aanevhttps://www.newschoolers.com/news/read/SHIFT-Salomon-Atomic-Toy-Touring-Binding
I might be wrong but to me it seems the front binding gap is present on all photos in this article. Additionally, I just made an experiment with two unmounted (front) bindings pressed against one another - there is definitely a small gap at the front part so I suppose it is there by design.
It’s a good theory but there’s a reason for it. Shifts have a unique mounting pattern on the toe piece where there are 4 holes like a typical toe piece, but a fifth hole above the set of 4. •
• •
• •
sort of like that^
there is a stud like piece that goes in the top hole, which the toe piece is then slid on to, and then the other 4 screws are screwed into the ski. The gap is from the stud like piece, where the toe piece is slid on to. There’s a gap because once the toe piece is slid on, the stud can’t be tightened down anymore, so there is often a gap.