Repurposing Bindings Not A Good Idea.

A Question From Reader Mike Goldman:

I have the Marker IPT Wideride bindings mounted on a pair of Vokyl RTM 80. Can these bindings be re-mounted and used on something like a Nordica Soul Rider 97?  Thanks.

Response From Jackson Hogan, ski industry veteran and publisher of realskiers.com.

My answer to Mike is no. System skis usually have a unique hole pattern on the binding interface and may have other compatibility issues with a ski that is not its mate. It’s generally not possible to transfer a system binding to a non-system ski. Also, I would not devalue a new ski by mounting it with an old binding if I could avoid it. 

 

16 Comments

  1. Denny Coates says:

    I learned the hard way about using old bindings! I was skiing along, having a wonderful day, when suddenly I found myself trying to get up after losing a ski! Usually, If I fall, I know why! What happened? The bindings broke! Lesson learned!

  2. Rich Spritz says:

    I think there’s a bit more to be said on this topic. First, I’m an instructor at Breck, so I may be biased in that I get deep discounts on equipment. That said, many ski shops won’t work on bindings over 10 years old because of the high rate of binding failure (parts wear, spring stretch, etc.) and consequent liability. Think that’s total BS meant to sell more bindings? I did. Until I re-used a set of Look bindings pushing 10 years old, noticed that that one toe occasionally released a bit strangely, and wound up with an MCL tear when that same thing happened the day before I was scheduled to go heli-skiing. IMO it’s not worth it to push old bindings; they are the cheapest component of the essential boot-binding-ski unit.

  3. I’m hoping the extremely redoubtable Mr. Jackson Hogan might be able to give a followup reply to this question: If an “old binding” were to mounted on a compatible “new ski”, would that still be “devaluing” the new ski, if the binding was, let’s say, only about 2 years old and in seemingly perfect working condition? If yes, please explain how or why that devalues the new ski. Thanks!

  4. Jack Shipley says:

    Jackson Hogan’s recommendation not to re-use old ski bindings is good and valid, but only for specific, fairly technical modern alpine bindings. It is not true, however, across the board, and definitely not for backcountry skis and bindings. I am right now getting set to re-use a pair of 45-year-old Swedish “ABC Victory” cable bindings on a brand-new pair of Madshus Annum backcountry skis. The only modification they’ll need is a new set of cables, made to just the right length at the neighborhood hardware store. So old gear still has usefulness in simple, lightweight applications.

  5. David Hoffman says:

    Jack talked about his old back country bindings but on system or non system bindings, retail ski shops get a list each year listing those ski bindings are ‘indemnified’ for the current ski year. These shops are advised not to work on any ski with bindings not on that list. Those not on the list are normally bindings that are over 10 years old.

  6. Steven Seely says:

    The insurance industry has decreed a 6 year old binding is a liability not covered. Most shops will not adjust bindings over 6 years old. Get rid of them and ave your knees/ankles!

  7. James Davis says:

    Ok I fully understand the mechanical aspect of old bindings, but what about the skis underneath. I have several pair of older skis in excellent visual condition that I like to use occasionally. How many times is it safe to put on new bindings?

  8. I’ve ripped bindings right out of skis twice now but it was back in the late 60’s when I raced in high school. We used to screw them down so they would not easily release on a course. Not smart, but I was a teen. My coaches should have known better though. My understanding is that a shop’s policy is dictated by their insurance carrier. I doubt the insurance companies want to sell more skis but they live or die by predicting risk. Pretty sure the age limit on bindings is based on injury data.

  9. I would generally agree with Jackson Hogen’s (note spelling) advice. There are too many exceptions to the rules to be specific, but with so many skis sold today as part of systems and special bindings for wider skis using old bindings can be tricky at best. That being said, going from a race ski to a race ski of the same brand and a matching binding would probably be okay, but it would still depend on the age and condition of the binding and you might better off to swap the entire package. Take your set up to the shop and get the facts. If the binding is no longer indemnifed by the insurance company no shop is going to work on it. Be wary of old bindings.

  10. I have been ski bumming since the 70s and am now closer to my 70s, than I feel. Where I have never been rich enough to own brand new gear, every 5 years of so, I was lucky enough to live close enough to monitor the old green dumpster in Function Junction (Whistler locals know what I mean) for almost two decades.
    I found many treasures over the years and have always mounted and service my own gear for my 50+ years of skiing.
    I still today service and maintain my skis regularly and my bindings (religiously) at the beginning and end of every ski season.
    I did trade/work once for a brand new pair of K2 Merlin V’s with Tyrolia Td8 diagonals back in the early 00’s and only skied them twice before leaving the mountains.
    The binding springs were released and they were oiled and cleaned and all properly stored and put away in storage for well over a decade.
    Two years ago upon retirement, I was able to get back into skiing and once again… I was chasing down used and older equipment to get me back into the sport I loved.
    I am working my way back up to newer equipment, but the cost of skiing is very prohibitive to a senior on a fixed income.
    I was an advanced level to expert level skier and, as in everything I do, do my own wrenching. I do my own edges, hot wax my own skis and monitor and maintain my bindings.
    I have three sets of skis all dating back to 2000, 07 and 14, the bindings match the age of the skis. The Merlin V’s had only two runs ever made on them before going into storage. When I took them out the first time, they looked and handled as if brand new. To this day I still ski the Merlin V’s regularly because I love the hard carve they can handle on ice and hearing the comments made by fat slats in the line ups.
    Jack is correct, it is the insurance industry and the manufacturers themselves that control the age out definition of the bindings. To be clear though, not because they wear out, but primarily because they no longer desire to pay to replace or repair your old equipment as they usually stop stocking parts after 6 years. Skis and bindings can last, from regular wear, from 150-200 uses. Yes…. if you are averaging 50 days per year, then your equipment should rotate every 4-5 years. But many of us are skiing much less now and for the past two years averaging less than 10 per year.
    Do you still park your maintained and serviced ’67 corvette just because it’s old? No, you still service it, maintain it and take it out for a rip a couple times a year, just because it feels great.
    Learn to maintain and manage your own equipment properly and they can last much longer than the “industry sanctioned standards”.
    I am now 68 years old and plan to ski well into my 80s… if time and life allows me.
    I check all release mechanisms and plastic and rubber pieces for wear and age of cracking regularly.
    All of my “old” gear has less than 40 days use on them and they are stored correctly and serviced properly.
    I anticipate many comments here about this topic… but I will continue to enjoy my rides as I find them. I believe in upcycling and reusing existing resources when and where I can and do not buy into the constant upsell of of consumerism disguised as “safety”.

