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Dynafit Radical Vs. Salmon Guardian 12

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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
Sup guys, I'm trying to decide what bindings to put on my Moment Bibby 174cm skis. I've heard great things about both bindings but and am stuck on which to get. Realistically, I'll probably be using these as both a BC and resort ski. Ideally, I'd like to be touring on them much more than skiing lifts though.

I'm only 5'2" 115lbs but I ski pretty aggressively (yeah, yeah, /claim). I have the Technica Cochise boot so I can get the tech fittings if I end up with the radicals. I also really like the fact that the Radicals are 1,000 grams lighter than the Guardians but am worried about the durability if I rock them in bounds on the regular. I've heard they're pretty durable, but I'm not sure if the weight savigns are worth it and if I should just go for the new Guardians coming out that are the 12 DINs (only difference is the springs). Also, I don't htink I need the Dynafit Beast because it starts at a DIN of 6, and I usually rock a 6.5-7 DIN depending on the binding.


Thoughts/Opinions???
Sep 18 2013 4:00PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,493
If your going to be using these as your everyday ski I would prob suggest the guardian 13 (its a 13 not 12) but honestly either will prob work as your small. I have known people use dynafits for resort use but they are guys who don't worry about releasing. If you are looking for a good all round binding to be used as much inbounds as out go guardian.
Sep 18 2013 4:05PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
They're definitely not going to be my every day ski. I have the Moment PB&J for my erryday ski and a pair of (trashed) 4frnt CRJ's for jibby tree skiing pow days.
Sep 18 2013 4:17PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,493
Well if your after a light setup for touring go dynafit. It will still be ok for a couple of inbounds days but be a lot lighter for actual touring.
Sep 18 2013 4:22PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
Do you think it can handle my lightweight self hucking my meat either in-bounds or out?
Sep 18 2013 4:27PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,493
They will be fine for you your only small so don't worry. They can have some releasing on twisting but that motion is more in spinning hard so for touring use there should be no issue. If they were your everyday ski an may be used in park as well go guardian but I'm sure you will be fine.
Sep 18 2013 4:31PM
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m-ruta
Posts: 160 - Karma: 168
You probably won't enjoy having your fillings rattled out by the metal on metal rigidity of Dynafits on a bad inbounds day, but you also won't really enjoy going uphill on guardians ever. Good workout though.

Rads are for touring, but will function inbounds. Guardians are for inbounds and the occasional walk. Up to you which you think will work better for your skiing.
Sep 18 2013 8:27PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
Good thing I don't have an fillings! I wouldn't be skiing these on "bad" in bounds days. Like I said above, I have other skis for that. I'd be skiing the PB&J prob 80-90% of the time, and swapping between my CRJ's and these Bibby's the other 10-20%. I'd mostly be touring on this setup, but I'd also rock them on the deeper days seeing as they're my fattest skis. I'll also both be riding them on booters and hucking myself when possible... hense, why I'm asking for people's opinions who have experience with the bindings as I have ridden niether. My current touring setup is Salomon Guns with the NAXO Freeride21 bindings so anything except a Fritchi would be a step up from that.



Being the small guy I am, I like the idea of the weight savings on the dynafits and I"ve heard they're pretty damn durable, but I also like what I've heard about the alpine-esque skiing feeling of the Guardians as well.

Bottom line is I'm interested in both bindings and would like to hear what and why people prefer either/or. I.E. Why I posted this in Gear Talk and not Ski Gabber.
Sep 19 2013 2:32AM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
Have you thought about getting inserts? I'm planning on getting inserts for my renegades for radicals/fks. that way, i can shred the resort on an alpine binding but when i tour i can throw the radicals on them.

also, have you considered the SI & I system? Pretty pricy but from what i've heard and read it's a bomber system.

if none of those options suit you, than i would still get the dynafits. they will be much better for when you tour and if you don't ski them on shitty inbounds days and use them strictly for touring and good resort days, i can't see any problems seeing how you are a lighter guy. good luck!
Sep 19 2013 11:32PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
I have thought about inserts, but can't really afford to get two pairs of bindings right now. It's definitely a good option though and I like the suggestion.

