Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

New touring rig hitting the market, MFD alltimes

profile picture
yellav
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 1,217



looks like a pretty legit alternative to BCA's trekkers. lets you rip with your downhill bindings, potential to be able to switch it from different sets of skis. only drawback i can think of is that big metal purple plate on the bottom weighing a million pounds. seeing sage stoked on ripping them is selling me off on them though to be honest.
Nov 26 2010 9:16PM
0 0
profile picture
J_BISCHOF
Posts: 2082 - Karma: 1,449
im confused at both how it is better than trekkers and how it has the potential to be multi ski?
Nov 26 2010 9:36PM
0 0
profile picture
Commonwealth
Posts: 3729 - Karma: 11
They look far more reliable than trekkers - less prone to snap or crack.

I'd be interested in seeing how these get mounted. With the normal binding jig, I assume?
Nov 26 2010 9:49PM
0 0
profile picture
yellav
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 1,217
trekkers raise your feet up to a real awkward level while your climbing and break really easily. if you just mount the part that hold the metal plate with your downhill bindings attached to it to multiple pairs of skis, it could be developed where the metal plate/bindings could be moved throughout pairs.
Nov 26 2010 10:01PM
0 0
profile picture
scott-skis
Posts: 1161 - Karma: 141
those look like they would be really good! the only thing about the trekkers, if you can use them on any ski, and you don't have to remount if you already have bindings on, thats the reason i'm buying trekkers so i don't have to remount.
Nov 26 2010 10:06PM
0 0
profile picture
J_BISCHOF
Posts: 2082 - Karma: 1,449
im confused. tell me more?
Nov 26 2010 10:07PM
0 0
profile picture
titsLOL
Posts: 7485 - Karma: 396
looks rad depending on the price and weight.
Nov 26 2010 10:08PM
0 0
profile picture
J.DUKE
Posts: 1233 - Karma: 38
so....it's an A/T binding? With your option of toe/heel pieces?


I'll have to chew on this
Nov 27 2010 2:39PM
0 0
profile picture
Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
seems legit if it as at the same price point of the trekker

if not just buy dukes
Nov 27 2010 2:55PM
0 0
profile picture
I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
this...

+ how heavy is that ?


and the release mechanism to switch to touring mode looks kinda simplistic....

i'll have to see/feel it myself before trusting something like this...
Nov 27 2010 3:20PM
0 0
profile picture
Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
the whole "drop down" thing seams like it won't quite be compatible with all boots... no? I have wide feet... hmmm.



I see these adapters as a great option compared to the trekkers (which suck a fat one), but as for Sage's comment about "not trusting any touring bindings..." Being sponsored by Atomic, can I assume he has Atomic bindings as well? I wonder this because the Dukes are pretty awesome.

I mean, sure - the Dukes aren't indestructible, but they're pretty damn solid, and I have no hesitation skiing to my full aggressiveness while clicked into them... So if you're looking for a solid touring binding, get the Dukes... seriously.

I see this new "thing", and the Trekkers as something you'd use if you do one or two slackcountry missions a season. The Trekkers really do suck.
Nov 27 2010 5:37PM
0 0
profile picture
Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
interesting point on the drop down

but thats what i was trying to get at, these bindings have no market unless they can be at the same price point as the trekker
it looks like they could be an alternative to trekkers, but if they are going to be expensive, there is no reason not to just buy dukes
Nov 27 2010 5:41PM
0 0
profile picture
TheWeaz
Posts: 803 - Karma: 1,903
tourable turntables!!!!
Nov 27 2010 5:42PM
0 0
profile picture
noparking
Posts: 1123 - Karma: 50
sweet repost from TGR
Nov 27 2010 6:32PM
0 0
profile picture
Phormat
Posts: 774 - Karma: 20
derp
Nov 27 2010 6:47PM
0 0
profile picture
T.DUDE
Posts: 1681 - Karma: 129
i'm sure they are heavy as balls!
Nov 27 2010 6:56PM
0 0
profile picture
kthnxbai.
Posts: 2847 - Karma: 179
whoa those could be sweet.  i really wonder what bindings they are going to accommodate.
Nov 27 2010 7:12PM
0 0
profile picture
R.Fahey
Posts: 8602 - Karma: 539
not everyone has a TGR account.... lik 99.5% of kids on NS.

