The Official Salomon S/Lab SHIFT MNC Thread -AMA

[XXX-er]

I did. It didn't.

(I'm referring to tour mode of course given your reference to inserts just in case there's any more keyboard dentistry involved here)

I mean during a normal release during the ski down mode ?

In the past I've minimized DIN ( some binding I don't remember ) to look for any difference in the boot travel/release of the binding

Hard to see how it is working in a high DIN situation

[el hefe]

Is anyone having problems with their AFD needing to be constantly readjusted upwards? My hope was that the Shifts could work for my 50/50 resort/backcountry setup, but after resort days, even without riding particularly hard, the AFD has loosened little by little to the point of needing to be readjusted upward a few turns of the screw. In fact, I can feel the toe of my boots (Dalbello Lupo 130C, GripWalk soles) being noticeably loose vertically by the end of the day.

While readjusting the AFD the last time I noticed that with not a ton of pressure (pushing down with my thumbs) I am able to move the AFD up and down quite a bit (probably at least 1mm, if not 2mm.) This is also noticeable when I'm clipped in. If I weight or unweight the toes of my boots I can see them moving vertically - slightly at first and more noticeably by the end of the day. The AFT seems to want to return to its proper position, but I have to believe that the amount of play is contributing to it loosening over time. Is anyone else having this issue?

Yes I am. Have re-adjusted twice over the holidays. Also pointed this out to another guy having same issues at tool bench at top of lift. Mine were so brutal at one point I could not ski on them.

[PNWbrit]

This product is sounding increasingly un-awesome....

[XavierD]

This product is sounding increasingly un-awesome....

From the Amer sales perspective it’s pretty fucking awesome... many retailers Shift purchases and sales are eclipsing other brands entire accounts.

I’m mostly stoked on my pair. Ski better than any other touring binding, not even close. If I didn’t have more skis than I know what to do with these would be on every ski over 100mm wide.

[LeeLau]

I think he is talking about ski mode.

I mean during a normal release during the ski down mode ?

In the past I've minimized DIN ( some binding I don't remember ) to look for any difference in the boot travel/release of the binding

Hard to see how it is working in a high DIN situation

Oh duh. Sorry Al. yup I did that and always do that for bindings. Stuck the ski + binding on a bench on vice and took DIN down all the way. Then whacked boot with a mallet and it releases easily

[retirwntm]

Here is deep thoughts and questions from a dentist:

Anyone thought about how they should leave the binding when not in use? It seems to my dentist non-enginerd eye that there is a lot of tension on mechanics when stowed in ski mode rather than walk mode. Deep thoughts?


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[burrito]

Here is deep thoughts and questions from a dentist:

Anyone thought about how they should leave the binding when not in use? It seems to my dentist non-enginerd eye that there is a lot of tension on mechanics when stowed in ski mode rather than walk mode. Deep thoughts?


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

I've been leaving mine in ski mode, mostly because less shit sticks out that way. They look less goofy. They do snap open pretty violently when switching from ski to walk, but I would bet that has more to do with disengaging the DIN spring than releasing any constant tension being applied to hold the mechanics in ski mode. They ship in ski mode, so I gotta believe they're okay to sit like that for a while.

[youenjoymyATskis]

Just got mine back from shop. There is a slight amount of space on the toe of the binding. Should it be completely flush (with the top of the ski) or is this normal?

Here are pictures for context-

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Looks like the toe is is on the nubbin, a la the shift failure thread?

Edit: never mind

[Banquo]

Just got mine back from shop. There is a slight amount of space on the toe of the binding. Should it be completely flush (with the top of the ski) or is this normal?

Here are pictures for context-

It’s fine. Cody discussed the gap in post #1093.

[Alkasquawlik]

Is anyone having problems with their AFD needing to be constantly readjusted upwards? My hope was that the Shifts could work for my 50/50 resort/backcountry setup, but after resort days, even without riding particularly hard, the AFD has loosened little by little to the point of needing to be readjusted upward a few turns of the screw. In fact, I can feel the toe of my boots (Dalbello Lupo 130C, GripWalk soles) being noticeably loose vertically by the end of the day.

While readjusting the AFD the last time I noticed that with not a ton of pressure (pushing down with my thumbs) I am able to move the AFD up and down quite a bit (probably at least 1mm, if not 2mm.) This is also noticeable when I'm clipped in. If I weight or unweight the toes of my boots I can see them moving vertically - slightly at first and more noticeably by the end of the day. The AFT seems to want to return to its proper position, but I have to believe that the amount of play is contributing to it loosening over time. Is anyone else having this issue?

So I've been seeing this a few times here and there and on some early samples had something similar happen. Now I'm sure this isn't the stance of Salomon and is against their directions but this is what I've seen work. Since I've done this, I haven't had a single issue with the AFD coming down a single mm. So I've been adjusting the forward pressure and correctly and then cranking the AFD up until it's firmly tight into the boot sole. Then I lower until the AFD comes just below the boot sole to a credit card gap width and then re-raising the AFD until it's just touching and then go about a 1/4 to 1/2 turn past just touching. I haven't tested this to see if it affects release characteristics but personally I've popped out the two times I needed to last season and nothing more, plus haven't had the AFD lower once since I started doing that. Again, not representing Salomon on this, just personal experience.

[Alkasquawlik]

Just got mine back from shop. There is a slight amount of space on the toe of the binding. Should it be completely flush (with the top of the ski) or is this normal?

Here are pictures for context-

Yup, mine all have it but I have noticed just seating the collar screw a bit tighter to the ski makes it more flush. I could see certain techs being a bit timid to tighten that collar screw all the way down.

[Name Redacted]

Yup, mine all have it but I have noticed just seating the collar screw a bit tighter to the ski makes it more flush. I could see certain techs being a bit timid to tighten that collar screw all the way down.

