22Designs Vice

Matt J · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 2615

Anyone skied it yet? Comparison to the Axl?

thanks.

edited to say: this seems like a stupid question because it's effectively the same binding, just checking to make sure nothing went wacky Smile

TahoeTele · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 75 Location: Truckee

freeheeltim · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 6:00 am Post subject:

Mounted a pair and skied them for the last week. They ski fantastically, markedly better than Hammerheads, IMHO. They just feel smoother and more progressive in their flex, probably due to the dual springs. Also, they don't seem to really ever "bottom out" like the Hammerheads, most evident when I'm playing around in a both-knees-dropped tele press. Position 2 is perfect.

edit to add: They're just like Axls, except they don't have any play/slop. Just sold my Axls after multiple warranty exchanges failed to fix the problem. For touring, it's super easy to just remove the pivot pins and dial back the preload. No, it's not a free pivot, but since the tradeoff with the Axl was lots of binding play while locked in ski mode, I'll just deal with a little more resistance and tour on the Vices.

willco99 · Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Posts: 24 Location: New Hampshire

Mounted on a pair of K2 Sideshows and love them. Skied a dozen or so days on them so far.

Definitely way better than HH's which I've been on for 7+ years. Quicker engagement, smoother flex, more power like the Axls. It's my everyday tool now.

+1 on pos 2.

I have a pair of Axl's on some touring boards and I can confrim the slop/play issue in those....haven't had warranty issues. I figure it comes with the free-pivot capability.

For short ups i think the vice work's great with an HH heel bail and slic pin removed. I will only use Axl's for long up days now.

just my 2cents....
_________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well preserved body… but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: 'Wow! What a ride!'”

discowheelie · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 611 Location: under the bridge

Just switched to these about two weeks ago from HH's, after breaking a shim, yet again.

They ski totally different than the HH's. I skied the HH's in position 3 and am currently skiing the Vice in the middle position. The vice is way more powerful than the HH. It makes my boot fit and flex different. I'm getting more bellow flex out of the vice than I did with the HH. The HH felt (now) like it was more tippy-toe flexing and less ball of foot engagement.

With the Vice, I can engage my ski edge WAY up at the shovel. De-tuning has never been in my vocab, but it may be soon.

The Vice is powerful and with a big boot (I'm on the BD custom) you can generate a lot of energy, real quickly, to the snow.

If you're a neutral binding lover, this one would take a little transition time.
_________________
"sit back and use a lot of heel pressure"

rockdoc · Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 160 Location: western Oregon

djhutch · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 13

Anyone know if the Vice's hole pattern is identical to the Axls AND the boot ends up in the same position? The Axls had the same pattern as the HHs (6 holes in pairs 2cm apart) but the boot ended up a little over 1 cm back if you mounted the Axls in the HH holes. This would not be noticable to most unless your original HH mount was already a little rearward.

Anyone know how it works with the Vice?

spackler · Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 123 Location: das boot

according to their FAQ page ...

Q: Do the Axls/Vices have the same hole pattern and pin line as the HammerHeads?

A: The bindings have the same mounting pattern. The only difference is that Axls put your boot's pin line two-tenths of an inch (1/2 cm) further back than the HammerHead or Vice. So if mounting Axls with a HammerHead Jig or template, move it .2" forward on the ski. If you're mounting Axls on existing HH holes, you will not be able to tell the difference .2" makes.

Matt J · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 2615

Co-opski · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 1217 Location: Nerdwood, AK

rockdoc · Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 160 Location: western Oregon

Jim · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 12:53 am Post subject:

I have the Vice mounted on this year's S7. The middle position is as stiff or stiffer than HH at 5. I'm at the front position and it skis like HH at 3 or 4. Very nice, simple binding with lots of activity.
_________________
You know it's a good day when you wake up in the morning.

knine · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 12:46 am Post subject:

Mounted Vice on BD Aspect for resort/short day/week end trips.

No previous Axl/HH experience. Bought them because they were cheaper than BD 02 plus they have a 6 screw mount-- ripped out 2 sets of BD 02s last year.

Removed the stock heel and put on a HH heel lift.
http://www.twentytwodesigns.com/HammerHeel-Climber_p_24.html
_________________
Mon Premier virage reuisse

Neckbert · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 2219 Location: Nor Cal

I asked 22 Designs about touring with the slic pins removed cause I don't want a 4 lbs Axl and POS 0 equivalent is good enough for most tours around here.

Here is the answer:

party on, wayne · Joined: 17 Jan 2010 Posts: 68 Location: Ogden