Fritschi Tecton

[nickel]

So people are starting to have some miles on these I assume? Durability issues other than the forward falling boot dent?

[rod9301]

Maybe it was just my inflexibility, but I could never master the maneuver of bending over, shifting my weight to one foot, lifting up my boot heel and rotating the heel piece of my 1st gen radicals. Especially on steep terrain or in dicey situations. It was just easier to take the skis off. Tectons are a breeze to click out of tour mode with a pole and step-in to ski mode.

I never had a problem taking my skis of to change modes.

I worry about the complexity of these and other new bindings, especially in the Backcountry.

To me, the Salomon simple pin binding sounds really good, except for the crampon attachment.
I got used to the beautiful crampon attachment on the g3 ions.

BTW, I tested the release on my G3 ions and it measured at 75 nm, when it should have been almost 100. Not a satisfactory answer from G3.

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[NorCalNomad]

I never had a problem taking my skis of to change modes.

Once you get use to keeping them on to go from uphill to downhill there is no going back (unless it's a super mellow one lap day). So much reduction of fiddle fuckery, also in powder it is even more of an asset since you don't have to spend time and energy stomping out a platform.

[TahoeJ]

Once you get use to keeping them on to go from uphill to downhill there is no going back (unless it's a super mellow one lap day). So much reduction of fiddle fuckery, also in powder it is even more of an asset since you don't have to spend time and energy stomping out a platform.

I did this for the first time the other day on my Tectons and it was pretty great (wasn't an option before with kingpins), especially since I would have sunk down to my knees stepping out. Albeit a little awkward but I'm sure I'll get better / smoother with practice.

[1000-oaks]

Haven't done it yet, but it looks like if you're using inserts, Tecton can share front toe holes with STH/STH2. Puts Tecton only a few MM forward of Soli mount. Going to get some washers and offset the center holes to spread out clamping load in Tecton, since Soli holes are about 1.5mm closer together.

[LeeLau]

I put some mastic tape on my boots. It's sticky and padded so will stick to regular plastic even when its cold.

No more exciting forward/knee falls on my part on the Tecton or Evo. My tape on the boots does get imprints from the binding bump. I think that may be because I have a long stride so when i stride the boot grazes the bump.

So far so good

[summit]

I actually really enjoy the ability to switch INTO tour mode without removing my skis... can make crossing flats much easier.

That is something Dynafit never did well (you could finagle the old Comforts into doing it).

Vipec and Tecton do this nicely.

[jacob_dbu]

I actually really enjoy the ability to switch INTO tour mode without removing my skis... can make crossing flats much easier.

That is something Dynafit never did well (you could finagle the old Comforts into doing it).

Vipec, Tecton, MTN do this nicely.

How does the MTN do this? You twist the heel while lifting up?

[summit]

How does the MTN do this? You twist the heel while lifting up?

whoops I don't know what I was thinking when I posted that!

[counterfeitfake]

I put some mastic tape on my boots. It's sticky and padded so will stick to regular plastic even when its cold.

No more exciting forward/knee falls on my part on the Tecton or Evo. My tape on the boots does get imprints from the binding bump. I think that may be because I have a long stride so when i stride the boot grazes the bump.

So far so good

I don't get it, can you explain what the mastic is for?

[LeeLau]

I don't get it, can you explain what the mastic is for?

Boot dents because of the force with which you hit the boot on the toe bump. My hope is that the mastic tape cushions the fall a bit so the boot won't dent

[LightRanger]

I actually really enjoy the ability to switch INTO tour mode without removing my skis... can make crossing flats much easier.

That is something Dynafit never did well (you could finagle the old Comforts into doing it).

Vipec and Tecton do this nicely.

This is the one thing I miss about tele bindings going to Dynafit a few years back. Looking forward to a binding that switches without stepping out again.

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[greasyslope]

Love my Tectons.

Not that many days on them yet (12-15?), since I only had them on the skinnier boards until this past weekend. So, I still can’t say much about long term durability, but no issues so far. I have put them through their paces during those days. A mix of resort and side country.

I’m almost 45, so I do not ski like I used to, but I still ski fairly fast and I’m ~6’3”/225 lbs, so I’m hard on gear. I have found no reason to not fully trust these bindings while charging on Wrenegades and Billy Goats.

I did end up increasing my heel RV to 11.5 because I did experience two unwanted releases in mixed snow conditions when I did not want to release (submarining tips into heavier chopped, crusty snow, but I felt I could have recovered if my skis were still attached). Since then I have not experienced any unwanted releases.

The other day I did six separate skins throughout the day. All told I was out for about 9 hours. It was a powder day with fairly cold snow. By the last transition into ski mode I did have to work the heels a little to get packed snow and ice cleared out, I was reasonably gentle and with a bit of manual clearing and working the heel dildo a little bit, they snapped into ski mode easily.

My inner gear whore lusts after the Shift. However, up to this point I see little reason to “upgrade.” I hope the Shift is an unmitigated success. At this point, I could see having a set for skis that I rarely tour with, but want options. The majority of my ski days are a mix of resort and some touring. The Tecton (and Vipec Evo) toes are a vast improvement for ease of step in over previous generations. They are still not alpine binding easy. However, I am a little wary of the potential complexity of the Shift over between modes on that binding, plus I think I will let others iron out any potential bugs this time.

For now, Tecton rules!

[nickel]

I did this for the first time the other day on my Tectons and it was pretty great (wasn't an option before with kingpins), especially since I would have sunk down to my knees stepping out. Albeit a little awkward but I'm sure I'll get better / smoother with practice.

