Dukes mounted on EP Pros in error - accept or change?

#1

Rating: 0

10/21/09 at 10:10am

hoody
offline

Joined: December 2008
Location: Oregon
Post Count: 187

I recently bought a pair of EP Pros and asked the shop mount Griffons. When I go to pick up the skis, I see they put Dukes on instead. I don't have any skinning experience, but it seems to me that EP Pros are an odd ski to put Dukes on - 127mm wide and rockered.

The shop offered to put Griffons on a new pair of EP Pros for me if I desired. I probably could get them to mount Jesters if I asked.

Another option: take RailFlex/RFD 14 bindings off my Gotamas, remount on EP Pros. Take Dukes off EP Pros, put on Gotamas (Dukes on Gotamas makes more sense to me - a more skin-friendly ski). Downside: both skis would drilled twice, $ for mounting.

About me: 42, expert, 5'9", 200#, 8.5 DIN. I ski primarily Mt Hood inbounds/side country. If I kept the Dukes, I would try out skins for the novelty, but I don't have the backcountry buddies for proper outings. That is, I expect to ski 95% lift served.

Should I stick with the Dukes, or ask for new skis with Griffons (orginal plan) or Jesters, or swap bindings between EP Pros/Gotamas?

#2

Rating: 0

10/21/09 at 10:19am

MattL
offline

Joined: November 2005
Location: Central PA
Post Count: 1,524

I would keep them as is and tell them you only want to pay the Griffon price. Are they willing to do that or do they expect you to pay the difference? If they expected me to pay for their mistake and I didn't really need them I would have them mount up some Griffs on a new pair though.

Harrisburg PA Web Design & Internet Marketing

#3

Rating: 0

10/21/09 at 10:31am

spindrift
offline

Joined: March 2002
Location: Seattle, WA
Post Count: 3,357

I think you answered your question. If you are not committed to some sidecountry skinning. both the weight and stack height of the Dukes is a disadvantage on those skis. OTOH, if you have the need/desire, its been done on EPs and Hell Bents, etc. I'd think of it as more of an "access" or schlep back out sort of thing -- with the Dukes enabling access to the "best" snow. If I were not signed up to that, I'd be inclined to put Jesters or STHs or any decently light, pretty low & pretty flat binding on (the new pair that is).

I'd skip the RF idea due to height and weight (ie - no benefit relative to losing the Dukes). Plus, both Dukes and RF rails make for a ton of holes. Between the two, you'd turn your skis into swiss cheese if it was just a binding swap. Plus, once you get into the EPs, you'll rarely ski the goats, if ever...

Have you used EPs before? If not, be careful not to drive them too hard. They are beyond soft. They are one of my favorite skis. But they took me some real getting used to - and generated lots of laughter & some genuine terror as others watched me on some firm snow my first day out on them ;). As my kid put it - you don't have to do anything with them, just think it... A ton more versatile than most people think, but they don't like being "pushed" in the usual way.

#4

Rating: 0

10/21/09 at 10:36am

Pwdrhnd
offline

Joined: February 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Post Count: 176

I would keep the Dukes (for no extra charge) just because they might be nice for hiking to the side country. It sounds as if the shop is willing to fix their mistake. Out of curiosity, since I am in Portland, which shop did you take them to?

#5

Rating: 0

10/21/09 at 11:05am

epic
offline

Joined: May 2001
Post Count: 6,747

I say leave 'em. If you hate them then switch with the Goats. You won't hate them.

#6

Rating: 0

10/21/09 at 11:22am

spindrift
offline

Joined: March 2002
Location: Seattle, WA
Post Count: 3,357

It is not a matter of "hate". The EP is a soft, light, "elegant" ski. Whether or not the Duke is a more expensive binding does not matter. Whether or not it is solid does not matter. There's a price to pay for putting it on that ski. If you are not going to reap some benefit for that price, it is just not worth having on the ski due to an error. If you will harvest some benefit from the binding, that's very different story...

#7

Rating: 0

10/21/09 at 11:44am

SierraJim
offline

Joined: October 2005
Location: Tahoe
Post Count: 3,105

Quote:

Originally Posted by spindrift

It is not a matter of "hate". The EP is a soft, light, "elegant" ski. Whether or not the Duke is a more expensive binding does not matter. Whether or not it is solid does not matter. There's a price to pay for putting it on that ski. If you are not going to reap some benefit for that price, it is just not worth having on the ski due to an error. If you will harvest some benefit from the binding, that's very different story...

Absolutely correct...IMO.

Again IMO but the Duke is not a "better" alpine binding. By my standards, it is worse than most for a soft fat ski. Unless of course you have a realistic use for it's rather mediocre touring capacity.

SJ

www.starthaus.com (Check out SH ski deals #2 in the special deals forum)

#8

Rating: 0

10/21/09 at 12:03pm

MattL
offline

Joined: November 2005
Location: Central PA
Post Count: 1,524

I would still take them and swap them out but only because I would like to have a pair and you can't really find a deal on those. If you don't need them AND they are the 'wrong' binding like these guys say then just get the new pair.