It's a decent idea, but still a big, heavy plate.
Trekkers are ill for most shorter climbs. someone needs to just redesign the Trekker.
Nov 27 2010 7:47PM
0 0
profile picture
.[sanhedrin].
Posts: 1654 - Karma: 938

I'm surprised that more people have not expressed interest in this product.  I assumed that NS was mostly park skiers, but to be honest, I am sure there are plenty of BC skiers here too.  Nevertheless, the Facebook page for these guys has only got like 350 people to "LIKE" their page, which is both confusing and unfortunate.  Even if we don't know much about this product, I would be interested in this product going to ISPO.  Further exposure = further product development. 

Anyway - to "LIKE" the product and give them a chance to showcase their gear at ISPO just visit their facebook page and like it:

www.facebook.com/RUNMFD

Dec 2 2010 10:39AM
0 0
profile picture
smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
funny it relies on the same kind of heel retention as the fritshi freeride or naxo, where people talk made shit for being able to go into tour mode accidentally.

also you carry the entire weight of your heavy alpine binding around plus the plate when touring. dukes are very very reliable. the marker tour f10 should be just as good at half the weight.

in 'the way i see it' hoji is skiing dynafits on renegades in many shots.

and why do you want to encourage people to throw down in the backcountry? seems dangerous to me.

all that said it could be a good idea.

Dec 2 2010 12:23PM
0 0
profile picture
smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
it looks like that is so the binding sits closer to the ski, and the boot would be level with the plate, not in the plate.
Dec 2 2010 12:24PM
0 0
profile picture
ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,459
bump.


seems like it has a lot of potential but it's really wierd the way it seems to be designed.

It seems like it would be really expensive, not because of the purchasing price, but because it looks like you'd have to pay to remount all of your bindings, which seems really illogical. Wouldn't it also be really heavy and mess with the flex of the ski even more than AT bindings already do?
Dec 12 2010 5:06PM
0 0
profile picture
onenerdykid
Posts: 6674 - Karma: 10,977
I am really curious to try these out: let's you use whatever binding you are comfortable with, goes from ski/tour without having to get out of the binding (unlike the Duke), simple design (less to go wrong), and purple. Depending on the cost, seems like it could be super successful...
Dec 12 2010 5:24PM
0 0
profile picture
MEGAZORD
Posts: 4531 - Karma: -7
Seems like people are misunderstanding it. Sage said it himself. It is an accessory for your alpine bindings. All you are getting is the plate. it would seem that you could mount any binding on it. This is a super rad idea. I would buy one. And as for weight? The plate is mostlikely 7000 series aluminum and it super strong and light. I would guess that a pair of fks mounted on the plate weighs the same, if not less than a set of dukes.
Dec 12 2010 5:25PM
0 0
profile picture
-Tristan-
Posts: 915 - Karma: 19
Sweet repost of my earlier thread.
Dec 12 2010 6:47PM
0 0
profile picture
smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
i assume when you get to the top of the skin track you set on your randonee gear and tights, you leave your skis on and pull your skins off by somehow dislocating your hips then your proceed to lap 500 vertical, re attaching skins with your skis somehow this time dislocating your shoulders and putting the tip loop on..... all to save time because you go fast!


seems like everytime i go from ski to tour or vise versa, my skis come off, i pull my skins off or put them on.

and the thing with the duke is genious because it cant drop into skin mode with your boot in there, because you are standing on the lever.
Dec 12 2010 8:47PM
0 0
profile picture
eatinpow
Posts: 434 - Karma: 16
These look awesome!
Dec 13 2010 12:36AM
0 0
profile picture
blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
how do those just come off? looks like you have to unscrew the bindings just to take it off
Dec 13 2010 12:41AM
0 0
profile picture
eatinpow
Posts: 434 - Karma: 16
I think it's a permanent thing, like a different option the dukes. It's not really Luke Trekkers except for the fact you can use your current binding
Dec 13 2010 12:43AM
0 0
profile picture
ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,459
which seem stupid to me. why not just get a touring binding? you'd have to remount your skis anyways...

