Marker Duke 16 Ski Binding - 2010 BCS

the moment bibby pro is a really good big mountain ski and is also one of the best backcountry jib skis. none of those skis jib very wells.I'd get the 174 bibby pro

JJ's would save you a little bit of weight over s7, and I disagree with Andrew, same WOW factor on both of those, I've ridden them both back to back, both great skis. I'f your in the middle ground between S and L, get the S, that will save you some weight too, and make it so you have wayyyy less track behind the rear binding to pick up on each step when you tour.

None of those skis, or these bindings for that matter are great for long touring, either would make a pretty heavy set up. As far as the skis go, I chose the S7, I feel like it is the most versatile of the bunch,it carve's better than you would think and is one of the best skis I've ever skied the the crud. The others a good, but don't have the WOW factor of the s7 . The best thing to do is DEMO.

Yes, Stop your self out a little area to pack down, then do it one foot at a time, you won't sink to your belie button in powder.

Yes the release is underfoot, you need to step out to switch modes.

Dukes, with out a doubt, wayyy more durable and better contort laterally than the freerides.

Your right on the edge of the large small overlay, i'd do small, the binding will be a little lighter, especially the part you have to pick up each time you take a step up-hill. The 30g's dosnt sound like much weight, but a lot of the would be in the extra piece coming off the back of the binding where you can move the rear end of the binding out, so as such, the 30g's will add up as you have to pick it up each and every time you take a step forward. (and it's 30gs a binding, so 60gs for the pair, or just over 2oz)

The Large will fit 305- 365, the small 265-325. You are one of the lucky ones in the overlap. Its really up to you, there will be no performance difference. According to marker you will save 30grams of weight with the small.

They will be heavy, but will server you well for years to come. And would be great for inbounds riding as well, when the need arises, you can always drop those hard to get back from shots! But again the weight between those skis and the binding will be work. Not that the Barons are much lighter, so i'd say stick with the duke due the the more solid construction.

no, with the Dukes, barons you can ride with any boots, and any ski will work for AT, that being said, lighter stuff is less work when skinning up. O and yeah, don't forget to get some skins, otherwise an AT binding wouldn't work at all.

It's not as easy as with say the fritschi, or the dynafit, but it can easily be done. Going to the lowest setting to the highest can be done easily with a pole, abd going from the highest, back to the lowest as well, going from high to middle setting can be done, but I have yet to figure out how to go from the middle setting to any other setting with out bending down.

Confused?? The bar for adjusting the angle of the binding sits directly below the binding, making it troublesome to adjust sometimes. If you have large powder baskets, this is even more so true, the Black Diamond 3/4ths baskets make this do-able. As would a really firm powder basket. Just practice and give yourself time, you'll get it down!

Or you can use the grip end of your poles as well, if your baskets are a little to soft.
Short answer: yes it is easy!!

Your right on the edge of the large small overlay, i'd do small, the binding will be a little lighter, especially the part you have to pick up each time you take a step up-hill.

I would say that there is not much of a comprimise, on hard snow, the added height of the Duke might actually help you edge, like a racing platform would. I ski the Dukes on a 184 Mantra, and have no problem laying a tight, euro trash turn on those, on the S7 that should be even easier, with a turn radius well under the 184's 22.5 m.

on hard snow, yes. not all that noticeable in soft conditions.

I do not believe so.

D,

I'd suggest taking a look at some local demos. Maybe try out some of the new s series rossi(6 or 7), 4frnt(ehp/msp), pmgear(bros/lhasas), k2, etc.. Recommendations really depend on your level of skiing, weight, flex, style, likes, dislikes and so fourth. If you're going to spend some serious money on a new set of planks, get a good idea as to what you like and go from there. Tons and tons of great demos out there. I have my Dukes set up on a pair of 4frnt ehp's in a 186. Awesome ski and a lot of fun. Kinda heavy though. As Phil mentioned above, you probably wouldn't want to take that kind of a setup on longer tours.

Good luck!

D. Kash...
Mantra will def. preform as a much better all-around touring/riding ski, mine work about 95% of the time, on a 184, at 175lbs, and 5'11" i find that the only time i have issues is above about 18" of fresh, and they at time feel like they are tip diving, everything else from a foot of fresh to boilerplate, they rock!

I'm trying to pick between Volkl Mantra Alpine and Salomon Czar ski. I think the Mantra is a better bet, I ski mainly in Mammoth, Utah, and Tahoe. Thanks for the reply btw; Your feedback is really appreciated

I guess what I mean is something a little fatter, since ideally you will be riding some deeper powder on these when toruing...

I ride them on Mantra's, I am putting some on JJ Armada's as well. What were you thinking about putting them on? The higher stance means that they might actually help fatter skis edge on hard pack, since it can act like a racing platform.

Duke's all the way. Mine have taken over 170 days thus far, with out any real issues, outside of the one I addressed in my review. Don't get the Barons, the dukes hold up wayyy better.

i would say to definitely go with the F12. if you are going to be in the backcountry 50% of the time you are going to want to save on weight. the coombacks are supposed to be a lightweight ski and you wouldn't want to ruin that by putting a big heavy pair of dukes on them. the F12 is a great binding and will fit your needs very well.

If you had a slightly wider ski, like 117 under foot or 120, you might need to bend the brakes slightly, I know this sounds like a risky proposal but I've done it to Dynafit and Duke breaks, no problem. A local shop could always help you out here, even if you bought your gear online... (a pizza or 6er wouldn't hurt when you walk in the door.)

The 110mm brake of the Marker Royal Family bindings will clear a 115mm ski with no problem. Rough measurement looks like 117mm clearance.

Make sure your toe piece is adjusted to the right height. There is a screw directly on the front of the toe binding, parallel to the edges of your skis. as you bring the toe piece up from it's lowest position with the boot clamped in have a piece of paper (sorta thick but not too thick) under the toe, as you get close move the paper around a little bit, as it gets sorta grabby, but still is able to pull out with out tearing, STOP bringing the under toe riser up...thats the sweet spot. (As I understand it)

Radiums will work just fine, but make sure you properly adjust the AFD toe height and forward pressure if you're switching between alpine and AT boots. The vibram soles can be a little grippy on the heel piece of the binding when getting in and out, but dont worry about it.

Get a boot that feels good for your feet. AT boots will be lighter and can still get pretty fit...

Jack...there wasn't "mixed" reviews on the tech insert for salomon, there were HORRIBLE possibly liability issues with the Salomon in-house manufactured "tech" insets. They should under NO circumstance be skied in a dynafit binding, and should not be thought of as any where close to the industry standard for "tech". But as you say..not an issue here, but still worth mentioning.

Check it out here:
http://www.wildsnow.com/2511/dynafit-tech-boot-fittings/