Dynafit Comfort or Classic?

[Dr. Crash]

(Apologies to members of www.turns-all-year.com as this is an exact copy of my thread there.)

Hi,

I am going to get a real randonnee setup this year with Dynafit bindings (I currently use all alpine gear with Alpine Trekkers, and while I love the workout, I want something else for longer tours).

I am facing the question many are facing, which is whether to buy the Comfort or the Classic. The Dynafit products page lists the classic at 1 lb 4 oz / pair versus the Comfort's 1 lb 11 oz, but their FAQ page lists the Classic at a mere three ounces less (1 lb 8 oz) than the Comfort. And frankly, I can lose more than 7 oz on various parts of my body .

I do not care that much for the Comfort's shell sizes adjustability, and I wonder how much of a pain it really is to switch between step heights on the Classic? Is the bending required really weird? It can't be worse than the Trekkers, now, can it?

Also my last question is whether the straps that ship with the bindings would detach if caught in an avalanche? It doesn't look like the Classic comes with optional brakes (and then that is weight again).

I do not plan to ski these skis in resorts at all.

I've heard (on TAY.com) that the Classic (and to some extent the Comfort) may pre-release when the ski is flexed a lot. Any beta on that?

Thanks for any help you can give to decide between the two bindings.

drC

[Conundrum]

I don't have too many answers for you but what I have found for the brakes on the classic is they only go up to 75 mm wide and the comforts go to 95 ish. I scored some classics cheap and have yet to mount them but took a leash idea from wildsnow.com that should break if you get caught in a slide. Other things I have heard about the brakes are that they don't always activate and they can make rotating the heel a pain. Like I said though, I haven't actually tried mine yet so there are better sources out there.

[laseranimal]

if you're looking at dynafits why bother with brakes?

[Orange Julius]

the brakes are nice for stepping in and aligning that stupid pin up

[AltaPowderDaze]

when super soft skis flex, shit happens. freerides have the same problem. i have skied both my classics and comforts in the resort and find them both to be pretty bomber. i don't have brakes and haven't toured with the comforts but i would prefer them to the classics for the uphill. i was very efficient at changing my heel climbing post on the freerides and have noticed the differences w/ the classics. for some of the changes you don't have to bend over but for getting out of the heel w/o clicking out of the toe you'll want the comforts. just my opinion.

[upallnight]

Dr Crash-
If you're used to Trekkers, either the Comfort or Classic will be a *huge* improvement in both weight and ergonomics; you will feel like you're running uphill.

That said, the Comforts are slightly heavier than the Classics (as you state); I don't you'll notice the difference from the setup you're leaving behind. If you were riding on the Classics and switching to the Comforts, you might notice.

I feel the ability to switch tour modes without bending over is significant enough to justify the extra weight. Bending down and sliding your ski back while maintaining balance is something that is always irritating to me in the sense that it seems to require more energy than it should. It's not like standing on a flat surface and tying your shoes; I think the need to balance and not slide backwards/off the track require core strength...and I'd rather use all my energy on going uphill.

I don't have a problem with pre-release. I have had some issues with toe release, but the primary issue is being sure to keep the toepiece clear of ice, keep your boot sole clean, and ensure that the Dynafit receptacles on the tip of your boot remain ice/snow-free.

I prefer brakes to straps in avalanche terrain. In my experience, straps are designed to stay attached to you (= bad when things slide), although it sounds like the system Conundrum references may be a good compromise. (My question: How does it have enough tension to stay attached in a fall but break off in a slide? Seems hard to get right.)

I just mounted a set of Comforts on a pair of Explosivs that see lots of inbound/out-the-gates use. I'm not going to bomb moguls with them all day or take big air, but I'm very confident in them for everything else (i.e., I won't "baby" them).

Be advised that when you add brakes to any Dynafit setup, it creates a small nuisance in switching from downhill to tour mode. I basically always take my skis off for this; I know it's possible not to do so, but I can't seem to get it without risking a break to the tip of my poles.

Good luck!

[Conundrum]

Dr Crash-
although it sounds like the system Conundrum references may be a good compromise. (My question: How does it have enough tension to stay attached in a fall but break off in a slide? Seems hard to get right.)

Good point. I'm new at the Dynafit setup so prolly good that you mentioned it.

[corn dog]

The camber/undesired release issue on dynafits is different from fritschis. The problem on dynafits occurs when the skis are over-cambered ( is that the right word? more bowed up, not stomped on extra hard), e.g. your skis are in a pile of heavy snow and you try and jump out of it, but ski stays put but bends up in the middle. This pulls the pins in the rear out of their slots. The comforts have longer rear pins than the classics and so are presumably less prone to this problem.
I've used both and can't say I find a noticeable difference, but like the idea that the pins on the comforts are more likely to stay in. I only use mine in the bc and do not use brakes, just straps.

[col_surfer]

I do not plan to ski these skis in resorts at all.

Get the TLT classics. I own both and prefer their durability. Those plastic volcanoes will break eventually. Ski brakes not necessary in BC.

[upallnight]

Ski brakes not necessary in BC.

I respectfully offer a different perspective on this. One can still lose a ski in the BC, and brakes are safer in avy terrain.

For skis that are used for a combination of in- and out-of-bounds terrain (might be true for the original poster?), brakes are pretty much a necessity.

[Trackhead]

I respectfully offer a different perspective on this. One can still lose a ski in the BC, and brakes are safer in avy terrain.

For skis that are used for a combination of in- and out-of-bounds terrain (might be true for the original poster?), brakes are pretty much a necessity.

Dynafits with brakes work miserably. It makes them MUCH harder to rotate between touring heights, and can cause the binding to auto rotate. DON'T GET BRAKES!!!!!!! You'll hate your bindings.

