Forward Lean: Scarpa TX Comp vs. T1?

[abe]

Hi, all.

I've been using the latest generation of Scarpa T1s for the past couple seasons and just haven't been able to adapt to the aggressive forward lean. That said, I did appreciate the stiffness coming off of early 2000s T2s for resort skiing with my Scottybob Headrushes (90 mm waist) with original Bishops.

So, I've decided to move on and likely go back to T2s (heard they're stiffer/taller these days). But as I'm also planning to update my Bishops to 2.0s this season, I'm thinking that this might be the right time to convert to NTN since I'm dropping coin on new boots/bindings anyway.

After looking at Scarpa's NTN boot offerings for the first time, the TX Comps look pretty similar in appearance to the T1s which worries me a little. Ideally, I'd find a boot as stiff as the T1s but without the aggressive forward lean.

Scarpa provides a PDF with some specs on forward lean and total ROM between their models, but I'm left a little confused by it. The TX Comp has 14-19 degrees of lean and the T1s at 15-22, which doesn't seem very different. [Don't know how to interpret the T2 Eco having 16-19 degrees tho, which is more than the T1?]

Any experience out there with TX Comps? Do they have aggressive forward lean in ski mode?

Thanks ahead of time for your thoughts.

[dnt_upton]

Don't think you'll get many responses re Tx Comps here, though there are definitely a few NTN users here. I don't know, sorry dude. I agree about the forward lean of the T1s and think you'd find the T2 Ecos or T2Xs (if you can find them) to be way better. Same for BD's 3 buckle boots (Seekers, which can still be found). I also think the forward lean of the T Race is better. The newest version of the T1 comes with the most aggressive forward lean I've ever tried. Perhaps some boots are worse, I can't say. And I don't get the chart because I don't think it's fairly simple to adjust the default forward lean position, so I don't know why there's a range. It seems like all boots have a default position. You might email Scarpa and ask for some explanation and a comparison to Tx Comp. Good luck.

[abe]

Hey, dnt.

Appreciate the feedback. Yeah, I left a message with Scarpa earlier today and am waiting for a return call. I'll post the info I get from them in case anyone is interested in the future.

Cheers.

[MSU Alum]

I started with G3 Targa bindings and 3 buckle Garmont Syner-G's 10 years ago after 40 years of alpine skiing. I've always disliked excessive forward lean in boots. I eventually went to NTN Freerides (not recommended as they are too restrictive in forward motion and I kept breaking them) and have been on NTN Freedoms for the past 3 years on Scarpa TX Comps which is a combo I highly recommend. You can adjust the forward lean enough on the Tx Comps that I'm pretty sure you will not have a problem. Also, with the Freedom binding, the heel is (I think) 10 mm lower than the toe. This will effectively decrease the forward lean of the boot as well. I adjusted my boot one unit upright from its neutral setting and have found that is perfect for me. More adjustment is available and is easily done. The Freedom comes with brakes that you can bend to some extent if you need more width, otherwise, you can get wider brakes. Also, unlike the Freerides, the Freedoms have a much more natural "knee dropping" feel to them. One thing to note, though is that you need to ensure that the binding is securely in the downhill mode when you put it on. Many have noted the tendency of the binding to "pop" into tour mode while skiing. I have found that to be enough of a rarity that I still will not go back to my previous set up which was T2 Ecos on Axl bindings (also a great set up, and if I spent more time in the back country, that's probably what I would still be on). I also have placed duct tape underneath the part of the binding that rotates forward which seems to decrease the build up of snow underfoot on the deep days. I use them on Rossignol S3's (98 underfoot) and Armada JJ 2.0's (116 underfoot). I ski in Utah. I hope that helps, otherwise feel free to ask more questions.

[abe]

Hi, MSU alum. Really appreciate your feedback. Much thanks.

After combing the web yesterday learning about NTN boots and binding offerings, I found a pair of discontinued Scarpa TXs (black and lime green) that I have since ordered. One review I read referred to them as "the NTN version of the T2," which sounded appealing.

Hopefully the TX will be comfortable and stiff enough to drive my Wailer 99 hybrids. But based on your feedback of the TX Comps, I may plan to check them out as well now that the forward lean question is answered.

And thanks for your thoughts on the Freeride and Freedoms. I was leaning towards Freerides initially as I'm 99% resort skier and like the versatility of switching the binding betweens skis. And I've also been seriously considering the Outlaws as I hear they are pretty active bindings, and I'm coming off of Bishops. But now you have me thinking about the Freedoms . . .

Hmm . . .

[MSU Alum]

Great. I'll add that I started out using the Scarpa Tx with the Freerides on Armada JJ's and had no trouble driving them around with that combo. They are, indeed, the NTN version of the T2. I also used the Tx with the Freedom before getting the Comps and they worked fine as well. I have used Quiver Killers in all of my mounts, mainly because I like the increased security - you're not going to pull a binding - for backcountry, but they also allow you to swap out bindings on the Freedoms. There is another brand that people like as well...but I don't remember the name...I don't want to get into "Insert Warfare"!

[abe]

I like the insert idea. Will look into that. Thanks again. You've been a wealth of info.

[mainer]

There is another brand that people like as well...but I don't remember the name...I don't want to get into "Insert Warfare"!

That would be Binding Freedom.

[abe]

Thanks for the info, mainer.

The insert's added security is appealing to me after my Bishop's subplate ripped out of my ski last season about 1/4 down a long bump run. It was a comical hike and tumble down . . .

[dnt_upton]

Aimlessly wasting time (or purposefully wasting time), I looked up the specs for several of the boots in the chart above and who ever put that chart together (someone at Scapra I presume) didn't do a very good job. If you check out the specs of the individual boots on Scarpa's website, you'll find some inconsistencies. According to Scarpa's website, here are some forward lean values:

Tx Comp: 10 - 15 degrees
Tx: 14 - 20
T Race: 9 - 12
T1: 11 - 16
T2 Eco: 16 - 19

And here's a guess too: that's not a range of options (there is no forward lean adjustment dial/knob on any of those boots). Rather, with some tinkering, you can change the forward to lean to one of two positions, 14 or 20 for Tx, 10 or 15 with the Tx Comp, etc (though the values for the Tx seem off as I've worn that boot and it's not bad at all). The instructions for changing the lean involve punching out a pin near the walk/ski lever -- described here (which is a different topic but same procedure):

http://blog.scarpa.com/how-to-retrofit- ... mechanism/

And that also explains why some forward lean values are expressed with a hyphen and some with an ampersand -- there's no difference, just sloppy writing.

But I'm just throwing darts at the guessing board. I couldn't find an answer anywhere. Bottom line: lots of folks have complained about the forward lean on the T1. I suspect that that boot is the most aggressive (not sure why Tx is listed sat 14/20 since that boot doesn't seem to have a strong forward lean). If you go with the 75mm, the T Race or T2 Eco will probably be better. I bet any of the NTN options are better too.