Like the renaissance in Europe, we too, as the backcountry skiing community, are experiencing a renaissance in technology after enduring the dark, dark years that saw the usage of such torture devices known as “frame bindings.” Front and center in this rebirth is ATK, who with their introduction of the Raider series, delivered a durable and lightweight binding that could satisfy the appetite of even the most demanding skiers. Fast forward in time, and they have delivered yet again with the introduction of the C-Raider 12. By utilizing more carbon in its construction, the binding artisans have produced an even lighter version -- for ATK, carbon means bombproof at the lowest weight. The designers kept the same wide mounting pattern, 12mm of rearward heel travel, and stalwart construction that made the original immensely popular. If you are done using torture devices masquerading as ski bindings and want a light binding that packs a punch, the ATK C-Raider 12 won’t let you down.
Stock Note: If we are mounting your setup and you don't see the desired brake size available, we can swap brakes for you.
Release values range from 5-12 to accommodate a wide range of skiers.
Five riser heights ensure you get the right efficiency level for whatever the day has in store.
12mm of travel in the Elastic Response System gives you plenty of cushion for the pushin’.
Easy Entry System makes stepping into your toe piece, well, easy.
Snowpack Proof keeps snow buildup to a minimum.
Cam Release System in the heel piece guides your boot in place for a more consistent vertical release.
Magneto Heel Flaps keep the heel risers where they are needed.
25mm of adjustment accommodates a wide range of boots.
Adding to the chorus of people whove used these bindings with free ride spacer and loved them. They're amazing, the feeling is closer to an alpine binding than it is to any tech bindings I've used before. And still skimo enough to let me transition without taking the skis off (I run them brake less w/leashes). Never buy Italian cars, always buy Italian ski bindings.
Comment on this review:
6/19/2024
Comment from
steve
I recently got these. Have freeride spacers mounted on 107mm width skis. I have used in spring conditions. Slight pow to horrible ice. These have great power transmission and edge grip! A big step up from normal tech bindings. SkiMo Co did a great job on the mount -up! Steve
Reply to this comment:
3/26/2024
Question from
Josh
Can you get the toe shim to 6.8mm to match the toe height of the Moment Voyager which is 7mm? Need to get the ramp angle to the ideal fit of the Moment Voyager, I know you can get to 6.8 on the atk 14 freeraider so curious if that can replicated with the c raider 12. Thanks!!
3/26/2024
Answer from
Gabriel I
Hi Josh, ATK doesn't make one, but B&D does. They make 3.2/4.7/6.4mm shims. We have screws that work with the 4.7mm C-Raider shim, they are the Kreuzspitze 17mm Pan Heads. For the other shims you'll need to grind screws for length or head size.
I've skied these bindings on my 185cm Fischer Hannibal 106s this past season, primarily on powder days. I do have the added free-ride spacer.
I've had no issues while skiing these - they perform about the same as the free raiders (fantastic).
I have had an issue with locking the toe piece into walk-mode - seems like the mechanism on the toe lever that rides on the carbon piece can become stuck and not allow you to pull completely into locking out. It has only happened once, but was particularly annoying to get un-stuck. I also have a small ding in the carbon portion from a ski edge of a previous owner - it's not getting any worse, but makes me wonder about the longevity of these vs a metal alternative.
These issues don't discourage me from recommending this binding to anyone who wants a full featured tech binding with a slightly lighter toe piece.
Comment on this review:
2/22/2024
Question from
Pat
What size brake do I need for a DPS Pagoda Tour C2 106 ski? Do I need to get the 108 mm wide brake or will the 102 work?
The 102mm brake will work, potentially requiring a little tweaking. The 108mm will fit out of the box with a little extra room. If you/your shop is comfortable bending the brakes a bit, go 102mm.
Answer this question:
2/19/2024
Question from
Alex A
One of my toe levers has a bit of "play" when clicked into ski mode, while the other seems stiff. From looking at the two, I can't tell any difference as to why one is loose and the other is not.
Is this something that I should be concerned about? I haven't had any pre-release to speak of so everything else seems solid.
2/21/2024
Answer from
Alexander A
I think I answered this for myself. This has to do with how the lever snaps into place once the binding is fully opened. When transitioning with skis on, I push the lever down with my pole but it does not always fully engage the locking mechanism on the lever itself which leaves one side "floppy." There is a small nub on the lever that holds it in this position when in ski mode and merely pushing the lever down is not enough to engage it.
