attn: freeride users- help needed.

**SLCMunchie** · 11-10-2006, 11:44 AM

so, i'm going to pony up and ditch the trekers this year and go freeride. i'm a cheap bastard and always try to score the cheapest deal i can find. i'm a very agressive rider at times and am just looking to make my backcountry experience that much easier. my current quiver consists of proto B-squads in a 190, first gen gotamas that are somewhat beat up, but work as a deep deep pow day ski and probably a general all purpose touring ski, GS race boards, 177 4front twinnies for kiting and occasional park use, and a very very old pair of hashed out first gen Bigs.

so, given the current quiver, i'm thininking about putting the new freerides on my gotamas. as i said before, i use these for deep powder days when it's bottomless and the squads are jsut too much and are submarining. so, the freerides will be used in bounds skiing as well as backcountry. i tend to go bigger and demand more out of my skis when in bounds or resort backcountry. i'm usually too tired by the time i get anywhere decent to pull any big drops or anything when i'm touring.

so, will a 10 din older model freeride like the explorer or express suit me ok for occasional inbounds or kite skiing? or should i just buck up and get the new freeride? also, are there any known problems with the older express or explorer bindings.

sorry such a jong. i did a search, but found litttle comparison info or details that i could narrow down to a specific model.

thanks.

**Storm11** · 11-10-2006, 11:51 AM

If I remember correctly, the older lower DIN models had strength issues with the toe pieces. I've got the earlier gen. Freerides (grey) and the only problem I've had with them is when I flex the ski enough (moguls, hip checks on drops) I've had them go into walk mode, and thus I don't really feel they're bomber enough for that kinda stuff. Just MHO though.

**LeeLau** · 11-10-2006, 11:54 AM

your body weight, skiing style, PIN number, naked pictures of your sister ... all the standard information is required for a semi-intelligent answer

**jrosendahl** · 11-10-2006, 01:45 PM

1) If you would use normal alpine bindings would a din of 10 work for you?
If is won't then the freerides probably work in a 10 either
2) People who use alpine boots in freerides complain more and seem to experience more breakage than people who use AT boots
3) People who only use AT/Freerides rarley complain or seem to experience any real issues.
4)I think that the hinge of the freeride wears out with use, I would recomend that you don't buy used.

**cj001f** · 11-10-2006, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by jrosendahl

1) If you would use normal alpine bindings would a din of 10 work for you?
If is won't then the freerides probably work in a 10 either
2) People who use alpine boots in freerides complain more and seem to experience more breakage than people who use AT boots
3) People who only use AT/Freerides rarley complain or seem to experience any real issues.
4)I think that the hinge of the freeride wears out with use, I would recomend that you don't buy used.

Stellar advice there real 3rd hand genius at work.

**pauljames** · 11-10-2006, 02:50 PM

using touring bindings is always going to be a bit of a compromise, albeit a worthwhile one in my eyes. Therfore I would take the hit and shell out for new freeride+ . I think it would be worth it for your peice of mind

**jrosendahl** · 11-10-2006, 03:38 PM

Imagine the detail I could have given if I had ever been on AT bindings before

**hit-tag-it** · 11-10-2006, 04:26 PM

pony up... the older freerides pre released alot,

**SLCMunchie** · 11-13-2006, 09:13 AM

thanks. well, you didn't help me any with the decision. i regularly ski on 11 and bump it up if i'm in a critical situation. those were my first instincts as well to go with the higher din. thanks for nuthin i guess....

**kidwoo** · 11-13-2006, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by SLCMunchie

thanks. well, you didn't help me any with the decision. i regularly ski on 11 and bump it up if i'm in a critical situation. those were my first instincts as well to go with the higher din. thanks for nuthin i guess....

Is that kona in your avatar?

Actually I'm sure it is...........so........is that you?

**cj001f** · 11-13-2006, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by hit-tag-it

pony up... the older freerides pre released alot,

Yeah, I heard they redesigned the toepiece substantially - oh, wait, no

toe hinge wearing out? Where did you make that up?

**kidwoo** · 11-13-2006, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by cj001f

Yeah, I heard they redesigned the toepiece substantially - oh, wait, no

toe hinge wearing out? Where did you make that up?

White, as a color and in general, prereleases less. The addition of grey pigment in the polymer beads makes the plastic slipperyerer.

Can't argue with science.

**cj001f** · 11-13-2006, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by kidwoo

White, as a color and in general, prereleases less. The addition of grey pigment in the polymer beads makes the plastic slipperyerer.

Can't argue with science.

I'm going to paint your binding grey dude.

**jrosendahl** · 11-13-2006, 12:28 PM

Toe Hinge wearing out,
My freerides (Grey) have like 10-20 deg of play from left to right when in walk mode, I assume that this is from trying to get an edge in while trying to traverse icy slopes. This play was not there originaly, and is not in my freeride+'s which have alot fewer days on them, so I came up with this wild idea that they might just be wearing out.