Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Post your questions/comments about Gear here

Re: Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Postby HighAngles » Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:09 am

ErikCO wrote:I don't want to disagree with folks who have more knowledge and experience than I do, but my experience has not exactly mirrored that of others when it comes to PRD vs PRX. The difference in delta between those two bindings (4-5mm vs 7-8mm if I remember what Diana has told me correctly) makes a significant difference in my skiing. Diana recommended changing from PRX to PRD bindings on my superahape speeds and it made a significant difference in my ability to bend the skis to different turn shapes and to be able to brush turns instead of just lock and ride. I am sure some of this is a lack of technique development on my part (and was several years ago) but since I am going through similar problems currently in trying to find a backcountry/AT boot and binding combination that work for me, I thought I would post here. It seems that there are at least a few of us who are very sensitive to for/aft balance adjustments (combination of forward lean, ramp angle, and delta), so if you are trying a ski that a good PMTS skier has reviewed positively and are having a bad time with it, you may be one of us unfortunates who needs very specific binding/boot combinations.

For myself, I have given up (at least for now) skiing anything but a PRD/powerrail or a Freeflex/plate binding. The combination of a 4-4.5mm delta with a 16 degree forward lean in my RS130s works well for me and if I deviate much from it, my skiing or my fatigue level suffer. Others may not have the same experience, but that is mine, and my experience is validated by external observation. That was actually the reason for my earlier post in this thread. If the bindings the MX88 wad being sold with were a rebranded PRD, I would get a ski/binding combination. If not, I want a ski with no binding so I can mount something I know works for me and my body proportions.


x1000
User avatar
HighAngles
 
Posts: 792
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2009 5:46 am

Re: Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Postby jbotti » Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:28 am

From what I can tell those that max at a 4.5mm (or at any lower) delta notice a big difference going to the PRX (Diana included) and for those it is uncomfortable and not good for their skiing. Those that can handle more delta (me, Max. Harald) don't seem to notice much difference. I have yet to find a set up with too much delta and or too much forward lean. But I am 6 3" with legs of someone 6 6". This is not to say that this set up does not exist, just that I have never experienced it.
Balance: Essential in skiing and in life!
User avatar
jbotti
 
Posts: 2184
Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 10:05 am

Re: Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Postby dougtee » Tue Apr 13, 2021 7:12 am

i am 6' with the torso of someone 6'6 so i think sticking with PRDs is the right answer with me. issue seems to be that they are drying up online and on ebay?
dougtee
 
Posts: 87
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2019 5:13 pm

Re: Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Postby ErikCO » Tue Apr 13, 2021 3:32 pm

dougtee wrote:i am 6' with the torso of someone 6'6 so i think sticking with PRDs is the right answer with me. issue seems to be that they are drying up online and on ebay?


I don't know about stock levels of the PRDs, but the great thing about them is that you can swap them between skis. I have one set of the PRD 12 MBS bindings that I swap between 4 sets of skis. Set the BSL, check forward pressure, and you are good to go.
User avatar
ErikCO
 
Posts: 134
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 9:26 pm
Location: Colorado Springs

Re: Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Postby HighAngles » Wed Apr 14, 2021 6:28 am

ErikCO wrote:
dougtee wrote:i am 6' with the torso of someone 6'6 so i think sticking with PRDs is the right answer with me. issue seems to be that they are drying up online and on ebay?


I don't know about stock levels of the PRDs, but the great thing about them is that you can swap them between skis. I have one set of the PRD 12 MBS bindings that I swap between 4 sets of skis. Set the BSL, check forward pressure, and you are good to go.


I'd be interested in if you've checked the binding delta on the MBS variant of the PRD. I have a set from Fischer and they are MUCH lower delta than the regular Tyrolia/Head PRD binding. Do your MBS toe pieces have the 2 separate settings for GW/Alpine vs. WTR?
User avatar
HighAngles
 
Posts: 792
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2009 5:46 am

Re: Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Postby jbotti » Wed Apr 14, 2021 9:07 am

I would prefer to avoid having to spend my time correcting misinformation. So here are the delta's from the Head Tyrolia manual on the PRD GW bindings:

PRD 12 GW Brake 85 (F): 5.5
PRD 11 GW Brake 85 (F): 5.5
PRD 11 GW Brake 85 (G): 3.0

This is further confirmed by the stand heights of the toe and heel pieces which are 28.0 MM on all toe pieces and either 33.5MM on the the 12 heel pieces (and one 11) or 31mm on the rest of the 11s.

There is no negative delta on any of them!!
Balance: Essential in skiing and in life!
User avatar
jbotti
 
Posts: 2184
Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 10:05 am

Re: Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Postby HighAngles » Wed Apr 14, 2021 2:06 pm

jbotti wrote:I would prefer to avoid having to spend my time correcting misinformation. So here are the delta's from the Head Tyrolia manual on the PRD GW bindings:

PRD 12 GW Brake 85 (F): 5.5
PRD 11 GW Brake 85 (F): 5.5
PRD 11 GW Brake 85 (G): 3.0

This is further confirmed by the stand heights of the toe and heel pieces which are 28.0 MM on all toe pieces and either 33.5MM on the the 12 heel pieces (and one 11) or 31mm on the rest of the 11s.

