waltt@tekecs.UUCP (Walt Tucker) (12/11/85)
From postnews Thu Oct 31 10:03:27 1985 Subject: Re: Adjusting Bindings "By The Book" Newsgroups: net.rec.ski Distribution: usa References: <415@bbnccv.UUCP> <10842@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> >> >> Every time I have had my bindings adjusted professionally, the >> technician has asked me how much I weigh, how proficient I am, and if >> I have any personal preference towards spring tension. It's been my >> experience that most binding adjustments made in-store are on the low >> side, e.g. the spring tension is usually LESS than recommended; the reasons >> are that most people overestimate their ability and underestimate their >> weight. I always make a point of asking the tech to purposely keep the >> springs a little loose because I have racing-tension springs in my Looks >> which tend to get really tight on me and also because I've been in my >> share of binding-related accidents. I'd also like to add that after adj- >> ustment, I've ALWAYS been "twisted out". Even though I've been skiing >> for about fifteen years now and theoretically should know my way around >> any facet of binding adjustment, I ALWAYS blow the $15 or so to have my >> bindings adjusted by a tech because I can't help feeling that a trained >> technician adjusting my bindings should greatly reduce any risk of release >> malfunctions. Maybe I'm a little paranoid, but I've seen many ignorant >> people get seriously hurt...skiing is a very dangerous sport and safety >> precautions should not be taken lightly. >> >> "break a leg" :-) >> -- >> >> --Rob Rosen >> >> ...ucbvax!rosen >> rosen@ucbvax.berkeley.edu > Incidently, I've always had very good luck with my bindings and ski shop > adjustments. My bindings are Solomon 626's. They are about 6 years old > (I'm pretty sure they don't make them any more). I usually only ski about > 6 to 15 days a season. Consequently, I usually only have the bindings > professionally adjusted about every other year. > > Through the first four years of skiing, I felt the bindings always released > just where I wanted them to. They didn't come off when I got a little off > balance (and able to recover), yet when I fell hard, or twisted my boot hard, > they always released. > > Since the last time I had them set (two years ago), I've gained about 10 > to 15 pounds. Also, my skiing ability has improved to where I am skiing > a bit harder and stressing my skis and bindings a bit more. I noticed > last year that the bindings seemed to release a hair prematurely. For example, > on hard, sharp turns (where I dig my edges in a little hard), my boot popped > out of the binding (never going really fast, I usually stepped out and fell > on my face). This happened about six times last year. Because of the > luck I've had with this ski shop in the past, I had them readjust the > bindings to a higher weight and skill level. > > I'll let you know if I break a leg this year. > > -- Walt Tucker > Tektronix, Inc. Looks like my luck finally ran out. I broke my leg the first time up skiing (at the end of the day, though, so at least I got one day in this year). The night before skiing, after I got my skis back from the shop, I put them on the living room floor, put my boots on, and tried to pop myself out of the bindings. I was having a hard time doing it, but against my better judgement I decided not to loosen up the shop setting. Bad move. The next day I went up skiing. I was making my last couple of runs of the day when I dug in a tip and toppled. I wasn't skiing extremely fast, pretty much my normal speed. It is hard to say exactly what happened, how I twisted my body to make this happen, since it all took place rather quickly. I felt my bone snap (weird feeling, that), so I knew I broke my leg as soon as I did it. But, the binding never did release, and I still had my ski on when I came to rest in the fetal position. I'll be casted up for at least three months, and it will take a couple of months after that to get my leg back into shape. So, no more snow skiing this year. I should be in shape for waterskiing, though. Sympathy mail is welcome. -- Walt Tucker Tektronix, Inc. P.S. -- I was skiing on a weekday, and it wasn't too crowded. Even so, the doctor at the ski area said I was the third broken leg that day. Early in the season? Low visibility (it was snowing all day and I was wearing goggles)? Bad snow? A lot of early-season tight bindings?