How can you not do this with kingpins?

[TahoeJ]

How can you not do this with kingpins?

I suppose it’s technically possible but seems a hell of a lot more awkward to try to reach under the middle of your boot and flip the lever around into ski mode. I never tried... have you? I guess you might be able to do it with a ski pole in theory...

[Spyderjon]

Haven't done it yet, but it looks like if you're using inserts, Tecton can share front toe holes with STH/STH2.....

I was looking to do that combo this week for a customer but it doesn't quite go. Tecton/Evo/Vipec front toe holes are 44mm apart across the ski but the STH/STH2 front toe are only 40mm apart.

[riff]

I use my pole for mode changes on the king pin every time. Not bad at all, assuming the heel track is clear. The tecton is probably easier though, just from looking.


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[nickel]

I suppose it’s technically possible but seems a hell of a lot more awkward to try to reach under the middle of your boot and flip the lever around into ski mode. I never tried... have you? I guess you might be able to do it with a ski pole in theory...

I do it with a ski pole every time. It's really not that hard at all.

[1000-oaks]

I was looking to do that combo this week for a customer but it doesn't quite go. Tecton/Evo/Vipec front toe holes are 44mm apart across the ski but the STH/STH2 front toe are only 40mm apart.

Depends on your jig, when I made mine I positioned the front toe holes at the "front-outside" of the diagonal slots, which puts the front holes 42.5mm apart, and close enough for M5 screws to drop through the Tecton front holes.

[Solesides]

@Solesides - found the video confirming that TLT6 toe isn't endorsed for working with Tecton/Evo toe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuXDwwNZBjA

TLT6 heel also renders it incompatible with Tecton

Black Diamond and Fritschi have also put out an updated spec sheet with more information about boot incompatibility issues. Link here:

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com...ts_2017-18.pdf

BD customer service has also offered me the option to swap out the Tecton heels for Vipec heels to address the issue. Good option because all you have to do is pull the heel and not the mounting plate for an easy swap without needing to redrill. I've decided to keep the Tecton heels and also purchase just the Vipec heels so I can keep using my TLT6s. If and when I get new (and compatible) boots, I'll go back to the Tecton heels. Not an awesome solution but it works for me..

Edit: Watched the video Lee posted and realize the Vipec heels do nothing for the toe piece incompatibility issues that are also a factor with the TLT6. As I communicated to BD, would've been nice to have that information prior to purchasing, mounting and skiing..but better late than never?

[LeeLau]

Black Diamond and Fritschi have also put out an updated spec sheet with more information about boot incompatibility issues. Link here:

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com...ts_2017-18.pdf

BD customer service has also offered me the option to swap out the Tecton heels for Vipec heels to address the issue. Good option because all you have to do is pull the heel and not the mounting plate for an easy swap without needing to redrill. I've decided to keep the Tecton heels and also purchase just the Vipec heels so I can keep using my TLT6s. If and when I get new (and compatible) boots, I'll go back to the Tecton heels. Not an awesome solution but it works for me..

Edit: Watched the video Lee posted and realize the Vipec heels do nothing for the toe piece incompatibility issues that are also a factor with the TLT6. As I communicated to BD, would've been nice to have that information prior to purchasing, mounting and skiing..but better late than never?

BD's strength is NOT communicating upfront. The boot compatibilities could have been sorted out first rather then some hack reviewer (me) finding out and reporting it. Ditto the forward knee falls and boot toe vagination. Ditto the brake pads breaking. These bindings are good products. BD's (lack of) comms and marketing is not helping.

Just saw that Fritschi now says Tecton works with Hoji boot. I'll grab a pair to test as I was told differently.

[Spyderjon]

Depends on your jig, when I made mine I positioned the front toe holes at the "front-outside" of the diagonal slots, which puts the front holes 42.5mm apart, and close enough for M5 screws to drop through the Tecton front holes.

My measurements are taken off the factory jigs.

[riff]

Black Diamond and Fritschi have also put out an updated spec sheet with more information about boot incompatibility issues. Link here:

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com...ts_2017-18.pdf

BD customer service has also offered me the option to swap out the Tecton heels for Vipec heels to address the issue. Good option because all you have to do is pull the heel and not the mounting plate for an easy swap without needing to redrill. I've decided to keep the Tecton heels and also purchase just the Vipec heels so I can keep using my TLT6s. If and when I get new (and compatible) boots, I'll go back to the Tecton heels. Not an awesome solution but it works for me..

Edit: Watched the video Lee posted and realize the Vipec heels do nothing for the toe piece incompatibility issues that are also a factor with the TLT6. As I communicated to BD, would've been nice to have that information prior to purchasing, mounting and skiing..but better late than never?

This may have been talked about already, but I use kingpin adapters on my tlt6, seems like this would help keep you on tecton heels...


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[1000-oaks]

My measurements are taken off the factory jigs.

Any idea why Soli made the front toe holes diagonal slots? I don't get it, margin for hole position error maybe.

[TahoeJ]

I use my pole for mode changes on the king pin every time. Not bad at all, assuming the heel track is clear. The tecton is probably easier though, just from looking.

That was my issue - almost always the heel track and switch area needed a lot of cleaning out and that carbon sliding piece connected to the flip switch is so delicate I never wanted to force it and risk breaking it. Whereas it's really easy to clear snow behind the heel piece on the Tecton and just push down the heel to step in.