Is the Si & I the same thing as the CAST system?
Sep 20 2013 12:41AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
Also, something I came to realize today. The Bibby's are pretty light, but they're not Black Diamond touring light. Is it even worth putting the dynafits on a ski like the Bibby or am I just trippin and over thinking all of this? Just tryna make sure I get a dope setup that'll last me a while...
Sep 20 2013 12:46AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
.
Oct 3 2013 1:04PM
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BskiP
Posts: 1369 - Karma: 223
metal on metal rigidity? They have a carbon base plate, dampens pretty damn well.
Oct 3 2013 1:13PM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
skiing groomers or courderouy on the dynafits is meh at best the carbon plate don't help
much
I use em in and out of bounds pretty hard on big skis
definitely a dynafiddle learning curve you don't just stomp in and go but plenty durable & bomber
swaela warranty
if your gonna turn earn there's a reason that most who can git done what they want to git done with a 12 din and tech boot drink the koolaid hell there's xtrax strength 16 flavor if ya got a g for binders this year
want a better workout do another lap bro

Oct 3 2013 9:08PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
If you want to ski the Bibbys a lot (and you probably will), go for dual inserts for Dynafits and a Salomon/Marker alpine model that will fit your tech soles. Just go for used Speeds or Vertical STs plus used STH 14s if you need to make it work for your budget. If that's a stretch, get the Dynafits now and get the inserts and alpine bindings later. Consider selling your CRJs if needed.
Oct 4 2013 12:51AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
I have the Cochise boot so I didn't have to buy 2 pairs of boots for apline/touring. Just gotta switch the soles instead. Where do you even get inserts though? I haven't ever seen them anywhere and how would mounting them work? I'd be worried about rust and/or creating weak points in the ski as well as losing bolts and stuff when swapping them out frequently.
Oct 4 2013 1:06AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
Were you drunk when you posted this?
Oct 4 2013 1:07AM
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Banane.
Posts: 3102 - Karma: 414
cast system maybe?

On another note, my friend Holger ( Rip ) was skiing some czar whit some dynafit radical in Revy all year long. He never had problem until one of his bindng rip out of the ski, but I'm pretty sure it's because of the ski was old and the core was weak.
Guardian are good for small tour, some as baron's and such, but if you plan on doing some touring, long tours, get dynafit.

My next setup will be dynafit, but I need new boots and new ski before.

Oct 4 2013 1:26AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Yeah the boots will work fine for everything but bindings are more of a compromise which is why interchangeable bindings are the key for your situation unless you only plan using the Bibbys for touring and skiing good snow, which you said isn't the case.

Switching the Tecnica soles is a pain in the ass while getting your shit together in the morning and you're already late for your ride, especially when switching to the tech soles and making sure they're lined up straight, so the less swaps the better. If all of your alpine bindings can fit the tech sole you'll never need to swap to the DIN sole. Even if only some of them do, that means less swapping, less hassle. If your other bindings have fixed toe heights then it's still worth it and you can ski the Bibbys with whatever soles are currently on your boots and toe height in about 30 seconds.

Inserts: find an experienced shop guy to do them for you and don't worry about the rest.

...or just get F12s. You won't break them.
Oct 4 2013 1:44AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
If I didn't already have an alpine quiver with DIN only bindings that's be a great idea and I probably should've done that with the Lord coming out. BUT, I already have the PB&J and CRJ both with Tyrolia/4frnt Peak/Deadbolt bindings on them (i.e. no toe-adjustment) and I can't afford a second boot right now (although I'd like to get a touring specific boot in the future), let alone two bindings and the cost of paying someone to do a complicated mount like inserts.

I'm confused by the part I quoted here though. Would that not apply to my situation since I already have my main pairs of alpine skis with non-adjustable toe heights and only one boot or did I read it wrong? Are you saying I could just put the dynafits on there for when I need to use them and leave the DIN bindings/soles on the rest of the time?
Oct 4 2013 2:00AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
I do like the idea of inserts though. Now that I'm thinking about it, I like the idea of putting alpine bindings on them and swapping out the dynafits for when I need them. Seems real complicated though and just as big of a hassle if not more than swapping out DIN soles.
Oct 4 2013 2:05AM
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