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On Sale: $449.95
Retail: $449.95
SKU #MRK0005
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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Built from the ground up for the modern freerider, the Duke Ski Binding is the burliest AT binding ever created. This badass AT binding is all about, well, being badass. To switch from touring mode to ride mode, a rider must take the ski off, pop up the underfoot lever, then put the ski back on. This system guarantees the binding WILL NEVER INADVERTANTLY OPEN IN SKI MODE, a nice thing to know when you're 50 feet in the air and coming down fast. Connection brackets mount to the ski directly to increase power transfer without ruining the ski's flex. The Duke binding's burly heel and toe piece have wide contact points to facilitate power transfer, and the DIN goes up to 16 to prevent premature release when going big. An adjustable toe height feature gives you an incredibly solid connection with your boot. In tour mode, the binding moves your center of mass backward 30mm for greater efficiency. There's also a choice of two hiking positions, either 6 or 12 degrees.
Bottom line
The Duke is a full-on freeride binding with touring capability, not a touring binding with a freeride marketing plan.
Product Reviews
SICK FOR SHREDDIN' SOME KNAR!!!!!!!
I got these bindings in November and have used them for both front and backside skiing. I have them mounted on K2 Mt. Bakers. I will say that they are just about the ulimate for someone who doesn't mind carting a little extra weight up a hill, to get a bombing ride down. I used them to skin up some steep inclines for several hours with no problems. My only complaint is that you have to unclip to free the heel. This is a bit of a pain in deep powder, but not a huge difficulty. All in all I have to say they are about the perfect set-up for my style of skiing; frontside mixed with short tours and back country descents.
heel lifter needs work
I like the bomber pro on this, but the heel lift needs more options as I find my buds in freerides continuing up the fall line as I struggle for traction. Also, they are difficult for the user to adjust between the low and high lifter once in the binding. Also very heavy...so a side-country binding, not a back-country binding. However, for the first year from marker, I have hope for future year improvements. If for sidecountry/in bounds skiing...they get a 3.5 star. If for this site ...they get a 1 star.
Adequate for the job
These bindings are great for going down but the freeride definitely wins on the uphill.The Duke's heel lift has two settings. Both settings are short and the biggest one is at least 2 inches shorter than the freerides heel lift. The short heel lift makes it hard to hike on steep AT trails because you have to lift your heel that much more each time thus making you tired from keeping up with all the Fritschi riders. Also you have to take your skis off to lock the bindings down which means more time and more energy. Bottom Line-The Dukes are for the skier who hikes once a month. If your not that guy/girl get the freerides!
Almost Perfect.
Just Used these bindings A couple of days ago(11-3-07) in the AK backcountry. They worked great on the way up, and down. way more solid than the freerides. never noticed the weight. only complaint I have is they are a pain to put into alpine mode(locked) from the touring mode(unlocked) It took me forever once, and then no time at all one time as well. They get snow caught in them. And I wasn't in that much snow at all. I still like them better than the freerides though. OH, I've got them mounted on dynastar pro rider legends. 186.. love those things too.
A backcountry binding that you can huck on!
Finally a binding built for going down, not just climbing up. I tested the binding last season in Europe and South America. It is bomber. It skis like a a fixed heal binding and you can huck on it. If you are a skier who only hikes becasue going down is going to be sick, this is the binding. The only draw back of the Duke, is that on cold days it will ice up and is hard to get back into the fixed position. It also only has one option for heal lift. If you only have one set up that you need to do everything get a Duke. It skis well inbounds and you can also take it touring.
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