Harrisburg PA Web Design & Internet Marketing

#9

Rating: 0

10/21/09 at 12:40pm

The Squeaky Wheel
offline

Joined: March 2003
Location: Loveland & Vail, CO
Post Count: 533

Quote:

Originally Posted by spindrift

It is not a matter of "hate". The EP is a soft, light, "elegant" ski. Whether or not the Duke is a more expensive binding does not matter. Whether or not it is solid does not matter. There's a price to pay for putting it on that ski. If you are not going to reap some benefit for that price, it is just not worth having on the ski due to an error. If you will harvest some benefit from the binding, that's very different story...

+1
Spot on

#10

Rating: 0

10/22/09 at 12:36pm

hoody
offline

Joined: December 2008
Location: Oregon
Post Count: 187

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and ideas. I've decided to let the shop give me what I originally purchased (Griffons).

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattL

I would keep them as is and tell them you only want to pay the Griffon price. Are they willing to do that or do they expect you to pay the difference? If they expected me to pay for their mistake and I didn't really need them I would have them mount up some Griffs on a new pair though.

They were willing to let me have the Dukes for no extra $ if I preferred. Griffons will be mounted on a new pair (no re-drill).

Quote:

Originally Posted by spindrift

I think you answered your question. If you are not committed to some sidecountry skinning. both the weight and stack height of the Dukes is a disadvantage on those skis. OTOH, if you have the need/desire, its been done on EPs and Hell Bents, etc. I'd think of it as more of an "access" or schlep back out sort of thing -- with the Dukes enabling access to the "best" snow. If I were not signed up to that, I'd be inclined to put Jesters or STHs or any decently light, pretty low & pretty flat binding on (the new pair that is).

I'd skip the RF idea due to height and weight (ie - no benefit relative to losing the Dukes). Plus, both Dukes and RF rails make for a ton of holes. Between the two, you'd turn your skis into swiss cheese if it was just a binding swap. Plus, once you get into the EPs, you'll rarely ski the goats, if ever...

Have you used EPs before? If not, be careful not to drive them too hard. They are beyond soft. They are one of my favorite skis. But they took me some real getting used to - and generated lots of laughter & some genuine terror as others watched me on some firm snow my first day out on them ;). As my kid put it - you don't have to do anything with them, just think it... A ton more versatile than most people think, but they don't like being "pushed" in the usual way.

I'll admit to indifference on the stack height issue (various pros and cons, and I'm already used to RF stack). FWIW, I read somewhere the 2010 is a little stiffer than the 2009.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pwdrhnd

I would keep the Dukes (for no extra charge) just because they might be nice for hiking to the side country. It sounds as if the shop is willing to fix their mistake. Out of curiosity, since I am in Portland, which shop did you take them to?

US Outdoor Store (on Broadway). They seem willing to do whatever is needed to make me happy again - too bad about the mistake in the first place.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spindrift

It is not a matter of "hate". The EP is a soft, light, "elegant" ski. Whether or not the Duke is a more expensive binding does not matter. Whether or not it is solid does not matter. There's a price to pay for putting it on that ski. If you are not going to reap some benefit for that price, it is just not worth having on the ski due to an error. If you will harvest some benefit from the binding, that's very different story...

Yeah, ultimately my Venn diagram of "ideal bindings for EP Pros" and "ideal skis for Dukes" didn't have much overlap. I'm de-Duking.

#11

Rating: 0

10/22/09 at 12:55pm

Trekchick
offline

Joined: November 2005
Location: Michigan, oop nort in da land of trolls
Post Count: 22,525

Sounds like this shop did the right thing, good for them!........and for you

Surviving is essential, thriving is incredible!
EpicSki Academy

#12

Rating: 0

10/22/09 at 1:08pm

spindrift
offline

Joined: March 2002
Location: Seattle, WA
Post Count: 3,357

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoody

They were willing to let me have the Dukes for no extra $ if I preferred. Griffons will be mounted on a new pair (no re-drill).

I'll admit to indifference on the stack height issue (various pros and cons, and I'm already used to RF stack). FWIW, I read somewhere the 2010 is a little stiffer than the 2009.

Sounds like a reasonable call. But you only think you are indifferent to the stack height

. Losing the 1+ cm is a good thing.

As for this year's EP being "stiffer", that's all relative. Supposedly "10%" stiffer. You can still flex the new ones with your pinky. It just takes a tiny bit more pressure. All part of the ski's charm.

Sounds like the shop is good with doing the right thing. Always nice. Although I'm sure they'll be able to move the mounted rig & come out pretty whole.

#13

Rating: 0

10/22/09 at 4:36pm

crgildart
offline

Joined: December 2007
Location: The Bull City
Post Count: 10,778

It would be sweet if they accidentally put the more expensive A/Ts on a tour friendly ski. Awesome that they are giving you a new set without trying to just plug the holes, remount and offer a discount.

Did you buy the skis from them or bring them in and just buy bindings?

P.S. If that store was anywhere near me I'd be in there asking if they happened to have any blem EP Pros

Smell that? Winter's coming!

Tags

Other Threads

Recent Reviews

What Barking Bears Want

Dukes mounted on EP Pros in error - accept or change?

Got Facebook?

Already a User?

Create a New Account

Recent Discussions

Recent Reviews

Recent Wikis