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Best binding for the new Karhu Mountain XCD with Garmont Excursion boot



 
 
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  #1  
Old March 15th 06, 02:26 PM
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Default Best binding for the new Karhu Mountain XCD with Garmont Excursion boot

Howdy folks. Having some trouble trying to find the binding I dream
of to complete this setup.

I have a pair of Karhu Mountain XCD's in a 185cm and a pair of
Excursion's (Padlock) on the way. I got a decent deal on the padlock
version, I am hoping I will find them close to the comfort of g-fit
liner. Anybody tried both yet?

I am thinking the Voile 3-pin Cable binding is the way to go since you
can take off the cable for extended touring. Are there any lighter
weight bindings out there that might be a good fit inbetween these new
backcountry skis and the Garmont Excursion (that claims it has been
made for these types of skis). I am wonderin' if they plan to design a
lighterweight cable binding now..

-Geoff

  #2  
Old March 15th 06, 03:16 PM
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geoff wrote:

I am thinking the Voile 3-pin Cable binding is the way to go since you
can take off the cable for extended touring.


On the other hand, you /can't/ take out the pins when you want the cable
on for downhill, which means that in the sort of snow conditions that
clog up your bindings they are an utter, utter PITA to get on, so while
they sometimes really do give the best of both worlds, sometimes you get
the worst as well...

I am wonderin' if they plan to design a lighterweight cable binding now..


For what values of "lightweight"? Riva 3s aren't exactly what you'd
call incredibly heavy, it's easy to loosen the cables off a bit for kick
'n stick and they're much, much easier than any flavour of rat-traps to
get in and out.

Having said that, on my "classic tourers" (my old XCDs have been
replaced by Dynastar Montagne Plus), which I use with original brown T3s
(broadly similar to the Excursion in most respects) I use Rotafella
Super Telemark 3 pins, which of course have the same entry/exit problems
as the Voiles, but I'm not paying for and carting about a cable that's
pretty much surplus to requirements for the sort of downhill I'll do on
those skis, and the extra downhill power of the plastic boots more than
makes up for the cable IME if you're comparing them to a similar setup
powered with leather touring boots.

For more serious downhill escapades I'll use a wider ski with a Riva 3
to keep me on-board. Having to use pins even when I don't want them is
a deal-breaker for me on the Voiles, though as a one size fits all
solution it /is/ a good bit of kit.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
  #3  
Old March 15th 06, 06:10 PM
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Maybe I will just go with the Voile Heavy Duty 3-Pin. Is that a
possible option?

  #4  
Old March 15th 06, 07:33 PM
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geoff wrote:
Maybe I will just go with the Voile Heavy Duty 3-Pin. Is that a
possible option?


Certainly, that's what I had on my old XCDs and they did a fine job
over many years. Reason I switched to Rotafella Super Teles was
purely availability in the UK.

Looking at Karhu's site I see that the new XCD Mountain is a fair
bit wider than my old XCDs, which are nearer the current "Pinnacle"
model, so it's a ski that would reasonably take Riva 3s as a
general binding IMHO. A very experienced pal has R3s on Fischer
E109s for some touring (with Excursion boots) which are a little
narrower than your skis, which also suggests it's a fair combination.

But the Voile pin/cable *is* a viable binding, as long as you don't
mind the awkwardness of the pins on those days it's mainly about
downhill. Another thing about the Voile is if they do wind you up
you can always just file the pins off, though that does seem a bit
of a waste...

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
  #5  
Old March 15th 06, 10:58 PM
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This setup is turning into more of a lightweight Tele setup, but
that's cool. I am seriously thinking a cable binding might be the way
to go now considering I can buy a "Pinnacle" couple them with a more
Tour oriented boot and have an almost completely different sport. Or
at the very least have two different setups based on snow conditions.
I wanted more of a tour oriented setup, but it seems the Mountain's
are a fair bit wider and more cut which demands a more aggressive
setup. I think the R3's might be the way to go, they weigh about
700grams as I understand. Which would be acceptable.

Still dream about a SNS setup. Now all I need to do is decide if I
want to lose my metal edges!

Who says getting old isn't fun!!

  #6  
Old March 16th 06, 02:22 AM
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"geoff" wrote in message
oups.com...
This setup is turning into more of a lightweight Tele setup, but
that's cool. I am seriously thinking a cable binding might be the way
to go now considering I can buy a "Pinnacle" couple them with a more
Tour oriented boot and have an almost completely different sport. Or
at the very least have two different setups based on snow conditions.
I wanted more of a tour oriented setup, but it seems the Mountain's
are a fair bit wider and more cut which demands a more aggressive
setup. I think the R3's might be the way to go, they weigh about
700grams as I understand. Which would be acceptable.

Still dream about a SNS setup. Now all I need to do is decide if I
want to lose my metal edges!

Who says getting old isn't fun!!


Karhu re-did their skis and names so you have to be careful when reading
reviews or asking for input. THere used to be an XCD model, now it's a
prefix to their line of 3 skis, all targeting "XC Downhill", i.e. touring
for a little downhill action. The Pinnacle is totally new, with moderate
(for a XC ski at least) sidecut, but an unusually 'straight' tail: 67-56-58.
I have a pair and they are a nice touring ski, which will still 'fit' a
track. I'm told by better skiers, that they are pretty 'turny' - relatively
speaking. The XCD-GT is supposed to be similar to the well-liked Pyxis,
which is around the limit of a 'real' touring XC ski, while starting to be
'real' fun on turny stuff. Best of both worlds according to some. It's
76-62-68 (in a 175) so it's starting to get fat for a Nordic center track,
but also starting to get fun in the backcountry. Either one could be driven
with a 3-pin, and I suppose they could also take a pin/cable with a
mid-weight boot.

The XCD Mountain appears to be the old Dorado. I've heard great things
about them, and I think they start to work in more powder conditions,
breaking trail, or generally in truer backcountry conditions. They start
from a 86-68-73 for a 175cm up into low 90's tip in the longest size. My
guess is that you could start looking at true tele boots and bindings and
unless you go overboard, you wouldn't overwhelm them?

I'm trying to learn to turn with the XCD-GT's and Karhu Traverse boots,
which are pretty stiff (more so than my old snowfield's anyway), and so far
I like them. Unfortunately the snow was pretty sad this year, so outings
were limited. I've heard it described as BC-lite. Clearly it's not the
same as striding in a track on my old 210 wax skinnies, but it's also not
hardcore telemark either.

yep, getting old is great fun!
a


 




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