ski bindings

[BigBoatinOkie]

I bought a new set of combo skis and I don't like the bindings. It's extremely hard to kick of a ski to slolom but the skis themselves are awesome. I would like to just get some bindings that are fairly easy to kick off and accomodate a size 13 foot. Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: ski bindings

Some waterski pro shops have bindings that are take offs from skiis that customers wanted different bindings on when new. they usually sell them cheap but for a 13 you may be hard pressed to find something off the shelf. If you are just using it for a kick off you may be able to remove the rear part of the binding and just stick your foot in the front section to get up on then step out of it when ready. Or if they are the right type you may be able to move one of the sections an inch or so to give you more room to open them up. Sometimes the front part is easier to move given it is held on with screws instead of studs. Remove screws, epoxy over holes, drill new pilot holes, rescrew with a bit of sealant on the screws.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: ski bindings

Seems to me that wileys (wileyski.com) has the most available parts for bindings. Call them and I am sure they can set you up with the parts you need.

 

[skibrain]

Re: ski bindings

So, the bindings currently on the combos are too restrictive? Too small - in that they don't open up enough for the length of your foot? Too grippy? Too high on your ankle?

In addition to Wiley's these folks have some options:

http://www.lakeelmosports.com/home.php?cat=58

The most basic type is about $45 for a pair. Nice ones $85 each or $170 for a pair....You could pretty quickly get into more money than you paid for the skis.

Could you consider remounting either the toe piece further forward (or heel section further back) so your current bindings open up to more for a large foot?

Some old-time skis didn't even use heel cups and had toe pieces only. If there is no footbed in your bindings maybe that is an option (remove the heel slider). That would make them extremely easy to slip off.

 

[1Goof]

Re: ski bindings

Be careful with the drop ski. I can't tell you how many I've lost over the years. Most of the time it is from passersby who see a ski floating in the water and pick it up, not understanding the sport, and thinking we've lost it.
Once you can do slalom, you rarely would want to go back to 2 skis. For the next while you will probably get up on 2 skis and drop one right away once you are up. The 2nd ski doesn't have to be much of a ski in order to accomplish this. I built my own drop ski using a fence board crudely shaped to look like a ski. The fin is just a piece of the same board on edge cut in a triangle. For a binding it is only a toe strap made from an old pair of jeans folded over a couple of times. You really don't want the heel binding because it just makes it harder to get out of the ski once you are up. It's spray painted white with a pink diagonal stripe. This makes it easy to spot in the water when you go to pick it up. You also don't cry when you lose it or when someone runs it over (yes that has happened to me, too). I have seen people pick up my "barber pole" and then just throw it back!!

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: ski bindings

Thanks for the suggestions. Usually when I go to the lake, we have a group of people hanging out on the beach so we just circle back around close to the beach and kick off the ski. It's shallow enough for someone to walk out an grab the ski. No lost skis for us . Also, we have started using an older ski with simple rubber bindings as the kick off ski. That has helped. The problem i'm having with these bindings now is that they are really hard to put on. I wear myself out just trying to wrestle the dang things on to my feet, and it's almost impossible for my less limber parents to get them on without help. Once they're on they aint coming off that's for sure. One thing I like though is that they are padded on bottom, that's nice. Anyway, I'll just keep looking around and reading reviews and i'll find something. Thanks.