Fritschi Vipec 12

2015-03: Update 3:

Comparison testing with Dynafit Radical ST for toe entry shows great differences (with La Sportiva Spectre boots).

  • Nearly impossible to mess up getting in to Radical ST.
  • Vipec takes technique.

Main reason appears to be Vipec guides have the boot pin holes too high.  Nevertheless there is another technique that is reasonably relisable to get in, for example use hand to bring ski to boot, and apply pressure with hand to press binding open from ski mode to entry mode, get one pin in, then release gently while getting other pin in.

2014-10: Update 2:

Send front binding part in for free update from Fritschi.  “v2” of binding.  New jaws with improved pin holding mechanism.

Heel release dynamics are quite different than for traditional Fritschi bar bindings.  On the carpet testing, with quickly moving knee forward and down shows that release value must be set to well below the minimum value to approximate a value of 6 on the bar bindings.

2014-04: Update 1:

One pin loosens while skiing, slightly damages pin threads and nut, request new ones, that arrive end of season.

Have had occasional issues with snow/ice build-up in heel piece while walking, that prevents heel being locked back into ski mode.  With snow melting, binding manipulation, solves itself with time.  Carrying wire hook piece to clean out areas of binding seems most practical.

2014-01-11: First impressions:
Positive first impression. Need more tours. Mechanism is more complex to use than previous Fritschi bar bindings, but there are other advantages – weight and probably boot held tighter with ski:

1 Volkl 2014 Nanuq ski (177 cm, 131-96-114) + 1 Fritschi Vipec 12 with 100mm stopper = 2260g

1 K2 2005 Shuksan ski (174 cm, 117-78-105) + 1 Fritschi Diamir Freeride Pro 2006 (small) with 100mm stopper = 2620g

(approximate published weight of both skis is 1600 g, but I never had chance to measure individually skis or bindings)

Dimensions of the Fritschi Vipec 12 mounting pattern dimensions:

For mounting pattern measurements (I measured off installed bindings on my ski, all measurements center to center of screws, contact your ski shop or Fritschi to be sure, and of course for real installation, get the real pattern and instructions from Fritschi!):

Toe:
Screws closer to tip of ski, 4.48 cm
Screws closer to tail of ski, 4 cm
Distance between rows of screws, 6.7 cm

Heel:
Screws closer to tip of ski, 2.75 cm
Screws closer to tail of of ski, 2.75 cm
Distance between rows of screws, 5.95 cm

Fritschi Vipec 12 toe mounting pattern dimensions
Fritschi Vipec 12 toe mounting pattern dimensions
Fritschi Vipec 12 heel mounting pattern dimensions
Fritschi Vipec 12 heel mounting pattern dimensions

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