PRODUCT SUMMARY
By Mackie

THE GOOD
The Black Diamond O1 is a "true" free-pivot telemark binding that provides zero resistance while climbing.

1. It has a simple mechanism for activating climbing mode (& skiing mode).

2. The O1 has a hardy contraction - stainless steal toe-piece and lots of metal.

3. It gives you a choice of three levels springs/cartridges (underfoot) provide plenty of power for ripping tele turns on the biggest of boards.

4. BD has two sizes (fat & skinny) of climbing crampons that work with these bindings for when things get dicey.

THE BAD
1. The o1 has lots of metal = heavy binding (but really, how much does it matter?).

2. The included climbing bar is too high and weak.

3. The small plastic spacers in toe-piece may have a tendency to wear out before you do.

4. Ice may occasionally freeze up under the toe-piece, forcing you to take off the ski (or wack it really hard) in order to transfer from climbing mode to ski mode.

5. The cartridges have a tendency to 'loosen' on their own.

6. The binding is non-releasable.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Free-pivot tele bindings have been out for a couple seasons now and if you've been lucky enough to try (or own) them, you'll wonder why it took so long to get to this point. Finally tele skiers can keep UP with their AT brethren using (nearly) the same amount of effort.

The BD 01 is a stout binding that performs very well in just about all conditions. Yes it's heavier than the other free-pivot tele bindings out there, but its construction means it should also last longer. And despite the added weight, the amount of energy saved while climbing will EASILY make up for it. They provide plenty of power for ripping downhill as well.

The 01 isn't perfect, nor is it the only choice out there (especially as we hear more about the NTN system) for this type of binding. It's not cheap either (none of them are) but if anything does goes wrong, the binding is backed up by a solid company that will respond appropriately.

I've taken the BD 01 to the summit of Mt Rainier; raced over 12,000 ft at a Whistler randonnee rally and lapped many powder stashes. In short, they've seen just about every snow condition. The climbing bar, in my opinion, is too high and doesn't fit as snug into the heal plate as I'd like. There is some hard plastic, and it didn't take long for me to wear out the plastic spacers on the toe-piece. Fortunately BD responded quickly and replaced the bindings. So far the new pair is performing how they should.

To make a long story short, I will NEVER go back to the old style of tele bindings. Unless you spend 95% of your time inbounds, there simply is no reason to go back.

OUR ADVICE


AVG USER ADVICE

Editors wrote on 02/05/09 at 09:20:40 am pst:

Today's Sponsor: A16 Outfitters

Today's Prize: 1 Nalgene Water Bottle (BPA Free!)

Topic of the Day: Tell us why you love to backcountry ski!

To win today's prize, comment either on the O1 binding or the topic of the day!

Their Advice

Kara wrote on 02/05/09 at 10:45:30 am pst:

Love them....the heel risers work much better than other free-pivots on the market and all you have to do is buy the shorter bail so you can have two different levels. I also love that ice/snow doesn't get caught up underneath attachment system when going from tour to ski mode....like other free-pivots.

Their Advice

Tim Dow wrote on 02/05/09 at 10:54:28 am pst:

I demoed these a few weeks ago at Stratton VT. Typically I ski on G3 Targas and I feel as these are much stiffer and do a better job transmitting power to the ski. I will definitely be buying these for my next pair

Their Advice

Telemonster wrote on 02/05/09 at 11:28:32 am pst:

I'm gonna take a second to play devil's advocate on the whole "free pivot" thing. For the record, I skied on my buddies O1's for one day in the backcountry, and I typically ski on G3 Targas.

While skinning up a hill, you still have to move your ski forward and up. This is what requires energy. A free pivot binding surely changes the "feel" of the step, but it doesn't change the fact that you have to get your skis to the top of the hill. The newer Targas have a setting to release tension while skinning, which, in my opinion, is on par with the O1 in terms of efficiency. Don't expect this binding to replace your need for fitness.

