help build the ultimate AT rig

[FrankZappa]

I'm a lil' concerned about puttin' my Dynafits on a "soft" ski due to the potential for a heel pre-release from too much flex. Anybody ever encounter this?

For my next rig I'm leanin' towards the Bro 179 stiff, Dynafits & my Megarides (last years).

Anybody know if the new stiffer tongues & new lace up thermo liners are available and do they fit the old shells?

[Yossarian]

yos - yes there is a 178 w105. and it is what you need. just FYI. lust away.

Really? I thought there was, but I didn't think it showed up in the drop down list on the site, or something. (Yes, I admit my fantasizing had gotten that far.)

[marshalolson]

Really? I thought there was, but I didn't think it showed up in the drop down list on the site, or something. (Yes, I admit my fantasizing had gotten that far.)

there should be some later in the fall, once preseason orders are filled, and dp can actually start producing stock.

drool away

[Orange Julius]

I still think the Atomic R:ex/TM:X is the ultimate AT ski.

[Yossarian]

There should be some later in the fall. Drool away

I hate you so much right now.

I still think the Atomic R:ex/TM:X is the ultimate AT ski.

Well then, since I already have those (and I agree, they rule!), I'd be going for both of the Ultimate Rigs then, I suppose.

[pde20]

I still think the Atomic R:ex/TM:X is the ultimate AT ski.

I'll put in my .02 which mimic orange julius and yossarian pretty much to a T. I currently use Comforts, beefed up Garmont mega rides, and a 191 R:ex as my one ski backcountry quiver. My rationale is this: I'd love to have a second set up for skiing powder (comforts on a 183 sugar daddy or a DP something would probably be my go to, could I afford it) but for me a BC ski is much more than a powder ski. Spring corn (with inevitable chicken heads and ice thrown in), hut trips, and longer traverses are all things that I do on my AT set up, so if I am forced to pick one AT rig I'm looking for something that is versatile enough for all those purposes.

For reference, this thread is worth looking over:

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showt...rliest+dynafit

[mday]

I have 179 Bros / Freerides / Lowa Struktura Pro

If I were to do it over again, I'd go with Bros / Dynafit / Garmont Mega Ride, so that I could get my fat ass up the skin track while my touring partners are still in the same zip code. Coming from an alpine background, I was more comfortable with the similarity of the Freerides to traditional bindings. I've gotten used to the strangeness of the Dynafits now, and given that very good skiers here don't complain about the downhill performance or durability of Dynafits, I'd can't believe I'd have any problems with them.

[GFP]

I've been touring on the ever popular havoc/freeride/denali combo for two seasons now. This setup is popular for a reason. While not as light as some other (dynafit) setups, this combo provides a ratio of lightness to stiffness/drive-ability that is hard to beat.

If a 183cm ski is long enough for you, and if you can get by with an 88mm waist, I highly recommend taking the havocs for a test drive.

This season I'll add a 179 stiff bro/freeride/denali setup to the AT lineup. I'm very interested to see how the bros feel in comparison to the havocs.

[homerjay]

Since when are gotama's "light?"

[freshies]

Heh... screw that OHC guy, his input sucks

Actually, you should drop OHC and me a line when you're back up here. We could grab tacos at Jalisco's or Blue Coyote or something, and fill you in. I'm finishing up the gear review stuff this week, so it's all pretty fresh in my mind.

-G

sweet, good call, tacos on me @ Jalisco's! Would be great to chat with you and Chili, then walk next door to the Backcountry and lovingly fondle some of the new gear

I may be back up this weekend, and if not, then the last weekend of Sept (on my way to Sun Valley) - I will PM both of you when I figure out the dates

[Ireallyliketoski2]

I really like the ease of use combined with the lightness of my Fritchi titanal IIs. I skied the comforts on carbon surfs a bit last year and found the bindings to be a big pain in the ass thus far, but I do really enjoy the way they ski and tour.

However, since I've only been on them about 6 days I'm not giving up on them yet as I've heard it takes a while to get the user manual dialed. I'm going to either mount them to my old x-mountains or some pocket rockets.

[upallnight]

I'm a lil' concerned about puttin' my Dynafits on a "soft" ski due to the potential for a heel pre-release from too much flex. Anybody ever encounter this?

For my next rig I'm leanin' towards the Bro 179 stiff, Dynafits & my Megarides (last years).

Anybody know if the new stiffer tongues & new lace up thermo liners are available and do they fit the old shells?

the tongues of the new mega rides are not stiffer. they're the same. the buckles have changed, though, and they upgraded the liner. it's one thing to use the G-Fit liner if it comes stock, but if you're pulling out the wallet for a new thermo liner you should get the Intuition Alpine Power Wraps. *Much* better than G-Fit liners.

Remember, this year's 179 Soft = last year's stiff, and the new stiff is even stiffer.

Dynafits have the opposite issue from Fritschis: Deep flex of a Fritschi could (if not mounted properly) cause the heel to disengage from the lock. With the Dynafit, the deep flex would cause the pins to push further into the heel receptacles on the boots. If you've mounted it properly, there should be enough room to accommodate that.

