Wich tele bindings should I buy?

If you are driving the tips of the skis down on powder days, then it's likely the skis are mounted incorrectly. When you ski tele properly the pressure on your rear foot is centered and the tip will felx and won't dive. Even the most active (least neutral) tele bindings won't push the tip down when set up correctly.

That said, Twentytwo Designs Hammerhead bindings have a moveable pivot point and you can experiment across the spectrum of very neutral to very active and pick the level that suits you.
http://www.twentytwodesigns.com/HammerHead_p_8.html

And I can't think of any reason that your BD boots wouldn't fit the Switchback binding. What is the issue specifically?

I guess I'm still not sure what's happening. Are you locking the binding down after you use tour mode? And if the boot is twisting out, then are the cables adjusted properly for boot length?

Nice advice from Bob as usual. The BD boot/switchback interface thing seems odd. It'll be interesting to see a picture. Bindings, if you're not skinning and not going NTN, Hammerheads make sense. Skinning and non-NTN, the Axle's would be at the top of the list, but I completely agree on the attractiveness of a simple 'dumb' binding like the switchback if you can figure out your boot/binding interface issue.

If you're going backcountry, probably you want the Axl, maybe the Enzo, or BD's O1 or the Switchback X2. If your boot doesn't fit in the Switchback it is because the duckbill is too thick. You might consider grinding down the tip of the sole a bit. Either just scuff it up a bit on some rough asphalt, or pull out some sandpaper and sand off about 1mm from the bottom. Don't go hog wild on grinding it down. Do it a little at a time and check so see how well it fits in the binding periodically. However, even if you get the boots to fit in the Switchback, a more powerful binding will be a better match for your boots and skis. See this selection graphic, it might make things simpler.

BTW - the Hammerhead is being discontinued. The replacement is the Vice. Same power and control as Axl, but without the option to switch to a free pivot for touring. Don't know why anyone would want a telemark binding without a free-pivot, but manufacturers tell me tons of telemarkers never go out of bounds. I think they're smokin' somethin' whacky.

Dostie,

 

Do you think it's important to pair the Axl with a relatively stiff boot?  Would the T2 Eco be a good match for it, or is it too soft?

 

Thanks,

 

-- ST
 

Clearly I'm not Dostie, but...one of the cool things about the Axl (and the Hammerhead) is that you can adjust the level of 'activity.' An Axl on the least active setting would be a good match for a T2 Eco. Maybe even the middle setting, depending on the size of your foot and preferences.

Seldom,

Agree with Bob Lee, the least active setting on Axl is good for T2X/T2-Eco or other lower cuffed tele boots like Garmont's SynerG. But so too are the higher settings. I don't think it is as important to pair the Axl with a stiff boot as it is to pair a stiff boot with a powerful binding like Axl (or Enzo, or O1). You can make a less powerful boot deliver more control with a more active binding. In the case of a stiffer boot, you NEED a more active binding to help flex the boot. Hope that clarifies things a bit.

Tele Swede,

Was about to post a repetitive suggestion. See my reply above regarding the thickness of the duckbill on your boots VS the gap under the toe bar on your Switchbacks. Seems like that is the problem.

That does clarify things, by quite a bit.  Thanks much!

I have another question: if one were going to tour on NTN gear, would the Scarpa TX Comp boot be a good option?  It seems that Scarpa advertises this boot as their stiffest "in-bounds" offering, but I've heard that its stiffness is actually comparable to that of the TX Pro, and since the TX Comp is advertised as being quite a bit lighter than the TX Pro, I'm wondering whether it would be a good choice for touring as well as in-bounds riding.
 

You're probably looking at an older model Comp - the current Comp is shown to be virtually the same weight as the Pro, maybe a few grams lighter because there's no tech fittings.  The older Comp was significantly lighter than the Pro because it didn't have a tour mode (unlocked cuff)...and serious touring without a tour mode pretty much sucks IMO, though sometimes others here will argue that point.  The older Comp isn't a great choice for serious touring.  The current Comp has a touring mode so pick between the current Comp and Pro depending on whether you like a stiffer boot (which, even with tour mode, is less comfortable touring) and whether tech fittings are important to you.  

Thanks very much, Bob - that is very useful to know.  I was unaware that I was going by the weight of the older Comp.
 

I've been using safety release ski bindings since 1962. My current favorite is Voilé CRB Hardwire.

 

No longer available as complete units.   Parts only.

I use my Hammerheads w/ these: http://www.telebry.com/

 

They have been bulletproof and release when needed........... and adds brakes............. I met w/ 22 Designs and they were curious and impressed w/ this design............. basically makes Hammerheads/Axl and several other brands into a releasable setup........... I just wouldn't Tele w/o my Hammerheads so adjustable for any conditions......... set to 5 when I'm feeling lazy and just want to chill in Alpine mode (5 holds the heel close to the ski, good for learning Tele if you already Alpine)......... set to 2 for Big Pow........... 1 for skinning ...............and 4 for everything else........................ 22 Designs Rocks!.............. but I needed Release so Telebry to the rescue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

 

Bummer!

 

I bought my Hardwires before they were offered as a CRB unit, and swapped the hardwire for the tension springs on the CRB 3pin w/ cable.

I don't often ski powder but when I do my BD 01 work great with my BD Push Boots.

Keep those tips up!

The Hammerhead will be discontinued? Is it true? Is it not one of the best lift- served bindings ever?

 

Replaced by the Vice, new and improved.

Thanks, Bob. Have you skied the Vice? Does it have the same feel as the Axl? Do you know whether the springs are the same for Vice and Axl?

Thanks, Bob. Have you skied the Vice? Does it have the same feel as the Axl? Do you know whether the springs are the same for Vice and Axl?

http://www.tetonat.com/2009/12/23/the-paramarker-video/

Thanks hirustler.  That's me all over.
 

Good Vid!!! :)................ How are the Axl and Vice different from the original Hammerheads?

Edited by Yo Momma - 10/15/12 at 10:11am

I haven't skied the Vice, but I would expect the Vice and the Axl to ski about the same since they share the same design, other than the free-pivot feature of the Axl.

Take a look at them - the main difference is that the springs are underfoot rather than out in front of the toe plate. And the Axl is different in that it has a free-pivot touring feature.

Fun video on Fake-a-marking thanks!

 

The Black Diamond 01s seem to work well for me but I've never skied on the Axl. Do you think I'd notice a big difference?

You would. The tele-resistance of Axl begins (Axl#1) roughly where the O1 ends (Rid-stiff springs). Not quite, but close. Axl has an effective cable pivot point further back than the O1. Therefore - it is definitely more active. It is also a bit heavier, but not by a lot.