Mount dilemma: Dynafit Rad 2.0 or Guardian/Tracker MNC for (mostly) resort pow ski

[Toddball]

I bought a pair of 181cm ON3P Jeffrey 122s a while ago. They were previously mounted for Salomon Guardians/Atomic Trackers, and one ski was mounted around 1.5cm back from where it should have been so it has one extra set of plugged holes.

I'm 5'9", 135lbs and not as good at skiing as some of you. I generally like jumping off stuff and going fast-ish. I don't really do spins or flips or park stuff of any kind. One day I would like to learn how to nose butter.

I currently have Dynafit Rad 2.0 STs (which I ski at DIN/RV 8) and Tyrolia AAAttack 16s (also at 8). My other skis (187 Hoji, 177 Huascaran) have inserts for one or both of these. I also have Salomon MTN Labs (26.5, 301mm BSL) and Tecnica Bodacious 130s (26.5, 310mm BSL), and I like the MTN Labs enough to ski them in the resort.

I'm pretty confident I could get the Rad 2.0s to fit with the previous mounts, but less confident about the AAAttack 16s. If I ended up with a touring binding on these skis, I would probably tour with them a few times per season, but they would definitely not be my main touring ski.

So, my question is: should I mount them with Rad 2.0 STs (and risk breaking them in the resort), Tyrolia AAAttacks (which may not be possible), or Guardian/Tracker MNCs (which cost at least twice as much as I paid for the skis)?

[gregL]

Even at 135 lbs. your chances of breaking the Dynafits is pretty good if you hammer them in the ski area long term. The AAAttack 16 will not work with the MTN Lab ISO 9523 sole. The Tracker weighs a ton.

I would get a pair of alpine bindings that will fit either boot, then have a shop overlay their jig on the ski to see if you can remount. I suggest the Warden 13.

[buildakicker]

Even at 135 lbs. your chances of breaking the Dynafits is pretty good if you hammer them in the ski area long term. The AAAttack 16 will not work with the MTN Lab ISO 9523 sole. The Tracker weighs a ton.

I would get a pair of alpine bindings that will fit either boot, then have a shop overlay their jig on the ski to see if you can remount. I suggest the Warden 13.

This.

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[DropCliffsNotBombs]

DO NOT use a Dynafit binding for mostly resort skiing. Trust me.

[PNWbrit]

DO NOT use a Dynafit binding for mostly resort skiing. Trust me.

Certainly not worth it if the OP only tours a couple of times a year on them as he states.

[profahoben]

I have a pair of guardians (size large) that I would let go of it that helps your decision.

Either way do not go with dynafit.

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[Toddball]

Thanks for all the input; definitely not mounting with Dynafits now. Sounds like I should find someone with a Warden jig. I'm going to check the Tyrolia AAAttack hole pattern again more carefully; I guess if AAAttack 14 ATs have the same hole pattern as AAAttack 16s that might be a more versatile option, since I could then use the 14 ATs on my Hojis that have inserts for 16s.

If anyone has any leads on Wardens I'm definitely interested.

I have a pair of guardians (size large) that I would let go of it that helps your decision.

Either way do not go with dynafit.

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The original mount was for size small Guardians; not sure if the mount pattern is different or what. It sounds like the minimum BSL for the size large is 305mm anyway, so my MTN Labs would be too small.

[galibier_numero_un]

...Sounds like I should find someone with a Warden jig. .

Sounds like you should surf on over to Powder Guide: http://www.powderguide.com/community...=seite#pid7410

... Thom

[DGamms]

Toddball, unrelated question: how's the Huascaran vs the Hoji? I've been eyeing the longer Huascaran as a do it all touring ski. I'm currently on the 184 Raven, and I love it. But I'm curious how the Huascaran skis both pow and crappy snow, since every once an awhile I feel like the Raven has too much tail taper. The Huascaran looks like it has a fatter tail (and fatter waist) on paper, kind of like a Hoji (or a fatter Raven) with less of a pintail and a slightly less progressive mount point.

[Toddball]

Toddball, unrelated question: how's the Huascaran vs the Hoji? I've been eyeing the longer Huascaran as a do it all touring ski. I'm currently on the 184 Raven, and I love it. But I'm curious how the Huascaran skis both pow and crappy snow, since every once an awhile I feel like the Raven has too much tail taper. The Huascaran looks like it has a fatter tail (and fatter waist) on paper, kind of like a Hoji (or a fatter Raven) with less of a pintail and a slightly less progressive mount point.

The main differences between the 177 Huascaran and the 187 Hoji are (a) the weight, 1780g vs 2240g per ski, and (b) the Huascaran has lower tip rocker. I can't remember which has deeper tip rocker (I guess the Hoji is full reverse-camber...), but the effect of the Huascaran's lighter weight and lower rocker is that you have to be more careful blasting through firm bumps/chunks so you don't spear the tips in. The only times I experience this touring are when crossing avy debris (maybe something to avoid anyway) and firm moguls on the Source Lake Uphill Dog Shit Trail.

The other notable types of crappy snow I can think of are trap crust and ice ball chicken head skating rink. The Huascaran is definitely a pintail with long-radius sidecut, so at low speed you're going to be hop-turning in trap crust. The Huascaran does a great job on icy crap, although it isn't that fun.

I really like skinning on the Huascarans. Partly because they're pretty light, but the shorter tails with minimal rise make kick turns pretty easy, and the Dynafit speedskins are sweet.

I haven't skied the Ravens, unfortunately, but I think you'll like the 177 Huascarans if you like the 184 Ravens. I believe the edge contact length is about 130cm in both those skis in those lengths. Not sure it solves the tail taper problem though.

Hope that helps a little! If you're ever in the Seattle area next winter we could always trade for a day.

[Toddball]

Sounds like you should surf on over to Powder Guide: http://www.powderguide.com/community...=seite#pid7410

... Thom

Thanks!

[gregL]

Thanks!

Note that the STH2 and Warden templates are the same except for the front set of holes on the toe. Use the back two and the two 65mm ahead (the middle hole is labeled incorrectly as "STH2 Z-type" - it is only for Z series toes).

[galibier_numero_un]

You beat me to the punch. Good on ya for pointing this out to him Greg!

... Thom

[smooth operator]

I have Guardians in S that I am willing to part with for little money... but I am in Europe.

[Toddball]

I have Guardians in S that I am willing to part with for little money... but I am in Europe.

I'm in Seattle

I guess I'm going to go home and czech the Warden and AAAttack 14 AT hole pattern, and if those work I'll WTB some.

[skibrd]

CAST 2.0

[Toddball]

CAST 2.0

Yep that would be sweet; ended up with Guardians though. First tour of this season was a Muir slog on frame bindings.