On the Dynafit setup, the reverse of the above situation (dramatically unweighting the ski or getting the tip + tail stuck) could cause your heel to pop out. Again, proper mounting makes this a non-issue.

[upallnight]

freshies: what stuff are you looking to ski?

what are you planning to hit around tahoe?

will you take these to bishop and hit some of the bigger peaks, too?

makes a difference. if you're used to jerry launcher, old denalis, and diamirs, then i suggest getting one of the lighter non-twin (or at least not a dramatic twin) ski. the gotamas are a fine ski and they're easy to ski...but that twin is definitely a waste in the backcountry.

the pocket rocket (or it's derivatives) is actually a pretty good BC ski for lightweight riders and the snow you'll find.

regardless of whether you get dynafit bindings, i highly recommend getting a dynafit-compatible boot (megaride is my preference; also look to the spirit3...the extra buckle on the spirit 4 is down low and a waste, in my opinion, for most of what you will encounter out there -- it's just a weight penalty). you're a light guy, right?

if you want to save some $$, mount your diamirs to whatever ski you wind up with...then you can later upgrade to dynafit bindings.

a short (~180), even flexing ski that is about 95-100 in the waist is a really good compromise. i've done alot on a 98mm, 179 ski in terms of handling long approaches & steep descents. i also have a pair of 179 bros on the way, which i think will just be lighter than my current setup (=go further, faster).

don't forget the cost of new skins!

you could even just get your new boots now + keep on using the existing ski + binding combo, and upgrade one at a time when money allows.

[freshies]

freshies: what stuff are you looking to ski?

what are you planning to hit around tahoe?

will you take these to bishop and hit some of the bigger peaks, too?

makes a difference. if you're used to jerry launcher, old denalis, and diamirs, then i suggest getting one of the lighter non-twin (or at least not a dramatic twin) ski. the gotamas are a fine ski and they're easy to ski...but that twin is definitely a waste in the backcountry.

the pocket rocket (or it's derivatives) is actually a pretty good BC ski for lightweight riders and the snow you'll find.

regardless of whether you get dynafit bindings, i highly recommend getting a dynafit-compatible boot (megaride is my preference; also look to the spirit3...the extra buckle on the spirit 4 is down low and a waste, in my opinion, for most of what you will encounter out there -- it's just a weight penalty). you're a light guy, right?

if you want to save some $$, mount your diamirs to whatever ski you wind up with...then you can later upgrade to dynafit bindings.

a short (~180), even flexing ski that is about 95-100 in the waist is a really good compromise. i've done alot on a 98mm, 179 ski in terms of handling long approaches & steep descents. i also have a pair of 179 bros on the way, which i think will just be lighter than my current setup (=go further, faster).

don't forget the cost of new skins!

you could even just get your new boots now + keep on using the existing ski + binding combo, and upgrade one at a time when money allows.

great feedback, gracias. yes, i am a light dude (5'8 and 155lbs)...I actually have a pair of old blue noodles, maybe i should mount those with the dynafits...but then i would have the endure the ridicule of the maggots

i am thinking of getting the new dynafit boots, the beefiest ones they have, and the bindings, and having those mounted on my 190 kahunas....would love a nice new light fat ski, like a sugar daddy or bro, but don't want to have to pay big $$ for new skis when i have kahunas and noodles that can be recycled into this at set-up....

as for plans, the usual: donner summit mostly (its so clos to my house its my default tour), a few tallacs, castle peak, jakes, etc, and usually a big trip ea spring to tioga pass (road shots, dana, cocaine, etc), and occassionally a shasta summit attempt and ski descent....and i have also toured into ostrander and grub, but notjing like the haut route/multi-day trips, etc planned (though ya never know)

[mc_roon]

what do people feel about sanouks with nx21s for sidecountry and short tours?

[pechelman]

fwiw, sugar daddies and their derivatives can be found all over for a decent price, generally under 300.

[PlayHarder]

would love a nice new light fat ski, like a sugar daddy or bro,

Hit up Mntlion when he gets back from his tour about a pair of the heli-daddies (Sugar with a flat tail).

[kidwoo]

what do people feel about sanouks with nx21s for sidecountry and short tours?

Uhh I don't know.......

jealousy?

[upallnight]

Uhh I don't know.......

jealousy?

jealousy for how strong you'll be after hiking in them all season.

wishing that they'll be on your back (e.g., a short bootpack) instead of on your feet.

wondering if you'll be upset that it took you so long to hike up only to make 1 turn on the way down.

[corn dog]

I bought some Lasers a few days ago on a whim, put my heavily modified liners in them, snapped my old denali tongues on them, and with a Denali on one foot and the Laser on the other, I cannot discern a flex difference between them, fore or aft, while clicked into my skis on the carpet. I couldn't believe it and cannot wait to ski them.

Yup. I weigh 170lbs, finally found some super cheap laser shells, threw on some free flexon tongues I found, put in an intuition liner and booster strap, and I love them. Light, ski just fine, total $$ outlay of under $100 Spend the $$ on dynafit bindings, put them on UAN approved PRs.