Opinions on Releasable Bindings

Is anyone on here using the new NTN system, or know someone who is?

Answered my own question,
www.telemarktips.com/RevNTNprod0708.html

I'll throw in my $0.02. I have both systems that you asked about. I used the CRB-hardwire for a number of seasons and really do like how the latest version skis, tours and releases. Touring is best with a less-stiff boot. My Garmont Squadras make it seem like more work than it should be, but that combination for downhill is really quite responsive and solid. I also ski them with some old Crispi CX2s, which by now flex as easily as old leather boots. After years of touring, my Crispis have acquired a turned-up duckbill, which eventually put enough upward pressure on the CRB toe bail to pop the rivets. Voile fixed them once (great customer service), but the next time I just drilled the rivets out and replaced them with stainless steel screws.

For 7tm, I use the PowerTour. They don't ski quite as well on the downhill as the Voile, but it's not much of a loss. The free pivot for touring is really nice, especially with big boots. No durability issues to date. The latest version has a toe box that allows for some boot rocker, so there is no upward stress on the toe bar to break it. The toe box appears bomber, though that may contribute to the 4.1-lbs per pair. The 7TM is noticeably heavier than the CRB-hardwire.

Really, it's hard to go wrong with either in their current incarnations. I hope that helps.

After my six weeks off due to the arm injury, I finally had a chance to try the Jaks I got from a demo sale last spring. They're heavy but ski nice. They came with 7TM releasable binding on them. These bindings have ski brakes below the releasable plate, but I was nervous about having no telestraps to the skis. Seems like if I whack the heel lever on a clumsy tail crossing fall, my boot could come out of the binding and the skis would take off with no brake activated. But there's no obvious place to tie a tele lease. I heard one idea has been to drill a hole in the toe piece to tie into. I thought about tying into the front end of the brake wire, but that would always keep the ski with you, even after a plate release. The 7TM website showed a product that was a safty strap that tied the heel levever up around the leg, but I haven't found or fashioned a pair yet. Am I worrying too much?

After my six weeks off due to the arm injury, I finally had a chance to try the Jaks I got from a demo sale last spring.  They're heavy but ski nice. They came with 7TM releasable binding on them. These bindings have ski brakes below the releasable plate, but I was nervous about having no telestraps to the skis. Seems like if I whack the heel lever on a clumsy tail crossing fall, my boot could come out of the binding and the skis would take off with no brake activated. But there's no obvious place to tie a tele lease.  I heard one idea has been to drill a hole in the toe piece to tie into. I thought about tying into the front end of the brake wire, but that would always keep the ski with you, even after a plate release.  The 7TM website showed a product that was a safty strap that tied the heel levever up around the leg, but I haven't found or fashioned a pair yet. Am I worrying too much?

The heel throw should have a slit in it that would allow you to strap it around your boot and prevent the throw from coming open. I've never had brakes on my setup and that's part of the reason why -- I just use a leash that goes to a small wire loop sticking out from the front of the baseplate. This loop came with the bindings, so if you don't have that I'd recommend getting it from your local shop. You could probably fashion one with needlesnose pliers too, if you were so inclined.

The leash will keep the ski attached to your foot whether the release plate comes off or your foot twists out of the binding (both of which have happened to me, from time to time).