Where should the ski bindings be? Installing bindings on cross-country skis. How to properly install a binding on cross-country skis

In order for skiing to be enjoyable, it is worth considering not only the choice of winter equipment, but also such a fact as installation. They are the connecting device between boots and work equipment. Their quality plays an important role in this sport.

The fastening is carried out on the skis themselves or on a separate platform. Some manufacturers can install and make holes on it themselves. Then you will have to purchase a specific manufacturer. Any mounting installations can be installed on a flat, recess-free platform.

Attention! Among the variety of winter equipment, ordinary cross-country skis are considered the most popular.

Cross-country ski bindings

There are three fastening systems:

Nordic (welt) is an obsolete variety that is gradually going out of use. It is characterized by low cost;
NNN (with rails) have one line;
SNS (with groove) has two connection strips.

The last two systems are divided into the following types:

automatic device latches on its own;
mechanical ones must be fastened by hand;
classic - have a soft elastic band;
Skate elastic is made of hard material, or there is another point of fixation of the shoe.

Alpine ski bindings

There are such options:

installations that are fastened manually. They are distinguished by a fairly high price;
machine;
semi-automatic

The last two types can jam after water enters and subsequently freezes in them. Sometimes difficulties arise with opening them if the equipment does not have solid support (in deep snow).

Touring ski bindings

There are such varieties:

soft - not suitable for tourism;
tough, special boots;
semi-rigid - reliable and comfortable.

Children's skis have the simplest fasteners, which consist of several thick fabric strips that secure the foot, and they can be ridden even in felt boots.

What does the mount consist of?

Ski fasteners are located in two separate parts and a plate in the toe area, which reduces friction of the ski shoe. The front span ensures side release, while the rear span ensures top release. The dimensions of both links are equal in all varieties. Modern fasteners are made from very durable materials (titanium, steel, plastic). The main elements are:

heel and head of fastening;

Running varieties consist of the following elements:

NNN is distinguished by a plate attached to the sports equipment, which has two longitudinal guides that secure the boot from lateral displacement. On the sole of the shoe there is a pair of longitudinal recesses for fastening guides. There is a cross snap bar built into the front of the boot.
SNS provides for fixing shoes using one longitudinal guide. The front part of the low shoe is secured with a rubber stop.

Touring ski bindings contain pins and a shackle that clamps onto the shoe welt.

How not to make a mistake when choosing

Correctly chosen fasteners fit the ski boots well, but can instantly come loose at a critical moment. For example, during a period of sudden fall during a sharp turn. Under enormous loads, the installation should hold the leg in one position, and not immediately unfasten.

Choosing the right mounting system should start with choosing your boots. Having purchased shoes of the right size that meet all the necessary characteristics, you should choose exactly this pair of shoes and your existing skis.

Installation procedure

To figure out how to properly install the selected one, you should start immediately after purchasing it by studying the instructions. It is necessary to strictly adhere to the prescribed points, which provide for the specifics of assembling ski fasteners, taking into account its variety.

Determining the center of gravity

Determining this parameter will be needed for normal movement, so that the ski does not have an “overweight” on one side or the other. Finding the center of gravity is quite simple. Here the equipment needs to be installed on the edge of a perpendicularly located ruler and moved along its surface until the ski is balanced like a scale and stops horizontally on the floor. In this case, the stationery will indicate the correct position, and this coordinate must be marked with a marker. In modern types of sports equipment, the axis of the center of gravity corresponds to the fastening line of the boot bracket. Therefore, the front area should be applied to the ski and its correct location highlighted in a different color.

Marking

The next step is to mark the holes. A good option would be to use a jig, with which you can find the exact location of the fastening components. If this item is not found, then use a template made of paper. It can be found on the Internet, but mostly it is included in the mounting kit. If there is no paper pattern, the ski is marked using an awl, applying the mounted fasteners so that the coordinate of the center of gravity converges with the shoe fixation line. Place marks with a marker through the holes in the fasteners.

