Maruelli AntiTwist for Dynafit Radical Series Bindings
Radical series binding with Antitwist aftermarket solution. Simply a mechanical stop that the binding rotates against. Idea being the amount of plastic riding against the stop (indicated by red arrow) is vastly stronger than what's asked to work with the stock internal 'pin.' Nonetheless, we've not tested this solution for wear and tear, so be advised it still needs consumer vetting. We'll field test during coming weeks.
Ok, known Dynafit Radical binding issue: Inside heel housing a small pin is intended to prevent the binding from rotating counter-clockwise past a certain point. The idea is that while you’re in uphill mode, you don’t want the binding heel accidentally rotating 90 degrees counter clockwise from the normal position, as this snaps you into a locked heel — annoying to say the least.
Problem is…
The original version of the stop pin was strong enough to overcome the strength of the binding plastic, thus possibly damaging the heel housing. An upgrade from Dynafit provides a pin that’s intended to sheer before blowing out the binding. In some views this is a stop-gap solution.
Enter Stefano Maruelli, who’s made a simple add-on plate that provides a binding rotation stop. The plate can be seen in the video below, and some still shots. I’ll test this solution for a few weeks and publish our take after that, but other than the weight penalty, this looks like a smart solution (I have two test versions, one of thinner steel weighs 24 grams per binding, while a thicker version weighs 29 grams.)
Anti-twist is installed under the brake retractor plate. Elegant.
Stefano doesn’t have any US dealers at the moment, so to obtain the Anti-twist you’ll need to get it directly from him. Contact via his website. More information here.
Cost is 20 Euros for the 1.5mm (lighter) version, 24 euros for the 2mm. Shipping cost to US-CANADA around 20 Euro via registered letter. Payment can be done via Bank transfer or PayPal.
As I’ve mentioned before, some folks can simply remove the pin from the Radical heel unit and be happy. Others may like the Dynafit solution. If either of those are not satisfactory, consider the Maruelli Antitwist.
Comments
26 Responses to “Maruelli AntiTwist for Dynafit Radical Series Bindings”
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Lou, any reason why Dynafit changed the multi position post for the current climb or ski options? It seems like spring tension worked pretty well for decades to keep the heels from rotation. I have the new Radicals, and have not upgraded to the new shear pin and am some what disappointed that the new binding can crack its plastic or has to rely on a small pin.
I don’t have parts to do this, but would the new radical heel work on older FT/ST posts?
John, they changed it at least in part because the older design did indeed “auto rotate” for some folks. I’ve had it happen myself, numerous times. The heel unit is still held in position by spring tension just like the older, only with the added benefit that one direction of rotation is totally eliminated, and the other direction isn’t as high consequence (it doesn’t end up with you stepping down an accidentally latching into alpine mode.) Also, yes, the binding heel actually functions like the old version if you remove the pin. Not sure if the parts swap from one to the other. Some of the internals are quite different. Lou
Radicals seem like they’re a step forward in a lot of ways. Too bad Dynafit didn’t beta test them thoroughly enough to work out this kink. While this isn’t a massive problem (aka Salomon tech fittings) it’s still always a little unnerving when a backcountry product gets released and it turns out there’s a design flaw. Hopefully (probably, considering Dynafit’s track record righting design wrongs) it’ll be rectified within the next year or two. Until then, I’ll just keep skiing my Vertical FT12′s, which have been trouble free for me.
I seem to have missed something here… I thought the whole point of the radical (I’ve never actually seen on in the flesh) was that it only rotated 90 degrees? Why is it being rotated what looks like 270?
That’s how you get it to downhill mode… without the pin or the Antitwist you could rotate it the other direction and yes get there sooner. That’s one of the issues with the Radical, the fact that unlike the Vertical ST/FT you can’t as easily get it rotated to downhill mode — but again, that’s by intent due to concerns about auto rotation. Or at least that’s all my understanding
Any word on whether Dynafit plans to completely bury the Classic/Speed? It’s a great binding, and it appears to have disappeared from the US market in order to prop up the price of newer options. A $200-$250 Speed, optionally with 5mm more adjustment range, is all I think I want in a binding…
I’ve been helping a bunch of people with new setups this year, and what they’re looking for isn’t newer/better bindings, it’s reliable bindings that they can afford.
Charlie, I’m skiing the speed radical, check that out. Even the tlt speed clocks in at $340, so not sure how you’re planning on getting them for $200
Lou: I have used my new Radical TLTs twice and now have the auto-rotation problem. I could get a replacement binding from the dealer I bought it from but there may still be the same issue? How common is this defect?
You show what looks like a good solution, the Maruelli plate. Does add a tiny bit of weight. What is the Dynafit solution you discussed in your blog? Taking out the old sheared pin is an option but won’t the binding still auto-rotate? Thanks for the help..
As much of a Dynafit slut as I am, I hate to say the unwanted rotate and locked heel situation has happened to me. It’s really a minor inconvenience, but still sucks. This looks cool.