Mine have the same gap too, but I've yet to ski them. Hope they hold on!

Would it be a good idea to throw some glue in the gap space to prevent snow/ice buildup that could loosen the binding through freeze/thaw/freeze cycles?

[Alkasquawlik]

Mine have the same gap too, but I've yet to ski them. Hope they hold on!

Would it be a good idea to throw some glue in the gap space to prevent snow/ice buildup that could loosen the binding through freeze/thaw/freeze cycles?

Nah, I skied all last year with a healthy gap, left them outside, in the rain, up to the snow all of the above and didn't notice any signs of damage from snow or ice in the inserts and bindings...I mean, bindings are specifically designed and lubed to deal with many various forms of water.

[youenjoymyATskis]

Thank you gents for the quick responses. Ready to get out there!

[Name Redacted]

Nah, I skied all last year with a healthy gap, left them outside, in the rain, up to the snow all of the above and didn't notice any signs of damage from snow or ice in the inserts and bindings...I mean, bindings are specifically designed and lubed to deal with many various forms of water.

I've just had problems ripping out bindings (Tech, tele, and alpine) before and thought part of the problem was freeze/thaw/seeping of water because I'm always leaving them in the truck. Seems like a gap at the front might promote wedging of snow and ice into that space which could exacerbate the problem. I'm not so much worried about the bindings as the skis themselves.

But whatever, I'll still ski em. If you didn't rip em out, I probably won't.

[burrito]

So I've been seeing this a few times here and there and on some early samples had something similar happen. Now I'm sure this isn't the stance of Salomon and is against their directions but this is what I've seen work. Since I've done this, I haven't had a single issue with the AFD coming down a single mm. So I've been adjusting the forward pressure and correctly and then cranking the AFD up until it's firmly tight into the boot sole. Then I lower until the AFD comes just below the boot sole to a credit card gap width and then re-raising the AFD until it's just touching and then go about a 1/4 to 1/2 turn past just touching. I haven't tested this to see if it affects release characteristics but personally I've popped out the two times I needed to last season and nothing more, plus haven't had the AFD lower once since I started doing that. Again, not representing Salomon on this, just personal experience.

Thanks for the advice. One thought I had was that it may have to do with how the AFD screw engages with the raise/lower mechanism. It seems like if you turn in one direction and then reverse to the other it takes a turn or two of the screw before the AFD begins to reverse direction. That tells me there is some kind or engage/disengage with the raise/lower mechanics, which could account for the unwanted changes in position if you finish turning the screw in the “wrong” direction.

For my last adjustment I raised the AFD flush against the boot but not so tight as to keep it from moving mostly freely. I’ll report back to see how things go.

[galibier_numero_un]

Thanks for the advice. One thought I had was that it may have to do with how the AFD screw engages with the raise/lower mechanism. It seems like if you turn in one direction and then reverse to the other it takes a turn or two of the screw before the AFD begins to reverse direction. That tells me there is some kind or engage/disengage with the raise/lower mechanics, which could account for the unwanted changes in position if you finish turning the screw in the “wrong” direction.

For my last adjustment I raised the AFD flush against the boot but not so tight as to keep it from moving mostly freely. I’ll report back to see how things go.

With most adjustments of this type, all you're experiencing is the lash/backlash (play) in the threads.

... Thom

[FrontRangeDave]

Went on a tour yesterday and could not get the toe piece levers to lock into walk mode. And also starting to notice the toe of my boot rubbing on the front of the binding. Significantly wearing out the toe and the binding. What gives? Any suggestions on adjustment? Boots are Dalbello AX120. And Pins and pin holes on boot were free of ice and mud.

[Spyderjon]

With most adjustments of this type, all you're experiencing is the kash (play) in the threads.... Thom

Never heard of "kash" before - we call it backlash on this side of the pond.

[margotron]

Went on a tour yesterday and could not get the toe piece levers to lock into walk mode. And also starting to notice the toe of my boot rubbing on the front of the binding. Significantly wearing out the toe and the binding. What gives? Any suggestions on adjustment? Boots are Dalbello AX120. And Pins and pin holes on boot were free of ice and mud.

Can you post some pics? I’ve got same setup

[galibier_numero_un]

Never heard of "kash" before - we call it backlash on this side of the pond.

Darn smart phone keyboard. Yes, lash or backlash ;-). I corrected the original post.

... Thom

[Eluder]

Went on a tour yesterday and could not get the toe piece levers to lock into walk mode. And also starting to notice the toe of my boot rubbing on the front of the binding. Significantly wearing out the toe and the binding. What gives? Any suggestions on adjustment? Boots are Dalbello AX120. And Pins and pin holes on boot were free of ice and mud.

Same setup with no issues so far. The shitty boot plastic has been dinged up from a snow snake caused front ejection but that wasn't the bindings fault. You got pics of what your talking about?

[burrito]

With most adjustments of this type, all you're experiencing is the kash (play) in the threads.

... Thom

I think we’re both saying the same thing. More than likely it’s a worm screw and a gear but either the gear or the screw is shaped such that it doesn’t immediately re-engage when you reverse directions.

[Alkasquawlik]

Went on a tour yesterday and could not get the toe piece levers to lock into walk mode. And also starting to notice the toe of my boot rubbing on the front of the binding. Significantly wearing out the toe and the binding. What gives? Any suggestions on adjustment? Boots are Dalbello AX120. And Pins and pin holes on boot were free of ice and mud.

For the lock out, pull harder. I had a insta conversation with someone who said the same thing, then they pulled harder and got it to lock out. I felt the same the first time I toured in them and it's either mental or something with the spring in the lockout but it's seemed to get easier since I first pulled. I feel like it's mental more than anything. As far as the wear...yeah, have no idea.