Drilling holes

At the beginning of drilling recesses, it is advisable to compare the gap between the holes located on the fasteners with the interval between the marks made during the marking process. As a rule, the instructions tell you how deep to screw the screws and what length of drill you need to use. If a tool of suitable length is not available, then you can use any drill, having previously wrapped it at the top with electrical tape, leaving the required millimeters protruding. Then, using a drill operating at low speed, holes should be drilled in the marking areas.

Assembly

The final stage is as follows:

To ensure reliable fixation and eliminate cracks that appeared during drilling of cracks, the recesses made should be cleaned of dust and filled with adhesive (supplied in or PVA).
You need to attach fasteners to the resulting holes and securely secure the screws. You should tighten them slightly first to make sure they are level, and then all the way to make sure they are secure.
Leave the skis to dry (10-12 hours).

You can store finished skis at home on a balcony or wall by installing a special stand using brackets.

How to remove bindings from skis

You need to start removing fasteners (using the example of SNS) from the rear of the installation. Using a screwdriver, carefully unscrew the plug, use a screwdriver to remove the screws, and then remove the strips. To remove the screw under the front cover, use a large screwdriver to press down on the latch and lift it up. After removing the cover, remove the last bolts and the fasteners can be easily removed.

Installing skis yourself is a doable process. To do this, you will need to study the included instructions, have the necessary tools available and, most importantly, be sure that everything will work out.

Skis are often sold with bindings already installed. But more often, fasteners have to be purchased separately and then installed. In this case, inexperienced skiers are often advised to contact a workshop or pay for the installation of the binding in a store. But their grandfathers did an excellent job of this task at home, and although the design of the fasteners has changed somewhat since that time, the principle of their installation remains the same.

Almost everything needed for installation is included with the mount. In your home workshop, you may need to find a drill and screwdriver. Sometimes it is recommended to use a screwdriver, but you can “overdo it” and ruin the ski. If the skis are wooden, you will also need glue (such as epoxy resin); For plastic skis, glue should only be used if it is included with the bindings and the instructions recommend its use.

Preliminary actions

To properly attach ski bindings, you first need to determine their center of gravity. The ski can be balanced using the principle of scales on any object (the back of a chair, a ruler placed on the floor, and even on a second ski placed on its edge). You can even do this on your hands, gradually moving them. The found center of gravity must be marked with a transverse line using a pencil or marker.

Then the clamping bracket should be removed from the mount, since it will interfere with screwing it. You will have to install the bracket in place after the front part of the mount is securely fixed to the ski.

Correct installation

Stores usually offer instructions on how to attach bindings to skis. If it is not there, you should use the general rules. Many modern fasteners include a special template plate, which marks the location of the center of gravity and where the screws are screwed in. Otherwise, you can determine the location approximately. On cross-country skiing, the toe of the boot should protrude slightly forward beyond the center of gravity, and on mountain skiing, it should fall exactly on it.

Next you need to apply the fastener and mark the places where the screws are screwed in. You can drill holes for them with a drill using a thin drill, but if the screws in the fastening kit are self-tapping screws, you can only mark the holes with an awl. It is usually proposed to fasten the heel of the fastening with a special pin, but many skiers recommend attaching it to a screw. The location of the heel is determined by placing the boot on the binding.

After installing the mounting platform, the clamping bracket is put in place. You can check the correct installation by clamping your boot into the mount and lifting the ski by it. It should be slightly outweighed forward.

Some precautions - instructions

In order to correctly install ski bindings yourself, it is important to remember some mistakes that inexperienced skiers often make. The main one is that the ski, preparing holes for mounting screws, is drilled through. To avoid this, it is important to measure the required hole depth and use a drill with a stop. If this is not the case, you can make a temporary stop by wrapping several turns of electrical tape around the drill. It’s even easier not to drill holes at all - self-tapping screws can be screwed in just like that, and the fasteners are equipped with products of a suitable length.

