Marker launches new race binding

[ScotsSkier]

The new Marker Xcomp 18 racing binding is set to hit the market during the 2019/20 season. The latest entry from the Bavarian binding specialist draws on the best aspects of its two predecessors, the Race Xcell and Comp.

The new Xcomp delivers uncompromising power transfer while also allowing more forgiveness as the skier navigates the race course. With its new single piece toe design, the Xcomp utilizes the proven 3-hole screw pattern from the venerated Comp bindings.

With the elimination of the front toe bracket, the toe piece is now screwed directly to the ski, a proven favorite for many World Cup athletes around the world. This connection method repositions the interface closer to the boot for optimized power transmission and turn initiation.

Performance is further enhanced through two important features adopted from the Xcell: the toe and heel pieces on the Xcomp are built with high-quality magnesium components, and the tried- and-true X-shaped damping mechanism – the XCell piston – absorbs the quick jolts and bumps on rough terrain, promoting a safe and comfortable ride with optimal control. A Teflon gliding AFD keeps the interface between the boot and binding smooth and even.

“This new binding brings forth the very latest inputs from the World Cup, with smoother handling that enhances the skier’s ability to make a split-second recovery,” says Michael Mangold, Head of R&D for Marker.

Deliveries of the new Xcomp 18 to authorized Marker retailers will begin in time for the 19/20 racing season.

Key features of the new Marker Xcomp include:

• DIN Settings: Xcomp 18: 8-18
• Toe and heel pieces built from high-quality magnesium components • 3-hole screw pattern in new toe piece
• Two additional shock absorbers in toe piece
• Teflon gliding AFD

Read more at SkiRacing.com

 

[Erik Timmerman]

Looks really good.

 

[S.H.]

Excited to try these out - didn't like the XCell and am starting to run out of Comps ...

 

[ScotsSkier]

Yes, back to the future! (Or maybe forward to the past! ) a bit like Atomic spending 6 years with the redster boot and eventually coming up with...basically the old red/ white RT boot.....looks like Marker have pretty much reinvented the Comp toe. Those of you who have been watching WC racing will have noticed that most athletes on Marker, especially for speed, have continued to use the old comp binding rather than the Xcel binding. I understand from some good sources that a primary reason for this was that the Xcel was too “ aggressive” for speed and didn’t give the same feel as the Comp. (Plus there was not a 30 din, only a 24 din in the Xcel). I can’t personally comment on that as I have only used the Comp binding on speed skis with the marker piston plate ( after all if the marker piston plate and comp binding is good enough for hirscher and Shiffrin....)....

Nice to see that the new binding also uses the same old 3 hole mount as the Comp - all piston plates for the last few years have been drilled for both the Comp and the Xcel - so will be a straight fit on ALL vintages of piston plates. And for those that have mounted Xcel bindings you wil know that it always seemed a bit of a klutzy 2 piece toe mount so the “ back to the future” solid mount is welcome.

Personally I have always found the old Comp 20 to be one of the best bindings made, pretty much bomb proof and long lasting ( unlike the 16). I still have 6 pairs of them in the current rotation...

 

[Primoz]

I understand from some good sources that a primary reason for this was that the Xcel was too “ aggressive” for speed and didn’t give the same feel as the Comp.

I don't have much info about SL, but at least for GS, pretty much everyone using Marker on WC were on old Comp. And yes reason was "too agressive".

 

[Karl B]

Please explain what is meant by "too aggressive". I need some education here. Thanks.

 

[Dakine]

"Too aggressive" means nothing.
Maybe you are trying to say that the Xcel doesn't recenter after a near release as the Comp?

 

[James]

Sounds good.
Now if they made a lower DIN version they'd really have a good thing going.

 

[Primoz]

Most of people I know (all of them were on Nordica) were complaining its screw pattern makes skis too aggressive (and quite a bit slower) compared to old Comp binding. Now that's a bit hard for me and for my english to describe what that means, so I will rather leave it to some native English speaker, as I'm sure I will get it out totally wrong

 

[Brock Tice]

Nice render

 

[James]

Who knew wcup gs guys were "finesse" skiers. Clearly something is lost in translation here.

 

[ScotsSkier]

My understanding is that it made the ski too twitchy and susceptible to moving off-line too easily rather than tracking well. Hence it was a serious issue in speed

 

[Karl B]

My understanding is that it made the ski too twitchy and susceptible to moving off-line too easily rather than tracking well. Hence it was a serious issue in speed

That, I can understand. Thanks.

Karl