There is no negative delta on any of them!!


Maybe I missed it, but I don't believe anyone said anything about negative delta in this thread. Note that the MBS variant is a different animal. The AFD is higher in the Alpine setting than a regular PRD.
User avatar
HighAngles
 
Posts: 792
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2009 5:46 am

Re: Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Postby Max_501 » Thu Apr 15, 2021 11:52 am

https://issuu.com/zuzupopo/docs/w40718_ ... l_18_19_en

MBS 13 RC4 Powerrail Brake 85 [F]: 3.5 - 5.5mm
MBS 12 Powerrail Brake 85 [F]: 3.5 - 5.5mm
User avatar
Max_501
 
Posts: 4124
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 7:39 pm

Re: Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Postby jbotti » Thu Apr 15, 2021 11:59 am

BTW, that 3.5mm is when using a GW sole. For regular alpine soles, the delta/ramp angle is 5.5mm which is higher than on some of the older PRDs.
Balance: Essential in skiing and in life!
User avatar
jbotti
 
Posts: 2184
Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 10:05 am

Re: Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Postby HighAngles » Thu Apr 15, 2021 12:51 pm

I have found over and over, that the published numbers from Tyrolia/Head do not match my own measurements of real-world setups. Once you have the AFD height set properly and the delta determined, that's all that counts when you're getting your fore/aft alignment dialed in. Don't assume the published numbers are what you're getting. Also note that skis may have a different thickness through the binding mount area and you cannot assume that where the heel is mounted is the same thickness as where the toe is. This adds to the effective net delta that your fore/alignment must deal with.
User avatar
HighAngles
 
Posts: 792
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2009 5:46 am

Re: Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Postby Max_501 » Fri Apr 16, 2021 12:35 pm

I checked my bindings and they match the documented specs within .5mm (probably due to error in measurement so I'd say they are spot on).

For forum readers thinking about messing with fore/aft alignment it is a very complex topic. See this thread:

fore/aft Balance - Ramp Angle - Delta angle - Heel Lifts etc
User avatar
Max_501
 
Posts: 4124
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 7:39 pm

Re: Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Postby HeluvaSkier » Fri Apr 16, 2021 1:27 pm

A quick note from my personal experience on fore/aft setup... I usually do not mess with someone's fore/aft setup until they are very far down their path to developing expert skiing, and only if it becomes apparent that it is the setup that is holding back their development. It is very easy to use fore/aft setup to compensate for technical shortcomings, so really should only be tinkered with if you're taking video of each setup on the same terrain (preferably same day) and reviewing that footage with a coach who truly knows what they are doing when it comes to fore/aft.
Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability.

www.youtube.com/c/heluvaskier
User avatar
HeluvaSkier
 
Posts: 1526
Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2005 7:29 pm
Location: Western New York

Re: Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Postby AnI » Tue Feb 22, 2022 10:06 pm

Obviously, it is highly individual and depends on one's anatomy - such as length of the femurs and distribution of weight in the butt, torso, etc. There is no perfect setting that fits all.
I learned that higher delta works best for me because the bindings which I had on Head Icon TT80 (the original adjustable binding which they used to be sold with) had a relatively low delta, and I often would find myself struggling with not losing balance backwards specifically on those skis. This did not happen on i.SL. Once I figured out that the difference is in delta, I changed the bindings on TT80 (luckily I was able to find bindings which fit the same rails, but with a higher delta), and it solved the issue. I am a tall heavy guy with long femurs - so I guess, it makes sense that rear ends shifts the balance towards the back. My point is, in some cases, indications of poor fore-aft balance are fairly obvious and so is the fix. A flat shim under the heel can add a couple of mm for the purpose of comparison.
AnI
 
Posts: 51
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 11:41 pm
Location: Portland, OR

Re: Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Postby AnI » Wed Mar 23, 2022 6:14 pm

2020/21 model year of Head/Tyrolia

* COMPETITON
FREEFLEX ST 20 X RD Brake 85 [A] 3,5
FREEFLEX ST 20 X RS Brake 85 [A] 3,5
FREEFLEX ST 16 X RD Brake 85 [A] 3,5

* RACING
FREEFLEX ST 16 Brake 85 [A] 4,5
FREEFLEX ST 14 Brake 85 [A] 4,5
FREEFLEX 14 Brake 85 [D] 4,0
FREEFLEX 11 Brake 85 [D] 4,0
FREEFLEX DEMO 14 GW Brake 85 [D] 1,5

* SYSTEM
PRD 14 GW Brake 85 [F] 5,5
PRD 12 GW Brake 85 [F] 5,5
PRD 12 GW Brake 95 [F] 5,5
PR 11 GW Brake 78 [G] 3,0
PR 11 GW Brake 85 [G] 3,0
PR 11 GW Brake 90 [G] 3,0
SLR 7.5 GW AC Brake 78 [H] 1,5
SLR 4.5 GW AC Brake 80 [I] 1,5