The second mistake is the widespread use of glue. It is poured into the holes intended for screws. This must be done if the skis are classic, wooden. But today plastic skis are more common. Glue may not have the best effect on them. Therefore, in this case, it is better not to glue the fasteners or use only special glue, if it is included in the kit or recommended by the manufacturer’s instructions.

Knowing how to install ski bindings is important for amateur and professional skiing. The convenience and safety of using the equipment depends on this. Let's consider the main nuances of this important aspect.

general information

The modern market offers a wide range of skis for various types of skiing. They differ in manufacturer brands, purpose, price category and material. Not all beginners know how to install ski bindings? In principle, this work can be entrusted to specialists. However, this will require additional financial investments and time. In fact, it’s quite possible to figure out this technology on your own.

Design features

The ski locking device is designed to securely hold the heel and front head of the boot. In this case, appropriate design adjustments must be made, affecting the safety of operation of the equipment. When adjusting the bindings, the athlete’s anthropometric data are taken into account.

The element itself is equipped with special pins designed to fix the boot. In addition, the package includes a set of brackets and bends that prevent the leg from slipping, ensuring free movement within the structure. Knowing how to properly install a ski mount for boots will ensure maximum comfort when skiing, regardless of the purpose of the device and other factors. It is worth noting that in the heel part, modern clamps are very elastic, reduce the level of vibrations and maximize ease of use.

Types of fastenings

Modern retainers are divided into three main categories:

Welt fastening type Nordic Norm 75 mm. Its advantage is its affordable price, despite the fact that the technical parameters leave much to be desired. The support of the foot is not very good, the rigid design does not provide full control of the toe of the boot, the sole often slides due to the lack of sufficient lateral and longitudinal stability. The skating style, like the classic version, will not give you much pleasure.
Innovative instances of the NNN and SNS type. To know how to install a mount on these types of skis, you need to remember that they are a design with the highest possible performance parameters. Such systems operate using systems of flexors and guide elements, which greatly simplify the task of installing elements. The sole of the boots fits firmly and comfortably on such equipment; additional stabilization in any riding style allows you to feel confident and make the process of moving easier.

More about NNN and SNS systems

The fixation class of such devices belongs to the tourist category, often equipped with automatic latches. This option is ideal for beginners. The differences between the NNN and SNS systems lie in the presence of two longitudinal constituent elements in the first category (the SNS variation is equipped with one analogue).

To know how to properly install the mount on your skis, you should remember that the difference between the cross-country and mountain versions lies in minor details that fix the boots directly to the equipment. Therefore, the main emphasis should be placed on the choice of shoes. Sports boots must correspond to the riding mode, be comfortable to wear and have a distinctive design. Then you can start fixing them.

How to properly install a binding on cross-country skis?

Initially, proper drilling work needs to be done. This work is done using a special device that allows you to set the areas for processing as accurately as possible.

When drilling, select the appropriate drill diameters, each of which is suitable for a specific type of ski. Among them:

9.5 * 4.1 mm - for metal surfaces.
9.5 * 3.5 mm - for wood and its analogues.
7.0 * 3.5 mm - for juniors and beginners. Typically, the thickness of such equipment is less than that of adult professional modifications.

After all the necessary holes have been drilled, a little special glue is added to the sockets on the canvas, after which they begin to install the fastener. The screws should fit tightly into place, without play or displacement.

How to install a mount on skis of mountain modifications?

This operation is performed in several stages:

The center of gravity of the skis is located, which is outlined by a line.
The clamps are placed in such a way that the front part of the structure aligns with the edge of the drawn mark.
The boot is carefully inserted into the mount, ensuring that its base is located in the center. This is one of the important points in arranging bindings for alpine skis.
After “trying on” the boot is removed, and additional sockets for self-tapping screws are made through the holes in the place where it is placed. This can be done using an awl. And the fasteners are fixed using a screwdriver or screwdriver.
Next, the boot is securely fixed thanks to the holes made. Strict adherence to the instructions will allow you to achieve a tight fit to your leg, the desired level of shock absorption, rigidity and safety.

