Dynafit Tri-Step Binding Review
I purchased the new Dynafit "Tri-Step" binding in December 2001 and had so many problems that I wrote this review in January 2002 to warn others...Since then the binding has been tweaked, but I understand that the icing problem still exists and it's heavier than ever.
I recently received an email from a recreational skiier who was being shown the Tristep binding at Calgary's Mountain Equipment Co-op last week (November 2002). He wrote,
The salesman and I put a SCARPA boot into the binding they had on display and he was showing me how the front pins allow the boot to pivot in touring mode. As he was doing this he pushed the boot as far forward as it would go and it popped out of the binding - much to his surprise. We tried some other boots that were on display and they all popped out of the binding with no force when pivoted as far forward as they go.
I have no idea if this was the new model or the old model, but in any case you get the idea.... Can you believe they actually sell this thing still? Why hasn't it been recalled?!
Here is my original review; I'll update it if I'm ever feeling reckless enough to test the New "New And Improved" model.
-T.W.,
November 20, 2002
TLT Tourlite - the Original Dyanfit Binding: Tried and True.
The original "Tourlite" by Dynafit is generally regarded as the best Alpine Touring binding on the market. There are, however, a few quirks with the Tourlite. First, it is tricky to get in and out of at first (but after a few days one develops a "knack" and this is no longer a problem), Second, the front binding will ice up in certain conditions making it necessary to occasionally clear the ice with your pole or a knife. And thirdly, you must remove your foot from the binding completely in order to switch modes from Locked (downhill) to Tour.
Tri-Step - New and Improved? How can you improve on perfection?
Most people I've spoken to find these issues a small sacrifice compared with the lightness and durability of the Tourlite. Dynafit's new Tri-Step binding, although touted as an improvement over the Tourlite, does nothing to improve on these quirks.
Icing up with the Tri-Step - a serious design defect
Most serious, however, are the consequences of icing up with the new Tri-Step binding. Just like the Tourlite, the Tri-Step also has a major icing up problem in the front binding; however, Dynafit has placed a nifty-looking plastic coverplate over the mechanism. Although this coverplate looks cool, it unfortunately makes it utterly impossible to clear ice that develops underneath the toe lever (which is concealed by the coverplate). After touring with these skis for several days in the backcountry (without a warm hut or home to thaw the skis in), it becomes absolutely impossible to remove one's foot from the binding without using extreme force.
Other struggles
A second annoying problem that seems to happen frequently is that when touring (at least once an hour--but yesterday it happened to both bindings within 30 seconds) the heel piece will swivel into the Locked (downhill) position. The result is that with the next step your heel will bind and you will have to remove your foot, reposition the heel piece, and clip in again. This happens especially, it seems, when your ski hits an uneven patch and the heel misaligns slightly. This problem is exacerbated infinitely when the icing up problem (mentioned previously) makes it impossible to release the binding.... ARRGH! This problem is nowhere near as severe with the original Tourlite and is perhaps due to a slightly larger heel design.
Another serious problem is that the binding often releases in tour mode when the boot pivots fully forward. There is a fix in store for this problem that involves the addition of a finicky new gizmo.
Yet another problem is the brakes: they don't stay on. You need to buy and retrofit a gizmo (or a plain old metal screw will do) that holds the brakes on... which of course means that the brake is no longer field removable.
And finally... a problem I have had with my Tri-Step that I expect is actually a manufacturing defect, is that the front pins on one binding have been widening, making it necessary to hammer them back tighter periodically--or deal with the ski falling off while touring up hill every ten steps. I think that this might be a metal tempering defect. Imagine my frustration as I was skiing under a high-frequency serac wall a few days ago and had to stop, remove both skis, and begin hammering at the binding with the other ski in order to close the gap 1/8 inch! Fortunately I solved the problem after a few minutes and was able to keep on skiing. The last time this problem developed I had a handy hammer-shaped piece of quartzite nearby.
Conclusion
Before you spring for the new Tri-Step, consider that it:
Fortunately I had purchased my crappy Tristep bindings at Telemark-Pyrenees, the best mail-order gear store on the planet. They had a replacement pair of good ol' TLTs in the mail before I had even begun to remove the screws on the Tristeps. Check out Telemark-Pyrenees for the cheapest prices and the best service anywhere.
Tom Wolfe
January
8th, 2002
Calgary, Alberta
Comments, etc: Tom Wolfe
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