Comments on: Unremovable Brake – Latest Dynafit Radical Binding http://www.wildsnow.com/8470/radical-dynafit-brake-removal/ Backcountry Skiing Weblog Blog, FAQs, more, links and info about randonnee, telemark and backcountry ski mountaineering. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:13:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: jeremy http://www.wildsnow.com/8470/radical-dynafit-brake-removal/#comment-52581 jeremy Sat, 06 Apr 2013 21:22:24 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=8470#comment-52581 OK so this a little off topic, I just got some Radical FT bindings (3rd pair of Dynafits) as wife and I got new skis and swapped my not so old Vertical FT's to my wifes new skis. I should of kept the Verticals. A few days of use and the rear heels on both bindings are super loose, they rock back and forth, it's not the mount. Tech took them apart a few times and pulled apart a Radical ST's as well which don't move a bit. There seems to be another clip at the base in the ST. Anyway, Dynafit is going to replace the brand new bindings which is great. But it's a bit of a bummer since we are rapidly running out of ski days here and of course no other FT at the shop. I really wanted to use my new skis and boots a handful of days to have everything dialed for next year. I was curious if anyone else has had this problem, if it's a known issue or if something is missing. I even brought the bindings to another back country shop and they brought over another tech from another shop next door to try and trouble shoot. Given the cost I am a bit disappointed, I know things happen and I appreciate Dynafit replacing them. Do I need to have concerns about re-mounting the new ones in the same holes. They are on some Volkl Nanataq skis which are just wood, should I be concerned about any longer term issues with the holes being reused, they tried to tighten them a a bunch of times already into the skis so was worried about the holes being stripped or getting loose over time? OK so this a little off topic, I just got some Radical FT bindings (3rd pair of Dynafits) as wife and I got new skis and swapped my not so old Vertical FT’s to my wifes new skis. I should of kept the Verticals. A few days of use and the rear heels on both bindings are super loose, they rock back and forth, it’s not the mount. Tech took them apart a few times and pulled apart a Radical ST’s as well which don’t move a bit. There seems to be another clip at the base in the ST. Anyway, Dynafit is going to replace the brand new bindings which is great. But it’s a bit of a bummer since we are rapidly running out of ski days here and of course no other FT at the shop. I really wanted to use my new skis and boots a handful of days to have everything dialed for next year.

I was curious if anyone else has had this problem, if it’s a known issue or if something is missing. I even brought the bindings to another back country shop and they brought over another tech from another shop next door to try and trouble shoot. Given the cost I am a bit disappointed, I know things happen and I appreciate Dynafit replacing them. Do I need to have concerns about re-mounting the new ones in the same holes. They are on some Volkl Nanataq skis which are just wood, should I be concerned about any longer term issues with the holes being reused, they tried to tighten them a a bunch of times already into the skis so was worried about the holes being stripped or getting loose over time?

]]> By: Lou Dawson http://www.wildsnow.com/8470/radical-dynafit-brake-removal/#comment-52077 Lou Dawson Sun, 17 Mar 2013 20:52:31 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=8470#comment-52077 Phill, yeah, that's been the common wisdom, that those bindings would go away sooner than later. Quite a drag, as the wide-brake Vertical FT (has stronger toe springs) configured with an ST toe base plate and cosmetic connector plate chopped off is the best Dynafit binding ever produced, in my ever so humble opinion (grin). Phill, yeah, that’s been the common wisdom, that those bindings would go away sooner than later. Quite a drag, as the wide-brake Vertical FT (has stronger toe springs) configured with an ST toe base plate and cosmetic connector plate chopped off is the best Dynafit binding ever produced, in my ever so humble opinion (grin).

]]> By: Phill F http://www.wildsnow.com/8470/radical-dynafit-brake-removal/#comment-52075 Phill F Sun, 17 Mar 2013 17:21:42 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=8470#comment-52075 By the way, I spoke with Salewa last week and they advised that the Vertical bindings will be discontinued next year. So it's time to snap them up, or the brakes at least, if you don't like the idea of non-removable Radical brakes. Now I've completed my removable brake mod, the big issue I'm finding with the Radical binding is the side towers on the toe piece. These are supposedly designed to allow you to step in easier ... all well and good if you have a firm flat surface to push against. However, in powder on a steep pitch they are a PITA ! Primarily as you have to get the sole of your boot perfectly in plane with the plane of the ski before pressing down ... no longer can you hook a pin in one side of your boot and just rock your foot sideways to engage the toe piece. Expect longer transition times because of this (even if you've mastered removing skins with your skis on you'll encounter the problem on the steep pitches that you boot up with skis on your pack). The trade off is the time saved on the ascent using the flippable heal risers (these work great and are the reason I bought the Radical). By the way, I spoke with Salewa last week and they advised that the Vertical bindings will be discontinued next year. So it’s time to snap them up, or the brakes at least, if you don’t like the idea of non-removable Radical brakes.

Now I’ve completed my removable brake mod, the big issue I’m finding with the Radical binding is the side towers on the toe piece. These are supposedly designed to allow you to step in easier … all well and good if you have a firm flat surface to push against. However, in powder on a steep pitch they are a PITA ! Primarily as you have to get the sole of your boot perfectly in plane with the plane of the ski before pressing down … no longer can you hook a pin in one side of your boot and just rock your foot sideways to engage the toe piece. Expect longer transition times because of this (even if you’ve mastered removing skins with your skis on you’ll encounter the problem on the steep pitches that you boot up with skis on your pack). The trade off is the time saved on the ascent using the flippable heal risers (these work great and are the reason I bought the Radical).

]]> By: Lou Dawson http://www.wildsnow.com/8470/radical-dynafit-brake-removal/#comment-52072 Lou Dawson Sun, 17 Mar 2013 13:17:57 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=8470#comment-52072 Phill, nice job! Beware that the AFD on the Radical brake actuator pad (pedal) may have durability issues, let us know how it goes. As for how necessary the AFD is, the jury is out on that. Word on the street is it's just there for possible TUV certification and really has no practical value. On the other hand, I have tested certain boots that seemed to have undue resistance to release due to how the lug soles on heel interact with the brake plate, so perhaps it has some practical value. Lou Phill, nice job! Beware that the AFD on the Radical brake actuator pad (pedal) may have durability issues, let us know how it goes.

As for how necessary the AFD is, the jury is out on that. Word on the street is it’s just there for possible TUV certification and really has no practical value. On the other hand, I have tested certain boots that seemed to have undue resistance to release due to how the lug soles on heel interact with the brake plate, so perhaps it has some practical value.

Lou

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