1/16/2020 Hole Pattern Recognition
Pattern recognition is an evolved specialty of the human brain. This innate ability allows us to recognize faces, spot a lion in the jungle, and see objects in the clouds. Despite the effortlessness of employing this skill, it is not well understood nor can it be replicated by machines, even after decades of computer science research. So take some pride in it.
A somewhat confusing array of holes, letters, numbers, and arrows on the Hagan jig by ATK.
But before we get too cocky, let’s test our abilities by taking it to the next level. Can we recognize patterns of patterns? In this case, we mean screw-hole patterns. The kind needed to mount tech bindings to your skis. Let’s see if we can spot any “meta patterns”:
Binding | Toe Pattern (WxL) | Heel Pattern (WxL) |
Atomic Backland | 40 x 38 | 27 x 58 |
BD Helio 110/145/200LT | 30 x 27 | 25 x 34 |
BD Helio 180/200 | 30 x 27 | 25 x 86 |
Dynafit Low Tech Race | 30 x 39 | 23 x 25 |
Dynafit LTR 2.0 / PDG | 30 x 39 | 28 x 30 |
Dynafit LTR 105 | 24/42.5 x 25 | 28 x 30 |
Dynafit Speed Superlite | 30 x 39 | 23 x 37 |
Dynafit Superlite 150 | 24/42.5 x 25 | 34/28 x 28 |
Dynafit Superlite 2.0 / 175 | 30 x 39 | 34/28 x 28 |
Dynafit Speed / Speedfit | 30 x 39 | 28 x 38.5 |
Dynafit Speed Turn | 30 x 26.5 (+19) | 32/36 x 52.5 |
Dynafit Speed Turn 2.0 | 30 x 39 | 32/36 x 52.5 |
Dynafit Vertical Series | 30 x 26.5 (+19) | 32/36 x 52.5 |
Dynafit Radical Series | 30 x 39 | 32/36 x 52.5 |
Dynafit Radical 2.0 | 42.5 x 58 | 35.5 x 88 |
Dynafit Rotation 10/12 | 42.5 x 58 | 35.5 x 88 |
Dynafit Rotation 7 | 42.5 x 58 | 32/36 x 52.5 |
Dynafit Expedition | 30 x 39 | 25 x 25 |
Fritschi Vipec / Tecton | 43.5/39.5 x 65.5 | 28.5 x 60.5 |
Fritschi Xenic | 44 x 33 | 28.5 x 60.5 |
G3 ION / Zed | 40 x 45 | 36.5 x 52.5 |
Hagan Core | 30 x 27 | 45 x 60 |
Hagan Core Pro | 45 x 44 | 45 x 60 |
Hagan Pure | 30 x 27 | 45/25 x 60 |
Hagan Ride | 30 x 27 | 25 x 86 |
Hagan Ultra / ZR | 30 x 27 | 25 x 34 |
Kreuzspitze SCTT/GT | 30 x 27 | 20.5 x 25 |
Kreuzspitze EL | 30 x 27 | 32/36 x 52.5 |
La Sportiva RSR | 30 x 27 | 25 x 25 |
Marker Alpinist | 38 x 46 | 36 x 40 |
Marker Kingpin | 38 x 46 | 36 x 77 (+115) |
Plum Race 99/120/135/145/150 | 30 x 26.5 | 20.5 x 26 |
Plum Race 165/170 / Oazo | 30 x 26.5 | 25 x 55 |
Plum Pika / WEPA | 30 x 26.5 | 32/36 x 53 |
Plum Caribou | 35.5 x 68.5 | 32/36 x 53 |
Plum Guide | 30 x 26.5 | 32/36 x 53 |
Plum Summit | 35.5 x 68.5 | 35.5 x 71.5 |
Plum Yak | 50 x 50 | 55 x 58 |
RC1 by PG | 32 x 32 | 28 x 33.5 |
Salomon MTN | 40 x 38 | 27 x 58 |
Ski Trab TR Race / Titan / Vario | 30 x 27 | 25 x 31 |
Ski Trab TR / Titan Adjustable | 30 x 27 | 40 x 40 |
Ski Trab Vario Adj. / Vario.2 | 30 x 27 | 45.5 x 37.5 |
Ski Trab TR-2 | 36 x 28 | 45.5 x 37.5 (+51.5) |
The numbers are the distance between sets of holes in width (across the ski) and length (along the ski) in millimeters. The "slash" widths (e.g. 32/36) indicate the front holes differ in width vs the rear. The 3rd number on the Vertical toes is the 5th hole behind the lock lever which is also present on older TLT Speed and Comfort series bindings from Dynafit. It is located 19mm up the ski from the first set of holes (+19). Similarly, the Kingpin and TR-2 have a 5th heel hole far in front of the others.
Whether or not you see race bindings when you look at clouds, we can see some patterns when drilling holes in skis. Knowing something about the history of tech bindings also helps, since it becomes clear that several manufacturers have borrowed measurements from previously patented Dynafit bindings. As such, many drill-hole patterns on toe pieces can be reduced to two competing standards, what we call “Classic Dynafit” 30 x 26.5mm and “Radical” 30 x 39mm. Bindings with the same patterns can be mounted in holes drilled for other bindings using the same dimensions.
