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December 12, 2003-- Karhu has announced that fall 2004 will mark the
release of their new "7tm Tour" releasable telemark
binding. The new model combines the features of their current
7tm with a hinged plate touring mode for AT-like performance
on the uphill. Currently the 7tm is the only DIN-certified Telemark
bindings on the world market as approved by ISO Standard 9462.
The 7tm Tour is designed so that in the
uphill mode the pivot point of the binding is right at the tip
of the boot - similar to an Alpine Touring binding. Before beginning
the descent ski the skier simply locks the binding's touring
mechanism with a small lever.
The 7tm Tour's designer estimates that
the extra effort required to flex today's stiff modern telemark
boots while climbing uphill with an active binding can cause
the tip of the tip of the ski to be pushed into the snow with
as much as 40-55 lbs of force. This is wasted energy that could
be put to better use on the descent!
Karhu is also proud to announce that the
7tm Tour is the recent recipient of the Dupont Brand New Award
for ISPO 2004.
While the 7tm Tour won't be on retail shelves
this year, word is that there will be a few models available
for testing this season.
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