The NTN Thread

[Harvey]

I don't have too much to say beyond, I think we do need an NTN thread.

I just pulled my skis out of my car for the first time this season, both pairs at the same time. Both sets of skis are nearly identical, made to be identical by Vin of Whiteroom Skis. The 75mm and T1s are in the car as backup, I never used them this year.

Anyway I noticed HOW MUCH LIGHTER the NTN set up is. Skis are the same weight so it's all binding. The Outlaw vs The Axl.

AND the boots are lighter too, Scarpa TX Pro vs my T1s.

Big total weigh difference, not something I've heard listed as an advantage before, but really seems like a thing.

Who's on NTN?

 

[JohnF]

Looking to make the jump next season.

 

[marcski]

This is NTN and Tele - - - When I first saw the light and switched to tele, about 6 years ago, my first set up was a borrowed pair of 75 mm boots and a pair of soft skis. I then was able to borrow a pair of skis with a set of Hammerheads. Big Step forward there. The boots were big on me and since I needed to invest in my own, it was a no-brainer to go NTN. I bought the TX-pros and had them fit well by a shop with my old custom footbeds. Next I bought the Outlaw binding and remounted a nice pair of Dynastar all-mountain skis with some oomph to them. 5 years later, I can't get enough. I had been skiing for over 42 years when I started teleskiing. When I see an old schooler skiing 75 mm gracefully through steep terrain I feel like I'm cheating on my NTNs. But there are no grades when it comes to skiing, so frankly my dear, I don't give a damn! (Unless you're taking a PSIA exam!).

 

[Brownski]

I’m vaguely considering the cheap Voile cable bindings on some old skis so I can use “learning tele” as an excuse to go to big snow over the summer. I would also need some cheap boots I guess.

 

[Brownski]

Though I’m also considering re-drilling some of my kids’ kiddie skis and calling them snow blades for the same reason

 

[witch hobble]

I’m still on the duck bill vibe. Just because I resist change. I replaced my boots 3 seasons ago when I couldn’t weld the bellows crack. Then broke a ski a year later. Both were mid winter things that had to be addressed quickly, so short term, stop gap decisions were made. In retrospect probably should have upgraded. Oh well, maybe next decade ?.

I’m only 46, but have been freeheeling for 26 years. Probably because I was young and wanted the street cred that came with leathers, I didn’t upgrade to plastic boots until 2002 or so.

 

[Brownski]

You must live on an unusual street. Pics please

 

[Sick Bird Rider]

I’m still on the duck bill vibe. Just because I resist change. I replaced my boots 3 seasons ago when I couldn’t weld the bellows crack. Then broke a ski a year later. Both were mid winter things that had to be addressed quickly, so short term, stop gap decisions were made. In retrospect probably should have upgraded. Oh well, maybe next decade ?.

I’m only 46, but have been freeheeling for 26 years. Probably because I was young and wanted the street cred that came with leathers, I didn’t upgrade to plastic boots until 2002 or so.

Witch Hobble, you are not alone. Duckbill forever. Unless I win the lottery, then NTN and custom skis all the way. Except for touring, because there are no lightweight, flexible NTN boots.

 

[Harvey]

I quit 75mm because my favorite bindings (Axls) destroyed the duckbills on my favorite boots (T1s) in ONE season. I was told it was a "known issue." WTF? A major binding isn't compatible with the most popular boot on the market?

It was halfway through the season and I spent all the time between skis, trying to reconstruct my duckbills with shoe goo. It was a total drag.

I expected a real adjustment period and was surprised that it was less than one run. Now I can tele if I want to, and rip pturns to keep up with my friends when I need too. Often at the end of the day, when everyone else has quit, I slow down, take pics and tele.

And I now realize my setup feels very light.

Not going back. If I skied since I was 3 I would probably feel differently too.

Also I don't like change either.

 

[witch hobble]

I’m sure I’ll wind up with a forced upgrade eventually.
Still, there is something cool about skiing on an evolution of the 75mm platform. Lots of history. Almost 100 years.

I have only tried NTN once, shortly after it came around. Didn’t like the flex of the set up I used. Plus, like I said, I’m a bit of a luddite. Not an early adopter of technology. I’m typing this out on my typewriter, which I will take to the Western Union office, where they will send a telegram to someone with a computer, who logs in as me and makes my posts as proxy. Why change really? Seems to work.