I can't see any way this impacts release characteristics but I've taken to pushing the lever all the way down until it touches the ski to eliminate flop regardless.
Answer this question:
2/15/2024
Question from
Pat
In tour mode, I assume the pins are rotated away from the heel - like on a Dynafit radical binding? Are the different risers implemented by flipping them into position with a pole - so no need to rotate anything to change the riser height while touring? I am coming from some older generation dynafits where you used your pole to rotate the heel piece to change the effective riser height.
Hi Pat, you can turn the heel like that but it's not necessary (unless you want flat mode). You can use two of the riser heights by simply flipping the flaps over top of the pins, preventing you from clicking in. They can be worked with a pole.
Answer this question:
12/20/2023
Question from
Kip
Hi again - another C-Raider 12 question: Want to remove the brakes on mine and replace with the brake seat cover. If I do that, would the Freeride Spacer be redundant? Relatedly (?) would also like to shim the toes 4.7mm. Does this affect the stomp pad accessory decision?
The brake seat cover doesn't function as a freeride spacer, it just covers the track so you don't tear up the sole of your boot in flat mode. Shimming the toe wouldn't noticeably change the way the freeride spacer and brake seat cover function.
12/20/2023
Answer from
Vernon M
Thanks Emmett. So for sake of clarity:
Remove brakes Add Seat Cover Also add freeride spacer Shim toe
Do you have all of these items in stock for my application (ATK C-Raiders)?
Answer this question:
4/29/2023
Question from
Tom
I usually ski with a release value of 6.5 or 7. Would it be better to buy the 10 version instead of the 12, since my value is more in the middle of the range of the 10 version? And: On the ATK page it says C-Raider 10: 40-80kg bodyweight, C-Raider 12: 50-100kg weight. I weigh 80kg but I think the materials used in both versions are identical? How come they have a different body weight range? Thanks a lot!
Hi Tom, you'd be fine with the 10. Indeed, the materials are the same between the bindings, it's just a spring difference. ATK is just providing a guideline but calculating your RV is more precise.
Answer this question:
4/11/2023
Question from
Lars
1. Is there a downside to using the brake seat cover instead of the brakes (and using a leach), other than the actual braking mechanism? 2. I see a C-Raider 10 which would be more in the range of my usual DIN setting of 6. Is it otherwise identical to the C-Raider 12?
4/11/2023
Answer from
Gabriel I
Hi Lars, no downside to using the Brake Seat cover if you don't want to use brakes! Plenty of folks are skiing that combination.
The C-Raider 10 and 12 are identical other than the release values.
Answer this question:
2/17/2023
Question from
Parker
Curious how much weight you would save by removing the brake and adding the brake seat cover in it's place?
Hi there- Could I make a 102mm brake on the C-Raider work with a 105mm underfoot ski? I know sometimes there is some wiggle room depending on brand. Thanks!
Hi Seth, it depends on the shape of your sidewalls and how long your boot is, but there is a decent chance that would work out of the box. A bit of bending might be required.
Answer this question:
2/6/2023
Question from
Jesse
Hey I was wondering what material the other than carbon components are on the toe piece.
I thought this binding was mostly aluminum. How is ATK deal with galvanic corrosion between aluminum and carbon? This can happen pretty quickly when exposed to water (snow).
I have a pair of the c-raider bindings that i skiied on for a week and then removed from a ski i did not like and sold. I have a pair of dps pagoda tours with fritschi tecton bindings. I am wondering if i should put the atks on them to save a pound of weight. I know i will need to buy new brakes. Your thoughts?
What brake size will fit a 100mm underfoot and a 90mm underfoot? Is there enough wiggle room to size down to decrease chances of the brake hitting on steep firm slopes? Also... what is the ramp angle of these? Thanks!
Hey Greg, the goal is to get as close to the underfoot width as possible. You can size down and bend out the brake arms, but you can only stretch them so far. I would say max 4mm. For the 90mm underfoot ski the 91mm will work best and for the 100mm underfoot ski the 102mm would be ideal. We do sell brakes separately, here if the ideal brake width is out of stock. The ramp angle of the C-Raiders is 10mm.