Binding technology

[evan]

Has binding technology improved in terms of being safer in the last 12 years or so? I have a pair of Marker M51s on my old pow skis(12+ yrs old), that have been used lightly and am debating whether it is a good idea to use them for my next pow skis. These Markers have successfully passed a binding test recently.
The guys at the ski shop always talk me into a pair of new bindings when I'm buying skis.
I realize how important bindings are...
Should I keep the old ones????

 

[MaineSkiLady]

If it were me, I'd opt to replace. 12 years is a long time. If there is any plastic in the binding (and I seem to remember Markers of that vintage having some plastic), it will have become brittle and more prone to cracking. That's not a fun thing to have happen to a binding, and it can be inopportune ... In the last 12 years, I think the diagonal/multi-directional release functions have improved. JMHO, but I think the newer bindings are money well spent. Retire the Markers.

 

[retromaven]

If it were me, I'd opt to replace. 12 years is a long time. If there is any plastic in the binding (and I seem to remember Markers of that vintage having some plastic), it will have become brittle and more prone to cracking. That's not a fun thing to have happen to a binding, and it can be inopportune ... In the last 12 years, I think the diagonal/multi-directional release functions have improved. JMHO, but I think the newer bindings are money well spent. Retire the Markers.

I second that. I had equipment about that age, not heavily skied when I stopped due to illness and pregnancy complications. I just re-entered skiing, but went with all new gear, as technology changes so much. I'm glad I did. I got a great deal with new skis and bindings on line (for a 2006/7 well rated ski, that many people ski on here) for $210 (ski and binding) and $40 for a binding mount.

From a safety factor, I wouldn't try to salvage an older binding, even if it appears to be in good shape. Look on line for a decent binding (good deals all over the net) if your local shop seems to be selling them at full price and you want to save a few $$$, it may be cheaper to do it that way, even if you have to pay separately for the mount.

Best of luck!

 

[volklgirl]

If the M51 is still indemnified (and they are), they are still servicable and usable. However, I'm with the others.....bindings are way too important to skimp on. Get new ones!

Here's the indemnification table:
https://www.skiernet.com/indemnified.html

 

[altagirl]

I used to have some M51s, probably still have them laying around the garage. I personally wouldn't use them, but it's probably alright if you want to. If you've got the money, I'd get new.

There's a guy at Alta who still only skis on Spademan bindings. Amazing. I'd never even seen them in person before - I think they were out of date by the time I was old enough to ski...

 

[perma-grin]

Hi evan, Bindings and skis have changed. Most are intergrated and effect the way the ski feels, you have to buy them together. But either way even if the binding is still indemnified putting a 12 yr old binding on a new ski is a lot like putting old thread bare tires on a brand new car. Your short changing you're performance on the deal, and not really saving that much money.

 

[altagirl]

Hi evan, Bindings and skis have changed. Most are intergrated and effect the way the ski feels, you have to buy them together. But either way even if the binding is still indemnified putting a 12 yr old binding on a new ski is a lot like putting old thread bare tires on a brand new car. Your short changing you're performance on the deal, and not really saving that much money.

True, but powder skis almost never come with integrated bindings.

 

[perma-grin]

Thats true, but are the brakes interchangeble with the older binding types? Most modern powder skis take a much wider brake because of the wider waist. M51 were produced when skis were a lot narrower under foot. I'm not sure about brake compatibility with a 12 yr old heel piece.

 

[altagirl]

Thats true, but are the brakes interchangeble with the older binding types? Most modern powder skis take a much wider brake because of the wider waist. M51 were produced when skis were a lot narrower under foot. I'm not sure about brake compatibility with a 12 yr old heel piece.

The old Atomic Powder Plus/Fat Boy/etc - there are models of those that are probably at least 12 years old. And those are like 110 underfoot. If she's taking the bindings off powder skis to put on new powder skis, chances are they'll fit. Of course I don't know what powder skis she was on and what she's buying, and she should definitely take that into consideration. But it's not out of the question.

 

[evan]

Thanks for all the input

Upon your advice I decided that I will get new bindings. The M51s are on an old pair of Volkl Expolsiv powder skis, so they do have wide breaks. Part of the reason I wanted to wait is because would be nice to have something like the Marker Duke, after they iron out the kinks and have lower DIN settings.

Any thoughts on the new "Marker 12.0 free"???

Also, I noticed that very few people use powder cords in Jackson these days. Do they not care about their $1000 investment? Also, walking down the Hobacks in deep pow would not make my day!

 

[altagirl]

I don't know anyone who uses powder cords either... I think it's just the hassle, and rarity of losing a ski. The cords seem to never stay put in your cuffs... I don't know. I just don't use them. If you're skis come off in powder on a regular basis, it would probably make sense.

In 24 years, I've lost a ski once for about half an hour but found it. My husband lost one for months, but got it back in summer when the snow melted (it was fine). And he had eight other pairs of skis to use in the meantime. He still won't use powder cords either.

Yeah, that sucks to lose a ski, but honestly, like when my ski got lost - it shot down under fluffly powder a couple hundred yards and was wedged in a tree at the bottom of the run. I'm not sure I would have seen it any better with a powder cord as it was shooting downhill under 3 feet of snow. The ski was fluorescent green and I didn't see that...

I guess that's for another thread.