Plum Race 120 Binding
The Plum Race 120 binding is for the speediest of the speedy, for the fast and light skiers who answer, "water and extra layers just slow me down" when asked where in tarnation their backpacks are. The Race 120 is the big brother to the Race 99, and was designed for use by racers who brush uncomfortably close to the 90kg weight limit of the Race 99. If you're looking to get a race binding that's as light as possible, but the 99 looks a little too dainty for your tastes, look no further. The Plum Race 120 is all you need for racing, touring, and going light and fast in the backcountry.
- These bindings mount directly to the ski, but adjustment plates can be purchased here if you need to accommodate different BSL's.
- A single riser flap must be engaged when walking and is 38mm from the surface of the ski.
- Slick wheel-bearing makes locking and unlocking the toe lever a breeze.
- Plum claims a non-adjustable release value of 7ish on the Race 120 binding.
- Ski crampon receptor (sold separately) can be removed with a simple tool at home or in the field.
- Plum offers a two-year warranty on these bindings.
- Made in France.
| Specifications | |
|
Weight |
120g |
| Weight (pair) | 240g |
|
Boot |
Tech |
|
Brakes |
None |
|
BSL |
Accessory plates |
|
Riser |
1 + flat |
|
Vertical |
Fixed |
|
Lateral |
Fixed |
|
Crampon |
Removable Accessory |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Machined from solid 7075 Aluminum |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Racing, training, or general competition |
| Notes | Nice wheel bearing for smooth lever action |
| Bottom Line | The sweet spot between lightness and strength |
| Compare to other Race Bindings | |
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Questions & Reviews
3/13/2024
Is there a way to rotate between flat and riser on these bindings with your pole?
3/14/2024
Hi Max,
No, you cannot turn this binding (or any race binding, really) with your pole. In the event that you need the flat mode, you will need to reach down and turn the binding 90 degrees.
No, you cannot turn this binding (or any race binding, really) with your pole. In the event that you need the flat mode, you will need to reach down and turn the binding 90 degrees.
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9/18/2023
With the new enforcement of brake rules for skimo races in the US, how are these bindings with brakes?
What’s the best race binding with brake these days?
Thanks!
What’s the best race binding with brake these days?
Thanks!
9/18/2023
Hi Joe, the Plum brake system is quite nice. With the toe mount, it doesn't interfere with the lateral release in the heel. You can also take them off easily so you can meet race requirements but not be forced to use them otherwise. It can take a minute to get used to the step-in with the brake and you obviously can't use brakes and ski crampons simultaneously. There is not one "best" binding for everyone, but this is a solid option.
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12/17/2021
Does anyone know the release value for the toe piece?
12/18/2021
Hi Sieleman, we tested toe retention at the shop and found it releases laterally between 2.5 and 3. Remember, in most crashes you release from the heel first. Likewise, when you are skinning your toe will be locked which also affects release.
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There's nothing quite like a new set of Plum race bindings to get me frothing at the mouth and ready to ski lots of vertical meters, and the Race 120 is the newest -- and dare I say, best -- addition to the Haute-Savoie-born family. While I've previously trusted the Race 170 binding on many pairs of touring and powder skis, and the 150 has graced narrower skis, the 120 is the answer to the question, "How light can I go without compromising durability and release performance, or losing the necessary features?" (At 185lbs race weight, I'm well above the recommended weight for the World-Cup-ready Race 99; though the 99 is worth considering if you're a lighter skier). The Race 120 saw use on a little over a quarter of my total ski days this past winter mounted on the Movement Goldfish (now the Race Pro71), which was paired with Colltex PDG skins and Aliens as my training/fitness/quick-laps-on-high-danger-days ski. I found the transition functionality so effective that I ended up mounting a set of 120s on a pair of Ski Trab race skis as well, and both pairs did an excellent job keeping me attached as I bashed my way through the gamut of late-season crust and crud last spring.
I recently got to thinking about the bona fides of the Race 120 after reading this review out of the Canadian Rockies, which concluded that the 150's higher vertical ("forward") release value was worth it over the 120. I haven't seen that difference in RV rear its head during bench testing or in real-world use; I think both bindings hit the sweet spot in terms of release versus retention balance, even for a bigger skier who makes a lot of not-so-graceful turns in not-so-powdery snow. The main usage differences between the 150 and the 120 are in the toe piece: the 150 toe piece (also used in the 170 and Oazo) has a stiffer three-position design (open, closed, locked) while the lever bearing on the 120 is smoother and easier to use in a race application for quick transitions, with two positions (open, closed) along with a high lock position for the occasional cautious descent through the no-fall-zone.
The other key point in the 120 vs 150 conversation is the ramp angle. While the Race 150 is at a manageable +1.0 ramp, the 120 drops down to a race-ready -1.5mm, which is definitely a noticeable difference. On a short 168mm Goldfish, that "negative" ramp allows for a more stable, upright, balanced ski position with less quad fatigue over the course of those big 3,000-meter ski days. If nothing else that lower ramp is a big selling point for me when skiing short skis and race boots. Looking forward to bashing around on Plums for years (decades!) to come!
I recently got to thinking about the bona fides of the Race 120 after reading this review out of the Canadian Rockies, which concluded that the 150's higher vertical ("forward") release value was worth it over the 120. I haven't seen that difference in RV rear its head during bench testing or in real-world use; I think both bindings hit the sweet spot in terms of release versus retention balance, even for a bigger skier who makes a lot of not-so-graceful turns in not-so-powdery snow. The main usage differences between the 150 and the 120 are in the toe piece: the 150 toe piece (also used in the 170 and Oazo) has a stiffer three-position design (open, closed, locked) while the lever bearing on the 120 is smoother and easier to use in a race application for quick transitions, with two positions (open, closed) along with a high lock position for the occasional cautious descent through the no-fall-zone.
The other key point in the 120 vs 150 conversation is the ramp angle. While the Race 150 is at a manageable +1.0 ramp, the 120 drops down to a race-ready -1.5mm, which is definitely a noticeable difference. On a short 168mm Goldfish, that "negative" ramp allows for a more stable, upright, balanced ski position with less quad fatigue over the course of those big 3,000-meter ski days. If nothing else that lower ramp is a big selling point for me when skiing short skis and race boots. Looking forward to bashing around on Plums for years (decades!) to come!
Comment on this review:
12/13/2019
Be sure to mention that crampon attachments are NOT included with the binding and must be purchased additionally. Perhaps adding it to the "add to cart" section will make that obvious.
12/13/2019
Thanks, Brian, for the feedback! 'Pon receptors are not included with the Race 120 so as to keep all the aspiring World Cup racers happy and extra weight-free :-)
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