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G3 Targa Ascent Telemark Ski Binding

Brand : G3
Item : GGG0041
G3 Targa Ascent Telemark Ski Bindings' free-pivot mode allows a natural stride which saves energy as you lay a skin track, so you have juice left to tear up your steep line. Just a flip of a switch releases the Targa Ascent's toe piece to convert it to a Randonee-style pivot without resistance from the compression springs. The Ascent Heel flips up effortlessly to act as a climbing bar when the going gets steep. Flip the switch back when it's time to make some turns, and the toe piece locks in place to provide the excellent feel and edge control the Targa is known for.
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Product Reviews
G3 Targa Ascent Telemark Ski Binding

G3 Targa Ascent Binding
I picked up a pair of these bindings in early April. I've put in 5 days touring with them and find them to be top quality tele bindings. My x-race bindings are stiff and powerful enough for my needs, and perform flawlessly on descent (no big surprise!). The switch to ascent mode is pretty easy with a ski pole and the difference in climbing ease with the pivot under-foot is HUGE. My feet don't get nearly as sore climbing as with other tele bindings (I have T2X boots) and the ski tips don't dig into the snow on steep ascents. The only drawback is that when ascending in new wet snow, the plate under the binding gets crammed with snow, sometimes making it impossible to switch back to "descent" mode without first removing the ski and cleaning the snow out from under the binding.


Big issues with snow jaming.....
I have experienced some significant frustration with snow/ice build up under the plate that makes it nearly impossible to change the binding out of touring mode to ski mode. In cold weather (single digits) snow packs the locking apparatus where it literally takes two people to get the binding to lock down. Definitely a disadvantage when you are standing on the summit in inclement weather with other people waiting for you. It’s a great concept, but enough of a problem that I have reservations about the binding.


Nice ones!
I've had these bindings(x-race) for about a month, on two totally different sets of skies. And I'm impressed! To begin with, they are amazing for climbing. Especially when it's steep and/or powder. I was prepared for the ski/walk function to get stuck, but I've had no problem with that. Even not at at trip starting with rain, and ending in -20 over several lakes with over-water. So they definitely passed the test! Second, as far as I can tell, they keep the skis under control. And third, the heel-lifter is genius! Much better than the wire-heel-lifters in all ways!(easy to flip with the ski-pole, and feels better under the foot)


Lightweight, effective
I've got about a week's hard skiing on my Ascents. First off, there's no doubt that free-hinged bindings make backcountry travel far more efficient: once you've tried them, you'll never go back. Also, because of the free-hinge, you can use stiffer springs and have a more active binding without experiencing any negative effects (otherwise, very "active" bindings are a lot of extra work when skinning). I opted for the X-race (red) cartridges, and really enjoyed the extra power and earlier engagement (from the slight toe ramp). The new heel-piece is certainly slick (although I can't figure out how to get the bails to tuck behind them so they don't flap around when you carry the skis!) Many people are fretting about the durability of the binding, but mine seem solid, and I can't believe that a reputable company like G3 would put out a fragile, unreliable product. And if the bindings do start failing, I'm confident G3 would offer replacements. The Ascents are *significantly* (13oz) lighter than Black Diamond O1's, but switching to and from tour mode is not nearly as slick as the O1. I suspect the locking mechanism is more prone to icing up, too: I've had to clear out the ice with my ski pole to re-lock the binding. The binding also sits significantly higher (40mm vs 30mm) than the O1 -- I don't really know whether that's good or bad! But I can say that I'm very happy with the bindings: they ski great and combine the familiar feel of the Targas with effortless touring.


G3 Targa Ascent
The difference between skinning with the Ascent (in tour mode) and a normal tele binding (even a 3 pin without cables attached) is like night and day. I always get heal blisters, but on a 7 day trip, skinning nearly 35K, my feet were blister free. Had a couple issues: 1. Heal lifts did not want to stay up. Contacted G3 who indicated this was a known (but isolated) issue with some lifters. New ones came in the mail 3 days later. 2. Need to insure snow doesn't ice up under binding prior to forcing the lever from tour to ski mode.

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