Bindings Advice Sought

The last time I skied, I caught an edge, my bindings didn't release, and
tore a knee cartilage. I can't recall these bindings (Salmon S850 with ~
15 days of use) releasing -- ever -- except in "yard sale" falls. After
several years off skis, my knee has healed to the point that I'm ready
to try skiing again, but I don't want to fzck my knee completely, and
wonder what I should do to make sure my bindings will release safely.

When the bindings were set up, the ski shop asked me for weight, height
and skiing ability, and set the bindings at "7". Given that they never
released, I wonder if they should be set up lighter? And how do I make
sure they're set low enough that I don't reinjure my knee, but don't
release in normal skiing?

Finally, over the years I've heard many people condemn Salomons for
being unforgiving. Is that an old wives tale, or are there safer
bindings I should consider (whether newer Salomons or other make)?

Thanks,

Java

In article <MPG.2007288289286353989871@shawnews.vc.shawcable. net>,
Espressopithecus<java_man@crema.net> wrote:

> The last time I skied, I caught an edge, my bindings didn't release, and
> tore a knee cartilage. I can't recall these bindings (Salmon S850 with ~
> 15 days of use) releasing -- ever -- except in "yard sale" falls. After
> several years off skis, my knee has healed to the point that I'm ready
> to try skiing again, but I don't want to fzck my knee completely, and
> wonder what I should do to make sure my bindings will release safely.
>
> When the bindings were set up, the ski shop asked me for weight, height
> and skiing ability, and set the bindings at "7". Given that they never
> released, I wonder if they should be set up lighter? And how do I make
> sure they're set low enough that I don't reinjure my knee, but don't
> release in normal skiing?
>
> Finally, over the years I've heard many people condemn Salomons for
> being unforgiving. Is that an old wives tale, or are there safer
> bindings I should consider (whether newer Salomons or other make)?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Java
>
>

I think the most important thing you can do with regard to bindings is
to make sure that they are set to a level that manages the risk of
injury at the level *you* want, not what the DIN chart says is right for
you.

The DIN standard makes a good starting point, but if you find that you
aren't releasing in falls that hurt you somewhat, then you might want to
try a little lower setting. Or if you are releasing when you'd rather
stay in, then you may need to set your bindings a little higher.

--
'It is Mac OS X, not BSD.' -- 'From Mac OS to BSD Unix.'
"It's BSD Unix with Apple's APIs and GUI on top of it' -- 'nothing but BSD Unix'
(Edwin on Mac OS X)
'[The IBM PC] could boot multiple OS, such as DOS, C/PM, GEM, etc.' --
'I claimed nothing about GEM other than it was available software for the
IBM PC. (Edwin on GEM)
'Solaris is just a marketing rename of Sun OS.' -- 'Sun OS is not included
on the timeline of Solaris because it's a different OS.' (Edwin on Sun)

Espressopithecus wrote:

> The last time I skied, I caught an edge, my bindings didn't release, and
> tore a knee cartilage. I can't recall these bindings (Salmon S850 with ~
> 15 days of use) releasing -- ever -- except in "yard sale" falls. After
> several years off skis, my knee has healed to the point that I'm ready
> to try skiing again, but I don't want to fzck my knee completely, and
> wonder what I should do to make sure my bindings will release safely.
>
> When the bindings were set up, the ski shop asked me for weight, height
> and skiing ability, and set the bindings at "7". Given that they never
> released, I wonder if they should be set up lighter? And how do I make
> sure they're set low enough that I don't reinjure my knee, but don't
> release in normal skiing?
>
> Finally, over the years I've heard many people condemn Salomons for
> being unforgiving. Is that an old wives tale, or are there safer
> bindings I should consider (whether newer Salomons or other make)?

The anecdotal scuttlebutt rule of thumb is "use Salomon if you want to
be sure to stay in, use Marker if you want to be sure you'll come out."

My experience concurs with the above, although I can't point to anything
beyond anecdotes to support it. But after witnessing several tibia
fratcures on Salomon bindings I won't use them. Ever.

I use Markers, but I don't ski in situations where a premature release
will cause a rag doll drop over a cliff. If I did, I might feel
differently.

My advice: switch to Markers or Tyrollia, get them mounted by a
qualified tech, and then have them serviced annually by said tech.
Don't lie about your height, weight, age, or skier type when you do..
(note that I said "type", not "ability" - it's not the same).

//Walt

Bob F wrote:
> "Espressopithecus" <java_man@crema.net> wrote in message
> news:MPG.2007288289286353989871@shawnews.vc.shawca ble.net...
>> The last time I skied, I caught an edge, my bindings didn't release,
>> and tore a knee cartilage. I can't recall these bindings (Salmon
>> S850 with ~ 15 days of use) releasing -- ever -- except in "yard
>> sale" falls. After several years off skis, my knee has healed to
>> the point that I'm ready to try skiing again, but I don't want to
>> fzck my knee completely, and wonder what I should do to make sure my
>> bindings will release safely.
>
> Personally, I like my bindings set LOOSE. I will frequently take
> off my skis by twisting my foot out of the binding, effectively
> testing the release. This is my choice - I figure that if I pop out
> of them, I'm not skiing right. It is not a frequent problem.
>
> When I got the equipment from the shop, they were way tighter
> than I like.
>
> I have never injured my legs skiing due to release problems in
> 35 years of skiing.
>

Hmm, I broke my leg due to pre-release, it was my fault, I had quit smoking
and in consequence put on several stone (1 stone = 14lb) and then hadn't had
my bindings adjusted.

so a Ski came off when it shouldn't have, I fell, and slid into some wooden
poles :(

Chris *<:-)