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Marker Duke - do they really rip out of ski's?

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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
So,

I need new bindings. Fast.

Am looking at three options atm:

STH Driver 14/16
Look Pivot 18 (heard the 14's have a really weak toepiece [plastic])
Marker Dukes.

I really want to get more into non-liftaccesible lines, but I still want an alpine binding. It's just that I'm a little wary to get Marker Dukes because I have heard a lot of things about them ripping out of ski's and what not.
Is this really true or am I just a nerd who shouldn't be scared because some noobs didn't get their Dukes mounted right?

Also, one more question:
The Pivots, will they last me a lifetime? I really have the feeling that if I purchase the P18's once they will last me 20 years as long as I don't wear out the spring (which I won't because I won't go higher than 12 anyway).
And what about the STH', are they all metal too?


Last question:
STH vs Pivot's. Which are better?

Fuck karma, I'll give you a bluetooth-BJ for helpful answers.
Oct 28 2011 8:36AM
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MrChevyCelebrity
Posts: 509 - Karma: 406
I have several friends who ski the Dukes. No one has had any problem with a screw coming out. Are you abnormally heavy? The only thing that I've seen happen is that a friend of mine broke his toe piece on a rail, but it was expected. He got it caught all weird and it twisted. One thing to look out for is one of the screws in the toe piece. If you mount them and for some reason don't get that screw down flush the binding will get hung up on it when you go into hike mode and you won't be able to lock the binding back down. Also, the screw will be under the binding and you won't be able to screw it down to release the binding. You would literally have to cut the bindings off the ski. I have seen this happen. It's not pretty.

-->Dukes are sick.

mac
Oct 28 2011 9:05AM
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steezerampage
Posts: 2171 - Karma: 214
I have skied dukes for 2 seasons with no problems.  I have several friends that ski mostly BC and they all have been using dukes for 2 years with no problems.  One of my friends did break his marker tours though.  Hope that helps
Oct 28 2011 9:21AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Ok thank. That sure does help.
I'm about 200 lbs/90kg, so not abnormally heavy I'd say. And the Marker Tours are much more plasticy than the Dukes, so that explains a lot!
Oct 28 2011 9:48AM
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Bonzalo
Posts: 2593 - Karma: 1,812
How much touring do you want to do?? If you are not doing a lot, just get the pivots with trekkers. The pivots 18 are the strongest binding ive ever used, they are going to last forever. Altough I dont know about the 916s but i can bet that the pivots 18 are stronger than them.
Oct 28 2011 10:09AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Not planning on doing anything over 90 minutes I guess... But yeah, I've also thought about trekkers, but that's going to add up... 200€ for pivots, 140€ for Trekkers and an additional 120€ or so for skins...
Oct 28 2011 10:38AM
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Slowbro
Posts: 3861 - Karma: 21,298
I've heard that dukes are usually awesome, but they get damaged more easy when landing switch. Is this true?
Oct 28 2011 10:45AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
the core of a ski has more to do with bindings pulling out then the binding it self. Dukes have a pretty solid mount pattern, so as long as the core of the ski its on is in good shape and the tech didnt fuck up some how, you shouldnt have any problems
Oct 28 2011 11:55AM
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Iliveinutah
Posts: 1250 - Karma: 5,147
I haven't had any problems out of my dukes but stay away from the squire I broke the break and shattered the bass plate just from stomping a jump WTF but I got a warranty to fix it
Oct 28 2011 12:31PM
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nstubler
Posts: 840 - Karma: 1,170
sorry to ask in your thread, but it fits nicely.

Are Duke's noticeably more durable and better than Barons?
I don't need the Dukes for the Din, Barons are fine for me, but just wondering if the Dukes are made with higher quality shit?

Thank YOu
Oct 28 2011 1:13PM
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Iliveinutah
Posts: 1250 - Karma: 5,147
Dukes are all metal but there heavy
Oct 28 2011 3:17PM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
Marker Dukes are not "all metal'.  They have some metal in them, but they also have a lot of plastic.

STH14/16 are not "all metal" either.  STH16 has more metal in the heel than the 14, but there's still a lot of plastic going on.

STH16 STEEL have more metal than regular STH16, specifically in the toe, but still has some plastic.
Same goes for the Rossi/Look 1518s.

Older Salomon 916s are virtually the same as the STH16 STEEL, only older and cheaper.

If you're on a budget, and you need a burly binding, IMO nothing beats the old Salomon 916.  I have many pairs of them both mounted and unmounted.



Oh and to answer your original question, all bindings will rip out of skis given the right force.  
Oct 28 2011 3:32PM
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phreshpow
Posts: 834 - Karma: 133
as said earlier, dukes have more metal components that barons
barons are still a solid binding though and if you don't need dukes for the DIN, I would save the money and weight and pick up some barons if I were you.
Oct 28 2011 4:08PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Does anyone have experience with Pivot's and Trekkers?
I could imagine the end of the Trekker hitting the Pivot heelpiece?

