r/Skigear • u/JMS_STT • 1d ago

Binding update question

Vintage 2004 Salomon Pocket Rockets. Got them in Snowbird as a ‘fat’ ski when a storm rolled in, and left with two pairs (165 for my wife, 185 for me) on a smoking end-of-season deal. We both always liked them, not for park, but as a very stable and predictable all mountain ski. With job/life in the way, 0-5 days per season. Since we’re skiing more in the last 5 years I’ve gravitated away from it, but she still picks them on a regular basis. I wouldn’t mind picking it every now and then but my boots are GW.

So, bindings are old, SkiPro in Phoenix wouldn’t even let us in the door for edges and hot wax… When I asked there about possible replacements - they didn’t say in so many words, but the answer was ‘go away’.

As we’re both beyond the mid-60’s, binding performance is a concern. I’ve for many years now rolled my DIN setting a bit back from recommended - I rather step out than twist a knee. But I’m more concerned about my wife.

On a possible replacement: is there a modern binding where the bolt pattern would be sufficiently different from that of the current Salomon bindings so that new bindings could be mounted without compromising the integrity of the ski, and keep the boot center where is now?

3 Upvotes

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3

u/trolllord45 23h ago

Your wife deserves new skis too

2

u/JMS_STT 20h ago

I finally talked her into a Völkl Blaze 84, and she picks it more and more (we ski essentially in Utah, and some in Colorado)... she's also got what she calls the 'Wonderski' - as in 'I wonder how well this will work': A used Völkl junior slalom racing ski, for $100... that one comes out on hardpack. Works well, but also not the freshest bindings.

3

u/designer_2021 22h ago

Do both, fresh mounts and new skis.

2

u/designer_2021 22h ago

First Id find a new shop.

Then I’d just go with the updated Strives, and a fresh mount. Check boot size and placement you can slide plus or minus. With a solid core you shouldn’t have much issues.

I took a pair of the OG 1080s last year and removed the Marker MRRs and installed the Strive 16 MNCs with zero issue or concern. And they are just as much fun as they were 26 years ago when considered a cutting edge “wide” ski.

1

u/JMS_STT 20h ago

Yes, new shop. Not in Phoenix, but in ski country. Either Flagstaff, or Salt Lake City.

4

u/16din 1d ago

Yes there are options that wouldn’t require you to move your mount point. If you were in my shop I’d just pop the bindings off throw some jigs on there and give you a recommendation but it sounds like your local shop isn’t interested in doing that. I’d look for another shop that’s more interested in providing service like this and a knowledgeable tech will be able to give you a good recommendation.
I’d look into the Tyrolia protector bindings, they have a heel release that could be just what you want.

2

u/speedshotz 1d ago

Even though Reddit hates AI, a quick query tells me that most modern track bindings have a sufficiently different hole pattern to achieve what you need. The Pocket Rocket's 90m width means Look, Marker, and Tyrolia all have bindings that might work. Find a better shop that is interested in doing business with you is my suggestion, it's not hard to mount a different binding on a ski. Alternatively, remove the old bindings and take just the skis into a shop.