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Which Bindings? - EP Pros

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rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
Hey guys, I have the EP Pros from 2010-2011 and I need to slap some bindings on them. I know there are a few other threads on this topic but everyone is different in height, weight, and the way and what they ski so i thought it best to make my own.

Firstly im 5'10'' and 78kg (175lb). My style of skiing is how the ski is meant to be skied, so aggressive but playful in the deep. Il also be skiing in Japan, heading into the back country and hitting some big drops.

With the skis being so wide (126) underfoot there aren't many brakes wide enough but iI hear you can bend them to fit - is this sensible? Ive looked mainly at Jesters and the FKS due to people on here raving about them, but there brakes aren't wide enough (unless you bend them). I also hear Salomon have some good ones but I have little experience with them.

I also want the binding to be durable as I really don't want to keep changing them about and will move them from ski to ski (in the long run, hopefully save me some money).

So NS, can you help give me some more information on your experiences with each, what you can recommend for me so I can get the right set.

Thanks
Dec 2 2011 4:39AM
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rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
Sorry, I should add that i dont need touring bindings.
Dec 2 2011 4:57AM
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-ShredTheGnar-
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 111
I rate Salomon sth 16s
pretty bomb proof binding.

I put jesters on my hellbents and i regret it so much.
Dec 2 2011 5:17AM
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iffe
Posts: 984 - Karma: 120
You can get Jesters with 132 mm brakes. Good bindings, they're what I had on my EPs.
Dec 2 2011 9:01AM
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c4t_l0ver
Posts: 5485 - Karma: 810
I have sth driver 14's on my ep's .and I'm really liking my setup
Dec 2 2011 10:28AM
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hollygrove
Posts: 7845 - Karma: 93
You can never go wrong with the Head Mojo/4FRNT Deadbolt 15!
Dec 2 2011 11:53AM
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skiingute
Posts: 630 - Karma: 15
I have Jesters on my Live Life's and can't complain. As long as you're rocking a 14+ din binding you will be just fine.
Dec 2 2011 12:40PM
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SlurrP
Posts: 172 - Karma: 26
i ski deadbolt 18's on my CRJs and 15s on my turbos - burly burly binders
Dec 2 2011 12:43PM
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zack_h123
Posts: 314 - Karma: 109
put either some sth 14 drivers or some 16s on them, you cant go wrong, iv got 16s on mine and I'm about the same weight as you.
Dec 2 2011 12:56PM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
I ski the mojo 18x on my newlifes.

all the mojo/peak/deadbolt are the same binding and all burly as hell... plus they're easier to clip in and out of than FKS in deeep snow. you don't really consider that, but fks on pow skis can sometimes be a bitch.
Dec 2 2011 1:08PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 235
Look p18. By far the burliest binding on the market. The fks pivot is the same thing.
Dec 2 2011 1:08PM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
the look p18 is the look pivot 18

the fks is just the fks 18

I understand that the binding is the same, but there is no such thing as a rossignol fks pivot

Dec 2 2011 1:13PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 235
I meant fks and pivot are the same. Thanks for clearing that up!
Dec 2 2011 1:31PM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
haha, i figured thats what you were shooting for, either way a bombproof binding.

another alternative is older fks 155's. they have the same full metal construction as the 18's but with a more reasonable din range and lighter weight.
Dec 2 2011 1:45PM
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Claywilliams
Posts: 332 - Karma: 28
I have 2010 Salomon Z12 oversize's on my Ep Pro's, they super light and i ride my dins at like a 9.5ish, done great for me have no complaints. They arent to expensive either, i bought them with the ski on Untracked.com and they were like $150
Dec 3 2011 10:52PM
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Claywilliams
Posts: 332 - Karma: 28
I am a bit lighter and shorter than you though, but the eps are 127 not 126
Dec 3 2011 10:53PM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
yea i got the 2010/2011 STH 14's and they're super durable
Dec 4 2011 12:47AM
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dbchili
Posts: 2555 - Karma: 1,657
man i've got pivots on a pair of hellbents and had to bend the brakes to get em on, i definitely don't recommend bending brakes or putting pivots on your pow skis. The pivots are a bitch to click into in pow, i literally have to bend down brush out all the snow and lift up the brake every time, and when bending the brakes my friend snapped one arm off, and then when bending the other the entire heel piece exploded and it took me 2 hours to put it back together.

