Frankenbinding Advice

[bobbytooslow]

Right. The Crispi is the only Xplore boot I've seen with any sort of pivoting cuff. Perhaps you could replace the cuff with a burlier one (like the old Atomic AT ones sold by Phantom), but it might just crush the lower. Still though, a pivoting cuff is the only way you're going to get added torsional rigidity while not severely restricting fore-aft range of motion.

[JohnSKepler]

Really plan on using this with my Alfa Free which is much stiffer than the Alaska. If used with the Alaska I’d want to dial the spring tension way down

I experimented a lot last year with the different flexors. The Alfa worked well with both soft and firm, in their appropriate roles. For the Alaska I found myself pining for something in between. I think my mind working on that problem while I was out skiing started me down this road.

You know, I can’t help but think the bill on that BC-X12 could be modified to accept a tech toe…

[Manney]

Right. The Crispi is the only Xplore boot I've seen with any sort of pivoting cuff. Perhaps you could replace the cuff with a burlier one (like the old Atomic AT ones sold by Phantom), but it might just crush the lower. Still though, a pivoting cuff is the only way you're going to get added torsional rigidity while not severely restricting fore-aft range of motion.

Yeah, for sure. It’s a real balancing act… cuff, ankle/heel box… but need longitudinal flex under the BoF, but no torsional flex… and a rigid toe box. Plus, a material that won’t fatigue between the rigid and flexible zones. Tough challenge, especially at a reasonable price.

Idk the degree to which the Xplore sole affects the final solution. Rossignol controls the sole iirc. If so, boot manufacturers have to work around that element.

[JohnSKepler]

Seems like the new Crispi Futura Pro XP would be a good jumping off point if you wanted to try adding beef to a boot that is already Xplore-compatible.

($357 here: https://aspinockwoods.com/shop/ols/prod ... ore-system )

That's just a Crispi Svartisan with an Xplore binding and updated colors. Not a bad boot at all. I have a pair in NNN-BC. Decent ankle rigidity but nothing like an Alfa Free. And the Crispi gave me a really bad blister on the inside front, just above the ankle, on my right foot. I think it is an extremely well-made boot, just didn't jibe with my bone structure.

I've got a pair of Rottefella 75mm Super Tele bindings on the way. $164 from Outdoor Gear Exchange. And I'm just going to cut 'em up...

[mca80]

Rossignol controls the sole iirc.

Uh, do you mean Rottefella?

[Manney]

Yup

[jtb]

I had an idea, as I'm sure others have, to get to this holy grail light/stiff/flexible boot by starting with a skate boot. They have pivoting cuffs, torsionally stiff soles, and flex longitudinally, plus the carbon fiber ones are extremely light. I was going to graft tech toes onto mine. Unfortunately the boots I tried had horrible toe crunch when flexed in a deep telemark turn. Apparently skate boots are only designed for a small amount of forward flex in the toe, or at least the ones I tried.

Maybe there's a different skate boot that doesn't suffer from the same toe crunch problem?

[Manney]

Not much sole flex in a skate boot.

[spopepro]

I had an idea, as I'm sure others have, to get to this holy grail light/stiff/flexible boot by starting with a skate boot. They have pivoting cuffs, torsionally stiff soles, and flex longitudinally, plus the carbon fiber ones are extremely light. I was going to graft tech toes onto mine. Unfortunately the boots I tried had horrible toe crunch when flexed in a deep telemark turn. Apparently skate boots are only designed for a small amount of forward flex in the toe, or at least the ones I tried.

Maybe there's a different skate boot that doesn't suffer from the same toe crunch problem?

I have thought the same… if I had unlimited money I’d see if I could get gignoux, who makes a skate boot, to graft a AT race upper to his skate lower. Alas, it probably would not tele very well, but damn it would be light and fast.

[Tom M]

Hi JohnSKepler It is an interesting idea. My Xplore boot heels are shaped in such a way that I think it would be difficult to mod them to accept the heel throw. Are you going to try and grind a groove in the heel or build up some sort of shelf?