Question: Will Binding Freedom inserts substantially reduce the structural strength of skis? I feel pretty confident that a larger surface area will probably only help prevent a binding from ripping out. However, I am concerned about skis snapping due to the additional material removed for the larger inserts. Has anybody used these for park? Second question... are they compatible with the CAST System for touring?
Background: I'm a 6'3" 200 pound aggressive park skier. To put it in perspective, I enjoy spinning jumps up to about 40 feet, and will hit 60 foot jumps, but also have skied Corbet's and enjoyed that as well. I just bought 3 pairs of new skis and two pairs of bindings. Two are park skis ... a used, good condition 2009 Salomon Suspect 181 for $70, and a new 2017 Line Chronic 185 for $300. The third is a new 2017 Nordica Patron 193, for $377. I have two pairs of new 2018 Look Pivot 14's on the way, one with a 95mm brake, and the other with a 115mm brake (they were about $170 each). The Suspects and Chronics will take the 95mm brake, and the Patron will take the 115mm brake, in addition to eventually accommodating a CAST System plate for touring (later on).
Basically, I'm trying to solve 3 problems. 1. Making it so I don't have to buy a 3rd Look Pivot 14. I'd like to transfer the binding with the 95mm brake between the Chronic and the Suspect to save money. 2. To reduce the number of drill holes in my skis. BF holes are reusable. Regular binding holes are essentially untouchable places leftover in skis once the binding is removed. When I switch to the CAST System for my Patron's, I'll be using the same hole pattern as when the Look Pivots were there. It'd be nice to be able to pop that over myself, and not have to pay more money to have the skis remounted, in addition to losing my preferred mounting location.
I think its going to be about $50 per pair to do BF, so it should be about $70 cheaper for the park setup. And about the same price for the Patron's but in a way that *I'm guessing* won't depreciate the value of the skis as badly, if I ever sell.
Thanks guys!
A quick word on blocking ads
It looks like you are using an ad blocker. That's okay. Who doesn't? But without advertising revenue, we can't keep making this site awesome. Click the link below for instructions on disabling adblock.
