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March, 2024

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Dear Rossignol Binding Dept, ATTN FKS Brakes

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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Hey Rossi! Been a huge fan of the FKS series, even through the drought back a few years when they were discontinued. I love them to death, save one issue - my brakes are broken. Don't know how it happened, I was just skiing along, doing a switch right double cork 7, kinda landed funny, and when I came to in the hospital, I was horrified to learn that my brakes had snapped when my skis popped off and bounced into another state. Having bent my own brakes before, I know how much of a pain it can be to replace FKS brakes (most of my time was spent searching my garages dark corners for that spring that yearns to be freed from its housing), so I decided to roll my wheelchair down to my local ski shop to get a new set and have them replaced by professionals. Problem is, they say that they can't buy FKS parts. It seems sensible that you don't want untrained unprofessionals messing with their bindings in their garage, home, bedroom, wherever they do it, but can you please consider letting shops order parts, specifically brakes, narrow and wide, for the FKS? It would make my day, and while I would never consider riding skis without brakes, there might be some crazy cats out there that might - hey, I love your bindings a lot, and I'd consider myself a occasional radio listener compared to the crazy FKS groupies out there. THANKS for reading my fan mail, and while you're at it, can you make the baseplate for the heel out of metal, or at least reinforce the area around the brake arms? Signed,
Aug 11 2011 4:31AM
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Silence
Posts: 16030 - Karma: 149
True story - love it
Aug 11 2011 4:44AM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,347
Holy shit yesssssss!
I hate when this happens so much.

Please though Rossi, sell shops brakes for the FKS. Please.
Aug 11 2011 8:04AM
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danbrown
Posts: 11932 - Karma: 21,775
I went to a shop in CT like two years ago and they said they could order me wide brakes because they didn't trust the ones I ben't myself
Aug 11 2011 8:05AM
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Dan.P
Posts: 1351 - Karma: 12
So many mods!!

Also broken brakes suck, though i've never had trouble replacing my dynastar ones at the ski shop.
Aug 11 2011 8:13AM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7408 - Karma: 11,040
I agree. Shouldn't it mean more money for them? And what about the look turn table? Or are they different
Aug 11 2011 8:23AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124

I was gonna suggest gear talk but I doubt anyone from rossi would go in there. Im a tech and it hurts me to go in there. Soon the whole 1st page will be stickeys and the second page will be threads asking the the stickey questions and of course the ever popular lets play steezy dressup look at my jiberish. that sedtion needs some subcatorgories or an overhaul.

Rossi wants you to throw down 4 bills for new fks but even then the brakes max out @ 117. Im not sure why theyre not getting the uber fatty thing. Hell even Dynafit released a 130 brake last season. for a binder with such a cult following Im surprised some small machine shop isnt making aftermarket brakes

Aug 11 2011 8:30AM
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Che~
Posts: 2108 - Karma: 296
Not really, it might be that they are trying to get people to buy new bindings instead
Aug 11 2011 11:11AM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7408 - Karma: 11,040
If I had something like this happen Id look for a new company with a similar binding but better part service..you only feed the beast by paying for entirely new bindings
Aug 11 2011 11:20AM
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Malcolm
Posts: 15949 - Karma: 9,431
Yeah finding spare brakes is such a bitch.
Aug 11 2011 11:32AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124

best o luck on your search for that holy grail

Even an all metal soli s16 wont cut it for the fks fanatics.

Not sure on the patent on those things or when it would be up

Seems like all the binder companies are putting their r&d $$$ and eggs into the AT market basket

Aug 11 2011 11:56AM
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Karma_Police
Posts: 2655 - Karma: 1,628
Bullshit you do, try buying marker brakes.  You really think it costs 60+ bucks to make those?  I doubt it...
Aug 11 2011 12:21PM
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Jimmy.
Posts: 2888 - Karma: 27
all 4 of my FKS brakes are currently broken.

fuck rodeos.
Aug 11 2011 12:26PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 511
waitasecond...