From what i've heard, sth 14 with the driver toe is the way to go for pow skis
Dec 4 2011 12:55AM
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rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
Thanks guys,

So im getting the impression that even though the FKS/ Pivots are a good binding there not really the best for a powder ski, so i should rule them out. Correct?

The STH 14 or 16s seem to be my best bet then. Ive never head of the Head Mojo/4FRNT Deadbolt's could someone tell me a little more about them and if i should consider them over the STH series?
Dec 4 2011 10:57PM
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hollygrove
Posts: 7845 - Karma: 93
I've never been on Salomon's, but I have skied both FKS and Tyrolia's (Mojo, 4frnt, Fischer, etc.) quite a bit. I love FKS, I've never had much of an issue with my FKS - I can understand that they'd be a little annoying in pow, but it really isnt that bad. The brakes have always annoyed me a bit on FKS ( I havn't been on a pair of the re-released ones, brake issue might not be there anymore) Tyrolia's are awesome though. I've skied on two pairs of the 15's and one pair of the 18 over the years and have never had an issue. They've taken a lot of abuse and are still bomber.
I've had FKS rip out of my fatter skis 3 times now part of me is convinced the mount pattern of FKS isn't as good for pow skis. But then again there's so many people out there running FKS on fat skis so I must have just been unlucky 3 times.
I am determined to stay a Tyrolia man from here on out, I've never had a complaint, and you can usually find them for quite a bit cheaper than other bindings of the same caliber (STH/FKS/Jester)
Dec 4 2011 11:15PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
You can bend the new FKS/Pivot "XXL" (hardly XXL at only 115mm) over skis this size without too much trouble, so don't let that stop you.

I agree that turntable heels can be a pig to get into properly in pow but I still have them on my pow skis, they're just so solid.
I've never tried STHs so can't really comment.
Had Jesters (on EPs for that matter) but kept breaking them. IMO their only winning point in this comparison is that the 132mm brake will drop straight on to the ski and you'll never have to worry about it hanging up or anything.

So my ranking is probably:
FKS/Pivot 14 or 18, whatever suits you, as long as you can live with fighting your way into them at times
STH, enough people love it that it's gotta be good
Jester

And my friend raves about his Deadbolt 18's on his Hellbents. So they're probably worth considering too.
Dec 5 2011 3:46AM
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FreezerKid
Posts: 744 - Karma: 274
sth's are a good bet but only get the driver ones beacuse the plastic oftern breaks, heard nothing but bad things about the life span and durability of markers, fks are fricken bomb proof, if u have the extra money i would say go for them but if not u wont be dissapointed with the sth's
Dec 5 2011 7:16AM
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rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
OK cool thanks peeps,

So im going to narrow it down to either the STH or FKS Pivots then - this just makes it easier to make a decision that having to many bindings and im not great at decision making.

It seems like the FKS are a more bomber binding, but with the brakes size its a bit annoying. In powder, most bindings are a bitch to get into anyway. Im also going to get them mounted in Japan, will there be shops there that can bend the brakes for me? I assume there will be places to get them mounted obviously but will also bend the brakes without messing it up/ know what there doing?

STH seem like a good option because they will be easier to mount with the brakes and i wont have to worry about braking anything. Less to worry about and people seem to rate them. Any one have a problem with them ripping out as well?

So really would you say its just a question or how easy is it to get the brakes to fit? If it will be a bit of a nightmare or risk pulling them as people have said and go with the STHs? Or have those people with problems just been unlucky and go with a binding that most people rate as the best binding out?


Dec 5 2011 10:59PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868

Where are you going in Japan? Bear in mind that anything ski related costs insane money there for some reason, be prepared to pay $100+ for a mount.

If you're going to Niseko, I can point you to a REALLY good tech, same guy that bent my FKS for my Hellbents (132mm waist

Dec 5 2011 11:29PM
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ReetsAdeets
Posts: 1531 - Karma: 611

Well if you use the fks 18s to their full potential, youll never eject so putting them back on won't be an issue.