The presented guide will provide an opportunity to understand the features of fixing ski bindings aimed at overcoming mountain and steep snow-covered slopes.

Mountain bracing equipment is only suitable for climbing slopes and steep sections of trails. Running on such skis will be uncomfortable, difficult and ineffective. Such equipment has completely different dimensional parameters and technical indicators. In addition, reliable and competent installation of clamps is a guarantee of comfort and safety.

We also discussed above how to install a mount on cross-country skis. This type of equipment is designed for skating and classic running. But this does not mean that the installation of shoe clamps can be done poorly. This type of sport is associated with many health risks and requires a careful and responsible approach at all stages, including the selection and adjustment of bindings.

29.07.2013

Where to begin?

Currently, most cross-country skis use two binding systems - SNS and NNN.

The rules for installing bindings of different brands may be different, but when installing absolutely any type of bindings, you need to adhere to certain criteria: firstly, the strength of the ski at the place where the fastening is installed should not be affected, secondly, you need to ensure reliable grip between the boot and the ski, and, finally, you need to ensure good ski control.

The characteristics of the ski directly depend on the correct installation of the mount and its position.

Installing bindings on cross-country skis.

SNS and NNN binding systems have different lines of bindings aimed at use by different groups of people - from professional racers to tourists, amateurs and children. Depending on the area of use, the fastenings differ in weight, strength and rigidity of fixing the boot. But for any type of ski bindings certain requirements remain unchanged:

Ensuring the necessary fixation of the boot.
Providing the ability to maneuver freely.
Maintaining the strength of the ski.

Almost all modern bindings secure the boot by connecting to a clamp on the sole of the boot. For traditional types of fastenings of any system, the correct installation is considered to be one in which the axis of fastening of the bracket coincides with the axis of the center of gravity of the ski.

Manufacturers try to ensure the best performance of skis with a binding mounted at the center of gravity. In this case, the greatest strength of the ski, its stability, as well as the best balancing and the ratio of the rigidity of the ski to its elasticity are ensured. In continuous production of skis, it is very difficult to ensure that all skis are completely identical, especially when using natural materials. Therefore, an important positive point was the creation of the NIS system, which facilitates the process of installing the binding, and also allows you to find the optimal position of the binding on the ski. Many modern skis have a special platform at the mounting location that provides a strong fixation. If you install the bindings improperly, you can damage the internal structure of the ski, which will negatively affect its strength, and therefore its durability.

When installing, it is best to use the tools designed for this:

Template for marking holes on the ski.
Drill.
Drill.
Ruler.
Screwdriver.
Marker.
Glue.
Skis and bindings.

Ski marking.

Using a ruler, you need to find the center of gravity of the ski and mark it with a marker. To mark holes, it is best to use a special “jig”; it will allow you to accurately position the position of the drill.

The jig (corresponding to the type of fastening) should be installed so that the center of gravity of the ski coincides with the SKI BALANCE mark on the surface of the jig.

If you do not have such a conductor, you can use a simple paper template. Usually it comes with fasteners.

If there is neither one nor the other, then you can attach the mount itself in such a way that the axis of fixation of the boot bracket coincides with the center of gravity of the ski. The holes should be marked with a marker or light pressure with an awl. To make measurements more accurate, you need to make marks when the mount is assembled, because some parts may move, and the marks may shift.

In no case should you use a jig or template from the wrong type of fastening, since in different systems the fastening holes are located in different places.

Drilling holes.

To drill holes in the ski, use a drill with adjustable speed and special drills. The special drill has an extension that will prevent you from drilling into the ski more than necessary. You need to drill lightly by pressing the drill at medium speed.

