2012-13 Dynafit Speed Radical. New anti rotation feature, nicely installed leash anchor, toe unit with Power Towers and strong springs, enlarged RV numbers. We're impressed. Click all images to enlarge.
After all the contortions we’ve been through with the Dynafit Radical bindings over the past year, it’s nice to see a mature state of design take hold. That’s especially true of the Speed Radical. Indeed, I’m thinking this binding might be the sweet spot in the whole Dynafit binding lineup. It’s light and comparatively low to the ski, has an elegant anti-rotation feature while still using the easy-flip heel risers. More, it appears to take some semi-stock modifications. Check it out.
Breakdown of Speed Radical showing anti rotation features. This year's binding has molded notches that engage when you twist the heel unit to touring position. They engage lightly, then more strongly when you weight the binding due to inherent flex in the binding housing. Ingenious if it works, and it appears to function just fine. Moreover, the center spindle appears to engage the heel release spring in a firm way when you've rotated to the climbing position, thus creating even more resistance to rotation. At the right, arrows indicate legacy moldings inside the housing for the failed anti-rotation pin system they used last year.
Anti rotation notches, detail. A tag as well as printing on the Dynafit Speed Radical says only rotate clockwise, but that's obviously a legacy thing. Rotate any way you want.
Here is something interesting. You can use the base plate (and longer screws) from a Radical ST toe to reduce ramp angle. Available as a part from Salewa NA? We shall see. B&D Ski Gear has shim plates as well.
Downsides? No available brakes. Leashes need a safety breakaway link. Aluminum center post “spindle” still has the hole the failed anti-rotation pin used to fit in. We’d prefer to see that gone as it could be a weak point in the post. I tried to be picky but can’t find anything else to complain about.
A few other features we like: Comes with a primo pair of safety leashes you can easily mod to your own specs. Screws are star drive (yes, we’re now fans). Length adjustment screw still has a Posidrive head, no need to carry yet another tool. Stack height is lower than Radical FT/ST. Bump that interferes with heel clearance on Radical FT/ST is trimmed, actually making this a better performing binding in our opinion. In other words, yeah, this might be the sweet spot.
Weight of one binding: 13.2 ounces, 374 grams. Toe unit weighs 5.6 oz 158 g. All weights with screws and crampon fitting. Crampon fitting can be left uninstalled (watch screw length if you do that), it weighs 8 grams.
Shop for Dynafit Speed Radical ski binding.
Here are the details if you want a toe plate for less ramp angle. I’m not sure which retailers will carry the plates, but you can get them from Dynafit NA. Remember if you do this you’ll need a set of 8 longer front screws of the type used for Radical FT/ST toe unit.
ITEM DESCRIPTION ITEM #
FRONT BASE PLATE (SPACER) ST 48580 9999 $15.00
FRONT BASE PLATE (SPACER) FT 48581 9999 $20.00
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