    JMO

    • Darryl Roth says:

      David,
      Just the comment and opinion I’ve been searching for. I’ve skied my mid 70s Hexcel Firelites with Look Nevada N17 bindings for 30 years, and NEVER had any problems. Like you, I did my own maintenance on them, and they have lasted a lifetime. Amazing how old metal quality equipment outlasts new cheap plastic. They are still in great shape. I am an average intermediate recreational skier and would still be skiing them today if my old boots hadn’t finally fallen apart. The problem now is finding the little plastic adaptor to mount on new boots that accommodates the brass roller on the heel binding. I didn’t think to save them off my old boots. If I could solve that problem, I’d be back on those skis in a heartbeat. Beside the fact they are not allowed to work on them, modern-day ski shops and technicians are clueless when it comes to these. Especially the honeycomb construction of the skis. Their solution is to mount new bindings on them, but they don’t know how. Next to that they just want to pressure you into buying all new equipment. I’ve been skiing rentals for the last couple of years, and I absolutely hate the new wider style parabolic ski design. Granted, rental equipment is not the best stuff, but it’s good enough to be able to tell the difference from the old style narrower skis. If you would be up for it, I’d like to correspond further with you on these issues. I need advice and info from someone knowledgeable about older equipment.

  11. Darryl Roth says:

    Hey David,
    Your comments and opinion are just what I’ve been searching and searching for. I’ve skied my mid 1970s Hexcel Firelites with Look Nevada N17 bindings for 30 years, and NEVER had any problems. Like you, I did my own care and maintenance on them, and they have lasted a lifetime. They are still in great shape. Isn’t it amazing how the old quality metal equipment outlasts today’s cheap plastic. I’m an average intermediate recreational skier, and I’d still be skiing them today if my boots hadn’t finally fallen apart. The problem now is finding the little plastic adaptor that mounted on the boots to accommodate the brass roller on the heel binding. I didn’t think to save them off my old boots. If I could solve that problem, I’d be back on those skis in a heartbeat. Beside the fact that modern-day shops and technicians are not allowed to work on them, they know nothing about these old skis and bindings. Especially the honeycomb aluminum construction of the skis. Their solution is to remove the old bindings and mount new ones, but they don’t know how. Next to that they just want to pressure you into buying all new equipment. I’ve been skiing rentals the last couple years, and I absolutely hate the new wider style parabolic ski design that has become the norm. Granted, rental equipment is not the best stuff, but it’s good enough to be able to tell the difference from the old style narrower skis. We should correspond further. I need the advice and knowledge of an old time, self-proclaimed ski bum as yourself.

  12. I don’t know if this is the correct forum to ask a question but here goes: I have a pair of Atomic skis with Look Venus TX bindings. I can’t figure out how to slide the heal piece forward to adjust it to different boots. If anyone has any idea or if there is a way to insert a picture so maybe someone can figure out how to adjust them, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

  13. Edie Piscatelli says:

    I too have skis that are quite old Dynastar prosoft microfinish ceramic skis in fabulous shape averaging about 5 to 7 dys skiing per yr intermediate. This yr my Rossignal boots same age disintegrated. My skis have Tyrolia 540 bindings also in great shape. Having trouble finding out what new boot will fit that binding. As mentioned above I will have to maintain them myself due to age.. any idea/info on what newer boot may fit that binding would be greatly appreciated… season just starting in New England hate to miss it 😉 Thanks, Edie

  14. Scott Aucutt says:

    I’m not quite sure why so many of you are attached to these old skis. I’ve been skiing over 35 years and comparing the old skis I used to be on vs the new ones I am using this season is like comparing a 1965 Ford Mustang to a 2023 Mustang. The new equipment is so much better in every way. I see some of you talking about “plastic equipment.” I don’t think you are looking at the new boards. Most have full wood cores with carbon fiber or metal structural support, and they are FANTASTIC.

    One complaint I do have with these industry standard charts is the binding setup. After you pass a certain age, they automatically drop your din setting by at least one. I am 6’2″, weigh 230 lbs and I am an expert skier. My newest setup, they said my din was supposed to be a 6.5. Seriously?!!! I have never skiied on anything less than 8. My wife is 6 inches shorter than me and is quite a bit lighter and she skis a 6.5. I understand they are erring on the side of caution for your knees but isn’t it just as (or more) dangerous for your ski to come off when you are in difficult terrain? The ski shop told me I had to sign a waiver for bumping up the din. It’s rediculous. These charts need to be adjusted to take into consideration that not everyone over the age of 50 isn’t in shape and can’t ski very hard.

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