Bindings Advice Sought
 

The last time I skied, I caught an edge, my bindings didn't release, and
tore a knee cartilage. I can't recall these bindings (Salmon S850 with ~
15 days of use) releasing -- ever -- except in "yard sale" falls. After
several years off skis, my knee has healed to the point that I'm ready
to try skiing again, but I don't want to fzck my knee completely, and
wonder what I should do to make sure my bindings will release safely.

When the bindings were set up, the ski shop asked me for weight, height
and skiing ability, and set the bindings at "7". Given that they never
released, I wonder if they should be set up lighter? And how do I make
sure they're set low enough that I don't reinjure my knee, but don't
release in normal skiing?

Finally, over the years I've heard many people condemn Salomons for
being unforgiving. Is that an old wives tale, or are there safer
bindings I should consider (whether newer Salomons or other make)?

Thanks,

Java

Bindings Advice Sought
 

In article . net,
wrote:

The last time I skied, I caught an edge, my bindings didn't release, and
tore a knee cartilage. I can't recall these bindings (Salmon S850 with ~
15 days of use) releasing -- ever -- except in "yard sale" falls. After
several years off skis, my knee has healed to the point that I'm ready
to try skiing again, but I don't want to fzck my knee completely, and
wonder what I should do to make sure my bindings will release safely.

When the bindings were set up, the ski shop asked me for weight, height
and skiing ability, and set the bindings at "7". Given that they never
released, I wonder if they should be set up lighter? And how do I make
sure they're set low enough that I don't reinjure my knee, but don't
release in normal skiing?

Finally, over the years I've heard many people condemn Salomons for
being unforgiving. Is that an old wives tale, or are there safer
bindings I should consider (whether newer Salomons or other make)?

Thanks,

Java



I think the most important thing you can do with regard to bindings is
to make sure that they are set to a level that manages the risk of
injury at the level *you* want, not what the DIN chart says is right for
you.

The DIN standard makes a good starting point, but if you find that you
aren't releasing in falls that hurt you somewhat, then you might want to
try a little lower setting. Or if you are releasing when you'd rather
stay in, then you may need to set your bindings a little higher.

--
'It is Mac OS X, not BSD.' -- 'From Mac OS to BSD Unix.'
"It's BSD Unix with Apple's APIs and GUI on top of it' -- 'nothing but BSD Unix'
(Edwin on Mac OS X)
'[The IBM PC] could boot multiple OS, such as DOS, C/PM, GEM, etc.' --
'I claimed nothing about GEM other than it was available software for the
IBM PC. (Edwin on GEM)
'Solaris is just a marketing rename of Sun OS.' -- 'Sun OS is not included
on the timeline of Solaris because it's a different OS.' (Edwin on Sun)

Bindings Advice Sought
 

Espressopithecus wrote:

The last time I skied, I caught an edge, my bindings didn't release, and
tore a knee cartilage. I can't recall these bindings (Salmon S850 with ~
15 days of use) releasing -- ever -- except in "yard sale" falls. After
several years off skis, my knee has healed to the point that I'm ready
to try skiing again, but I don't want to fzck my knee completely, and
wonder what I should do to make sure my bindings will release safely.

When the bindings were set up, the ski shop asked me for weight, height
and skiing ability, and set the bindings at "7". Given that they never
released, I wonder if they should be set up lighter? And how do I make
sure they're set low enough that I don't reinjure my knee, but don't
release in normal skiing?

Finally, over the years I've heard many people condemn Salomons for
being unforgiving. Is that an old wives tale, or are there safer
bindings I should consider (whether newer Salomons or other make)?

The anecdotal scuttlebutt rule of thumb is "use Salomon if you want to
be sure to stay in, use Marker if you want to be sure you'll come out."

My experience concurs with the above, although I can't point to anything
beyond anecdotes to support it. But after witnessing several tibia
fratcures on Salomon bindings I won't use them. Ever.

I use Markers, but I don't ski in situations where a premature release
will cause a rag doll drop over a cliff. If I did, I might feel
differently.

My advice: switch to Markers or Tyrollia, get them mounted by a
qualified tech, and then have them serviced annually by said tech.
Don't lie about your height, weight, age, or skier type when you do..
(note that I said "type", not "ability" - it's not the same).

//Walt

Bindings Advice Sought
 

Espressopithecus wrote:
The last time I skied, I caught an edge, my bindings didn't release, and
tore a knee cartilage. I can't recall these bindings (Salmon S850 with ~
15 days of use) releasing -- ever -- except in "yard sale" falls. After
several years off skis, my knee has healed to the point that I'm ready
to try skiing again, but I don't want to fzck my knee completely, and
wonder what I should do to make sure my bindings will release safely.

When the bindings were set up, the ski shop asked me for weight, height
and skiing ability, and set the bindings at "7". Given that they never
released, I wonder if they should be set up lighter? And how do I make
sure they're set low enough that I don't reinjure my knee, but don't
release in normal skiing?

Finally, over the years I've heard many people condemn Salomons for
being unforgiving. Is that an old wives tale, or are there safer
bindings I should consider (whether newer Salomons or other make)?

Everybody has their prejudices. On the test bench they all are very similar.

What you are up against is that bindings are designed to protect against
lower leg fracture, the primary injury of early skiing. (Remember all
the cartoons, broken leg in cast around apres ski fireplace or bar?)
They don't protect against knee injuries nearly as well (some statistics
suggest modern bindings move lower leg injuries up to the knee.

