn't. You paid big bucks for the skis, go all the way and put new binders on so your whole set up is new.

 

[koreshot]

Im all for supporting the little guy for sure...and hey if you're happy with them....thats terrific and really all that matters..

Hehe, I don't know if I am happy with them yet they aren't even mounted and of course you can't exactly demo Bros in too many shops. I hope I'll like them though.

I am the same way with soft vs. stiff. I don't think I am quite as sensitive to that stuff as some other people are. When I bought a pair of Rossi 9S slalom race skis back in 2002 all the reviews were talking about how you really gotta stay on top of them "top skills only" blah blah blah. I am nowhere near top skills but within one or two runs I felt like they were one of the easiest skis to ski on hard snow.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

i have heard of folks down tuning the DINs during the off season but don't do this myself.

Turning the DIN down in the off season is old school stuff, not necessary with todays technology. A tech told me once turn them down if you want the spring to start wearing down after 15 years of use instead of 13 years. His point being whose gonna have them that long anyway.

 

[SkiDog]

Hehe, I don't know if I am happy with them yet they aren't even mounted and of course you can't exactly demo Bros in too many shops. I hope I'll like them though.

I am the same way with soft vs. stiff. I don't think I am quite as sensitive to that stuff as some other people are. When I bought a pair of Rossi 9S slalom race skis back in 2002 all the reviews were talking about how you really gotta stay on top of them "top skills only" blah blah blah. I am nowhere near top skills but within one or two runs I felt like they were one of the easiest skis to ski on hard snow.

Its all about adjustments....skis are skis IMHO....

Im sure you'll love them...you already do...you made it up in your mind...thats the hardest part to overcome..

M