Re: Can NNN BC boots be used with plain NNN bindings?
Guest 20 November 2008 11:27:41
The short answer is no. I think it's partly the wider bar and the bindings' different wider boot rail pattern, allowing for better steering. If you take a look at any number of ski shop sites, you'll notice that all are specific that NNN BC bindings are compatible with NNN BC boots, and vice-versa. For the source, see http://www.rottefella.no/english/start_langrenn.htm (BC products).
Gene
mtommer@yahoo.com wrote:
I'm just getting started into XC skiing to take the place of my
cycling. I was going to start last year, just never got around to
getting all the equipment. At one point I picked up some Alpina BC
100 (?) boots for $8.00 at MC Sporting Goods. I just got some XC skis
from Ebay that came with NNN bindings. I tried pushing the boot into
the binding by hand but the boot gets caught up against a solid piece
of black rubber just in front of the locking mechanism on the NNN
bindings. So, like the title said, are NNN BC boots compatible with
the plain NNN bindings?
*search didn't reveal the answer (that I could find anyway).
Melinda Shore 15 November 2008 13:14:42 [ permanent link ]
In article <20081114212430.6d68462b.gene@none.net>, <gene@none.net> wrote:
The short answer is no. I think it's partly the wider bar and the
bindings' different wider boot rail pattern, allowing for better
steering.
NNN-BC boots also don't have grooves in the heel, so that's not going to work, either. -- Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis - shore@panix.com
Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community
What about NNN2 boots with NNN touring bindings? At last week's swap I bought a pair of Alfa classical boots to go with some Revolutions that have NNN touring (they're useful for teaching kids). I checked the clamp in, but didn't really notice until I got home that the boots don't just naturally sit down on the bindings, like Salomons do, but need a foot inside to get the heel down. A shop I asked didn't know if that was the NNN way. It also happens with the same boots and NNN3 bindings.
Gene
EdgarHee@gmail.com wrote:
As others have replied, the NNN-BC boots are not compatible with NNN2
bindings.
You should also know that the NNN bindings are past the NNN2 models
with newer NNN3s and NNN4s. I understand from NNN friends that you
can sort of force NNN2 boots into NNN3 bindings. Similarly, the
Solomon Profil-BC boots are not compatible with the single bar Profil
bindings. And the single bar Profile boots don't work with the Pilot
bindings although my Pilot boots fit my Profil bindings.
But the bigger comment that hasn't been made is new to the sport
skiers are poorly advised buying used gear on their own because
equipment fit will make a big difference in your first on-snow
experiences. If skis are too stiff, you will not grip and if too
Thanks, Mitch. These touring bindings have full length grooves, with a break in the middle, as do the Alfa boots, which also seem to say NNN II on the sole. The problem is the front rails of the bindings seem to be higher than the boot grooves are deep, thus holding the boot up at the ball of the foot, and leaving the heel about 1" in the air (unweighted). It does the same with the R3 manual binding. I'll check at a local shop, since they need the heel plates adjusted and a riser inserted on one ski.
Gene
Mitch <mitch@ccmr.cornell.edu> wrote:
I'm not quite sure what you're asking here. Is it an NNN1 or NNN2
touring binding? As Melinda mentioned the easiest way to tell is
whether the grooves extend full length from toe to heel (NNN2 or
later), or if they end mid-foot and the heel plate is old style non-
grooved (NNN1).
If you have an NNN2 boot and a NNN2 touring binding then they will
work fine together. I have the touring binding on a set of cheap
heavy no-wax skis and they work fine with all my racing boots, which
is good because that's all I have. If you have an NNN1 touring
binding then it can be made to work with an NNN2 boot if you can find
a pair of the special convertor flexors that were available during the
early NNN2 years. Might be hard to find nowadays. These work fine
for skating but not so good for classic. Due to the change in
dimensions there is not quite enough freedom of movement at the hinge-
point for good classic striding with the NNN2 boot/NNN1 binding
combination.
If you have a compatible binding and you're having to force the heel
down, then there is a misalignment somewhere. Normally I would
suspect the heel plate is not in line with the front of the binding,
indicating a sloppy binding mounting job. But if you experienced it
on two different bindings then perhaps something is wrong with the
boot. I'd suggest grabbing another pair of boots to check the
Not that I can see. They have a red base and outer cover, yellow ankle and forefoot material, and a black velcro strap at the very top (like combis), as well as across the top of the foot. With the boot cover closed, that ankle strap wouldn't have to be connected, so the idea is effectively similar to a detachable ankle cuff. For an old boot, the sole is very stiff. The shop thought they were prior to the modern style of skate boots, which have more flex to allow pushing off from the ball of the foot (though that's not done anymore).
Gene
Mitch <mitch@ccmr.cornell.edu> wrote:
By any chance do these Alfa boots have an odd-looking keyhole shaped
slot in each side near the ankle? Alfa made an interesting boot back
in the 90's that had a detachable ankle cuff. You put it on for
skating and took it off for classic. I wonder if maybe you have a