i guess i have to see these in person before i really judge them though. the whole thing seems like a really cool idea, but impractically designed product.
Dec 13 2010 12:49AM
0 0
profile picture
rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
This is true.
Click for larger image
Look at the plate. Many holes for many different screw places. And this is just me thinking out loud, but if it is a plate that is attached to your skis, you shouldn't have to worry about it tearing out or anything. The plate is right on it, with the bindings over it. Seems legit to me.
Dec 13 2010 1:00AM
0 0
profile picture
rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
I forgot the fact that the binding has to come up in able to skin. so that thought is canceled out.
Dec 13 2010 1:02AM
0 0
profile picture
Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,085
I like to see the innovation that these dudes are using. Quiver Killers, DynaDukes, MFD, all of these are good options.

But none of them address the real problem, which is the fact that we have yet to get a binder that tours well but you can ski as hard as you want. I'm talking about something that Seth could use with no issues, something as solid as FKS 185s or 916s.

Personally, I hate my Dukes. The adjustments are constantly coming loose, the Din is fucked (I've walked out at twelve, currently running them at 14 which is straight up stupid), the climbing ladders randomly pop out if you're on an odd angle switchback, and the walk mode bends the linkage between the toe and heel. Marker continues to make seriously shitty bindings.

This overall issue is one that highlights the differences between what small companies and large ones can do. Lots of small companies are coming up with patch fixes, but they don't have the money to build a new binder from the ground up. The big companies are too sluggish in their R&D, meaning that they're still stuck with products that they first created ten or twenty years ago. Is it possible to build a better binding than the FKS or 916? Certainly, but it's cheaper to stick with what they've got.

At some point, we'll see a Salomon answer to the Duke. It's bound to happen, given what they've done with the Quest series. I just hope it's actually skiable, and not some plastic-infested junk heap knock off of a Duke, because that'd be more depressing than an endless Pineapple Express.
Dec 13 2010 2:29AM
0 0
profile picture
rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
I'm waiting for this too. It makes sense that they should be looking into it.

I have yet to use my trekkers. I do understand they are not the most practical thing for BC access, but I don't do much of that. Mostly Side/Slack country. My friends have used them, and they've proven themselves fine. Just heavy to carry around in a pack. As for Dukes, have there really been a whole lot of issues? They people I know who have them, haven't had any problems with them. I understand that there is a lot of metal, and that's the last thing I want on a binding.
Dec 13 2010 2:39AM
0 0
profile picture
Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,085
Just wait for your first set of steep, off angle switchbacks, or sidehilling across the fall line on a slightly washed out skin track. Trekkers have virtually no torsional rigidity. Combined with the lift they put on your foot, it makes for a combination that just doesn't move well in tight spots or off angles. You'll see.

My experience with Dukes is, of course, one person's story. I'm 195lbs, 5'8", and I ski hard and frequently. If a touring binding can stand up to my abuse, it's probably going to work well for most people; there are many skiers who wouldn't work it as hard as I do. I'm not attempting some claim or brag. It's just a fact.
Dec 13 2010 3:17AM
0 0
profile picture
onenerdykid
Posts: 6674 - Karma: 10,977
I have owned Dukes since they came out. I love them. And I definitely have to get out of any binding to take my skins off/on. But there are definitely situations that I have been in where if I have to get out of my binding to get into ski mode, it puts me in a very dangerous position. The benefit of the Naxo/Fritschi design is that you can go from ski to tour super quickly (hopefully not when unwanted). To me, it just seems like the MFD is a great option that blends both positives from all the companies.



