Monday, January 30, 2017

Dynafit Auto-Locking Toe levers, still legal?

Screenshot from the Cambre d'Aze 2017 sprint video
Even in a professional setting, I struggle to decipher what exactly is being permitted or prohibited by a standard or code. The ISMF rules for ski mountaineering race equipment are no different with the added challenge that they are likely translated from another language. I find that the most effective way at interpreting the intent of these rules is to see examples of improved installations.

One such example is bindings. The rules state:

"which allow heel movement during ascents and are blocked for descents; they may or may not be equipped with security straps. The Binding-System must have a lateral and a front complete release system (the boot is completely separate from the ski). The lateral release (front part) has to be lockable manually without tool. If a Binding is TÜV certified, the locking mechanism is not necessary."

Some manufacturers updated their bindings with a detent between the two modes (locking for climbing, and unlocking for safe skiing) so that the bindings could be placed into a releasing mode. This particular dynafit does not have that, rather the toe lever floats and is preloaded to the autolocking mode with a torsion spring. You can rotate the toe lever back into its unlocked mode, but it will flip back to lock as soon as you release it.

So the older dynafit low tech autolocking bindings are apparently still legal. Just make sure you get a  pair with the added reinforcement around the mounting holes.
Does skimo.co have these newer versions with the reinforced holes?
http://skimo.co/dynafit-low-tech-race-bindings

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