NT Spike?

[gofor311]

I know a few people have been on them here (Ben, Grant). Wonder how the latest edition compares with the freedoms in terms of how they ski and their durability.

Anyone know where one might find a place to demo a set in VT?

[Dostie]

gofor311,

My review on EYT doesn't exactly answer your question about durability, but may provide other info you are looking for. I think they ski great. Touring mode is more of a hassle to engage, but has less resistance to movement compared to the Freedom. The indication from users on threads from TTips suggests that durability is not an issue. It certainly is not with the Spike Lite (no cables, toes only), IME.

[gofor311]

Thanks! I did read your review, was pretty thorough. I'm mostly curious between a direct comparison between the single tube spike versus the ntn freedom. Having a hard time envisioning how the single tube skis differently from the double.

[Dostie]

Check out jasonq's comments on the TTS thread. He has some pretty solid analysis embedded there which may answer your Q.

[Grant]

I know a few people have been on them here (Ben, Grant). Wonder how the latest edition compares with the freedoms in terms of how they ski and their durability.

Anyone know where one might find a place to demo a set in VT?

You're welcome to try mine out some day. I have them inserted so they can be pulled off if you want to mount them on skis you are familiar with for a day.

They only durability issue I've had is that this season I noticed that the steel toe box could use a little Barkeepers Friend to take off the summer grime and surface rust, but they still skin/ski just find. I used them at Magic last weekend after the storm. I did a side by side test with the Freeride that is posted on Telemarkeast (I might have cross posted it here too).

[fogey]

Thanks! I did read your review, was pretty thorough. I'm mostly curious between a direct comparison between the single tube spike versus the ntn freedom. Having a hard time envisioning how the single tube skis differently from the double.

Are you asking about the single tube vs. double tube Spike, or about the single tube Spike vs. double tube Freedom? My only Spike experience is with a single tube NTN version, so I can't comment on the former. I do have Freerides (and Freedoms, which are waiting for the Sierra to get enough snow to take them out), and will hazard some thoughts on the latter.

On the Freerides (and Freedoms), two tubes make possible a wider attachment to the boot, so less wiggle room and more accurate transfer of motion from boot to ski. Other aspects of the NTN boot/binding connection contribute to the duckbutt connection, too: that piece of the binding is under tension, the duckbutt is forward of the heel, and NTN boots and bindings were designed specifically to "mate". The overall result is, for me, the most reliable mechanism to transfer motion from boot to ski. That doesn't make NTN bindings "better"; there is a price paid in weight (even with the Freedoms) and some loss of freedom of motion (even in the Freedoms).

This forum doesn't need any threads asserting that one binding is the best fit for everyone. We ski differently. Personally, I would rather tour with my Spikes than Freerides--waiting to see about the Freedoms. If reliable transfer from boot to ski were the holy grail, probably we should be locking our heels.

[riser3]

If you want to demo try to contact Louis here http://burntmtn.com/. Or contact this shop, they might have some on their rental fleet: http://firsttraxvt.com/

[chamonix]

Thanks! I did read your review, was pretty thorough. I'm mostly curious between a direct comparison between the single tube spike versus the ntn freedom. Having a hard time envisioning how the single tube skis differently from the double.

I ski the Freedoms , Freerides and the single tube Spike bulldogs. (I had a pair of the twin tube Spike bulldogs too, but found them to be a bit heavy). Your question is a bit confusing. Comparing the single tube Spike versus twin tube Spike, the twin tube setup can use lighter springs, so the bellows flex, as your drop a knee is really smooth. No sense of "bottoming out" as the springs compress.

As far as the Spike single tube versus the Freedom, IMHO the toe cage/duck butt of the Freedom gives a somewhat more rigid fit around the toe of the boot, slightly enhanced edge control. The Spike OTOH has a smoother , more progressive "flex" as you drop a knee, because the heel can come up higher. All the NTN Freedom, or Freerdie bindings, allow a certain amount of boot flex, as you drop a knee with the heel coming up, then it just stops. Going from my Spike to the Freeride, for the first time, it felt like I was on a AT binding at first. Like my heel is partly locked down. The Freedoms are the same to a somewhat lesser extent. (picture below, NT Spike on my Tonics)

For touring my choice is the Spike, as it gives you a true free pivot at the front of the toe piece.
(Earlier NT Bulldogs on my Zenoxides below)




Incidentally the NTN Freedom Large(no brake) weigh 3lbs 5 ounces a pair. NT Spike (no brake) weighs 3 lbs a pair, so a bit lighter.

Durability, the new Spike, with a six hole mount is very strong, probably easier to mount (without a jig) than the Freedom. Call Louis if you are up at Jay Peak, and Louis or I could set you up with a demo pair for a few runs...

[gofor311]

I'm part of the tele generation that, other than a brief year on targa and synergys, has skied freedoms and freerides. The question is mostly just information finding to try to get an idea between how a single barrel nt spike skis versus the ntn options I've been on.

All the thoughts are great, and it sounds like I need to get on a set of demo bindings to get a real feel for it. I'll give Louis an email, but the magic area is more likely once we get some snow. Would love to take you up on that demo offer grant!