but I agree. I had to bend the brakes for my FKS and so far I've torn both inside brakes off while riding. I'd really love it if they would sell them so I wouldn't have to start strapping leashes to my skis...
Aug 11 2011 12:29PM
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TheClap.
Posts: 21649 - Karma: 4,013
I've ordered new baseplates and brakes from rossi for $40
Aug 11 2011 12:48PM
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BootySpunk.
Posts: 8148 - Karma: 84
My FKS brakes don't even work on my 155s or my 120s. I love when my ski goes down half the run because I landed wrong one time and the brakes somehow got mangled.
Aug 11 2011 12:56PM
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Mr.Gaga
Posts: 2021 - Karma: 542
why dont rossignol make better breaks?! their fixations are great, i used to ride on it untill i broke 6 breaks in like 2 month.. got bored and bought something else. seems like as soon as it gets a bit cold like around -20 the plastic of the break become super easy to destroy
Aug 11 2011 1:07PM
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TheClap.
Posts: 21649 - Karma: 4,013
-20 is dumb cold
Aug 11 2011 1:12PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 511
holy shit are you slashing lines on mount fucking everest?!
Aug 11 2011 1:25PM
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SkiThe603
Posts: 5376 - Karma: 498
how can you do a switch right double cork 7?
Aug 11 2011 1:33PM
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c4t_l0ver
Posts: 5485 - Karma: 810
i just purcahsed my first pair of fks, after reading about how much the brakes break off, im scared to use them if the brakes are that hard to replace..
Aug 11 2011 1:33PM
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twsnow22
Posts: 1285 - Karma: 485
don't be..When mine broke I was able to make a new arm out of a tent stake with a ton of patience and heat.. it's a little ghetto but works well..
Aug 11 2011 1:40PM
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Kreech
Posts: 4178 - Karma: 3,024
this is the kind of fks fanatic stuff people are talking about =P
Aug 11 2011 2:13PM
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natty.
Posts: 857 - Karma: 34
wait, even if my local shop is a look/rossi dealer i cant get replacement fks brakes?
fo real?!???
Aug 11 2011 2:15PM
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vtrider
Posts: 1988 - Karma: 41
OP... Noted. Its a tough subject for us here at Rossi, anytime you disassemble then reassemble the binding you become responsible for said binding, most shops don't want to take that risk and truthfully, most of the public should not either (I say that in my legal voice)

Like I said, its a touchy subject for us, but I will bring this topic up at our next managers meeting, maybe we can come up with a work-around that keeps all the FKS/Pivot lovers out there happy.

Don't be afraid of the FKS, it is by far the best binding in the market, any binding will have brake issues skiing park hard, including ours.

oh, and 130mm Brakes are in the works.

Aug 11 2011 3:49PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Holy crap, I was just saying to my buddies that I wasn't expecting a serious response, I just got owned, haha. THANKS DUDES! This is gold standard customer service!
Aug 11 2011 4:25PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
pro tip: ride salomon bindings
Aug 11 2011 4:31PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 511
protip: ride marker comps
Aug 11 2011 4:32PM
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DW.
Posts: 2683 - Karma: 74
wait, so there isn't anywhere that I can order brakes, is there? I don't mind bending some 117's, but I don't think my 65mm brakes will cut it for my 132mm hellbents (brand new fks for $50, how could I pass it up?).
Aug 11 2011 4:40PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
i've got a boooner!
Aug 11 2011 4:56PM
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TheButterHashira
Posts: 9691 - Karma: 1,702
Why can't I even find spare brakes for axium and axial bindings? Those breaks just screw in and out with a phillips head. Really grinds my gears because it makes me think rossignol expects kids to get new bindings when their brakes fail.
Aug 11 2011 5:12PM
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skiingute
Posts: 630 - Karma: 15
You're American he is Canadian. Get it? K thx
Aug 11 2011 5:21PM
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beefytits
Posts: 7 - Karma: 10
i especially hate it when the brakes get caught in my tit beef and break. FKS shrapnel is a bitch to remove.
Aug 11 2011 11:51PM
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Style+eeze
Posts: 6901 - Karma: 551
I see what you did there rowen ;)
Aug 11 2011 11:54PM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
I fucking love the FKS series. Glad to see that they have some dope customer service!
Aug 12 2011 12:28AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124

Solid thanks for the info. Curious do you go into gear talk at all?

