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Of course, you're right ... lots of variables, including icing. They sure are a big step up from Dynafit brake performance (at least TLT/Vertical gens), but not yet perfect.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lindahl
Honestly, I hadn't given consideration to stepping in, 'coz I remove my skis, flip into downhill mode & inspect them, 'coz I'm a bit of a klutz as far as ripping skins without removing skis is concerned ;-)
... Thom
So after reading every thread on all the big tech bindings, I have ended up with the opinion that it is either the Vipec or the kingpin which is the go to for more aggressive riding and drops.
Does anyone have experience on both?
I have heard quite a few reports of the kingpin breaking, but the vipec not so much.
Lindahl do you still enjoy your pair? Anyone else want to chime in?
And of course, there's also the opportunity for you to be a paying beta tester for next year's Tecton ;-)
... Thom
Kingpin for firm snow. Vipec for soft snow. Lightweight (350g max) trumps it all for medium to long tours and meadow skipping.Quote:
Originally Posted by mr_pretzel
That's funny - I came to the opposite conclusion. Vipec for firm snow, due to its toe dampening. Kingpin for soft snow because toe vibration doesn't matter as much in pow-pow. But I'm guessing L's reasoning has to do with the release functionality.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lindahl
Having used my KPs about 40 days, and my Vipecs about 10, I think the KPs are WAY more user friendly and less fiddly. The KP is pretty stupid-proof. I'll prob sell my Vipec (blacks) and replace with a superlight option for big days.
Would you care to elaborate?Quote:
Originally Posted by Lindahl
Because of release safety of the vipec in deep snow?
And power transfer of the kingpin on firm snow? Is the release safety not as critical on firm snow?
Yes to all of this. I don't really snag the tips of my skis (or fall at all actually) in firm snow in the BC, so power transfer is more important to me than lateral release at the toe.Quote:
Originally Posted by mr_pretzel
ugh I am in full on buying mode right now.
2017 Fritschi Vipec TUV w/ 108 mm brakes $420
one pair left, thought I would pass along the deal
http://alpineoptions.com/31197/2017-...tified-108-mm/
The vipec is just as damp as any alpine bindings even on solid refrozen spring snow.
I'm really interested in this due to some knee arthritis. My knees hurt after skiing Dynafits. I would like a lightweight touring option that doesn't bug them out.Quote:
Originally Posted by daught
Question... thinking of keeping a set of Vipecs so I could swap out the heel with Tectons for a super long tour or a tour with a ton of rolling terrain. Difference between 2014/15 Vipec heel and the 2016/17 Vipec heel?
My recollection is that some folks reported icing in certain conditions with the first year's heel.
IIRC, the complete Tecton vs. Vipec is about 100g difference per pair.
... Thom
Never had icing problems. When I measured it was more than 100g. I'll remeasure tomorrowQuote:
Originally Posted by galibier_numero_un
You would have to remount the heel plate. The Tecton and Vipec have the same hole pattern but different heel plates, and a Tecton heel won't slide on a Vipec plate. Didn't try the other way around but I imagine it is not compatible.Quote:
Originally Posted by Summit
Oh never mind then I am not swapping plates. I'll look closely
My '17 Vipec is 1050g for the pair (Lou says it should be 1224g).Quote:
Originally Posted by galibier_numero_un
My '18 Tecton is 1170g for the pair (Lou says it should be 1100g).
The '18 Vipec is supposed to 1000g according to Lou
Something is wonky here. I am sure my +-1g Escali P115C scale isn't measuring crazy pants enough to make the '17 Vipec 10% lighter than the Tecton if it is supposed to be 5% heavier. I measured with NO brakes but did include the plastic heel rest.
My weights for the '17 Vipec match @Lindahl here: http://blistergearreview.com/gear-re...iamir-vipec-12
I call mismeasure on Lou's weights here: https://www.wildsnow.com/21378/frits...-tecton-vipec/
TESTEDQuote:
Originally Posted by garuda
Tecton won't fit on a Vipec plate.
Vipec fits on Tecton plate, but introduces slight play (not advisable).
^ Lou is incorrect on his published weight for the Vipec Black, "Interestingly, the new 500 gram Vipec weight is significantly lighter than this season’s ‘Black’ Vipec at 612 grams verified. I’m assuming that’s because they used more reinforced plastic." He must have accidentally compared the weight of the Vipec Black with brakes to the Evo without brakes.
My scale says the Black is 532g per binding with the brake base and the two screws that attach it (and some extra grease under the heel), but without brake arm or ski screws. I get the exact same 585g as Summit for the Tecton without brake arm or ski screws, so my scale must be accurate.
My measured Vipec weights were also within about 10g of what Lindahl's scale read.
... Thom
My measured 2018 VIPEC EVO is basically what Lindahl weighed
A single Vipec Evo no brakes was 500g even on my scale.