The astute will notice a half-millimeter discrepancy in some toe-hole lengths: 26.5 vs 27mm. Luckily, this doesn’t prevent us from reusing drill holes as binding hole diameters have seemingly standardized at 6mm, while screw thread diameters are set at 5.5mm, leaving a half-millimeter of wiggle room.
However, fans of race bindings know that a half-millimeter can affect binding release characteristics, amount of heel rub in flat-on-ski mode, and degree of alignment between boot tech fittings and heel pins. And since binding screws are often countersunk, the act of tightening a screw can easily move a binding by this amount. Thus you often have to be conscious of the order in which you tighten binding screws, making sure not to tighten ones that pull in an unwanted direction first.
The same half-millimeter discrepancy is apparent in drilling jigs that manufacturers provide to their dealers. So make sure to ask your shop if they are using the correct jig, as some might be tempted to cut corners and use a common Dynafit jig to drill holes for a less common Ski Trab or Plum binding, for example. The result could be a little sloppy.
The Plum jig’s combination of common and uncommon drill hole patterns.
Heel hole patterns are less standardized unfortunately, but there are often solutions to compatibility issues in the form of adjustment plates. For example, a Hagan adjustment plate can be mounted with any heel that is 25mm wide, including the La Sportiva RSR and Ski Trab TR-Race bindings. The differing lengths of those bindings will affect the resulting boot sole length (BSL) range, but they will slide fore or aft just fine. Dynafit race heels, in contrast, will only work with the Dynafit adjustment plates, as they are a unique tripod design.
As you can see, there is quite a bit of variability between mounting patterns for race heels. This means the chances of being able to swap heels with another model and no adjustment plate are low.
In summary, before grabbing a drill and turning your skis into Swiss cheese, take a moment to check the screw hole pattern. Similar to tech binding heel gaps, a few unwritten standards have evolved. It’s possible another binding or adjustment plate will fit into existing holes or some simple planning will give you future flexibility. That could free your brain to recognize more interesting patterns such as possible ski lines.
This article was originally published on 1/29/2014 and was last updated on 1/16/2020.Comments
Can you advice what adjustment plate would fit for Alpinist 12 ?
I need extra 20mm of adjustment capability so heel or toe adjustment would work.
I looked through, but none of them seem to match...
I understood Toe is 38x46 , Heel - 36x40.
Can you advice ?
BR,
Andrius
would help in planning franken-bindings
thx!
I am putting together an unusual setup and could use some help. I have some new Zandstra Nordic Skates. These are typically set up with Nordic bindings but I am wanting to put tech bindings on them (to make my life difficult). The Rail on which they can be bolted is slotted at a width of 26mm on center. Does your chart of hole patterns measure on center, outer edge, or inner edge?
Cheers!
ATK XXL plate R03 A {toe plate} 60x60mm suitable for old classic Dynafit TLT toe patterns 30x26.5 or Kreuzspitze/ATK and others 30x27. 3 toe positions.
ATK XXL plate R03 P {heel plate} 60x60mm suitable for any patterns 25xLL or ATK heels, or Kreuzspitze heels rotated 90 degrees {SCTT, SCTTT, GT}. shifting rail length 60mmm.
newer model {now being sold} is wider on the contact/supporting area with binding
ATK XXL plate R08 A {toe plate} 60x60mm suitable for old classic Dynafit TLT toe patterns 30x26.5 or Kreuzspitze/ATK and others 30x27. 3 toe positions.
A couple questions -
1) I don't see the hole patterns for the Hagan Pure listed (yet), do you have those?
2) Is the Hagan Pure essentially also the ATK Crest and/or RT series (same mount pattern)?
3) A friend who is currently riding Dynafit Rotations (version 1), and myself currently on ION 10's (v1), are both considering the Pure's and/or possibly ATKs (if same). Would we be able to do these remounts without any fore/aft adjustments on the ski?
Thanks in advance!
Hagan Ultra = ATK SL
Hagan Core = ATK Raider 12 2.0
ATK rebrands their bindings to Hagan, Kaestle, Black Diamond. quite a Matrix ;-) then.
Based on these patterns for Marker Kingpin/Alpinist, would I be able to just add 2 extra holes (with inserts aka quiver killers) and have a swappable Kingpin/Alpinist heelpiece?
Would that work?
I need to take a pair of Dynafit Beast that need to come off a favorite pair of skis. Would I be able to mount a Plum Yak or Guide using the same holes? Or would I be able to mount either of these bindings without having to significantly move the mount point?
Thanks!
I just wanted to thank you to publish this table which is gold !
Cheers
I am looking for adjustment plate for my Dynafit superlite 2.0 front/toe part.
I must bridge over old drill holes.
Do you have an recommendation for me?
Udo
Sorry been looking for a while and haven't found anything

1/23/2020
Mind the Heel Gap
