Defective Black Diamond Skis ... DIY removing bindings?

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08-10-2005, 10:00 AM
sporkbunny

Defective Black Diamond Skis ... DIY removing bindings?

I have Black Diamond Ethics, and one of the skis is a little convex (rounded on the underside). The rep said its perfectly safe and the ski won't breakm but could be a defect in the manufacturing and may make waxing a little tricky, might even slow me down a little on the slopes. He suggested I send them back to BD and they'll send me a new pair.

Problem is, I spent like $60 getting them mounted (Fritschis) here in So. CA, where AT is unheard of. (I don't have the tools to do it myself ... don't trust myself anyhow). I have to remove my bindings before sending the skis in and BD doesn't do any mounting work. So long story short, my question is two-part:

A) should I bother with this whole thing or just keep skiing them the way they are?

B) if I do sent them back, am I OK removing the bindings myself (can it be done with your basic tools) or should I hunt down a pro to do this?
08-10-2005, 10:11 AM
Core Shot

No wonder you use a spork - Forks are way too dangerous for you ;)
08-10-2005, 10:53 AM
Meathelmet

Quote:

Originally Posted by sporkbunny

I have Black Diamond Ethics, and one of the skis is a little convex (rounded on the underside). The rep said its perfectly safe and the ski won't breakm but could be a defect in the manufacturing and may make waxing a little tricky, might even slow me down a little on the slopes.

Correcti if im wrong, isn´t BDs made in the same factory/manufacturing process(mostly) than Atomic skis? So I have been told,at least.
Lot of Atomics have a "feature" that they are convexing in the base.Lot of people have tried to belt them levell etc..
Atomic has said this has been and is competely normal feature.
So on that part,i wouldnt be worried a bit.

Ps.I have 2 pairs of havocs, and both pairs have a 20cm long depression in the shovel part of the ski´s.
08-10-2005, 11:03 AM
robokill1981

$60 for mounting is ridiculous. Taking the binders off is easy to do and requires no technical skills beyond righty tighty lefty loosy. If they are going to give you new skis I would send them in even if the problem isn't that bad, but I would find a new shop to get them mounted at. It shouldn't cost more than $25-$30 no matter the binding, although $60 is still worth it for a new pair of skis.

I just found dozens of BD dealers in CA. I'm sure one is close to you, just check BD's dealer locater.
08-10-2005, 11:13 AM
Sphinx

Are they conVEX or conCAVE? Atomics and BDs all have edges a bit higher than the base. And they all ski great. I read it has to do with the curing process of the skis. And yes, it makes for interesting scraping after a hot wax.

People have ground them flat, and usually performance suffers as a result.

Removing bindings is as easy as removing a screw, but you need a posidrive screwdriver or you'll fuck up the screws.

$60 for a mount is patently ridiculous, unless your shop tech charges $120 per hour.
08-10-2005, 11:50 AM
MOHSHSIHd

all you need is a posidriver (number 4? correct me if im wrong)

they are the easiest bindings to remove and mount with little experience....
08-10-2005, 04:37 PM
weibo

all you need is a posidriver (number 4? correct me if im wrong)

Pretty sure it's a number 3
08-11-2005, 10:04 AM
sporkbunny

They are convex, meaning that the middle of the underside of the ski sticks out more than the edges. What's weird is that one ski is convex and the other is basically flat. I asked my local ski tuner dude if he could grind it flat and he said it was so convex he didn't want to grind into the core.

BTW, yes there are many BD dealers in CA, but most are for their main product line, which is climbing gear. Additionally, note that CA is a rather long state so dealers in the northern part of the state might as well be in another country. Lastly, FYI, there are _no_ BD ski dealers withing 400 miles of San Diego as far as I know. Nobody here even knows what randonee is. Ijust happen to have found _one_ buy at Hansen's SKi and Snow shop in Encinitas who comes from ?Aspen? and knows how to mount/adjust these things. He only charges $20, but when he's out of town, my only choice is Norpine Sports in Clairemont (telemark shop) and thats where I got the crazy price. I think that included cooking my boot liners. Whimper.
08-11-2005, 01:43 PM
Meathelmet

Quote:

Originally Posted by sporkbunny

Whimper.

Yep. You said it dude.

Suck it up and ski.