Fischer Railflex bindings advice?

[Dr Cucumber]

Hi there,

purchased a beautiful pair of 2007 Fischer RX8s (165cm) on Ebay recently. The skis come with Railflex bindings so the adjustment process (to fit my boot size) was fairly straightforward. However, I just wanted to check that I had done the right thing as far as the various settings were concerned. I have set the DIN to 6.0 based on a sole length of 302mm, height 163cm, weight 73kg and aggressive/ advanced skiing ability. Can anyone tell me if this is correct? The DIN charts for my skiing ability suggested a DIN of 5.5, but I have used a DIN of 7.0 on old (1996) Salomon bindings before without any problems i.e. skis always released when necessary. Do DIN scales vary with different skis and time, or are they universal? i.e. is there any room to move on the recommended DIN settings?

I have also set my 'upward release pressure' (I think this is the right term) by ensuring the back of the rear binding is level with the middle of the little ruler scale on the stainless steel tab which sticks out at the back of the binding. Is this the correct method. As you can tell, I am not a qualified ski techo, but I have picked up bits and pieces along the way.

Any advice appreciated.

cheers,

Dr Cuc.

[Paul Oberin]

Legally I can't comment, my only advice is to get it checked now by a qualified dealer/ ski tech, most will not even charge you anything for doing it. I know I would do it for you free of charge. I know that may be difficult right now, but when you get to a ski resort, before you use them go in to a shop with you skis and boots, and ask them to verify the setting.

[Dr Cucumber]

Thanks Paul,

I realise you are in a difficult position. If you were to accompany your response with the appropriate disclaimer, can you at least comment on whether DIN settings are universal between binding makes and over time i.e. if I used a DIN setting of 7.0 on a Salomon binding in 1998, is it 'reasonable' to assume a DIN setting of 6.0 on brand new Tyrolia bindings in 2008 will be ok? I am only a few kgs heavier than 1998 and am still using the same boots. The DIN on the original Salomon bindings was adjusted by a very famous and well known skiing ledgend at Mt Hotham with a surname starting with Z.

cheers and thanks for you quick response.

[Paul Oberin]

DIN settings do vary between manufacturers, although in most cases are the same, I doubt your DIN's are correct using the setting you have at the moment, in fact according to my Tyrolia DIN chart if set on 6 I know they are wrong, but are close depending on age.
Have you also taken age into account.?

I can say according to the Tyrolia chart, a person aged below 50 years of age, using a BSL of 302mm and in good condition that complies with the DIN standard for boots, if that person is 163cm high and weighs 73Kg and is a type III skier, the Din would be 6.5

[Dr Cucumber]

Many thanks Paul - good advice.

Does that DIN of 6.5 you speak of come back to a DIN 5.5 for a type II skier? Appears it should according to the DIN charts on the net. ...in that case, I would be happy with a DIN of 6.0, especially since I don't push myself as hard as I used to (I am aged 35 yrs). I am now very unlikely to attempt moguls or black runs at high speeds - happier cruising at moderate to higher speeds with the family on the blue groomers.

Interestingly, when I demoed the RX8s at Falls last year, the ski techo set the DIN at 5.5, even though I told him I was an 'advanced' type III skier. I wonder if the techo was just being cautious in this instance to protect his backside i.e. from a legal perspective, it would be better that the ski release prematurely rather than me blowing my knee.

Any thoughts?

[Paul Oberin]

Yes, it would come back to a 5.5 for a type II skier. I don't want to comment on what others may do in regards to DIN.
RX8 skis, what a great ski, one of the best all round skis ever made for upper intermediate level skiers and also a good ski to instruct on, I prefer the slightly better edge hold of the Race SC myself, but otherwise I would be very happy on a set of RX8.

[Dr Cucumber]

Understood - thanks Paul.

Yes, the RX8 are a great ski. Had a lot of fun on the demos at Falls last year, so much fun that I bought a pair of my own. Lucky enough to get a pair on Ebay - cant believe they were for sale. Only used three times.

They have been given glowing reviews all around the world. Begs the question - why did they stop making them? I note that there is now an RX Fire 8 available instead - is it similar?

[Paul Oberin]

I think people have moved over to the AMC series of ski, I know I have in the shop, The AMC76 is very close in performance and price to the RX8, and slightly better if going overseas a lot, as well as skiing here.
The RX8 are great off piste, and if tuned right have very few skis that can match them in crud, and at the same time are very good on our firm & icy snow.

[Dr Cucumber]

Yes, I will be holding on to mine....