Atomic M:ex binding/binding plate

I couldn't resist today's steep and cheap, so I picked up the M:Ex in a 185. They should be my quiver of one for on-area skiing, and if not they are cheap enough to not kick myself.

Are the binding plates on these removeable? What are the advantages/disadvantages of removing the plate? Weight savings? Alternate brand binding compatibility? Flex pattern differences? Other?

The 2 year Atomic Warranty is only good if you use Atomic bindings. I don't know squat about their bindings or the usefulness of that warranty when I bought the skis through steep and cheap. Can I warranty the skis through steep and cheap or any other Atomic dealer? Who makes the Atomic neox bindings and how good are they?

What I'd rather do is put Freerides or Titanals on these, so that I can have the option to go off piste with them or loan them to friends sans AT set ups.

I am a 28 year old semi-gaper who tries to ski shit I am scared of and not die; 5'11", 215#s, with a fetish for tree skiing and going fast.

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Originally Posted by Platinum Pete

I couldn't resist today's steep and cheap, so I picked up the M:Ex in a 185. They should be my quiver of one for on-area skiing, and if not they are cheap enough to not kick myself.

Are the binding plates on these removeable? What are the advantages/disadvantages of removing the plate? Weight savings? Alternate brand binding compatibility? Flex pattern differences? Other?

The 2 year Atomic Warranty is only good if you use Atomic bindings. I don't know squat about their bindings or the usefulness of that warranty when I bought the skis through steep and cheap. Can I warranty the skis through steep and cheap or any other Atomic dealer? Who makes the Atomic neox bindings and how good are they?

What I'd rather do is put Freerides or Titanals on these, so that I can have the option to go off piste with them or loan them to friends sans AT set ups.

I am a 28 year old semi-gaper who tries to ski shit I am scared of and not die; 5'11", 215#s, with a fetish for tree skiing and going fast.

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the plates are removable and you can mount a salomon (for sure, maybe others) right to the ski, result: lighter and dont have to ski atomic bindings.

I think any binding that has pairs of holes, not in the middle (like the diamer heels) should work if the holes are wide enought to gap the middle beta rib thingy

atomic bindings: some like them, but more dont like them. personal really.

without plates lighter, and a bit softer

warranty should be with any atomic dealer, and if you take off the plates anddrill right into the ski, then if you have to return them remount the plate/bindings and send them in. I dont think atomic is board enought to check to see if extra holes are below the bindings and plates.

nice ski, good deal, keep the atomic plates/bindigns for resale or warranty, and remount with salomons is my call.

I dont think my sugar/big plates fit.

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Originally Posted by mntlion

I dont think my sugar/big plates fit.

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xpost
i have been told this as well.

it is ok to pull the riser plate, see where the hole line up, and then put it back on if they don't work.

Skis arrived today! I am stoked.
Those binding plates are big ugly mo-fos. How do I get them off without damaging the ski? How much do these plates weigh anyways?

I suppose I could just have my ski tech who will mount the bindngs do it, but I am anxious. Still waiting to hear from Atomic on if the SX:6-14 binding will work on these plates.
Still wondering where to get a cheapy cheap set of freerides instead.

If you're willing to use Atomic bindings, Cupolo's has/had 614s for $59, and (search function) someone posted a Cupolo's 20% off coupon code here in the last few days. Makes for a veeery inexpensive new binding for ya.

The SX:614 will certainly work. There are dimples on the plates for the screws of the 2003-4 Atomic bindings. The SX:614 do not fit into the pre-drilled holes.

i just took the plates off my S&C M:ex to see about mounting Freerides and I don't think it will work to screw them directly to the ski.

Apart from the issue mntlion mentioned of the heel piece having a center screw that won't work, the other problem is that the holes for the Freeride line up too close to on top of the plate holes. I think for Freerides, you would have to mount some home-brew riser with new holes and then mount the freeride on that.

Dynafits however, look like they would work fine directly onto the ski.