With the Eagle, the traditional Swiss company Fritschi wants to offer a stable touring binding that can also handle a demanding freeride gait without sacrificing the comfort of a conventional touring binding. We tested the new Eagle 12 model.
The product features promised by the manufacturer of the Diamir Eagle sound extremely promising: perfect walking comfort, easy handling, outstanding downhill characteristics and stability on the ascent. Since theory and practice are often two different things, we put it through its paces in tough freeride use and subjected it to a long-term practical test.
The ascent properties are probably the biggest plus point of the new generation of bindings from Swiss binding manufacturer Diamir. The so-called gliding technology is less relevant for freeriders, who often wear inflexible freeride or alpine boots, than the generally very comfortable pivot point. Thanks to the slightly offset pivot point, a pleasant ascent feeling is achieved despite uncomfortable alpine boots. The widened and solid construction of the front jaw also has a positive effect on the climbing characteristics, as high leverage forces occur here, especially with wide skis.
On the descent, you first have to get used to the high construction. The Fritschi Eagle is produced in the proven Fritschi Diamir tradition with a center bridge. This has a number of advantages, but also means that the back jaw and bridge have to be lifted with every step. The Eagle compensates for this disadvantage with a weight-optimized design that combines good power transmission values with low weight. The power transmission itself is not outstanding. As the leverage increases with the width of the ski, you are probably well advised not to use extremely wide skis for the Eagle. In my opinion, the healthy width for a comfortable ascent is around 100 mm. Wider skis should rather be fitted with a different binding.
With the good adjustment options, you can quickly switch between alpine soles and touring soles and thus use different boots for different tasks or you don't have to buy a new model separately. The release mechanism also offers the usual release behavior of an alpine binding. The adjustment range of the binding for different boot lengths is sufficiently large.
The ease of use of the climbing aid, which is also the locking mechanism for the downhill mode, is also pleasing. With a quick movement of the poles, you can switch between ski and ascent mode or between the height of the climbing aids without getting out of the binding. However, during testing, the lock came loose twice unintentionally when skiing downhill. Jumping over in steep terrain in exceptionally poor snow conditions and getting caught with the ski on the rear lever led to two involuntary telemark-style descents.
In addition to the binding, the scope of delivery also includes a manual that provides useful information. Unfortunately, there is no template or other information on mounting the binding, which would make home mounting much easier. When asked, the manufacturer cites the reason of adhesion for self-assembly. The paper or adhesive templates would theoretically be available (For discussion of the enclosed drilling templates in the forum). It comes with an 80 mm stopper as standard (available up to 115 mm), crampons are also available in 86 mm and 110 mm widths.
Conclusion
The Diamir Eagle 12 is a more ascent-oriented binding for freeriders. Like its sister model Eagle 10, which is identical in construction, the Eagle impresses as a touring binding with the well-known good ascent comfort thanks to the offset pivot point and easy handling. In addition, both alpine and touring soles have a fully-fledged release option as with an alpine binding. However, the Eagle is certainly not the first choice for hard freeride action, as the power transmission is too low, especially with wide skis over 100 mm in width. If you opt for a more conservative ski model, you can still let the cow fly with the Diamir Eagle 12.
Short rating
Ascent characteristics: ****
Descent characteristics: ***
Ease of use: ****
Compatibility: ****
Scope of delivery: ***
Available accessories: ski stoppers in 90, 100 and 115mm, catch strap, folding crampons in 86 and 110mm
Price (RRP): 350.- (Eagle 10) or 360.- Euro (Eagle 12)
Advantages
- Very comfortable pivot point and low weight
- High ease of use
- Good release values as with an alpine binding and high maximum Z-value
Disadvantages
- Less suitable for very wide freeride skis
- (Missing mounting template for home mounting)
- High construction
