Spare tire for Xplore binding?

[randoskier]

I am sure Rottafella will swiftly take care of the pin problem with their new binding but anything mechanical can break at some point.

So you are skiing in the middle of nowhere, a few days from a road and your Xplore binding breaks- what is the temporary binding solution to reach civilization?

Only thing I can think of is to duct tape the sharp ski edges in the attachment area, put a large hose-clamp (I have two in my repair kit for mulit-day tours) over the binding zone on the boot and the ski, put two long Voile straps over this area as well to augment it, the duct tape will save them from the ski edges. Put the skins on the ski to cover the Voile straps where they cross the ski base (you won't be breaking speed records anyway so skins will not slow you down much more. Then walk-ski-limp out. Might work might not...

Any other ideas?

[Inspiredcapers]

I haven’t touched one of these bindings yet. Are they left/right foot specific? If not then they seem light enough to carry a spare for the situation described. If not that, how about loosening off the binding and sliding your hose clamp/Voile strap combo between the binding and ski then tighten back up (longer screw required?).

Large hose clamps- brilliant idea for the repair kit. What size?

[Stephen]

Here’s another idea from @Tom M. Would require planning ahead, but looks pretty sold.

[havuja]

Use inserts (Binding Freedom, Quiver Killer) to attach your binding, add also inserts for universal binding, keep a binding (and screws) in pulk. Should keep a severe failure from ruining the trip with any binding.

Epok binding is light, and you might be able to make it work (by adding a PE spacer plate for example) with any pattern to avoid more inserts.

OAC EA is good, and works with 3-pin 3 hole pattern.

[telerat]

Xplore is not right/left specific, so carrying a spare is quite possible. The binding is very simple and looks more solid than NNN-BC and maybe even 75mm. It is the pins in the boot what I'd worry most about. A few short pins to insert into the boot and binding if the pin sticks depressed or breaks may be an option worth investigating. I also like Tom M's contraption as a last resort for any binding.

I think calling rescue may well be needed in the case of catastrophic failure far from civilization, and that is free here in Norway at least. It's not something to gamble on and it's best to be self sufficient, but if everything fails it is good to know you usually can be rescued.

[randoskier]

Xplore is not right/left specific, so carrying a spare is quite possible. The binding is very simple and looks more solid than NNN-BC and maybe even 75mm. It is the pins in the boot what I'd worry most about. A few short pins to insert into the boot and binding if the pin sticks depressed or breaks may be an option worth investigating. I also like Tom M's contraption as a last resort for any binding.

I think calling rescue may well be needed in the case of catastrophic failure far from civilization, and that is free here in Norway at least. It's not something to gamble on and it's best to be self sufficient, but if everything fails it is good to know you usually can be rescued.

Hi Rat. A 250 EUR spare is a bit pricey! Would not help anyway, a spare pair of boots would but not so pratical they should make a rescue sole you can put your boot on and clip in.

I like the spare pin idea. I asked Rottafella their idea today but they did not address that. They are shipping my boots up to Norway on DHL tomorrow and changing the pins on both boots.

They said if a pin is stuck and you push the opposite pin it will come out. Not sure if that is the case as I did not try it- I got it to pop out with a knife tip and repeatedly pushing on it.

Yes changing the binding does not help because the spring loaded pin is in the boot so I think hose clamp is best you can do if you have pin failure. I plan to investigate the spare pin idea, I think Rotty should sell them because anything mechanical can and will break.

I am happy with the way Rotty is handling this issue, they are on it and working fast to resolve it.

[Ira]

Has anyone had an XPLORE pin come out or fail? Just wanted to know because sometimes go up to 2 miles away from the car (I realize that's a lot less than most people) but wanted to know the likelihood of the XPLORE system failing. I have had some times that I thought I was in, but wasn't, but in those situations I figure it out in the first 2 steps/kicks.

[telemarius]

Has anyone had an XPLORE pin come out or fail? Just wanted to know because sometimes go up to 2 miles away from the car (I realize that's a lot less than most people) but wanted to know the likelihood of the XPLORE system failing. I have had some times that I thought I was in, but wasn't, but in those situations I figure it out in the first 2 steps/kicks.

Ira, I had the Xplore pin get stuck inside my Alfa Free boot. Tried wedgeing it out, only ended up pushing it further in. Didn't prepare for this (even though I've seen the issue --just figured it would not happen to me ). Was out 7km from the parking lot. Did a quick fix with duct tape. It gave out after 5km due to the steel edges. Happily, the pin had come out by itself by then.

Contacted Rottefella by email, they sent me a prepaid postal slip. Going to send them my shoes for a free repair.

[telerat]

The issue with Xplore till now has been pins sticking and not coming out, so if your pins are sticky or you are unsure, contact Rottefella; they offer quick repair with free shipping. Being prepared to use the tip of the ski pole or other longer pointy item/tool to push on either side to make pins come out if stuck, can possibly be smart as a backup. I have used my boots quite a few times now and even though one pin has acted up a little (not as smooth as the other 3), I have not had any problems with it becoming stuck and I don't worry yet.

Clicking in effortless 100% (instead of 80-90%) is the only usability problem with Xplore, because otherwise I prefer it to both NNN and 75mm. I have started to wiggle my boot to check if it is properly in before starting, but I do think the binding/pin interface could be improved to solve this.

Regarding backup; I totally agree that the price is too high, even if I'd only bring one extra binding and not a pair (I do hope the price comes down and one can buy Xplore instead of NNN-BC without price being a large factor). I still believe the binding looks very robust and reliable and that the pins are the main weakness to fail. Depending on weight and strength anything can fail, and each should consider what that means for their use. I also wonder how strong the pin cartridge is anchored to the boot, as I have read others pulling the NNN-BC bar out from those shoes. A backup like Tom M's could be a good idea regardless of system.

[randoskier]

@Tom M

Hi Tom your rescue-binding idea is great. I looked on-line for the Rovtop straps that you use, but all I could find was Rovtop bra straps. Assuming yours were not the spoils of a panty-raid (?) ...where did you acquire these straps? They look pretty robust. Thanks and ciao from Italy!