1993ish Dynafit TLT Bindings... safe to use?

[smithxrandy]

I have come across a pair of the original TLTs, never skied or if they were, there are no indications. No play, scuffs, scratches or anything. Perfect action in the heel, toe locks out and releases nicely.

 

Can anyone come up with some reasoning to not mount and ski this instead of buying the new TLT speeds for $500

 

I understand they are possibly 20 years old, but does metal or the springs decay or something? They seem just as bomber or actually ore so than most of my friends g3 / dynafit bindings that are a season old

 

[rob]

I'd ski em.

[KirkW]

Tech bindings degrade at the same rate as SLCDs.

[Dane]

Springs can degrade over time. But that will become obvious right off skiing them if it is a problem.

 

Ski'um and enjoy!

[KirkW]

Really? Even with zero use and stored dry the springs would go bad? I don't have much personal experience with tech bindings but that surprises me. Why would time cause this in a binding?

[rob]

Properly made springs will last for a really, really, really long time (basically until corroded or damaged) -- also, I think even regular use within the tolerance of the spring should not really "wear it out"

 

I wasn't a mechanical engineer major or anything but I remember reading about this very topic regarding springs in gun magazines (the context was regarding if it hurts the springs to keep the magazine loaded indefinitely -- it doesn't, though many gun manufacturers want you to think so.) someone correct me if I'm wrong. Also I suppose it matters what type of metal we are talking about?

 

Anyway, can't a good ski shop test their release for you and make sure the DIN is accurate, etc.? A friend of mine just mounted a pair and he said they did that

[ScaredSilly]

As said springs if made properly will last a very long time. Think about clocks. it take a huge number of cycles for a spring to fatigue especially when they are kept well within the elastic limits.

 

For the OP I have binding that are probably as old. Not dynafits but others. Have them checked out for signs of corrosion/rust and then grease them up.

[trumpetsailor]

If you don't want them, odds are good that I'd buy 'em from you for ~$150+.

 

Older dynafits don't die. Look for cracking near the toe pins after you've used 'em some, but I bet you won't find any.

[mocco]

Www.wildsnow.com is a great resource for this kind of stuff.

[bstach]

 

I just pulled these old Fritschi bindings down from the attic. Probably 15+ years old (not 100% sure, i bought them used). Appear in good shape. Would you ski 'em?

 

[chris]

@smithxrandy: I wonder about the plastic pieces - it would suck to rip out a tower mid turn. Here's a link to Lou Dawson's page on this binding.

 

@Bstach: I would for fun, on a nice groomer, green run, for the novelty of it. But plastic ages and becomes brittle. So do my knees. The combination of the two would keep me from pushing it more than this.

Edited February 3, 2013 by chris