The new -2017- CAST touring system thread

I received an update e-mail from Silas yesterday. Pre-order pricing ends on September 30th.

They struck a deal to obtain Pivot-18's for $350 (buy directly from these folks: https://segoskis.com/collections/17-18-bindings). If you need a pair, CAST will generate a discount code at the time of your order, and you'll use that code to purchase directly from Sego at the discounted price. Sego will send the bindings to CAST for the conversion at no charge to you.

For those of us who are supplying our own bindings, they'll need them by October 31st, and their current plan is to have the first production run complete by the end of November.

... Thom

I see Pivot 18 are a hot item over here..I've got a set of new P18 w/ 130 brakes listed in the gear swap. Selling for 230 shipped plus fees.

and I am going to resist reading this entire thread otherwise I might end up preordering a Cast......must resist.

I did a bit more soul searching after auvgeek's earlier comment:

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Originally Posted by auvgeek

... if you routinely run an rv under 8, are you really skiing hard enough to need a CAST system?

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I don't want to risk my "tender" left knee on a P-18 and am going to bail on this project.

If anyone is interested, tonight or tomorrow, I'm going to list my new in box (last year's model) P-18's (115 brake) complete with the toe risers, and both alpine and WTR AFDs on gear swap for $250 plus shipping (I paid $20 for the WTR AFDs and would like to sell it as a package).

Edit: the P18's sold. The WTR AFD's are still available however. Let the seller's remorse begin ;-)

I'm just gonna ski my Vipec mounted GPOs on the days I plan on ducking the ropes and call it good.

... Thom

anyone managed to contact guys? dropped them a mail 2 weeks ago and still no answer. I was wondering about their final decision on self-converting bindings and heel screws

So has anyone actually been able to order them?
I'm here with my wallet all good and ready

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Originally Posted by HukuTa_KydecHuk

anyone managed to contact guys? dropped them a mail 2 weeks ago and still no answer. I was wondering about their final decision on self-converting bindings and heel screws

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If by self-converting, you mean that you retrofit the toe and heel, that's not gonna happen.

They want control of the process for obvious reasons (quality and liability).

I asked Cody about reversing the conversion in case it wasn't working for me. I have access to machinist who subcontracts to NASA. Cody commented that they'd be happy to reverse the conversion, but they were uncomfortable supporting my having it done on my end. I respect that.

... Thom

I'll swing by the shop next week and kick some tires, and we what's going on. I bet the boys are working on their full time day job still.

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Originally Posted by galibier_numero_un

If by self-converting, you mean that you retrofit the toe and heel, that's not gonna happen.

They want control of the process for obvious reasons (quality and liability).

I asked Cody about reversing the conversion in case it wasn't working for me. I have access to machinist who subcontracts to NASA. Cody commented that they'd be happy to reverse the conversion, but they were uncomfortable supporting my having it done on my end. I respect that.

... Thom

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I'm totally cool with this, I also respect that even though it's not comfortable for me. I just wanted to clarify this cause there was a phrase in one of mails from guys saying "The installation of our toe piece components is pretty easy but attaching our brake retention components is bit more involved. So, we currently feel that the best option for installation will be to have customers send us their bindings, this installation will be included with the purchase of the Freetour kit. If we can get the process dialed in to the point we feel comfortable sending the kits out for customers to install themselves we will make that an option as well. " and since then I haven't seen any clear statement about their final decision. Don't want it to sound like a complain, I realize CAST can't be a full-time job but not answering emails for a month is not very pleasant. I hope guys will shed some light on the details as they are clearly missing

That's interesting about the heels vs. toes.

I got the opposite impression - that replacing the toe pedestal/pillar is the more challenging of the two operations. Of course, taking some brake assemblies apart can result in parts flying all over the place ;-)

... Thom

A few key points from the most recent email update:

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Unfortunately the current development of the brake retainer is not to our standards and we feel that rubber bands will be a more reliable solution for the time being. We will continue to develop the auto-locking brake retainer and will gladly update customers heel units if these become available during this season. The good news is that you will not need to send in your bindings. The toe unit upgrade is fairly straightforward and can be done with only a #3 posidrive screwdriver.

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Sounds like the toe is the easy part, but the heels didn't work out. :(

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Our Freetour Upgrade Kit utilizes the all metal toe housing style of the Look Pivot 18s and similar Rossignol FKS models. The older style Look Pivot 5-15s (before 2007) will work for our upgrade. The plastic toe housing styles of the Look Pivot 14s do not work with our upgrade kit. We are working on a lower release value for next season.

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We are also offering a Freetour Second Ski Kit. This will allow you to use the Freetour on multiple sets of skis at a low cost. No need to buy extra hardware. This kit includes the Freetour heel unit with climbing bails as well as the toe shim and shoulder screws

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This is good news. U$80. Not bad I guess. I am still curious why we can't swap the heel parts around on inserts/helicoils. Maybe it will become obvious when I see them in person.

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Here's an updated timeline. We're accepting orders from now on. Accepting bindings for conversion until the middle of November. We'll be receiving the final parts from our vendors end of November and hoping to ship kits by mid December.

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I am not usually an early adopter, but I am taking a winger on this one... waiting for mid December...

I'll be keeping my eye on this for a possible addition next year.

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Originally Posted by snoboy

I am not usually an early adopter, but I am taking a winger on this one... waiting for mid December...

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Usually my approach too, but I ordered. I was part of the original CAST kickstarter, and while it has its quirks, the system works really well and I've had no durability issues. It's the only easy option I've found to eliminate any compromise on performance on a pair of skis I primarily use inbounds while also enabling solid touring capabilities.

