T-factor users

[disland]

Question for folks using T-factors

 

1. How tight do you cinch the bungee. I noticed Nate pulls it pretty tight

2. Do you use the factory bungee or change to a thicker chord?

[Stevie Boy]

Love the Tfactors, use them as they are, pull them tight, never failed to release when needed.

Basically adjust them to what you are comfortable with.

Caviat: all bindings carry a risk factor

[h2onhk]

I use a front T-Factor. Size M. Shoe size is a mens 9.5. The binding itself is pretty tight and holds my foot well. I still use the original cinch and just snug it up. Once this one wears out, I'm ordering another. Great binding in my opinion.

[LeonL]

I pull 'em both tight. (front and rear)

[ral]

How is the fit compared to the Leverage? Can you ski a long set in warm water without foot pain and cramping?

[MDB1056]

I use the original bungees. Pull them both snug (front snd rear) . Just finally replaced one cord that frayed after about 5 yrs. Great bindings. Great support.

[Kwoody51]

I have original bungie cords. I have the bottom cord set such that I don’t tighten or loosen it at all.

 

Top I have setup very loose.

 

I’m a 11.5 in a large so my foot is plenty tight without the cords adding anything.

 

[JackQ]

I pull them tight every time I put the ski on. I replace the bungees, with same diameter every 3 months or so as they lose elasticity. I just bought 10 feet of them and has lasted for a few years.

[dbaconaz]

Love these bindings!!! Pull them tight to limit slip but I never over tighten.

[jhughes]

No cramping. They feel like a cozy slipper compared to a Leverage. I pull the laces as tight as I can and use the factory laces. Best rubber binding I have ever used by far.

[disland]

Thanks ballers, I am super happy with mine also, going to experiment with a little tighter now,

 

Dave

[pregom]

I love my t-factor. I have it for my front foot only and I have a toe plate for the back foot. The only issue I had is with the little cincher. I grabbed it by mistake to tighten things instead of grabbing the bungee itself and the whole cincher ended in the lake. Zip ties can prevent that.

 

 

 

[skimtb]

Hmmm. Longtime Wiley’s user here. Pros / cons of t factor? Not sure I’m ready for hard shell, although more lateral stiffness may be nice?

Wiley’s always release when needed so I’ve never changed….

[disland]

More control on the edge to edge, looser feel and better release forward

[Stevie Boy]

Tfactor gives great Lateral Support, but there is easier movement fwd and aft, the fwd movement allows easier ankle flex the aft movement helps reduce tip rise..

[h2onhk]

@ral I use a Tfactor on my slalom and a leverage on my trick. Comparing these can be a little difficult because the leverage tightness has a lot to do with how tight you have the overlays, where as the Tfactor has a little more adjustment with the cinch cord. Never had an issue with cramping other than my leverage does seem to squeeze my toes down a little tighter. I have the leverage overlays set where I need a spritz of 303/lube to slam my foot in the binding in colder temps. No 303 needed on the Tfactor.

[Deanoski]

Foot size 11 med front t factor

Pull stock bungee tight

 

 

Shoe laces on the bottom

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Booze]

How well or easily does it release. I'm a toepiece user and have considered trying one of these, but am concerned with releaseability (sp).

[Slalom.Steve]

@Booze somewhat depends on how tight you cinch it. I don't do it as tight as physically possible, but I keep it pretty tight and I've never had any issues with releasing.

[MDB1056]

Been on double T's for years now. Love them

[jhughes]

I just had my ski go though the handle in a fall causing the ski to get instantly ripped off my foot in a nanosecond. T factor as tight as it goes and it came right off in this very odd test of a fall. I couldn't believe it.

[Deanoski]

@jhughes get a handle guard.

[jhughes]

This is with the handle guard, the ski went in the little space for your hands. I actually think the handle guard kept the ski in the handle!

[Deanoski]

@jhughes

[Deanoski]

 

[jhughes]

Exact one I have. ^^^

[Deanoski]

Crazy

 

[disland]

Another T-factor user question. How often do you change out the upper overlay. Mine isnt damaged but wonder if its getting less stiff with age and should be replaced?

[jhughes]

@disland pay attention to 2 areas. Area 1 is toward the toe where the upper cuff material meets a little 1/8" strip of rubber to the lower sole and Area 2 is the back of the cuff by the calf. That toe area is a major weak point though I believe it has recently been reinforced a bit. once these start cracking there can be some zip tie reinforcement in a pinch but it's time for a replacement wrap.

 

 

[MDB1056]

@disland / have been running originals now for at least 5 years . Not noticed any changes in structural integrity. Love these things. Just yesterday had a great reminder they DO release. Took a great OTF fall yesterday and came completely out of double boots, laced up snug.

