Production NTN Review Thread

Greg · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 358 Location: Golden Colorado

Rottefella shipped production NTN bindings last week (first week of October 2007). I had the chance to ski a pair on Friday November 2nd up at Loveland for 10 runs on a set of K2 Work Stinx. While not nearly enough time to give a fair overall evaluation, I did get a feel for the new binders that are claiming to set a new norm. Following are a few observations and pics.

We have size 27,28,29 & 30 Scarpa Terminator X in demo. If you can fit one of these sizes and will add your review to this thread, we're offering a Free 1 day demo through November.

I've posted all the pics together in the Telemarktips.com photo section here http://www.telemarktips.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=152&cat=500

Here's what the production NTNs look like:

Greg · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 358 Location: Golden Colorado

The boots go into the binding very easily without having to adjust for size - nice! They really could use a notch for your pole tip to hold the ski because with the brakes you kinda have to kick in (forward and down) a bit. Doing this causes the ski to slide forward. I found the NTN's did not allow much of anything to be done with pole tips, but were still easy to deal with. Getting in and out is done with the silver latch up front. You could probably whack the latch a bit with your pole handle to start it, but probably just as easy to just bend over and push the latch up or down...

Once in there is a really solid connection between the boot sole and the NTN:

Greg · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 358 Location: Golden Colorado

Latch up (nearly vertical when all the way open):

Greg · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 358 Location: Golden Colorado

Attempting to close the latch on the NTN:

Seems like a pretty obvious oversight not to put a groove for a pole tip here... Confused

Greg · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 358 Location: Golden Colorado

For a binding with this much R&D, doesn't seem like they got the final fit and finish quite dialed. The paint chips extremely easily. Hopefully this is a batch issue 'cause these are gonna look bad fast. The tour latch chipped after just one attempt on slope to lock back into ski mode:

Greg · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 358 Location: Golden Colorado

Paint chipping back by the cartridge adjustment screws:

TeleSilverton · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:56 pm Post subject:

Hey Greg! I'd love to do a demo this weekend. I'm at school in Fort Collins and could stop by on the way to the Basin. Can I confirm here or would you like me to call? Thanks for the info and I'd love to finally step into this mythological binding.
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Greg · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 358 Location: Golden Colorado

OK, as tele skiers we're already used to bending over and using our hands to get in and out of our bindings. And once we're going many of us are able to engage our climbing wires with our poles...this has become pretty standard right?

Not so with the NTN...

I tried engaging the climbing post with my pole while at Loveland. Didn't want to break my pole tip, so gave up. Back at the shop we worked it back and forth several times and then tried. Just about broke the flex tips on the LL pole we had. Finally popped into place. This is another thing best done with hands. Jozie thought you could trim the plastic a bit to get things running smoother... Confused

Greg · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 358 Location: Golden Colorado

When the boot is flat in the binding it feels secure. There is a bit of a gap between the toe of the boot and the binding though:

Greg · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 358 Location: Golden Colorado

seemed to lead to boot ouchies:

NOT cool for 10 runs...

would think this means the boot / binding interface will get worse as these gouges get deeper....

Greg · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 358 Location: Golden Colorado

Here's the boot being flexed as in a tele turn.

Kinda tip-toe-ish:

Greg · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 358 Location: Golden Colorado

Tour mode:

This was better than I remember it when I tried these at the Copper Demo earlier this year.

I went up the catwalk at Loveland a bit and the range seemed good at lower and moderate inclines.

capt'n · Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 53 Location: Maine

Looks like a great AT binding!

shredgnar · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 103

You could use the handle to close the touring option to prevent scratches.

That is a design flaw though and the notches in the toes are pretty janky.

Greg · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 358 Location: Golden Colorado

Here's what Rottefella has to say about the NTN Laughing

NTN is a totally new concept in construction, appearance and performance. When comparing the NTN to a 75 mm binding it would be like comparing a propeller plane to a jet!

http://www.rottefella.com/english/artikkel.asp?Action=Visnyhet&NodeID=575&ID=226

OK. I'm gonna have to dis-agree here...