I’m a very happy Dynafit binding (and sometimes boot) user, but it’s always cool to see new innovations in concept and design being developed. I first heard about the SkiTrab TR1/2 binding about a year ago and this latest video shows a version that looks a bit more fine tuned. It also shows that although the toe connection is Dynafit/tech-like, the heal requires a special fitting, which it sounds like SkiTrab is working with Scarpa on…guessing from the audio on the video. It also sounds like they are trying to get it to market in Europe next season, so that usually means maybe a year or two after that for it to reach the states.
To me, the TR2 looks like it would be quite a bit heavier than what Dynafit offers and more in the weight range of the G3 Onyx. To me, adding a new attachment system in the heel seems like it might really limit the success of the TR2…but who am I to say? For now, I’m wondering what this binding might bring to the table.
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it weighs only 876g per pair (no screws and no brake).
what does a dynafit tlt speed weight without screws and brakes?
Great improvement on the toepiece to add what looks like DIN-tuneable release, something Dynafit could have done a long time ago. When my girlfriend broke her leg on Dynafits, it was a low-speed forward twisting fall and having a toe that releases independent of the heel would almost certainly have prevented or lessened the injury. Does it release in tour mode? If so, that would be a major coup. I don’t understand why they can’t make the heel unit work with standard DIN boot welts, but maybe that can be done without having to add another iteration to the exclusive-boot/binding system maze.
First Dynafit knockoff that actually looks to improve on design. The heel piece walk modes look easier to change than the current Dynafit twist. The heel also looks more secure for us 190lb folks.
I seem to recall having seen photos on the TGR forums of a prototype for this binding with a heel piece utilizing a standard DIN heel shape. Another interface standard sucks. It does look like this binding has some elasticity in the toe piece, which I think is a big improvement over the Dynafit. Also the heel elevators look great.
The pics posted last year of the TR1 showed the binding paired with what appeared to be a stock Scarpa Matrix. But those pictures didn’t show anything convincing of how the heel unit really worked.
Maybe the idea with the custom heel unit interface is that Trab can sell after-market custom heel pads for Dynafit Zzeus/Titan/Gaia, BD Factor/Method/Shiva, and Solly Quest series?
i think you guys are correct. the TR1 looked to use the standard heel…but now looks to be configured with a proprietary connect. my guess is that ski trab maybe ran into durability problems when using the standard heel ledge…or maybe had trouble dialing in the DIN release. just a guess though.
Dynafit TLT speed is 670g/pair w/o screws.
The weight of the TLT Speed doesn’t matter for Trab — this binding is definitely going after the market for the Vertical FT12 . . . which unfortunately I don’t have in front of me right, but weighing a 2009/10 Vertical ST w/o screws or brakes (but with the little crampon slot removable reinforcement)is 830 grams. According to the Dynafit website, the differential per pair for comparably equipped ST vs FT12 is 36 grams. So a Vertical FT12 w/o screws or brakes should weigh about 866 grams — only 10 grams (about half an ounce) less than the TR2 per pair.
thanks guys. hard to believe that weights are that close. i guess we’ll see when the finished product comes out.