New 75mm Bindings

[Finneus]

Hi all, was looking for some help/advice with selecting a new pair of bindings. I've skied on G3 Targas forever and have one set still going and an old srt I'm using for spare parts. A few seasons ago I tried to make the switch to NTN, got a pair of outlaws and hated them. Way too stiff, pivot point was all off, felt like alpine bindings, not for me.

So now I'm in the market for a new set of bindings and want something with the flex similar to the Targas but a little tighter connection to the ski. I'm thinking the Voile Switchbacks might be the one but was hoping for some input from the crowd here.

I ski mostly inbounds, only the occasional Backcountry trip. Been tele skiing for 15+ yrs, don't really care about releasable bindings.
Thanks

[Montana St Alum]

Free Heel Life feels your pain.
Taylor goes over options (actually the one option, a Voile Switchback) starting at time 2:20.
You're right, the Switchback is probably "it".

[Finneus]

Thanks, that confirms what I was thinking. I think I'll stick a pair of switchbacks on my old BD skis and sell the NTN stuff I have.
Appreciate the info

[Montana St Alum]

Thanks, that confirms what I was thinking. I think I'll stick a pair of switchbacks on my old BD skis and sell the NTN stuff I have.
Appreciate the info

As long as you still have the gear, if you haven't already tried the Outlaws as neutral as possible on the settings, it would be a good idea to do so.
I expect you know this, but just in case:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ma ... M%3DHDRSC3

Also, as boot/binding combos become more active, it becomes increasingly important to drop into the tele position by pressing the shin on the rear foot into the tongue of the boot. On the Targa, you can easily drop the knee just by moving the knee down foot back. On NTN, it's a little more necessary to get that rear shin into the tongue to engage the binding.

Giving it another try might save you some money. But, it may be you've done all that, and it's just time to get the Switchbacks.

[Finneus]

Thanks, that confirms what I was thinking. I think I'll stick a pair of switchbacks on my old BD skis and sell the NTN stuff I have.
Appreciate the info

As long as you still have the gear, if you haven't already tried the Outlaws as neutral as possible on the settings, it would be a good idea to do so.
I expect you know this, but just in case:


Also, as boot/binding combos become more active, it becomes increasingly important to drop into the tele position by pressing the shin on the rear foot into the tongue of the boot. On the Targa, you can easily drop the knee just by moving the knee down foot back. On NTN, it's a little more necessary to get that rear shin into the tongue to engage the binding.

Giving it another try might save you some money. But, it may be you've done all that, and it's just time to get the Switchbacks.

Yeah I tried that, did the adjustments, took out the center spring so they only have 1 in there, still no good. I really wanted to like them but just didn't work for me

[Montana St Alum]

You definitely covered all the bases!

[phoenix]

I think you'd like the BD 03's with mid-stiff springs, if you can find a pair (BD dropped their tele bindings). I skied them for many years, with no complaints. I like G3 as a company, and wanted to like the Targa's, but I found them to have a pretty big dead spot when first initiating, or if going deep into a stance. The 03's are consistently smooth and "neutral".

[MacKaye]

Hi, i am new here and sorry for entering this thread, but i do have a similar but diffrent problem.
I do have some G3 Targas in good condition, mounted to some heavy freeride skis and some very old Scarpa T4s in my basement. I am thinking of getting into the XCD side of things, since i do not enjoy the lift access part of skiing any more and would love to get exploring in rolling terrain. I am pretty fit and was doing allright with the above setup in deep snow downhill. I have never done any XC skiing but a few AT stints on my brothers gear.
So do i invest in the old 75mm system and get myself some scaled skis, to continue using my boots and bindings? I can't imagine to go on longer tours in my t4s to be honest. But looking at a current alternative that seems to be able to deliver similar downhill performance like rottefella xplores with some alfa free boots would cost an arm and a leg to get into...
What are youre suggestions? Just get some scaled skis (sbound 98?) and maybe a pair of leather boots for easier terrain later? Or just bite the bullet and go all out, there is nothing i will regret?
Thx!

[GrimSurfer]

Hi, i am new here and sorry for entering this thread, but i do have a similar but diffrent problem.
I do have some G3 Targas in good condition, mounted to some heavy freeride skis and some very old Scarpa T4s in my basement. I am thinking of getting into the XCD side of things, since i do not enjoy the lift access part of skiing any more and would love to get exploring in rolling terrain. I am pretty fit and was doing allright with the above setup in deep snow downhill. I have never done any XC skiing but a few AT stints on my brothers gear.
So do i invest in the old 75mm system and get myself some scaled skis, to continue using my boots and bindings? I can't imagine to go on longer tours in my t4s to be honest. But looking at a current alternative that seems to be able to deliver similar downhill performance like rottefella xplores with some alfa free boots would cost an arm and a leg to get into...
What are youre suggestions? Just get some scaled skis (sbound 98?) and maybe a pair of leather boots for easier terrain later? Or just bite the bullet and go all out, there is nothing i will regret?
Thx!

I can’t imagine longer tours in a plastic boot either.

Based on your post, your needs would be best served by a BC binding, leather boot, and pretty wide ski. It’s good to start at the binding because this is where the interesting compromises come into play.

The Xplore is (to me) the best BC binding system out there in terms of drive. Nice heel lift option too. Flexor options too. This would be what I would choose if I most most interested in climbing and carving. Expensive though.

A 75 mm binding gives you the option of a cable. That’s it’s only advantage over a NNN BC really. They’re comparable in everything else.

A NNN BC Magnum is sleek and simple with adequate hold. A few flexor options too. This would be the obvious choice if the skiing you were planning was broad (flat gliding, moderate climbs, low-to-moderate descents.

Most of the leather boots out there are at the higher (premium end). Some have their quirks, like sole separation on duckbills. The best boot will be the one that fits however.

Lots of options for skis. All depends on what you’re doing in snow conditions. Softer camber is better in powder. Harder camber better in glide. Skins helpful, but not essential, climbing moderate inclines. Full or partial steel edges are a must. You’re in the ballpark with a 100 mm ski with decent side cut. There are all kinds of thoughts on rocker. I suppose this matters more if you’re at the edge of a ski’s weight limit on powder. I usually choose skis that put me in the low end because it gives me room for a pack etc., so I don’t get too obsessed over rocker and tip geometries.

There’s nothing wrong with buying used skis and bindings to stay within a budget. Lots of good deals out there. I’d strongly suggest going this route if you were going from AT to touring. That’s a big step and it’s hard to know what you’re getting into. AT to BC isn’t that big a jump (BC to AT is a bit bigger).

[MacKaye]

Thanks for your answer.
I think would go for the challenge of taking a ski like the S-Bound 98 anywhere, suffer in mellow terrain (they are still very light in my world) and in the steeps. I have been skiing alpine downhill carving skis beyound 190cm off piste and had a blast.
I have been reading as much into this topic as i could find and there seems to be a questionmark when it comes to durability on Xplore when going telemarking on fatter skis in steep terrain. Somehow theres quite a big gap between XCD and nowadays NTN since i last bought some gear (2006).
75mm 3pin without cables is out of the question for me, as i have tried this before and it was too wobbly in comparison to my trusty G3s.
I am afraid Xplore does perform closer to these than to a cable 75mm telemark binding.
I just found these Fischer BCX Transnordic 75 boots. Maybe this is a way to stretch my Targas into XCD territory. What do you think would these compare to?