Mounting installation.

Before installing the fasteners, the hole made by drilling the ski should be filled with special glue. It will provide waterproofing and fill cracks. If there is not enough waterproofing, water will get inside the ski and cause it to rot from the inside and break. This is especially serious for skis with a honeycomb structure and for skis made of natural materials.

Service centers usually use proprietary adhesives from well-known brands. But you can also use PVA glue. It provides sufficient tightness and strength. The fastening must be screwed until it is completely fixed; no play should be allowed. After the mount is installed, the glue should be allowed to dry for about twelve hours.

Installation of mounts with a pre-installed platform.

Using the Rottefella NIS system, installing ski bindings is greatly simplified. To use such a mount, you need special skis with a special platform. To install the mount, it is driven along the guides until it clicks. The thrust bearing is installed in the same way. It is then secured using the key included in the kit.

This system allows you to find the optimal position of the bindings on the ski, taking into account weather conditions and the condition of the track. You can adjust the bindings before each ride, or even while riding. Another advantage of this system is that you can change bindings without any damage to the skis.

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If you or your family members decide to spend your vacation profitably, then skiing is the best choice. Such exercises develop not only muscles, but also joints, endurance, improve immunity and have a beneficial effect on blood vessels. In stores you can buy skis with bindings included, but people with experience advise installing them yourself, especially since you may need experience installing them in the future. You can always replace the fasteners if you prefer a different type or if they break. In this article you will learn more about the types of fasteners and how to replace them.

Types of ski bindings

Based on your skiing style and goals, you need to choose one of three types of ski bindings:

The most modern ski mounts are called system mounts. There is no need to delve into how they work, just know that with them you won’t have to bother with buckles, elastic bands and staples. Their installation is quite simple and does not take much time.
The second type is called “hard” or “75 millimeters”. Many people might have seen this type of binding at school if there were skis in physical education classes. The bottom line is that the boot is attached to the skis using a special bracket - a clamp. It firmly holds the toe of the boot, and the bracket itself, in turn, is the fastening. It is now believed that the rigid system is a relic of the past. Indeed, many of us will attest to this, remembering the eternally untwisted staples and the slipping of the boot.
The third type of fastening is “semi-rigid”. These are all kinds of elastic bands, ties, and flagella to which your shoe is tied. Relevant for children's skis, since a child's feet grow very quickly, and it is difficult to buy suitable boots for them. If you decide to teach your child to ride, then the rubber band system will be just right.

Once you have purchased the mounts that suit you, you can begin installation.

What tools are needed to install ski bindings?

First of all, you must have a tool called a conductor. This tool can be different and its cost has a large amplitude, however, without it it will be very difficult to find the right balance on skis. It will help you find the exact locations for drilling and installing fasteners.

You need a conductor.
A marker that can then be washed off with water.
Drill.
Electric drill.

Depending on the type of fastening, you may need 35 mm or 60 mm drills; check this point in advance in the instructions or in the store.

The process of installing bindings on skis

First, you should learn a little trick on how to find precise balance on your skis. You just need to take one of them in your hands and place it on some thin or sharp object, and then quietly move the ski until the tip and back are aligned and the ski begins to balance. Mark this location with a marker. The principle is similar to how a person tries to hold a pen on his finger, which constantly falls in one direction or the other.

Now place your skis on the floor, making a balance mark.
Attach a jig to one ski. Carefully align the balance lines on the jig and the ski.
Take a drill with an appropriate drill bit and make a hole for the fasteners, guided by the jig.
Screw the fasteners.
Repeat with the second ski.

If you still don’t have a jig, then you can use this value as a guide: the ski mounting hinge should be both at the point of balance and at the end of the big toe. This will give you an approximate location for your mounts.

More experienced runners know that sometimes the bindings can be moved a little forward, then such skis will already be called “skate”. Experiment with styles and you will find a more convenient way for yourself.