New tele binding...

That's where the improved ankle rotation in recent AT boots comes into play -- with old AT boots you were limited in how far forward you could advance the lead foot before the calf bumped into the upper.   With the ankle rotation (and lightness!) of the latest AT boots diagonal stride is possible.   The non-flexing forefoot takes some getting used to and with no bumper kick-turns also require some adjustments in technique.

I was using a TLT 5, so maybe that has gotten better. I still contend that it is a less than optimum stride. If it wasn't, then cross country ski equipment would use it. So far as I know, every cross country ski binding (including the ones that they use in races) has a bumper, to *limit* the range of motion. This adds weight, in a sport where you can pay hundreds of dollars to shave a few grams. I know of no cross country skier who has ever removed the bumper, either.

But anyway, I'm glad it works for you.

It's sad that Scarpa stopped making the F1 (which worked well with the TTS binding) and hasn't incorporated the lightness and awesome ankle rotation of the F1 and Alien into it's NTN and 75MM boots

I completely agree. It is a shame that no one else makes anything like it either.

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I know of no cross country skier who has ever removed the bumper, either.
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FWIW The Salomon SNS Pilot system (both classic and skate) doesn't use a bumper -- it uses a second hook and a spring loaded mechanism that provides a lower return force with a longer travel.

I agree that the totally free pivot is somewhat more awkward for diagonal stride than a binding with some return force -- which helps steer the ski during the forward stride.

FWIW The Salomon SNS Pilot system (both classic and skate) doesn't use a bumper -- it uses a second hook and a spring loaded mechanism that provides a lower return force with a longer travel.

Right -- I forgot about that. I would be curious as to how much range of motion it has.