Ready for the Dynafit Plunge

B & D gear makes a leash than addresses many of the short comings and safety issues of standard leashes. Not only will it break away in an avalanche, but it allows you to remove and apply your skins without unleashing and without the yoga / gymnastics required when deskining without removing skis

www.bndskigear.com/skileash.html

I have some old TLTs,  a set of TriSteps both of which I bought used and a set of Radicals ST which I bought new.

If you are going to buy new, I think some model of Radicals are very much worth considering -- the heel elevators on the Radical heel piece is significantly easier to use -- no more farting around trying to rotate the heelpiece the exact amount.

As for the problems with the brass bushing in the new heel piece -- Dynafit has a good reputation for standing behind their products -- and has already issued a recall asking customers to bring their Radicals in for a free inspection and repair and/or replacement.  Fields reports are that less that 1% of units are effected by this problem.

I've used "Binding Freedom" inserts on my skis and have added two additional inserts to accept the Radical toepiece -- moving bindings between skis takes less than 10 minutes.   If you are handy around a wood working shop -- consider selling the Fritchis and installing Dynafit patterned inserts in both sets of skis.

I'm really warming up to this idea.  Selling the Fritschis would just about give me enough cash to also purchase the Maestrales I've had my eye on.  Any thoughts on how the TLT speed would do with the 4FRNT VCT.  It's 189 in length and 108 underfoot. It's relatively light for it's size and pretty stiff.

On my best days I approach handy.  On my worst days I can cause thousands of dollars of damage.  How difficult are the inserts to install?  Mounting the bindings straight up might be challenging enough for me.  Having to tap the inserts may be beyond my skill set.  However, I'll try just about anything once.

Installing inserts is more demanding of precision than a regular mounting job.  With wood screws and epoxy the screw holes can be a few millimeters off and the mount will still work fine as it is possible to make slight adjustments before tightening the screws all the way down.   With the inserts you have to be significantly more precise in marking, drilling and installing the inserts.

Lot's information on TGR  and Binding Freedom (BF) regarding insert installation.  I think with the BF guide I can get the job done.  Do you have an opinion as to whether I should mount the bindings first and then the inserts? Some people seem to think installation goes better with the bindings previously drilled.  Seems kinda redundant to me.

I've done it both ways -- but when I've installed inserts into existing screw holes it has always been in skis that had been previously mounted. When I've got an undrilled ski I've just installed the inserts.

Measure twice, punch and drill once -- consider practicing using a 2x4 -- unglued binding freedom inserts can be removed from a 2x4 using the mounting tool.

www.wildsnow.com/articles/dynafit_mount_...it_mount_2001_1.html

bindingfreedom.com/

Just to echo Randy's comments regarding the B&D leashes - I love them.  I've wondered since getting them last year just how dependable the breakaway function is (basically 1/8" zip ties inserted through  a piece of plastic tubing, all connecting the leash to the binding).  Coming down from Yodelin, down that wonderful bobsled run to the parking lot,  I hooked a tip on one of innumerable willows and 1) the binding released and ski popped off, 2) the leash stretched taut 6' behind me, and 3) heard a wonderful little pop as the zip tie snapped!  It worked just as advertised.  It was one of those falls that actually put a smile on my face, knowing that I can always find a ski lost in a more ordinary fall in the powder, or take off a ski to skin/deskin and not be concerned with losing a ski - and yet be free of the ski(s) when necessary.  I'm confident the same would happen in an avalanche.

I've also mounted the Quiver Killer inserts, and found them straight forward using their mounting kit and inserts.  If you can locate and drill binding holes, you can do the inserts.  Just take your time doing the layout and use a sharp center punch right on your marks, before drilling, and you'll be just fine.  My experience was with inserts first, then mounting the bindings with the provided machine screws.  I've friends who've done  it in reverse, mounted inserts after the binding mount, and that worked fine as well.  I've mounted older TLT's on new 98mm waisted skis, for size 31 Maestele's, and no problems with ski flex or unexpected releases.  Dawson's Wildsnow provides all kinds of beta on most all Dynafit bindings.  I also have Comforts,  and have a) put a pc of Teflon cutting board (1 cm thick) under the toepiece, which neutralized what otherwise to me was too much ramp angle by lifting the toe piece; and b) changed out the original Comfort heel riser with B&D's more robust 'volcano' riser - thicker and higher.  All's well.  Gerry H.