Re-Using Marker M31 Bindings

Question
QUESTION: Hi, Glenn.

 I have a few questions and I appreciate your help! My wife owns some older "straight" skis which she skied on about 20 times. It is past time to go parabolic.  I noted the 2006-07 NSSRA indemnification list includes the Marker M31 SC/SC2/xLi binding under the Non-Current retail Bindings heading.  Is that the same binding my wife has (where do I find the extra letters and numbers on her bindings?) and given the little use, does it mean these are safe to install on new skis. 2) If so, how do these bindings(brake width 800) fit in with the raised heel concept and the rails that come with some of the new skis?  Thanks again for your advice. John

ANSWER: Hi John,

I need just a little more information on this binding before I can answer the question. The name of the binding would be on it in full so if you can't find the remainder of the description its not that binding. However:

1) When did you buy the binding?
2) Do the skis that you are considering buying have any sort of premounted platform on them?

Most modern skis now come with an integrated mounting plate for a specific line of bindings from the same manufacturer. The exceptions to these are usually freeride, freestyle or big mountain fat skis . In other words the flat type of deck surface that was the norm a number of years ago is far more uncommon now.

Width is also an issue but first you need to know if your binding is designed to work (integrate) with the ski that you are going to purchase. Odds are that if the binding is more than 5 years old the platform may not work with it. My guess is that if you bought the bindings at the same time as her straight skis that these are not indemnified nor will they fit on the newer system.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, Glenn and thanks for the quick response.. I called Marker -they started making the M31 (which they confirmed to be indemnified)in 1996-97 and stopped in 2000. I don't know but guess these were purchased in 1999 and mounted on Rossi 5SV Quartzel 183's.  Some skis I am looking at have a premounted plate and some do not.  BTW, these are for my wife,  a 64 year old 145 pound high intermediate skier who like groomed slopes more than others while having the  ability to get down most black diamond runs if need be.  We are looking in the 150-to 155 cm length range. Dynastar Exclusive Legends, Volkl Attiva Luna , Solomon Mynx, and Rossi Bandit B78 are some of the skis we ave been looking at.
I realize my original query has morphed into something larger and you input is appreciated a lot! Thanks.  John

Answer
Hi John,

Hope this helps with narrowing down the answer. First, I suggest that you ignore whether the binding is going to work with the skis and select the skis first. In terms of your choices below I have done some research on these models, though unfortunately could find very few direct comparisons. The one thing that often really separates skis is whether or not they can make turns with grip on snow that is harder than just groomed. All things being equal the characteristic that the skis that are better at this than others is often that they are narrower in the waist. This has to do with the fact that a ski that goes quicker edge to edge has less time to start to slide around the arc and so gets up on edge a little quicker allowing the tip of the ski to initiate the turn (begin to bend into the new direction) earlier.

Here's a comment on the first ski you mention from SkiDivas.com as an example where the skier was comparing the ski to another one (K2 Lotta Luv).

3) Dynastar Exclusive Legend
TESTED LENGTH 160
DIMENSIONS 114-75-102
A much lighter (in both physical weight and skiing 搕ouch? than the K2, slightly less sidecut. As soon as I got off the chair and turned off the ramp, I knew I would love these. They preferred a slightly slower cruising speed than the K2's, as well as a shorter turn radius. Although they held an edge well (some hardpack now appearing), their 揾appy place?was turning, with minimal edge pressure required to rebound into the next turn. Simply delightful. Where they excelled over the K2 was in their ability to grab onto hard pack when the loose snow got dispersed. They handled this transition slightly more gracefully than the K2's.

http://www.theskidiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3221

The Attiva Luna (156 12.5 117-72-103) though rated by Ski Magazine in their Best Buy category as highly stable at long radius has a short radius arc rating in the length that would probably be suggested for your wife.

The last two skis don't really compare in the same way to these first two. The K2 Mynx is a ski designed for All Mountain and Park & Pipe with a minimum 79mm waist while the Bandit is a 78mm waist. While providing a great sense of confidence in soft snow because of their planing ability underfoot waist dimensions above 72mm usually sacrifices control (grip) as ski conditions get harder and as a result promotes more chatter on harder snow or a tendency to increase speed with straighter lines. So depending upon the skier's style, the snow conditions preferred and the terrain available there may or may not be a match between the expectations of the skier and the experience. Its all individual preference past this point as to what feels good but these are some general rules of thumb.