Free: Ess Var bindings

**El Chupacabra** · 03-09-2006, 04:13 PM

Exactly as shown in the photo below. DIN is to 10. Bindings look like they're in great shape -- near-new condition. I think they are adjustable fore-aft, like the Atomic bindings, but not sure of this.

Free + shipping or local (Reno/Tahoe) pickup. PM if you want these bad boys. Explosivs pictured underneath the bindings are not for sale.

Edit: bindings have nice wide brakes too, as they clear Explosivs (95mm) with several mm to spare.

**tenex198** · 03-09-2006, 05:51 PM

Are those the 190's that were on ebay a few weeks ago? I remeber bidding on a pair that looked just like them.

Cheers

**El Chupacabra** · 03-09-2006, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by tenex198

Are those the 190's that were on ebay a few weeks ago? I remeber bidding on a pair that looked just like them.

Cheers

Yep.

They're mint. As in, I could ski them 1 day and make them look more "used" than they are right now.

**XtrPickels** · 03-09-2006, 06:19 PM

ha, i saw those on ebay too.
Did anyone snipe those 188 blizzard 9.2's from me?

**Spats** · 03-09-2006, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

I think they are adjustable fore-aft, like the Atomic bindings, but not sure of this.

The colored top of the toepiece flips up on a hinge. Flip it all the way over and you can slide the binding fore and aft. There should be an indicator on the side showing where center is.

**El Chupacabra** · 03-09-2006, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Spats

The colored top of the toepiece flips up on a hinge. Flip it all the way over and you can slide the binding fore and aft. There should be an indicator on the side showing where center is.

Thanks Spats -- was wondering how I get these bindings off the skis...

**1000-oaks** · 03-09-2006, 11:47 PM

I had those on my slalom skis back in '88! Other than an archiac toe, they're pretty decent.

**El Chupacabra** · 03-09-2006, 11:56 PM

Um... Ess Var bindings are no longer available. They sort of met an untimely end when being removed off the skis this evening.

**CantDog** · 03-10-2006, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Exactly as shown in the photo below. DIN is to 10. Bindings look like they're in great shape -- near-new condition. I think they are adjustable fore-aft, like the Atomic bindings, but not sure of this.

Heh, I picked up a similar pair of explosivs from the DCSkiSwap via Bluebird for 80 bucks. Used a day maybe, and then collect 10 years of edge rust. Pretty awesome.

I think they are 92-93ish. The euros here at Engelberg look at me funny on the bus. Everyone here rocks brand new fat skis.

**Sensisnow** · 03-10-2006, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Um... Ess Var bindings are no longer available. They sort of met an untimely end when being removed off the skis this evening.

Care to elaborate? Sounds like a good story behind this. I'm picturing something involving a crowbar and a BFH.

**El Chupacabra** · 03-10-2006, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by SnowRider4Life

Care to elaborate? Sounds like a good story behind this. I'm picturing something involving a crowbar and a BFH.

They wouldn't slide fully off the track to the rear, something was holding it up underneath the middle part of the Ess plate. I wrestled with it for around 1/2 hour, then gave up and started prying with a flathead screwdriver. After pieces of plastic snapped off and flew across the shop, exposing the metal band that connects the toe and heel pieces of the binding, I was able to separate the toe & heel pieces, and slide them off the tracks.

I don't think this is much of a loss. 10 DIN bindings, not indemnified, and amazingly heavy -- like 3-4 lbs apiece -- The toe pieces were mostly a solid chunk of cast aluminum. The brakes (!) used a giant metal base plate. Both the toe and heel pieces ride on a metal track that looks sort of like a Look Pivot heel piece track, so there's even more weight there.

**Mechmaster** · 03-10-2006, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

They wouldn't slide fully off the track to the rear, something was holding it up underneath the middle part of the Ess plate. I wrestled with it for around 1/2 hour, then gave up and started prying with a flathead screwdriver. After pieces of plastic snapped off and flew across the shop, exposing the metal band that connects the toe and heel pieces of the binding, I was able to separate the toe & heel pieces, and slide them off the tracks.

I don't think this is much of a loss. 10 DIN bindings, not indemnified, and amazingly heavy -- like 3-4 lbs apiece -- The toe pieces were mostly a solid chunk of cast aluminum. The brakes (!) used a giant metal base plate. Both the toe and heel pieces ride on a metal track that looks sort of like a Look Pivot heel piece track, so there's even more weight there.

For future reference, here's how to remove an old ESS Var. I haven't done one in a while, and this is from memory, so go easy on me.

Near the toe, on the base plate with the AFD attached to it, there's a tab. Pry the tab out and slide the AFD plate back a bit. Pivot the AFD plate upwards about the front (toe piece side) and remove.

Under the plate you'll see a metal track that looks a little like a surrated bread knife; the half-circle cutouts hold the length adjustment locks. Using a slot screwdriver, twist the locks 180 degrees. Pull the heel band up free of the locks. Pull the heel and band backwards out of the binding.

Flip the toe lever open and slide the toe off the track. Remove the base track from the ski with your Pozi.

**El Chupacabra** · 03-10-2006, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Mechmaster

For future reference, here's how to remove an old ESS Var, without destroying it, you monkey.

Thanks Mechmaster. Sorry I trashed this fine, fine piece of German engineering.

**72Twenty** · 03-10-2006, 03:07 PM

I have hot pink ESS VARS on my K2 TNC's.

**MotherWar** · 07-23-2012, 12:02 PM

OMG! ESS VAR Racing bindings are awesome. If you want bindings that will come off explosively and practically throw you away from the skis when twisted, these are the ones you need. Super duty springs and easy to adjust. Lift the center piece (Slot for flathead on side) to set size onto boots and then FH screwdriver in the front and back to tighten. I love mine. They are on 193 Volkls. I always thought these bindings would be classics (since I spent a ton on them) but alas, people are frightened of things they cannot understand.