It's funny. I remember seeing various posts about this topic over the last several years and I completely ignored them. I kinda sorta knew what they were talking about but I didn't have any issues with my mounts so I never indulged. Until now.
I've been running Plum Race bindings (145 and 165) on my skis for several years. Most of you know that my skis have traditionally been on the narrow side so I never thought I needed more beef in my clampers. When I moved to Alaska a couple of seasons ago I decided to indulge in a pair of real powder skis and mount them with something more substantial than a race binding. I chose the DPS Pure 112 Wailer mounted with Dynafit Radical FT.
The first time out on them I immediately noticed this "ramp angle thingy" and it made me crazy. I felt like I had to permanently bend my knees no matter what I was sking and my quads flamed out fast. What's up with that?? I guess, over the years I've developed my ski technique so that I prefer having the option to stand up straight and pressure the front of my ski with less ankle dorsi flexion and less knee flexion if I desire. Or something like that. The bottom line is that this new higher ramp was/is uncomfortable.
Now, I wasn't really planning on skiing that set up too often as I got it mainly for mechanical assisted skiing. But recently, I added the Dynafit Grand Teton with Dynafit Speed Radical binders and the problem is now in my face more since I ski that set up regularly. And this brings me to this post.
I've combed the internet for various opinions and solutions for the issue and know that B&D Ski Gear has options for me. I guess I'm submitting this post in hopes of hearing from others with more experience than me with this stuff.
I brought out the calipers this morning and took some measurements. These were telling. I measured the heel height from the ski top sheet to center of heel pins and the toe height from top sheet to pin center. Here's what I came up with:
Dynafit Speed Radical - heel: 44mm, toe: 29mm = 15mm ramp delta
Plum Race 165 - heel: 32mm, toe: 29mm = 3mm ramp delta
Dynafit Radical FT - heel: 51mm, toe: 36mm = 15mm ramp delta
I ski these set ups with the same TLT 5 Performance boot so the actual ramp angle differences should be consistent with identical BSL.
So, the question is what to do? Seems like the biggest shim I can get to put under the toe piece is 6.4mm which will still leave me 8mm higher than what I'm used to. I'm pretty sure I'll notice the difference for the better. It's not that I can't ski with the way it is. I just don't like it. I've toyed with just getting used to it but I think I'm better off bringing all my set ups closer together in this regard.
I'm interested to hear from any readers who've dealt with this issue. Please comment.