Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

Greetings!

So I've picked up a pair of 188cm BD Megawatts and my first instinct for a binding on them is a pair of Axls, as I do mostly touring, the skis are large, and I tend to break things. However, I've been pleased with a pair of the normal Switchbacks in terms of weight/tourability/skiing feel with smaller skis and am wondering what people think of the Switchback X2. I know they are more powerful than the normal SB, but how much? Do folks like them on big fat skis? Durability?

Or, conversely, does anyone here ride a pair of Megawatts and with what binding, and how do you like them?

Cheers! Pray for snow. (in the North East)

I've never owned or skied the Megawatts, but I have skied and owned both the SB and SBX2 as well as the Axls. The SBX2s are good bindings with plenty of power and a sturdy simple functional design. With the side-cable design, they don't engage as quick as the Axls, but I found them to be plenty powerful for fat skis. The Ski/Tour lever works fine most of the time. The Axls are super-smooth and powerful and engages earlier than the X2s due to underfoot cable routing. Plus there's 3 different cable routing points, giving you options from soft to lots of resistance. The Axl Tour/Ski mechanism is smooth and easy to use. They are a pound or so heavier than the SBX2s but IMO, on a big-assed ski like the Megawatt, a pound is not going to make too much of a difference: it's not like you are trying to go light! IMO, the Axls are the way to go but you won't be disappointed with the X2s if you end up getting them.

connyro wrote:I've never owned or skied the Megawatts, but I have skied and owned both the SB and SBX2 as well as the Axls. The SBX2s are good bindings with plenty of power and a sturdy simple functional design. With the side-cable design, they don't engage as quick as the Axls, but I found them to be plenty powerful for fat skis. The Ski/Tour lever works fine most of the time. The Axls are super-smooth and powerful and engages earlier than the X2s due to underfoot cable routing. Plus there's 3 different cable routing points, giving you options from soft to lots of resistance. The Axl Tour/Ski mechanism is smooth and easy to use. They are a pound or so heavier than the SBX2s but IMO, on a big-assed ski like the Megawatt, a pound is not going to make too much of a difference: it's not like you are trying to go light! IMO, the Axls are the way to go but you won't be disappointed with the X2s if you end up getting them.

I just picked up a pair of Axls for 185 Cochises for ski area use. Good to know you like them.

"...on a big-assed ski like the Megawatt, a pound is not going to make too much of a difference: it's not like you are trying to go light!"

Exactly! These are skis I want to be able to skin with, but the goal is not enjoyment on the skin track. I've got lighter skis for that!

Sounds like the Axls will be the best fit. I've been skiing on Hammerheads for years, so I should feel right at home.
I'm also planning on inserts so I can swap the bindings around/increase pullout strength. I'll update on the project when it evolves a bit more! Cheers!

mainer wrote:Sounds like the Axls will be the best fit. I've been skiing on Hammerheads for years, so I should feel right at home.

IMO, the Axls ski like the Hammerheads. Smooth, powerful, and confidence inspiring.

mainer wrote:I'm also planning on inserts so I can swap the bindings around/increase pullout strength. I'll update on the project when it evolves a bit more! Cheers!

The Axls mount with a 6-hole pattern, so pull-out is not usually a problem...

connyro wrote: The Axls mount with a 6-hole pattern, so pull-out is not usually a problem...

Usually... I've never had problems ripping out Hammerheads, but the Megawatt is a bigger ski and I've just stepped up to a stiffer boot (T1). The ability to swap them around is also really appealing, since I have beater skis I'll tour with so I don't wreck the Megawatts.

Better to do the inserts right off the bat than to rip out a binding and then do them, right?

mainer wrote:Better to do the inserts right off the bat than to rip out a binding and then do them, right?

Right!

Megawatts?

I prefer Gigawatts. 1.21 precisely.

MikeK wrote:Megawatts?

I prefer Gigawatts. 1.21 precisely.

Here's some gigawatts. You're welcome.

How should I cut 2 to get 1.21?