I bought comforts, for the longer pin length. No pre-release problems.

[KANUTTEN]

So what is the deal with the different versions of the dynafit binders; On their website I find the Comfort, Speed and Race, which is for Freeriding, SkiTouring and SkiRunning resspectively. What is really the difference? All of em look pretty skinny, so I suppose the Comfort is what counts if your not into something weird that only middle aged continental europeans are into... No?

[upallnight]

Dynafits with brakes work miserably. It makes them MUCH harder to rotate between touring heights, and can cause the binding to auto rotate. DON'T GET BRAKES!!!!!!! You'll hate your bindings.

I bought comforts, for the longer pin length. No pre-release problems.

I've got 3 pairs of comforts, all with brakes. What Trackhead says is true -- it will make it tougher to adjust touring height....but I have never experienced any "auto rotation".

I definitely don't hate 'em (even with brakes).

[upallnight]

So what is the deal with the different versions of the dynafit binders; On their website I find the Comfort, Speed and Race, which is for Freeriding, SkiTouring and SkiRunning resspectively. What is really the difference? All of em look pretty skinny, so I suppose the Comfort is what counts if your not into something weird that only middle aged continental europeans are into... No?

Basically, you want the Comforts...unless you're entering comps (or are into ultra-ultra-lightweight setups for "ski-running").

I think the Race version shaves a few ounces with use of titanium...not worth the extra $$ in my opinion, but I don't know about your financial situation.

"Ski running" looks pretty wild. Guys doing something like 6K vert an hour, or something similarly insane. (And I thought my 2.5K vert/hour was OK...)

Regardless of which you choose, you've got a great set of options.

[Beaver]

I've got 2 pair of tlt classics. One with brakes one without. I removed the brakes on one pair cause they pissed me off. The problem I had with the brakes is that when rotating the heel piece the upward force applied to the heel piece by the brake actually pushed the heelpiece off the post it rotates on.

[upallnight]

I've got 2 pair of tlt classics. One with brakes one without. I removed the brakes on one pair cause they pissed me off. The problem I had with the brakes is that when rotating the heel piece the upward force applied to the heel piece by the brake actually pushed the heelpiece off the post it rotates on.

Are you saying the heel piece essentially came off the mount? Can you clarify this?

That's scary. I've not had any trouble with my Dynafit brakes (yet) on multiple pairs.

[corn dog]

I tried brakes with comforts. I wiped out a few times, releasing, and the brakes came off. Figured I'd better get something else for riding lifts

[LeeLau]

Found this review of the Dynafit TLTs with brakes - thought it might be useful - very anti brake

Beaver - I just scored a set of TLTs without brakes. Im just going to go with the leashes and make them breakaway by cutting them and attaching them together with velcro. Any thoughts on that? If you still have the brakes I'd consider buying them from you and trying them out for a bit unless you say they really really suck

whoops for upallnight - forgot to paste in the review - http://www.backcountry.com/store/LIF...ch-Brakes.html -

[upallnight]

Found this review of the Dynafit TLTs with brakes - thought it might be useful - very anti brake

Beaver - I just scored a set of TLTs without brakes. Im just going to go with the leashes and make them breakaway by cutting them and attaching them together with velcro. Any thoughts on that? If you still have the brakes I'd consider buying them from you and trying them out for a bit unless you say they really really suck

That doesn't really sound like a review that is "anti-brake". It sounds like a guy found a deal on a pair without 'em and is trying home-brew straps. Actually, it rather sounds like he WANTS the brakes.

[LeeLau]

I looked in Wildsnow. Maybe Im just lousy at searching. Im trying to mount some Brakes on Dynafit TLTs - any hints?

Also, I can't find a manual for the TLTs for height adjustment.

Did find the wildsnow entry on periodic lubing of the bushing in the heel=piece internals. Any pointers on this other then taking off all DIN before doing it?

Thanks!

[PNWbrit]

Lee

Does this do it for you?

http://www.wildsnow.com/articles/dyn...e-install.html

by the way still not sure about next weekend - perhaps North Cascades Highway, perhaps Whistler?

[LeeLau]

oooh yes. It didnt occur to me that the TLT and Comfort brakes are the same but they are.

I'd still love to do Baker next weekend. Drive there on Friday - camp at trailhead or at snowline and then up and down Saturday?

[LeeLau]

Another mount and TLT question

From Lou's blog at http://www.wildsnow.com/articles/dyn...nt_2001_2.html

He has this picture http://www.wildsnow.com/images/artic...with_ruler.jpg

- There are two screws in the heel piece. The larger one is for DIN. What is the smaller one for?

- Is there a height adjustment for toes or for heels? If so, how should the toes and heels of the boot be adjusted?

[Camilo]

1. One screw (big screw) for rotational release. Other screw (small screw) for vertical release. This is shown in the picture with arrows for the boot rocking, and arrows for the boot twisting in each respective "DIN" scale.

2. No height adjustment. I don't really understand what you're asking about adjusting toes and heels.

[LeeLau]

1. One screw (big screw) for rotational release. Other screw (small screw) for vertical release. This is shown in the picture with arrows for the boot rocking, and arrows for the boot twisting in each respective "DIN" scale.

2. No height adjustment. I don't really understand what you're asking about adjusting toes and heels.

Thanks for the input on the screws. The Dynafit website has no manuals for the TLT or comfort. I'm going to assume that I should adjust both DINs for 9 since that is what I usually ski

Re the height adjustment. Fritschi has a toe height adjustment to allow the toe to be adjusted up and down. It appears that there is no height adjustment on Dynafits to adjust toe and heel height off the ski topsheet.