*WOMEN
JOY 12 GW PRD Brake 85 [F] 5,5
JOY 11 GW SLR Brake 78 [H] 2,0
JOY 11 GW SLR Brake 90 [H] 2,0
JOY 9 GW SLR Brake 78 [H] 2,0
JOY 9 GW SLR Brake 85 [H] 2,0

* JUNIOR
EVO 9 GW AC Brake 78 [J] 3,0

* RACING
FREEFLEX ST 16 Brake 85 [A] 4,5
FREEFLEX Pro 11 Brake 85 [D] 7,0
FREEFLEX DEMO 14 GW Brake 85 [D] 1,5

* AAA-SERIES
ADRENALIN 14 AT short W/O Brake [F] 4-10,5
ADRENALIN 14 AT long W/O Brake [F] 4-10,5
AMBITION 12 AT W/O Brake [C] 1 (*5)
AMBITION 10 AT W/O Brake [C] 1 (*5)
ATTACK 18 X GW W/O Brake [A] 2-5
ATTACK 16 GW W/O Brake [A] 2-5
ATTACK 14 AT W/O Brake [A] 2-7
ATTACK 13 GW W/O Brake [A] 2-5
ATTACK 13 GW Brake 85 [A] 2-5
ATTACK 13 GW Brake 95 [A] 2-5
ATTACK 13 GW Brake 110 [A] 2-5
ATTACK 12 GW Brake 85 [A] 2-5
ATTACK 12 GW Brake 95 [A] 2-5
ATTACK 12 GW Brake 110 [A] 2-5
ATTACK 11 GW W/O Brake [L] 6-9
ATTACK 11 GW Brake 90 [L] 6-9
ATTACK 11 GW Brake 100 [L] 6-9
ATTACK 13 AT DEMO W/O Brake [F] 3-7
ATTACK 13 AT DEMO Brake 95 [F] 3-7
ATTACK 13 AT DEMO Brake 110 [F] 3-7
ATTACK 11 AT DEMO W/O Brake [G] 0,5-4,5
ATTACK 11 AT DEMO Brake 90 [G] 0,5-4,5
ATTACK 11 AT DEMO Brake 100 [G] 0,5-4,5

* SYSTEM
PRW 12 GW Brake 85 [F] 5,5
PRD 12 GW Brake 85 [F] 5,5
PRD 11 GW Brake 85 [F] 5,5
PRW 11 GW Brake 85 [G] 3,0
PR 11 GW Brake 85 [G] 3,0
PR 11 GW Brake 90 [G] 3,0
SLR 10 GW Brake 85 [H] 2,0
SLR 9.0 GW Brake 85 [H] 2,0
SLR 9.0 GW Brake 90 [H] 2,0
SLR 9.0 GW Brake 100 [H] 2,0
SLR 7.5 GW AC Brake 78 [H] 1,5
SLR 7.5 GW AC Brake 90 [H] 1,5
SLR 4.5 GW AC Brake 80 [I] 1,5

* LIGHT DIAGONAL
AM 12 GW Brake 85 [D] 5,5
AM 12 GW Brake 95 [D] 5,5
AM 12 GW Brake 110 [D] 5,5
RX 12 GW Brake 85 [D] 5,5

* SUPERLIGHT
SX 10 GW Brake 78 [J] 9,5
D 12 GW W/O Brake [D] 9,5
D 11 GW W/O Brake [J] 9,5

* JUNIOR
SX 7.5 GW AC Brake 78 [J] 7,5
SX 7.5 GW AC Brake 90 [J] 7,5
SX 4.5 GW AC Brake 80 [K] 1,5
D 4.5 GW AC Brake 80 [K] 1,5

* PROMO
PR 10 GW Promo Brake 85 [G] 3,0
SRM 10 GW Brake 85 [D] 6,5
SX 10 GW Promo Brake 78 [J] 9,5
SX 10 GW Promo Brake 90 [J] 9,5
AnI
 
Posts: 51
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 11:41 pm
Location: Portland, OR

Re: Review: 2021 Kastle MX88

Postby AnI » Fri Apr 08, 2022 5:14 pm

jbotti is absolutely right. MX88 is quite amazing. The most notable feature of these skis, in my opinion, is the extent to which they "equilibrate" snow conditions. What I mean, if you ski on a day when different conditions are present - chopped snow, groomed snow, some icing in the shades, heavy untracked "cement" from yesterday's spring snowfall, spring slush - the difference between snow which you are riding on feels much less with these skis than with anything that I had opportunity to try. They ride is pretty much the same through about anything and skis remain just as easily controllable regardless of where you take them. They also feel very light and quite agile. This is the case when you get what you paid for, in a positive sense.
AnI
 
Posts: 51
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 11:41 pm
Location: Portland, OR

Previous

Return to Gear

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests