a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T8lplfcx_Ro/S7AW8FbmZKI/AAAAAAAAAeU/pXMtJzFyj7U/s1600/propulse2.JPG”img style=”float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 320px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T8lplfcx_Ro/S7AW8FbmZKI/AAAAAAAAAeU/pXMtJzFyj7U/s320/propulse2.JPG” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453884370251572386″ border=”0″ //aOkay, so it’s not exactly span style=”font-style: italic;”stop-the-press/span news that Salomon has a new classic binding for the 2010/2011 season. The new SNS Propulse binding is a greatly improved version of the old Profil classic binding. That’s right – a single bar and an elastomer return spring.br /br /Depending on who you talk to, this new classic binding is either a replacement for the Pilot Classic, or simply an alternative. I can tell you that while I was working at the Olympics in Whistler, I saw very few skiers using the Pilot Classic bindings… …most skiers who are still on SNS bindings were using the new SNS Propulse. And for good reason.br /br /I had a little bit of trouble getting a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T8lplfcx_Ro/S7AZKmF4nXI/AAAAAAAAAek/n3bKEh6s1RA/s1600/rubberbumper.JPG”img style=”float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 273px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T8lplfcx_Ro/S7AZKmF4nXI/AAAAAAAAAek/n3bKEh6s1RA/s320/rubberbumper.JPG” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453886818560286066″ border=”0″ //amy hands on a set for testing, but thanks to Rick Halling at Atomic, I got a set of the Atomic version (same binding, in with Atomic labels and colors). I received them mid-week, and did some quick tests and mounted them on a set of Atomic WorldCup classic skis for some weekend klister skiing.br /br /First of all, you should know that the new SNS Propulse binding comes in two versions (RC1 amp; RC2). The RC2 is the “normal looking” version, while the RC1 has a very minimal design that ditches the heel plate and just has the central ridge screwed down to the ski. I was testing the RC2 version as shown in the photos.br /br /The ProPulse RC2 is a bit lighter than the Pilot Classic. The ProPulse RC2 weighs in at 251 grams per pair (measured), which is a little lighter than the Pilot Classic. A savings of about 10 grams. a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T8lplfcx_Ro/S7AWjp4wnqI/AAAAAAAAAeM/MShJXGhNr9U/s1600/propulse_acculab.JPG”img style=”float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 278px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T8lplfcx_Ro/S7AWjp4wnqI/AAAAAAAAAeM/MShJXGhNr9U/s320/propulse_acculab.JPG” alt=”” id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453883950540824226″ border=”0″ //abr /br /It was noticeable to me that the new Propulse bindings are a bit wider than the old Profil (or Pilot) bindings. The new bindings are 46mm wide, which is about 15% wider under the ball of the foot than the old bindings. br /br /The new SNS Propulse has an improved rubber bumper that seems less likely to pop out of place over time, compared to the old Profil bindings. And the new latch mechanism is low profile and seems to be easy to grab, and also latches securely.br /br /These new bindings also have a big spacious notch in them to allow plenty of room for that unused 2nd bar on the newer generations of SNS classic boots that were originally designed for Pilot Classic bindings. Even with lots of sticky snow, there won’t be a problem with it clogging up. Nice. I think it’s really great that Salomon made the new Propulse classic binding backward compatible.br /br /I got these out on snow on Friday, March 26th, at
