New to Dynafit, advice?

Ron is right, of course. Use brakes if at all possible. However, two other considerations for the brakes vrs leashes issue:<br><br>1) Ron is a younger fella, and the extra weight of ski brakes in the bc doesn't factor into his equations. I, however, ski with folks of all ages and keeping up can be a problem. The twenty-somethings are not an issue -- they are seldom in good enough shape to pose a problem. The thirty somethings, if they are still skiing backcountry, tend to have learned about conditioning and there is no way I can shed enough weight to keep up with them. ??? They disappear at dawn and I see them again at the car in the evening. It's the forty and fifty somethings I try to keep up with that make me want to shed every ounce I can -- ski brakes included. &gt;<br><br>2) In order to use ski brakes, you have to be confined to skis which, by local standards, are now "skinny skis", ;)or "midfats". Does anybody make a Dynafit brake that fits on a Jak? Or a Table Rosa?

Sterling arguements, Tim.<br>Fact is, even as a "younger fella" I STILL watch folks of all ages (even the older ones that you're keeping up with by drilling your tooth brush!) pass me all day long. And unfortunately, I fear the difference in weight between the straps and the brakes would do little to change my geezerly pace. So, for me, the weight/speed issue bodes little on my "safety side" equation.<br><br>However, Tim, as you so aptly point out, the width issue is a serious dilemma (I was hoping to skip over this matter as it pains me immeasurably). As I mentioned earlier, the 88mm under foot of my Work Stinx is as wide as I can go (ok, maybe I could tweak the brakes out to, say 90, but I wouldn't hope for any more than that) and still stick to my stubborn attitude on the subject. In fact everytime I lust over a fatter ski I lament over this issue. I have seriously considered seeking a private manufacturing source of custom made replacement brake arms for the dynafit brakes to solve the dilemma. I only hope that dynafit comes to my rescue soon and beats me to it with a wider brake so that I can retain my myopic attitude without resorting to such drastic (and possibly costly?) measures. It seems like they should as the longer they ignore the issue the more business they'll lose to the other binding mfgs. <br><br>Anybody else have any thoughts, feedback or "insider information" on this "dynafit brake width limitation" issue?

I have broached this issue with LifeLink, who claim they ask for wider brake options every year, and that Dynafit doesn't see a need - seems the vast majority of their customers in Europe are of the light, skinny and fast variety. Wouldn't hurt to bombard them with more e-mail, though . . . <br><br>Life-Link@Life-Link.com

Actually, this is probably a sterling opportunity for someone with machining skill - Dynafit wide brakes, titanium heelpiece plates w/o lifters, aftermarket longer, beefier heel pins, etc. I had some custom stainless plates made by a guy named Aaron Anderson, who works out of a trailer under the north end of the Ballard Bridge. He is a good guy and charged me considerably less than the usual $90/hr machinists' rate. Not a skier, but he seemed interested in the Dynafits. His phone # is 206.432.1323 (dba Seattle Yacht Repair).