BRO tip like with skis try as many as you can and pick the one or ones if your a gear whore that fits your style of skiing,  fills your needs, made by a company you trust, that you can afford

Aug 12 2011 9:04AM
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BmoChop
Posts: 2071 - Karma: 96
ORLY?
Aug 12 2011 9:16AM
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General_Ripper
Posts: 3327 - Karma: 189
mmmm FKS. Are the new orange ones as good as the old ones. I have had the gold ones 4 ever
Aug 12 2011 9:32AM
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vtrider
Posts: 1988 - Karma: 41
Sometimes... I dont have a million hours for NS, but I do try to make sure people are happy with our products...
Aug 12 2011 12:20PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
holy buggles ! first 4 posts = green name ! :O

and this is one reason why im not really 100% convinced of buying fks bindings.... here in belgium finding any kind of brake, even for the px series (one of the most common bindings over here) is a pain in the ass, i can't imagine how much trouble it'd be to find fks brakes .....
Aug 12 2011 1:07PM
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Justo8484
Posts: 3905 - Karma: 204
keep up the good work. easily attainable, reasonably priced replacement brakes, and bringing back the fks120 and fks 155 would basically create a binding monopoly for rossi/look.
Aug 12 2011 1:08PM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124

  I wouldnt mind seeing that

You gots to get up to get down and places w/out bullwheel or wilderness area that dont allow motorized travel way outnumber the latter, so I hope you guys have a good high din hopefully lightweight AT binder in the works, Id be kind of surprised if you dont and wider jigs please

Aug 12 2011 2:12PM
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kthnxbai.
Posts: 2847 - Karma: 179
Im confused.  I ordered extra brakes from them last season...?
Aug 12 2011 5:54PM
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tripnip
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 482
because of that costomer servicei went ahead and ordered a pair for the up comming year dude you guys rock!!!!
Aug 12 2011 6:30PM
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MALONE
Posts: 3819 - Karma: 73
This guys the man. Get a busted heal piece and practice yer assembly/disassembly and the FKS can be mastered
Aug 12 2011 8:22PM
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84891jnf92048
Posts: 11552 - Karma: 2,550
Next time you can, tell Newell he's the man too.
Aug 15 2011 5:59PM
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JTL
Posts: 2275 - Karma: 338
I emailed them and this is what i got:

Me:

Hi,
I plan to buy the FKS 140 XXL this season. I also plan to use a binding insert system so I can switch my bindings between two different pairs of skis. The only problem is that one pair is a 115mm underfoot and the other is an 82mm. Is there any way I can get 90mm brakes as well?
Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
A proud rider of only rossi bindings since i was a kid


Him:

FKS brakes are not sold as a separate item. You will have to order a binding with the narrower brake.
Sorry.
Keith Myers
Rossignol Group Service Manager USA


Me:

That sounds somewhat outrageous to me. Can you explain to me why that is? If I am willing to buy a product from you, what is your reasoning for not selling it to me. I would imagine you have a few spare brakes laying around.
Thanks for your time, I would give you much respect if you answer this question for me.


Him:

It is a matter of both marketing (yes we want you to buy bindings not parts) and risk (the binding must be disassembled and reassembled to change the brake) and our risk manager will not allow that.
Again I’m sorry we cannot help you with your request.

Keith Myers
Rossignol Group Service Manager USA


Me:

ok thank you for answering my request.
Sep 26 2011 11:59PM
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TCuv
Posts: 152 - Karma: 51
This is my first season on Rossi fks bindings and just this week i shot out the break plate on one of my bindings. To fix this my binding will need to be taken off my ski and sent away to utah for 2 weeks so Rossi can fix it... How the hell do people do this? I mean shit, i could break my brakes a couple times a season if im unlucky. How in gods name do people that ski on this binding afford to lose their skis for weeks at a time? This entire situation has just baffled me and I wasn't aware of how much of an inconvenience it is to break a brake on this binding until now.
Jan 31 2013 6:51PM
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Tucks
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 161
Several heel pieces and brakes in reserve...break a brake, fix it and send the broken one to rossi
Jan 31 2013 8:02PM
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jshrawd
Posts: 64 - Karma: 225
Same thing just happened to me and i have only been riding them for 3 weeks.I live in SLC so i can luckily drive up to get them fixed. Did your warranty cover the fix?
Feb 17 2013 10:22PM
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*ninja*
Posts: 2108 - Karma: 1,143
I lost my ski bcus my brakes broke
Feb 17 2013 11:13PM
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