Dec 13 2010 3:32AM
0 0
profile picture
smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
im not hating at all, but i need an example to set my head right because i am just not following the negatives of removing your skis to get to tour mode or ski mode....

you are in tour mode, touring with skins on.....

you remove your skis and take off your skins at the top of the line you are going to ski......

but you stay in tour mode and you hollywood the top of the line in tour mode, then when its 50 degree hardpack over chocolate chips you decide you shouldn't be making tele turns on touring bindings put your whippet in and hopefully not need to take your skis off to get into ski mode??

then i ask why not switch to ski mode when you took the skis off to take the skins off?
Dec 13 2010 10:16AM
0 0
profile picture
onenerdykid
Posts: 6674 - Karma: 10,977
no worries man, for me I've been on a narrow line where getting out of my binding hasn't been a viable option- just not enough room to do so and thus not safe. My skins still on, I'd like to be in ski mode just if I needed to be for that section.
Dec 13 2010 11:11AM
0 0
profile picture
Midge.
Posts: 381 - Karma: 12
Threads
Dec 22 2010 9:50PM
0 0
profile picture
no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
i heard the plate is metal. if you can mount any binding to them and the plate attaches to the ski well then i see these being really good but i worry about the weight of the plate and how well it actually works. i don't like dukes either, they really don't keep you in that well
Dec 22 2010 9:54PM
0 0
profile picture
General_Ripper
Posts: 3327 - Karma: 189
Well you seem to know what your talking about. Wheres ON3P's new binding?
Dec 22 2010 10:26PM
0 0
profile picture
yellav
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 1,217
turns out they're $300, which sucks a lot, but it is confirmed that they you'll be able to move them ski to ski if you buy some other shit as well.
Dec 22 2010 11:53PM
0 0
profile picture
.[sanhedrin].
Posts: 1654 - Karma: 938
On TGR it was posted that they are going to run you $300 for the plate. The common consensus over in the thread on TGR is that this price is 3 times too much and I can't say I disagree. I was optimistic that the MFD All times could be really sweet but sure as fuck not for $300.
Dec 22 2010 11:53PM
0 0
profile picture
Midge.
Posts: 381 - Karma: 12
.
Dec 23 2010 1:53AM
0 0
profile picture
no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
the price will drop after they make no sales the first 2 years of production
Dec 23 2010 2:25AM
0 0
profile picture
Lemuel
Posts: 14502 - Karma: 10,730
That is exactly what I was thinking. With that on there, the ski will have absolutely zero flex underfoot, but I guess if you are skiing powder the underfoot flex is kind of irrelevant. I like the duke/baron design because it sits in a track and still lets the ski flex underfoot.
Dec 23 2010 9:34AM
0 0
profile picture
beaskiro
Posts: 81 - Karma: 102
^any touring binding will mess with the flex of the ski, in-fact any alpine binding with a boot clicked into it will create a "dead" spot in the flex. Nothing to worry about.
The MFD plate has potential, not at $300, but it is a good idea.
Dukes are horrible, I have gone through 3 pairs, they are heavy, torsionally flexy, develop all kinds of play, and are way to high off the ski to feel like a good binding.
People who talk trash on Alpine Trekkers just don't know the truth, they work! Any pro that skis alpine uses them, Morrison, Pollard, Abma, etc.
But next year I am going with the dynafit system, super light, bomber as hell, really efficient stride and right on top of the ski!
Feb 1 2011 10:35AM
0 0
profile picture
SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Exactly. Only way these things are successful is if they are "competitively" priced with Trekkers. $200 is a realistic number in my opinion.

Once you get up to $300, might as well get Dukes/Barons or Freerides.
Feb 1 2011 10:58AM
0 0
profile picture
ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,459
I got to see these first hand at SIA. Everybody was raving about them but I still fail to see the big deal in them aside from the fact that they look cool. Feeling them also made me really worried about how easy it is to click out of alpine and into touring mode. all it would take is a slight tap from a rock or twig and you'd be sent head over heals.
Feb 1 2011 11:32AM
0 0
profile picture
evtic
Posts: 1713 - Karma: 16
MFD will change the game, these are way legit. They are made by Spark R&D outta Bozeman (split board hardware dominators) and I can tell you they are tough, light and will kill the competition.

I also hate my dukes and cannot wait for my MFDs.
Feb 1 2011 11:36AM
0 0
profile picture
NWPA
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 165
Look sick, but not for $300
Feb 1 2011 1:07PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)