Their Advice

Swiss Miss wrote on 02/05/09 at 8:41:05 pm pst:

These have been great for the two seasons I've skied them. They are heavier than most free-pivot tele bindings out there, but they also ski much better. The cartridges on mine loosen easily and I must tighten them every time I ski, and I've heard of people ripping them off skis quite frequently (I don't worry about it much since mine are mounted in K2 inserts and I only weigh 130#).

On the way down, I love 'em.

On the way up, I loved them... until I discovered Dynafits and now I'm just spoiled ;)

Their Advice

Teledinosaur wrote on 02/05/09 at 10:55:04 pm pst:

Telemonster, my hat's off to you! I don't quite rank in the monster category - probably considered more of a dinosaur by some standards. I've tried a number of different old school tele bindings after starting my backcountry career as a ATer. I haven't tried the G3's but I do own two pair of O1's. If you're breaking trail -there's NO comparison to a free pivot binding - be it tele or AT. Being able to keep your tip on top of the snow significantly reduces the level of effort. Even if you're drafting behind and not breaking trail, there is reduced effort by not having to constantly flex a spring or cable. All I can say is thank heaven for evolution!

Their Advice

Editors wrote on 02/06/09 at 07:31:46 am pst:

Today's winner is Teledinosaur! Congrats on your new water bottle. We will shoot you an email to get your address!

Their Advice

David Belden wrote on 02/11/09 at 08:37:37 am pst:

I've skied the G3 Targa Ascent, the BD 01 and the NTN binding and the BD 01 is my favorite. I just spent a week touring on it and have zero complaints. The tour pivot makes going up hill friction free, and while I did have to stomp on occasion to get it to lock back into ski mode, once it was there the feel descending was fantastic. Granted, we were in fresh snow which does help. It's lighter than the NTN and the free pivot makes a big difference. The NTN has a somewhat free pivot for the first few degrees, then you're flexing the boot & binding, especially on steep up-tracks. I highly recommend the BD 01.

Their Advice

freetheheel wrote on 03/31/09 at 11:43:42 am pst:

Telemonster...of course you still need to be 'fit' to get yourself up the mountain, but these bindings, along with the rest of the free-pivot arsenal, make getting up that mountain WAY easier than the older style.

Their Advice

freeheelin' wrote on 05/04/09 at 1:17:52 pm pst:

BD O1's rock, best buy out there

Their Advice

disappointed in bd wrote on 04/24/10 at 10:57:28 am pst:

Not a fan of the 01s. The cartridges loosen constantly and have made me unhappy and grouchy all ski season! Yes, I tighten them every time I ski down, but the cartridges loosen at different rates. It's a constant battle to keep equal tension on both sides of the boot, and it's hard to keep finding 'your sweet spot' of perfect cable tension in general.

I've tried lock tite and duct tape without much luck from either... some people use a marker to mark their 'sweet spot' and just tighten the cartridges constantly...

I wouldn't recommend the 01s. You shouldn't have to constantly adjust your bindings every time you want to rip down a slope!

Their Advice

Luke Lubchenco wrote on 11/10/10 at 4:58:21 pm pst:

When these bindings stop being made, I'll stock up for a lifetime because it would be hard to justify telemark skiing without this flex and ease of use. Not many bindings come close to being this stiff, precise, nor offer the flex pattern that flexes the bellows of the boot (in my case, a t-race) and allows the maximum amount of energy to be transferred from skier to ski.
As to the problem of cartridges loosening, I've never had a problem myself, but i had a friend who got them right where he wanted them, and then wrapped duct tape around both cartridges at the same time (one big duct tape loop). He hasn't had a problem since, so give that a try before counting this binding out. Also, I just got my new pair, and this season, they started marking where the cartridge should be with red inside the cartridge. A pretty big upgrade I'd say!
Granted, you shouldn't have to adjust them all the time, but in comparison to some of the other bindings out there, it's worth the small hassle.

Their Advice