The VERMONT Ski Safety folks at http://www.vermontskisafety.com/ have
done extensive research on knee injury prevention, and their advice when
followed has been demonstrated statistically to reduce knee injuries.
Look around their site, in particular at their Knee-Friendly Advice at
http://www.vermontskisafety.com/faq_skiers/faq_skiers_tips.html

Bindings Advice Sought
 

Sven Golly wrote:
lal_truckee wrote in news:x7hnh.28807$hI.3461
@newssvr11.news.prodigy.net:

http://www.vermontskisafety.com/

Boy, old Carl hasn't updated his site for something like 8 years. Not that
the advice there isn't valid (it is) but you'd think even a mild refresh
would be in order.

I appreciate a genuinely primitive web page where content dominates
pretense: it appeals to my inner retro-grouch.

Bindings Advice Sought
 

"Espressopithecus" wrote in message
ble.net...
The last time I skied, I caught an edge, my bindings didn't release, and
tore a knee cartilage. I can't recall these bindings (Salmon S850 with ~
15 days of use) releasing -- ever -- except in "yard sale" falls. After
several years off skis, my knee has healed to the point that I'm ready
to try skiing again, but I don't want to fzck my knee completely, and
wonder what I should do to make sure my bindings will release safely.

Personally, I like my bindings set LOOSE. I will frequently take
off my skis by twisting my foot out of the binding, effectively
testing the release. This is my choice - I figure that if I pop out
of them, I'm not skiing right. It is not a frequent problem.

When I got the equipment from the shop, they were way tighter
than I like.

I have never injured my legs skiing due to release problems in
35 years of skiing.

Bob

Bindings Advice Sought
 

Sven Golly wrote:

Walt wrote

The anecdotal scuttlebutt rule of thumb is "use Salomon if you want to
be sure to stay in, use Marker if you want to be sure you'll come out."

What about the rabbit?

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/forumfun/misc15.jpg


// Walt

Bindings Advice Sought
 

In article ,
says...

"Espressopithecus" wrote in message
ble.net...
The last time I skied, I caught an edge, my bindings didn't release, and
tore a knee cartilage. I can't recall these bindings (Salmon S850 with ~
15 days of use) releasing -- ever -- except in "yard sale" falls. After
several years off skis, my knee has healed to the point that I'm ready
to try skiing again, but I don't want to fzck my knee completely, and
wonder what I should do to make sure my bindings will release safely.

Personally, I like my bindings set LOOSE. I will frequently take
off my skis by twisting my foot out of the binding, effectively
testing the release. This is my choice - I figure that if I pop out
of them, I'm not skiing right. It is not a frequent problem.

That's what I used to do, too. But on the last pair of skis/bindings, I
succumbed to "don't think you can set up your own bindings!" cautions,
and let the shop do it.

When I got the equipment from the shop, they were way tighter
than I like.

So, apparently, were mine.

I have never injured my legs skiing due to release problems in
35 years of skiing.

I made it for 33 years.

Java

Bindings Advice Sought
 

"Espressopithecus (Java Man)" wrote in message
ble.net...
In article ,
says...

"Espressopithecus" wrote in message
ble.net...
The last time I skied, I caught an edge, my bindings didn't release,
and
tore a knee cartilage. I can't recall these bindings (Salmon S850 with
~
15 days of use) releasing -- ever -- except in "yard sale" falls.
After
several years off skis, my knee has healed to the point that I'm ready
to try skiing again, but I don't want to fzck my knee completely, and
wonder what I should do to make sure my bindings will release safely.

Personally, I like my bindings set LOOSE. I will frequently take
off my skis by twisting my foot out of the binding, effectively
testing the release. This is my choice - I figure that if I pop out
of them, I'm not skiing right. It is not a frequent problem.

That's what I used to do, too. But on the last pair of skis/bindings, I
succumbed to "don't think you can set up your own bindings!" cautions,
and let the shop do it.

When I got the equipment from the shop, they were way tighter
than I like.

So, apparently, were mine.

I have never injured my legs skiing due to release problems in
35 years of skiing.

I made it for 33 years.

It sure sounds to me like you know what to do.

The "rules" that ski shops operate under these days are dictated
by insurance companies, and allow little adjustment for personal
preference, or even common sense.

Bob


Bob

Bindings Advice Sought
 

Bob F wrote:
"Espressopithecus" wrote in message
ble.net...
The last time I skied, I caught an edge, my bindings didn't release,
and tore a knee cartilage. I can't recall these bindings (Salmon
S850 with ~ 15 days of use) releasing -- ever -- except in "yard
sale" falls. After several years off skis, my knee has healed to
the point that I'm ready to try skiing again, but I don't want to
fzck my knee completely, and wonder what I should do to make sure my
bindings will release safely.

Personally, I like my bindings set LOOSE. I will frequently take
off my skis by twisting my foot out of the binding, effectively
testing the release. This is my choice - I figure that if I pop out
of them, I'm not skiing right. It is not a frequent problem.

When I got the equipment from the shop, they were way tighter
than I like.

I have never injured my legs skiing due to release problems in
35 years of skiing.


Hmm, I broke my leg due to pre-release, it was my fault, I had quit smoking
and in consequence put on several stone (1 stone = 14lb) and then hadn't had
my bindings adjusted.

so a Ski came off when it shouldn't have, I fell, and slid into some wooden
poles :(

Chris *:-)