But either fks, salomon drivers, jesters, or maybe a Salomon 916

Dec 6 2011 12:04AM
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MagSeven
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 412

I have the EP Pros, and have them mounted with Look Pivot bindings. They work just fine. The wide brakes are slightly too narrow, but I've bent them out and had no problems with them at all.

I am in Japan too incidentally. Where are you gonna be riding?

Dec 6 2011 2:29AM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
FKS/Pivot = best out there.


Easy enough to bend the brakes to accommodate a slightly wider ski. If you are adept at all at getting skis on in powder, they are not an issue (just give em a good scraping kick and boo ya). Solid as all bloody hell. Small mounting area is also money.
Dec 6 2011 2:46AM
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Abc567def
Posts: 8756 - Karma: 801
Dyno Px 18's

I had them on my bents when I went to japan and absolutely loved them. Such a solid and stable binding
Dec 6 2011 4:50AM
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rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
Hey, im going to be in Niseko for the majority of the time and then do a tour round everywhere in Hokkaido so yea that would be great if you could! Nothing I can really do about mounting costs, I currently live in Hong Kong and I doubt theres anywhere I can get skis mounted here any way, ha.

So yea - MagSeven il be at Niseko. Going there just before new year and leaving on the 15th. Where you going be? Been there more than the season coming?

And back onto bindings. It seems as if the FKS/ Pivots are going to be my best bet now everything seems to be sorted out and ive been reassured. If anyone does have any other suggestions or opinions im still happy to hear as I still got a bit of time to get them. Otherwise if I do end up having any problems then il pick up some STH or look more into the other suggested bindings here.

Thanks everyone!
Dec 6 2011 8:33AM
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lands11
Posts: 1818 - Karma: 1,677
Just posting my experience with STH 16s. Now that I have them I probably will never buy a different binding. They are so durable and super easy to click in, especially in powder. I have never used marker bindings but if I were you I wouldn't rule them out. As everyone said fks are great bindings but not the best in pow. Good luck making your decision!
Dec 6 2011 9:03AM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 235
Just a thought unless you are boot packing won't you always be in your skis when skiing powder? I don't see what the deal is about them being hard to click into unless you are hiking.
Dec 6 2011 9:10AM
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flatland
Posts: 726 - Karma: 77
The FKS brakes also fit larger than the advertised without bending. I've mounted them on Royales, Renegades, which are both 122mm waist with no issues and a little room to spare.
Dec 6 2011 9:13AM
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kperron
Posts: 154 - Karma: 13
Pivot/ FKS is the only binding.. everything else you sacrifice quality for price noooo doubt... Second best i would say is a Tyrolia 15 or 18.... yuuppp
Dec 6 2011 2:25PM
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mr.k2
Posts: 504 - Karma: 156
Marker Jesters or Jester Pros.
Dec 6 2011 2:30PM
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MagSeven
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 412

Yeah, I've lived here for about 18 months now. I'm between Sapporo and Asahikawa. We've had a way better start this year than last winter. There's been decent skiing since mid November. Am at work now looking out the window and its dumping, as it has been for the past week or so. Looking forward to getting out and riding this evening!

Hope you get your bindings sorted! Enjoy the EPs, probably a perfect ski for Hokkaido. I'll look out for you and your skis in Niseko, I'll probably be down there for a few days around 10th Jan....

Dec 6 2011 8:00PM
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SteezoSaurus
Posts: 2630 - Karma: 2,670
I would have to throw in another vote for the FKS. I have been riding it for 4 years now and they are extremely durable. I am also a big fan of the super low ride height. It seems to make landing jumps seem a bit more stable particularly if the snow is variable.
Dec 6 2011 8:13PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868

Go to BonTak... god knows what the address is but someone will be able to point you to it. It's down some street on the right when you're walking up the main street through town.

Go see this guy:

http://www.bontak.jp/en/aboutus/introduction.php

Takeshi (aka "Tak") is the man for this kinda stuff. He may laugh at your FKS18's for not having enough DIN, he is a complete madman.

Tell him one of the guys from Gordons sent you. Beer may help.

Dec 6 2011 8:17PM
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