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Originally Posted by snoboy

This is good news. U$80. Not bad I guess. I am still curious why we can't swap the heel parts around on inserts/helicoils. Maybe it will become obvious when I see them in person.


I am not usually an early adopter, but I am taking a winger on this one... waiting for mid December...

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I assume toe screws are thickened, so you can still probably use them with helicoils but you should drill really big holes. As for the heels - I do believe that you can actually use any heel unit, P12, P14 or P18 and use it with QK/BF inserts. The only thing that comes to my mind is that heel screws can be a bit longer/thicker as you are installing not only the heel unit, but the baseplate that holds climbing bails which can add extra 2-3mm

Also not usually an early adopter but for this one I'm in. Hope to take them for a new year touring trip, will see how it goes

Just purchased look px racing 15 maxflex for the toe piece of the binding

From Instagram today

https://instagram.com/p/Ba7zPPQlFvF/

I was over there dropping off New P18s. They were perfecting the brake retention mechanism. The rubber bands were simple and worked, but the new concept was clever.

I respect this kind of home grown innovation.

Stoke. Stoke. Stoked

Looks like they reworked toe a bit?

By the way, I just found a new section on their site, showing toe pedestal install process
Check it out here: https://casttouring.com/pages/freeto...e-instructions

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Originally Posted by HukuTa_KydecHuk

Looks like they reworked toe a bit?

By the way, I just found a new section on their site, showing toe pedestal install process
Check it out here: https://casttouring.com/pages/freeto...e-instructions

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The pedestal that was posted on Instagram is the finished piece

Feeling slightly foolish here but can anyone explain to me what is making the alpine toe piece stay on? Doesn't look like there is any sort of latch that I can see.

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Originally Posted by nyskirat

Feeling slightly foolish here but can anyone explain to me what is making the alpine toe piece stay on? Doesn't look like there is any sort of latch that I can see.

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it gets pushed forward by the boot. I guess there is enough friction there you will not lose ist when you eject from the bindings.

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Originally Posted by LeoK

it gets pushed forward by the boot. I guess there is enough friction there you will not lose ist when you eject from the bindings.

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That's what I thought. Interesting to say the least. I imagine they've done serious testing, but I feel like a latch would help. :redface:

I seem to recall there being a latch, is it the blue knob?

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Originally Posted by 1000-oaks

I seem to recall there being a latch, is it the blue knob?

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That's my recollection as well.

... Thom

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Originally Posted by 1000-oaks

I seem to recall there being a latch, is it the blue knob?

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These parts?

Attachment 217050

stopped by the warehouse yesterday, can confirm there is a latch. also can confirm the new system looks really good, and works with dynafit crampons still for anyone who care about that.

has swapable afd's if you want to tour in a boot thats wtr and ski resort in one thats iso norm. toe pedestal height doesnt change so may change the delta of the binding very slightly swapping between the two.

also they have a working prototype of a brake holder that looks pretty sick, should be included in all cast 2.0 orders they said since they're still waiting on a few parts for the system anyway.

Looks like I may be ordering a pair in the near future then....

Any updates? Anyone get a pair? Use feedback? Going to use my 1.0’s today

Delayed until mid/late January due to parts suppliers not delivering on time...

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Originally Posted by snoboy

Delayed until mid/late January due to parts suppliers not delivering on time...

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Thanks. Best of luck to them. It could work out. Looks like all the other burly touring binding systems are having issues. CAST could sweep up a lot of people now weary of kingpin/tectron/shift

I'm a potential convert from being interested in the Kingpin since last season.

Are they totally inundated, or are they still accepting orders? Seems like all quiet on the front...

Anyone heard any further word, or seen their bindings? I am ready to get these mounted up. If they are a long way out i have Si&I I could use instead.


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Last email update was December 11th, where they said that production is delayed and bindings will be shipped early-mid january. Still nothing new. Initially while pre-ordering I thought I would ski CAST for the whole season, but now just hoping for them to arrive before spring

Rumor is next week (or the week after) for all the parts being in the shop, bindings being assembled, and shipped out

I need to swing over there and get toes put in my new boots. I’ll try to get the scoop from the boys

I put in an order about a week ago and Silas wrote saying he thought I'd get it by mid Feb. I'm asuming all you guys who ordered early will be quite a bid ahead of that?

Any word out of Driggs on these?


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Originally Posted by Bruce Springskiin

Any word out of Driggs on these?


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I heard that they're trying to get them out before they head to EU in Feb. The delay I heard is hand-welding a few parts.

5 days ago I mailed guys and Silas told me they will start shipping before the end of the month

That is just 4 days away... very exciting if it's true!

Anybody heard about a shipping day. Last contact I had with Silas said “shipping by the end of the month”...

Well, there’s only two days left in the month. I understand production delays, but considering I ordered in October, I find the lack of communication disturbing. I have complete faith that the product will be amazing, but I have no faith in seeing them this entire ski season. Needless to say I’m bummed out.

Has anyone taken apart the P18 toe before as they show in the pedestal upgrade section of the website? I was going to order P18s from Sego, but they're out of stock of 115 brakes so I'll probably just get them somewhere else and do the mod myself. Seems very straightforward, but I've had issues putting parts back together, especially parts that have springs. Is it as easy as they show? Is there a spring catch that's tough to get aligned, or does it just sit there while everything gets compressed when you put it all back together?

I just saw this on Insta, 2:30 Feb 2nd. A photo of what I can only assume are new CAST bindings.

TGR won’t let me post photos...