AT frame bindings affect downhill performance?

Depends on the binding. I haven't been able to notice to much on my guardians.....but dukes are very high off the ski. I wouldn't want to ski rails on the guardians....but they a good for most everything else.

Short answer:
Yes.

Long answer:
Depends on how much attention you pay to your gear.


In soft snow I felt no noticeable difference between the stack height of a Marker Duke versus an FKS/Pivot.
On groomers/firm snow I did notice a slight increase in edge to edge time when mounted on wide (116mm) skis.

With that being said in a couple of turns I I'd completely forgotten about them.

To me, the difference was negligible.

Peach.Short answer:
Yes.

Long answer:
Depends on how much attention you pay to your gear.


In soft snow I felt no noticeable difference between the stack height of a Marker Duke versus an FKS/Pivot.
On groomers/firm snow I did notice a slight increase in edge to edge time when mounted on wide (116mm) skis.

With that being said in a couple of turns I I'd completely forgotten about them.

To me, the difference was negligible.

I've got frame bindings mounted on Opus's and wish I never did it, but I think the reason is that those year Opus's were super soft skis and the frame fucks with flexing the skis. I don't think you'd notice the frame being stiff in the middle if you're already skiing a stiff ski, though like you said the height still makes a difference on the hard pack.

I can't attest much to the height fucking with me on the hard pack because the frame bindings are mounted on my powder skis and I flat just don't bring those out when there isn't a bunch of new snow. I've heard other people complain about this though, so maybe frame bindings aren't a great idea for the daily drivers or ice coasters in general.

sendotologistI've got frame bindings mounted on Opus's and wish I never did it, but I think the reason is that those year Opus's were super soft skis and the frame fucks with flexing the skis. I don't think you'd notice the frame being stiff in the middle if you're already skiing a stiff ski, though like you said the height still makes a difference on the hard pack.

I can't attest much to the height fucking with me on the hard pack because the frame bindings are mounted on my powder skis and I flat just don't bring those out when there isn't a bunch of new snow. I've heard other people complain about this though, so maybe frame bindings aren't a great idea for the daily drivers or ice coasters in general.

Interesting.

I had, and am currently looking at, the exact same set up. 14/15 Opus's with Dukes. I skied them with FKS's before I warrantied them and with Dukes after. Physics dictates that there's going to be an increased dead spot underfoot in the flex but I honestly couldn't tell the difference. And I put those skis through every condition I'm capable as a skier. I buttered the shit out of them, skied them in deep pow, Billy bootees, and took them to RMNP and skied couloirs in refrozen spring snow.

It may just come down to a person preference.

Peach.Interesting.

I had, and am currently looking at, the exact same set up. 14/15 Opus's with Dukes. I skied them with FKS's before I warrantied them and with Dukes after. Physics dictates that there's going to be an increased dead spot underfoot in the flex but I honestly couldn't tell the difference. And I put those skis through every condition I'm capable as a skier. I buttered the shit out of them, skied them in deep pow, Billy bootees, and took them to RMNP and skied couloirs in refrozen spring snow.

It may just come down to a person preference.

I literally feel the ski flexing from the tip to the binding and then it's just dead. I'm also a Colorado skier and when we get dry powder I don't notice it, but I distinctly remember some ultra deep, wetter snow days (god damn Steamboat) where the flex issue was really prevalent.

To be clear, these are the 13/14 Opus's, so maybe those are softer than the 14/15s by enough of a margin to make a difference. Could also just come down to skier style; maybe I press the tips more than you normally do or something, though that seems unlikely if you "buttered the shit out of them" and couldn't tell any difference. It's hard to know.

All I do know is I won't get frame bindings on soft skis again. Hope you enjoy your setup though hombre.

sendotologistI literally feel the ski flexing from the tip to the binding and then it's just dead. I'm also a Colorado skier and when we get dry powder I don't notice it, but I distinctly remember some ultra deep, wetter snow days (god damn Steamboat) where the flex issue was really prevalent.

To be clear, these are the 13/14 Opus's, so maybe those are softer than the 14/15s by enough of a margin to make a difference. Could also just come down to skier style; maybe I press the tips more than you normally do or something, though that seems unlikely if you "buttered the shit out of them" and couldn't tell any difference. It's hard to know.

All I do know is I won't get frame bindings on soft skis again. Hope you enjoy your setup though hombre.

Interesting again.

I'm a Steamboat local as well. I've moved on from the frame bindings onto a couple pairs of dedicated tech set up skis for touring. Crazy that we could have such vastly different experiences.

Anyways, If you've been here awhile we probably know each other. Let's grab a beer and bitch about it sometime.

Peach.Interesting again.

I'm a Steamboat local as well. I've moved on from the frame bindings onto a couple pairs of dedicated tech set up skis for touring. Crazy that we could have such vastly different experiences.

Anyways, If you've been here awhile we probably know each other. Let's grab a beer and bitch about it sometime.

Not a Steamboat local- used to live in Granby and made the trek over there all the time to ski when the snow was good. Winter Park is a great place to ski.. just not on the weekends when all of the Front Range is there, so going the opposite way to Steamboat was always my call on a weekend powder day. Still in Colorado though and get up to Steamboat occasionally, so perhaps a beer and bitch about frame bindings session next time I'm up there.