Hey, I want something like this for the STs. So that I can rotate the heel to touring mode, rotate to the two lift positions, but not allow it to go back to skiing mode unless twisted around.
Too bad Dynafit over-reacted. The auto-rotate problem was an issue with the ski brakes not being pushed down far enough when rotating the heel. That shears off the plastic thimble, allowing auto-rotate to happen all the time. Dynafit should have redesigned the brakes: get rid of the crappy brakes, get rid of the problem.
At least with the pitch-perfect Speed, you can quickly and easily get out of locked mode without releasing the toe. Doesn’t seem to be the case with the Radical. Not an improvement at all in my book.
Looks like a great idea. I’ll be ordering a set. Recently, I had a radical heel piece rotate in the wrong direction inadvertently while skinning. Even with the new pin, the plastic housing cracked. Dynafit is replacing the heel, but that doesn’t solve the problem. I’m wary of having the same thing happen when I’m far from the trail. This looks like an elegant solution. I like this idea better than removing the pin itself. I can handle the minimal weight penalty.
One possible concern is if the Maruelli anti-twist part were to somehow be impacted, deforming the piece. This could perhaps interfere with the heel rotation. Perhaps this is highly unlikely, but still possible.
Mike, with this solution you would still want to remove the pin. The whole idea is to remove it from the scene.
OK, thanks Lou.
That’s a clever design, moving with the brake plate like that. My pet ‘what dynafit should have done’ theory is that they should have had the pins point straight back in touring mode – then a 90 degree rotation wouldn’t snap your heel in. Yes, this would have caused several other design issues, but it’s fun to think about these things.
Lou, F.’s comment reminds me that it’s supposed to be possible to release the heel without the toe on all models without a brake, isn’t it? Does that also work on, for example, the Radical ST with the brake removed? How do you do that? Why does the brake prevent it?
Jesse, the brake doesn’t “prevent” it, the problem is it pops up and then you can’t rotate the heel unit the rest of the way to touring position. Sometimes you can overcome that with a very tricky series of motions, but doing it without the brakes is the best way. Fiddle around on the carpet, you’ll figure it all out. Not sure how you’d do it with Radical, but there is probably a way. Anyone messing around with this? Lou
Solution = Plum
Does the Maruelli solution work for those of us who don’t have brakes?
Has anyone had propblems with the new binding’s heel lifts? They are easy to use but seem to be fragile.
I just met with Dynafit top dogs and engineers today in Munich. Among other informations I’ll share in a coming blog post, they have an anti-rotation solution that’s similar to Maruelli’s, only much much smaller and made of plastic. Really quite nice though it needs to be tested of course. The word is that all dealers will have it available. Lou
Lou,
Any word about Dynafit solutions for Radical Speed (ie sans brakes)?…I’ve now broken 4 “new” pins and it is getting rather tiresome. The Maruelli Speed Radical solution involves a new back plate and is big $$.
David, does it work for you to simply run without the pins?
Frankly speaking, also, why not just go back to the old style Speed TLT? About 20 zillion skiers seem to be quite happy with it… in Europe, you constantly see ones that have obviously been in use 15+ years. Amazing. The inventor should be canonized.
Lou,
Now I’m running without pins, but specific snow/climbing conditions will repeatedly pop them into ski mode. There was mention of screwing in an anti-rotation screw/bushing into the ski to the left of the base. But with the forces, I don’t want it to shear off/rip out the screw. Any thoughts on the force issue?
I do have access to a 3-D plastic printer that can fabricate parts with the strength of high impact plastic in certain planes (depending on design). So I was thinking of printing up some L brackets with two screws to act as a stop…but again forces?
Yeah, this year I tried to get the old style speed TLTs but I couldn’t find them locally…something about dynafit trying to phase them out…so went with Radicals. Maybe I can find two heel units of these….any ideas where?
David, I think screwing something into the ski would work just fine. I’d use a fairly large screw and something with a wide base, along with plenty of epoxy. From my own experience, the “auto rotation” forces are not all that great. Have to say that this is a bummer, as the Speed without brake doesn’t allow the easy external anti-rotation options. Lou
Hi friends a nice news:
My Radical Antitwist can be installed onto the old FT Bindings !
We cannot check, but we are quite sure that also the Click-Clack can be installed on.
So wth those 2 upgrade you can hold a fully new “Radicalized”, but fully safe and working, bindings.
Shipping world wide via Post or Currier. Paypal payment.
Ciao
Stefano
Hi David, for 49 Eurso shipping included you can hold a perfect “final” solution.. 1.5 or 2mm Inox made… since forces in kick turns are soo high: from 1g so weight of the skiers, to more than 9g of peak…
So first is: learn to do “italian” turn: no kick easy also in deep powder or very very steep conditions….
Second is: buy a Maruelli Antitwist plate !
Thanks
Ciao
Stefano