Including the brake base and the two screws that attach it? (As you'd use it running brakeless.)
I did this for my measuresQuote:
Originally Posted by 1000-oaks
Ya'll are right, remeasured with 8 binding screws + brake base = 563g.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1000-oaks
Without binding screws: 542g.
Just received and mounted some evo’s . Is there a trick to keeping the brake up in walk mode?
Edit:nevermind. Got it. Needed to push the heel down one more click to hold them. Duh
First time putting my white Vipecs into skin mode the high riser snapped off. Fortunately all the skinning was low rough angle to not need it.
I need to contact BD warranty:(
Did the plastic riser have a pin break?Quote:
Originally Posted by hutash
If not, can you snap the riser pins back in? (This has happened to a few people. Happened to me once on Gen 1 vipecs and I just snapped them back in. Usually it is reported from extreme sidehilling with the riser engaged, not a simple mode transmission...)
Does anyone know or have any info on whether or not that fritschi has demo bindings in either a viper or Tecton? Any info would be helpful. I’ve had a mismount on a newish pair of skis(2nd mount). I’m running out of options to salvage these skis. Latest mount is the vipec so thinking a demo vipec/Tecton with adjustable toe and longer heel track could be the answer. Is this a possibility for shops that want to rent them?
Broke in two pieces, so not an option. If it is that simple then I hope BD can just send me a replacement.Quote:
Originally Posted by Summit
I posted a thread here
Has anyone had issues with the Vipec heelpiece falling off the track while touring?
This happened to me about 4 times yesterday on my “black” version Vipecs with about 40 days on them, never had any issues before. Pics in my thread.
^^noticing that too. New they snap in ,when flat and cleaned out, like a top. I meant to order Tecton but these ski very nice for pin tech. Not alpine feel but a definitive improvement. Thinking about grinding that toe release nub so I don’t pooch my boots and maybe add that one sided sticky pads to boot toe and the leftover of the nub I grind. See how Lee Lau makes out with his padding experiment
I know there was some preliminary info earlier in this thread, but how do the Evos compare to the Blacks? I have skied the Evos but never even seen the Blacks.
Besides having to swap spacers is there anything wrong with the Blacks? Seems like I can get them cheaper and they don't have the toe fall issue.
They're effectively the same except for what you pointed outQuote:
Originally Posted by thejongiest
Sounds like that almost makes Black > Evo. Except for people like you who maybe want to test 5 different pairs of boots in the same skis.Quote:
Originally Posted by LeeLau
Evo is easier to step into but has the toe punch fall issue.
Anyone running Vipec blacks brakeless? Any issues? I think you have to mount the brake base (just no brake arms), but otherwise seems pretty straightforward. I'm thinking about trying to get it light as possible rather than replacing with a lighter tech binding. Will be on ZeroG 95s for late spring/summer, volcanoes, multi-day, etc...
Search ain't helping, so help a brother out.
For sure it can be run brakeless - exactly like you describedQuote:
Originally Posted by meter-man
there is a nifty little kit including a leash that you can buy and install instead of the stock brake assembly - though to be fair, removing the brakes but leaving the plastic parts does pretty much the same thing. I mounted my bmt94s with vipec brakeless to save a bit of weight, yet retain their awesome performance :)
Attachment 227905
and yes, the evo's pins are different than the blacks. The latter is mounted on two levers giving a few mm vertical elasticity (assumed) whilst the latest evo model is more traditional pin tech (the initial evos were identical to blacks i think). I have skied the blacks extensively and really like em, so if you can get em cheap - go for it. :)
Attachment 227906Attachment 227907
I've done it on my 2nd gen vipecs + a Dynafit leash. Fritischi has always said to make sure that plate that holds the arms is still there. I only run brakes now in the resort.
FYI I just found out that Fritsch Freeride brakes work fine on Vipec and EVO. Good cost savings because there are boxes and boxes of those brakes around in storage rooms
On left the FR brake with the mounting bracket. Just snap it out of the bracket and stick it in the Vipec/Tecton holder.
Attachment 228024
Another PSA. Remember to hold the brake down to ease it into tour mode and stow it away. The steps - use your hand to press brake into brake-pad; then engage tour mode lever at heel.
The Fritschi video saying you can hit the tour mode lever then stomp it down is WRONG. The BD advice to grease with white lithium grease or use some sort of silicone spray is WRONG. It'll work for a bit then snow will get in and strip all the lube away. All you'll do is break the brake pads. The BD/Fritschi spew that this is "rare" is BS> It's happening all too often and in the spring when there's more wet snow, ice buildup on brake pads it'll happen more
Attachment 228025
Do the Vipec Evo's come back unchanged next year? Think I read somewhere that they were making another tweak.