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They'll be a great binding for you. I'm guessing you're talking about the 14 DIN ones?
I've had/have a bunch of 'big boy' bindings including Pivot 14s (same as FKS 14s), Jesters, Dukes, 916s (the old solid metal ones). STH 16s, 4Frnt Deadbolts 18s, Mojo 15s and a pair of old Rossi turntable bindings so can compare them fairly well. I've got a pair of FKS 18 but haven't used them yet.
I've also had 914Ti's and Z12s but hated them so much that I got rid of them almost immediately. 914's; same stupid loosening toe-piece as sth 916s and pre-release. Z-12s; Din only goes up to 12 but felt like half that they pre-released so often. And I'm not trying to be macho by overdoing my DINs, I weigh between 210-225lb during any during the year so need the DIN. I had some marker turntable bindings a long time ago (maybe 15 years or so) but can't remember them. Also had Marker Free 14s or 1400s (something like that) that I broke pretty quickly. I've heard they pre-release a lot but didn't have them long enough to really know. But that was a long time ago too.
I got the Pivot 14 this summer and mounted them up on 2010-2011 Moment rockers and they were fine... for a day and a half when I broke the toe-piece. I got them from TMC in Whistler and they replaced them on the spot no questions asked. When I went to TMC they showed me another pair of Pivot 14s with a broken toe-piece that came in the same day. Props to TMC for getting a new toe piece put on within a few hours and for free.
The toe-pieces of the Pivot/FKS 14 are notsolid metal, despite whats been said above. Judging by the appearence of the fracture surface I'd guess that its made of glass filled nylon or some similar particle reinforced plastic.
The toe piece on the FKS 18s is an aluminium alloy, I'd guess, and is one piece (doesn't have the spilt/rotate mechanism).
Despite the failure of my Pivot 14s I still think they are a good binding. They're light, they mount close to the ski and I didn't notice them most of the time. IMO the sign of a good binding is one you don't notice. Aside from the break the only issue I had with them is when landing a sideways on small airs. E.g. I'd do a 3 but try and whip my feet to 5 just before landing and sometimes not get it around and land sideways. When this happened the toe-piece would rotate and pop me out. On a big jump I'd be happy for this to happen but with such little height it was annoying as I know that I could easily have absorbed the drop. Other than that they never pre-released and I didn't feel the need to crank up the DIN as a result.
Are they better than most other bindings; I'd say yes. Here's how I think they compare with other bindings:
They are miles better than the STH 16s. I hated them, the toe wings constantly come loose and they'd pre-release more often than any other 'good' binding I've used. The old school 916s on the other hand are great (mine are 10 years old, beaten up and look like crap but work perfectly). It looks like they are re-releasing them too. But given the choice I'd go with Pivots/FKSs as the 14s are so much lighter, and the 18 and 14 turntable heels definately win out (even if it is a pain to get into). Having said that haven't tried the new 916s so can't say for sure how they'll be.
Compared to Heads/Tyrolias/4Frnts etc...The 15 and 18 Din models of these are a really good binding IMO. The 15 is light but very durable. I've had a pair of 15s that werebeen on 3 sets of skis which I broke (skis, not bindings) and they were fine. No real problem with them, no pre-release, easy to get into, etc...
The 18s are the same but beefier/heavier...no pre-releasing problems,blah , blah, blah. I don't need an 18 DIN, 12-14 works fine most of the time (at least with a decent binding) so the higher DIN range isn't a big bonus to me.
As the 15s (I had Mojos) are much lighter and lasted years for me I'd go with them over the 18s. But if you are truly badass (or want to look it) then the 18s are a good and very tough binding. I got mine used, previous owner; Sean Petit. If he didn't break them its a good bet you won't be able to either! Given the choice I'd still go with Pivots as they feel really 'close' to the ski, and have a turntable heel. The 4FRNTs/ Heads have some lateral motion in the heel but I've never noticed them releasing in a 'pivoty' way.
Rossi Pro 180s. I've got these on a pair of slalom skis. Summary, best binding I've used. I've had these for 11-12 years (I think) and I've never had a problem with them they've never pre-released and they've popped off when its counted. There may be other old Rossi/Look turntable/pivot bindings that I haven't seen/used/remember but these are not the same as the FKS 18s. The toe piece on the Pro 180 is a split toe thing like on the FKS/Pivot 14s, not solid like the 18s. I like the idea of a binding that can release this way, I just don't like that the 14s do it so easily. The Pro 18s may release easily in the same way as FKS/Pivot 14s but I've never encountered it. But then I only use them on icy spring morning and I don't race and race, I just like the power and rebound that a good race stock ski has. As a result I rarely crash on them. Downsides: Heavy, can't buy them anymore, really narrow mounting area and brake.
Given that I broke my Pivots and the annoying issue of releasing on sideways landings it might seem odd that I'd reccomend them.
It seems a lot of people talk about bindings pre-releasingbut I'm just as interested in when they don't release. I've had crashes on every other binding where the binding didn't come off and I thought it should. Well apart from the z12s, all I had to do was look at a jump and I'd double eject. I've yet to crash on the Pivots where they've stayed on and I think they should have popped off. And I've definately given them enough opportunites to do this. They're also light and hopefully the binding I broke and the other one in the store were one offs and quality control has been improved.
I think FKS/Pivot 18s would be overkill for anyone around 105lbs. Its unlikely you'll break them and its just extra weight. I'm not sure wether the lack of the rotating release in the front is a good thing or not. Hopefully it'll be a good snow year so I can test 'em out with my new toys
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191 cm of cuddly waisted goodness. Rocker, twins and carbon fibre wrapped core. Can't wait to use 'em!
