Karhu Guide binding discussion

BTW, MD2020, what is your assessment of the NTN?  Last time Regine and I saw you and Brenda you were on them.  Must have put on some miles by now. Hows the free pivot?  How's the weight overall?

I like the system overall, but there are some issues. Weight is definitely a factor, although I think there are a couple other tele bindings approaching it, and at least one that exceeds it. I think the free pivot is good, but some folks may not think 30 degrees is enough. The soft bellows actuallay adds a little more range. There's a bit of an icing issue when transitioning from tour mode, but some silicone teflon spray seems to help. I like the power, but it makes me ski way too fast. The system has a different feel. I'm not sure if it's the lack of slop that I'm so used to compensating for on traditional tele, but at first it kind of felt a bit unforgiving. I can't say enough about the boots. I have Scarpa TX, and they are by far the most comfortable ski boots I've ever worn.

if the wire/cable/cartridge/heelthrow breaks/strips/jams/is lost (or forgotten) can you you still ski?  Sometimes simple/minimalist is right.  just saying.

if the wire/cable/cartridge/heelthrow breaks/strips/jams/is lost (or forgotten) can you you still ski?  Sometimes simple/minimalist is right.  just saying.

It's hard to avoid binding malfunctions on all gear...
I have had my share of 3-pin bales breaking on the hinge, I used to carry a wrench and some bolts to repair in case of a bale pullout.
In fact I would say that I have had less problems with the newer bindings than my 3-pin bindings.
Although,  BD tele bindings have problems with the cartridges un-threading. Always have to check them for tension.

I succumbed to supporting the industry and bought a pair of Voile Switchbacks.

I did read acarey's waxing of the ski. Not sure about the hot wax tip and tails?
I thought that the ski base on the waxless is a harder plastic composition that would not absorb wax. I could be mistaken here? I can see putting something on them to kind of polishing them, but hot wax may ruin the plastic.  Not sure???

You can cover major distance without messing with the skins. Skins really suck in spring conditions. With these you don't need skins on flats and short up sections.

Can you elaborate on the reason skin suck in spring?
I know that my skins on all the other stuff I own just get soaked and the adhesive quality is slightly reduced. But what about them with the Guides suck? I would think that it would make them easier to climb the steeper pitches or harder snow conditions in the mornings. But it would suck to have to change them out all the time if you had rolling terrain and steeper pitches interspersed between destinations.
Heck sometimes in the spring the snow gets sticky enough that you don't even need skins.

Acareys' comment about using maxiglide is a good one.  Whenever the base looks dry - like once a day..  i wipe it down the scale section, too, although i guess some don't.

Funny, you don't see a number of tele bindings much around here - Bishops, telebulldogs, others?  The bulldogs are kinda interesting because of the stepin nature.  Never used the Switchbacks, but they seem right for the job.

Funny, you don't see a number of tele bindings much around here - Bishops, telebulldogs, others?  The bulldogs are kinda interesting because of the stepin nature.  Never used the Switchbacks, but they seem right for the job.

I agree, a lot of them seem really functional, but pretty bulky and heavy, more like Transformers, not that the BD's are featherweights.
But coming soon... The Spademark... just waiting on a few minor machined parts.

I love the Switchbacks for their simplicity, touring and performance. If they had a release, I'd drop the 7TMs (which weigh a ton) in a heartbeat.

I'll be curious to hear how you like the Guides, Joe -- been thinking about a set of those for a while.