[YoKo]

Just noticed this yesterday. Absolutely gutted as this is my favourite binding. Now waiting to see if the warranty will honour it.

 

[jhughes]

@YoKo a leather punch and a Zip tie will get you through a bunch of sets while you wait for a new wrap. Pay attention to which screws go in which holes when you do the replacement, they use 3 sizes of screws.

[Beezer]

So I replaced my lower lace with a lighter weight bungee style lace. Took out the cinch piece and just tied a knot at the tension i liked. The boot is plenty tight for me in the fore foot. I kept the upper stock lace but tightened up the bungee so there Was less cord to deal with.

[YoKo]

@jhughes Thank you for the advise. I hope D3 will accept it's a defect rather that ware and tare as it has been over 12 months since I bought the binding.

[whitem71]

D3 have been fantastic and changed my T Factor overlay twice now! (As goodwill as out of warranty).

First was original after 2 years light use and it split both at the back (the ‘vent’ piece on the rear upper) and sides. Think these are known weak spot because my friends did the same, and:

The new one is now a revised design (which I see Nate is using too) with the rear vents removed in favour of solid rubber and the little cut outs removed at the side. This makes it much stiffer forward and back!

Unfortunately this new overlay failed after 3 months in the same place as that last picture - near toes at the side.

I do wonder whether they revisions although welcome and give a stiffer binding have created a new area of stress…

 

[DW]

Anybody transition from HO Animals to T factors? If so, how was the transition, likes & dislikes v Animals. What skiing adjustments did you have to make? Any change in buoy count?

[MDB1056]

changed from Animals to tfactors about 5-6 years ago. MUCH prefer tfactors for fit and support and control. No issues at all - they do release when needed - will feel stiffer at first - just get used to it - no problems. Buoy counts are 99% all what I can can do in form and position - which these help IMO, as far as feeling better connected to the ski. I use double boots - I'm a 9 1/2 and use a medium, do use slime on boots and feet on entry and cinch snug. Great fit. I'm a fan for life

[disland]

+1 on switch,many years ago. Much better feel for the ski

[Deanoski]

Went from animals to Blk reflex for yrs back to the t factor less hassle and maintenance

 

Great feel

 

[skialex]

Don’t have a better picture, but have fixed this for a friend with a thread and a needle, beginning of season. Difficult to see that it is repaired, no issue so far…

 

 

[Jody_Seal]

my rear tfactor came apart like that . however it was probably 5 years old. I just ordered up a new wrap from D3 online. great service .

though yes when taking it apart take note of where the screws came out. maybe someone from d -3 can elaborate or give a diagram.

I find i am like the princess and the pea , I feel the screw under the footed and can't seem to relocated where I don't feel it..

[unksskis]

@DW I recently went from the newer Animal to the TFactor on my trick ski. Major improvement. More responsive, better support, and ability to cinch where desired.

[skialex]

Every time I change an overlay or any part of a rubber boot, I remove the plate so to make the boot more pliable and also to visually check every screw that is in place and the correct length so it does not go through the plastic frame sticking its pointy end inside the boot. Every rubber boot except the Wiley’s… ?

[OldboyII]

@skialex Wiley's certainly has a piece of magic. I replaced laced overlay on previous HO Animals with full rubber overlay made by Wiley's and improvement was soooo dramatical.

[skialex]

@OldboyII, Certainly not judging Wiley’s rubber, it’s of great quality, great feel, very durable and Wiley is also the source for some other rubber binding manufacturers.

Just saying that the approach to changing rubber pieces is different on the Wiley’s, due to their different construction, bolts through rubber and frame, rather than using wood screws to piece together the frame and the plate.

[DW]

@OldboyII - could you elaborate on improvement being that dramatic?

[OldboyII]

@DW Good question. It is always difficult to verbalize feelings and sensations. Will try.

1. With laced Animals you always choose either to tighten laces and endanger your Achilles tendon or leave laces loose and decrease heel hold. With replaced overlay you have both good hold and reliable release in OTF.

2. Wileys overlay gives a bit more forward lean stance. Which is IMO not bad.

3. Overal feeling - foot is more pressed to sole and the whole lower leg is in contact with every part of the boot. Never felt in before - as if I am more coordinated with ski/boot system.

[LeonL]

Got some new T-Factors (first pair still usable after 8 years) the elastic in the front binding lacing failed. Didn't break, just stretched out and has no elasticity. D3 used to sell lace kit with lock, but don't see that available on their website. Guess I'll call. Anybody find a source for appropriate diameter laces?

Edit.... found them on D3 website, but set of 2, 33" each $10 plus shipping ouch!

[Rw3]

probably dumb question but when you are measuring front boot placement with T factors do you measure to the plastic heel piece or the rubber part of the heel. Thank you.

 

 

[skialex]

@Rw3 rubber just inside the plastic horseshoe