I've used these bindings exclusively for the past 2 years.
They have seen everything from resort skiing to midwinter tours to spring steeps like the grand teton.
They work pretty well, I have had 3 issues however.
1) I have them mounted such that I am near the back of the adjustment track(so my wife and I can share the same mount) and this can cause snow buildup under the heel. This then compresses into ice and makes it difficult to rotate the heel into downhill mode.
2) I broke the anti rotation pins, but they don't rotate on the fly for me much, so not a huge deal.
3) Just before my grand teton trip the adjustment track stopped keeping the heel in the right place(it would adjust looser on the course of a tour, requiring on the fly adjustments with a ice axe or pozidrive if you have one). Good thing was dynafit was quick with a replacement adjustment track and I was able to be up and running in time for the grand.
I would give it 3.5 stars if I could, but will round up since other than these issues it has been a good binding and reasonably light weight.
Dynafit Speed Radical Binding
The Dynafit Speed Radical is the standard by which touring bindings are measured. Evolved from the tried and true TLT Speed, the binding is designed to be safer, easier to use, and support a wider range of boots sizes and release values. The skiability and precision control of the previous incarnation remain intact. If you are looking for a lightweight binding that gives you more adjustability and riser options than a race binding, the Speed Radical may be for you.
- Power Towers on the toe pieces are easier to step into and offer protection from pre-release during a side impact.
- Speed Step climbing bars enable you to change riser heights with a flick of a finger or pole, no heel rotation necessary.
- Adjustable heel piece (up to 22mm) lets you step in with various size boots or loan them out to a friend with big feet.
- Release values adjust between 4 and 10 for both lateral and vertical releases, so you can customize your injury prevention.
- Made with forged 7075 aluminum, high-strength plastic, chromoly and stainless steel to ensure your skis stay attached.
- Comes with optional leashes so you can make your rig resort legal when accessing the side-country.
Update 2015/16: All Speed Radicals now come with an anti-rotation mechanism that is mounted under the heel to prevent accidentally spinning into ski mode while skinning.
Update 2017/18: An additional refinforcement plate was installed under the heel roof, adding around 15 grams. All of our stock is current with this update.
Update 2018/19: The most popular touring binding dropped a noticeable amount of weight and got a face lift just in time for ski season. The updated aluminum toe piece is 31g lighter and the binding gets updated anodizing and looks really spiffy!
Update 2019/20: What a neat paint job, it's the same great binding just now in Skimo Co blue!
Update 2021/22: Redesigned toe lever and all-aluminum construction on the toe, aluminum plate to replace the plastic on the heel with some cool branding as well. Ended up about 15g lighter.
| Specifications | |
|
Weight |
333g |
| Weight (pair) | 666g |
|
Boot |
Tech |
|
Brakes |
Leashes |
|
BSL |
22mm |
|
Riser |
2 + flat |
|
Vertical |
4-10 |
|
Lateral |
4-10 |
|
Crampon |
Included Option |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
7075 aluminum, steel pins, high-strength plastic |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Everyday touring with resort drive-bys |
| Notes | Anti-rotation mechanism prevents accidental mode-changes |
| Bottom Line | Lightweight adjustable touring binding |
| Compare to other Lean Bindings | |
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Questions & Reviews
Comment on this review:
When I don't need brakes for liability- which is rare given that amount I ski on the same pair of skis on the East Coast- having the speed radicals underfoot is awesome. Not quite as stable as some of the bulkier bindings, but for light skiing or big boards in powder, there is almost no difference. Hopefully Dynafit can make the heel levers a bit more reliable, but otherwise a perfect first or fifth pair of Dynafits. Could probably swap the heels onto the other radicals plates if necessary.
Comment on this review:
Have this binding on my Dynafit Broad Peaks and skied this setup from powder to steeps to 7000m peaks (about 30 days and lots of vert). I also used it a lot with ski crampons. Overall, everything works really well, ski crampons too. I like not having to bend down for switching the heel lifts.
Only 4 stars since on occasion during a traversing skinning on hard snow the heel flips to the ski position. Would buy again though.
Only 4 stars since on occasion during a traversing skinning on hard snow the heel flips to the ski position. Would buy again though.
11/5/2013
Sounds like you sheared the pin designed to prevent this rotation. These are replaceable fairly easily by unscrewing the release value adjuster (I use a quarter), removing the spring and yellow cap, pulling off the heel housing, possibly moving the heel fore or aft to access the pin, and then swapping it.
11/5/2013
That is if you have the (right) pin :)
I think that pin is useless/not strong enough if it shears on a second day. However, this hasn't stopped me from using the binding and being happy with it ;)
I think that pin is useless/not strong enough if it shears on a second day. However, this hasn't stopped me from using the binding and being happy with it ;)
9/19/2014
Good news Stano, 2014/15 Speed Radicals are now shipping with an anti-twist device that gets mounted under the heel piece. Definitely worth the extra 12 grams.
Comment on this review:
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