Flat or Integrated for Salomon Enduro XT 850

Its all about what you want for a binding.  Really not much difference.

I agree with what has been said, and add that the Solly driver set-up is slightly better than the Z12 system with regard to stand height.   I find that excess stand height (except on narrow boards where boot-out can be a problem) harms a skiers nimbleness, especially in rough snow.

But the advantage of the driver is small-- the Salomon system binding is perhaps the best of many binding brands in regards to stand height-- it is admirably slim.

Arguing for the system binding, one advantage is that it makes in much easier for you to let your friends try the fabulous Enduros by swapping skis on the hill.

And the system binding makes it easy for you to find your favorite fore/aft position on the ski.  I preferred my foot back just slightly from Salomon's marked center position, and mounted my driver binding there.  ( http://www.epicski.com/products/salomon-xt-850-enduro-ski/reviews/2099 )

And the Z12 has what appears to me to be a slightly superior (with regard to knee safety) anti-friction device under the ball of the foot.  But it could also contribute to a possible reduction in the solidity of the boot-ski connection as Phil mentioned.

Finally, the main reason I removed the system binding from my 2012 850 XT Enduros and mounted to the driver binding was vanity.  I thought they looked better with the red Solomon 914's.  (Hee hee)

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How well you are able to ski is related to how hard you are willing to fall.

I bought the 2012 Enduro demos from the local rep last April.  They came with what amount to Z12's on a track to make them quick & easy for demo-ing.  The whole binding system was merely screwed onto flat skis.  I assumed that is one of the set-ups that Salomon offers, and thought that is what you were referring to.

And it seems to be what's pictured at  http://www.salomon.com/us/product/enduro-xt-850.html   and what they call Z12 Speed.

It doesn't appear to me that Salomon offers any other system binding for the Enduro.

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How well you are able to ski is related to how hard you are willing to fall.

crudmaster,

If I follow correctly, you removed the entire system (rails included) and mounted the driver bindings? If yes, did you have to drills new holes? Just curious, that is all.

Personally I cannot offer much advice about which binding is better, but the Z12 system is easy to install and adjust. As for having a solid interface, I can see that it is less solid than a drilled binding, but unless you do some crazy, hard charging skiing and hucking, I think they are adequate for most situations.

Yep, I drilled a new set of holes.

I imagine that Salomon didn't consider it to be important that the hole pattern for the new binding would need to match the hole pattern they set 20 years ago or so, when the driver design originated.

When you write "a drilled binding", I'm not sure what you mean, since, in this thread at least, we haven't identified any Salomon rail system that obviates drilling.  I've seen such systems on other brands, but not Salomon.  But I agree that none of the binding choices that have been discussed so far have any problem with slop in the boot-to-ski connection.  As far as I'm concerned, it's more of a theoretical problem that could be perceived only by a fuss-budget engineer or Bode.

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How well you are able to ski is related to how hard you are willing to fall.

I have skied both the z12 and the driver binding setup on last years Enduros.  In my opinion there is a noticeable difference between the two.  The driver bindings are more solid and precise.  I purchased last years Enduro in 184 with the driver bindings and really like the setup (skied about 25 days on them).  If you are an expert skier that skis fast and aggressive I would lean towards the drivers.

crudmaster,

By "drilled binding" I meant a binding that you drill on a flat ski (or a riser/plate), but not the Salomon rail system mentioned here. 

Other than some of the preformance thoughts mentioned above, If you ski a lot the flat 850 will hold up better over time. The smartrak can develop a nasty wobble with high mileage. Any STH binding will work well on this ski really, personal preference on Driver or Oversize Toe Z12 is a whole other topic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB 

crudmaster,

 

By "drilled binding" I meant a binding that you drill on a flat ski (or a riser/plate), but not the Salomon rail system mentioned here. 

 

 

On the web I finally found an image of the XT 850's with the non-drilled rail system you referred to.  The Salomon website didn't have it, but REI.com did.  Thanks for the correction and sorry for the distractions above.

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How well you are able to ski is related to how hard you are willing to fall.