I think I'm going with the Dukes really... I got a deal for 189€ which is pretty ridiculous if you ask me. Even 30€ cheaper than Pivots (on sale). And I wouldn't need 140€ Trekkers either.
Oct 28 2011 4:32PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,150
pivots w/trekkers are a horrible combo. I'd advise against it.
Oct 28 2011 4:58PM
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Ghini
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 3,002
pm ;)
Oct 28 2011 5:57PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Because?
Oct 28 2011 7:12PM
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Bonzalo
Posts: 2593 - Karma: 1,812
I tour sometimes with that, I know it is not the best combo, but whatever, it does the job.
Nov 3 2011 10:51PM
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Ghini
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 3,002
this
Nov 4 2011 9:11AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124

well if your  partners need you to skin up fast in an emergency

the tool your young dumb butt has chosen may just cost them their lives

get a clue and realize this and I bet you may find better partners

cause if you really think you could put that shitty tool/combo to use fast and efficaintly you're foolin youself

and I used alpine wreckers long enough to know this is true

Nov 4 2011 9:17AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Let me brainstorm here: wouldn't it be REALLY easy to make your own trekkers? I mean. It's just a toe and heel piece with a hinge in the front. That's the basic concept. And I reckon you can make something yourself MUCH nicer for half the price. Who cares it'll way a little more.
Nov 4 2011 11:20AM
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grambo
Posts: 1125 - Karma: 93
Dude, at that price (Dukes for less than P18s - both new I assume?) forget about trekkers. Trekkers do not tour well, take up space in your pack and are clumsy. Not that Dukes are great touring bindings, but they work and it sounds like you are interested in short lift assisted stuff anyway.

Dukes do not give up much on the way down, I weigh 205# and have skied mine the past 3 seasons, probably about 85% in bounds and 15% touring, both sidecountry and full touring days (Whistler area). I don't ski park, but they have seen hardpack, mank, moguls and I'm not the smoothest skier on the hill. The only problem I've had is a bit of slop that developed last year because I wasn't patient enough clearing out ice on some skin->ski transitions.

Unless you are going huge all the time off cliffs and not landing smooth, and skiing a lot of park, you don't need a high din metal alpine bindings, although I agree with CA that metal 916s are the best alpine bindings ever, I have an older pair (900S series) I've had since 1997 and they are still working perfectly. Bombproof.
Nov 4 2011 11:47AM
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Drop~The~Disk
Posts: 96 - Karma: 11
You should take a look at the "MFD Alltimes"

Just had them mounted under my STH 16s on a pair of Czars and I'm stoked to try them out.

New this year and look like they might just be the answer you're looking for.
(And hopefully the answer I was looking for)
A little pricey though...

1. Allow for near regular ski flex under the boot
2. Keep your boot a near regular height off the ski (actually 1/4 in closer to the ski than the Duke)
3. Allow for the feel of a regular alpine binding while giving you the ability to unlock and tour to those hard to reach places.

Check em out.

Nov 4 2011 11:57AM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
do you try to form every response into a poem?


Nov 4 2011 12:27PM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124

sometimes yes

sumtimes no

ya never know what direction the next sfb post might go

but that treckercombo thing in requards to ya you can tour but sure would suck if your shitty tool cost your bros life, but I'm sure you rock on those things and are an emt or better

Nov 4 2011 1:21PM
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Bonzalo
Posts: 2593 - Karma: 1,812
Is the combo I have, and it sure has pros and cons as all the others, but it works fine for me. And I never stated that the Trekkers were fast and efficient... What I ment to say was:

Can you tour with the trekkers, YES, are they the best combo, NO, can you find your buried partner while using them, YES, Is it the fastes and most efficient way, NO.

It is a simple combo for easy tours.
Nov 5 2011 12:59PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Ok, it's come down to two options:

S916 for 100€
Dukes for 200€, but then I'd need to buy the 132mm stoppers for an additional 40€ and a skins for 100+.

The problem is that I don't have any friends who have a touring setup. That's my main concern, am I going to tour alone? Fuck no, dangerous as hell...
Nov 10 2011 4:01AM
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canterbury
Posts: 2382 - Karma: 55
I haven't used them, but here's a review of the Alltimes:

http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/mfd-alltime-alpine-touring-binding
Nov 10 2011 5:43AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
I read that review yesterday, looks legit, but kinda outta my budget.
Nov 10 2011 6:37AM
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Backyard.Skier
Posts: 5397 - Karma: 1,497
my friends ripped out when he dropped a 180 off a 25ft cliff. they went into the touring mode thing where the heel comes up and when it couldn't go any higher the whole binding ripped out but otherwise he hadn't had any problems with it before maybe just a awkward landing
Nov 10 2011 11:49AM
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Hughes
Posts: 1023 - Karma: 940
Are you a big fatty?
Nov 10 2011 1:21PM
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iLLbiLLy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 2,631
I would also like to know this
Dec 2 2011 6:34PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
bump

anyone have some experience with dukes/barons ?

positive or negative ?
Jun 2 2012 6:01PM
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fatthew
Posts: 8 - Karma: 15
I have Dukes on my Bibbys and they're bombproof.

I've skied this setup pretty hard (lots of cliffs, backcountry kickers, long tours) and haven't had a single issue, except they're on the heavy side, but whatever. No issues landing switch off cliffs - just make sure to remove snow\ice from the binding and press firmly down on the heel piece when switching from touring mode.





Jun 2 2012 9:22PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
I'll let you know next year.

I just ordered a pair of Dukes. So happy.

They're 199€ right now on sale at Sport-conrad.de
Just need a pair of skins now. Probably getting BD Ascension.
Jun 3 2012 5:36AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
^^exactly why i need answers before next season :)
i was gonna go for jesters, but seeing the jester 16 is 189euro, the jester 18 and duke are both 199, i was thinking of getting the dukes, just because i can ...
Jun 3 2012 5:39AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
The few scare-stories out there are always crap to hear when buying something. But just look at the athletes that throw down on them. They ski 10x harder than any of us and they seem to manage. Bang for your buck: they're awesome with this deal.
Jun 3 2012 5:57AM
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