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April, 2025

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Bentchetler 120s breaking + Pivot question

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wanglee93
Posts: 9 - Karma: 26
Hello Ns,

Over the past few seasons I have broken a couple of pairs of Bentchetler 120s in similar ways.

The core keeps breaking where the bindings are mounted.

The bindings are Look Pivot 15s.

Both times I have successfully received a warranty pair. I currently have an unmounted pair in my living room which I'm realizing I should maybe consider trading / selling as I don't think there's a warranty on a warranty and my track record has not been good.

I am not skiing park with them, for the record.

Our local wizard tells me that he feels it's likely because the bolt pattern on Look Pivots are 35mm. Apparently most brands have gone to 40mm, and Pivots are soon to follow suit.

From my understanding, he's saying the forces exerted on a 35mm bolt pattern are spread over a smaller surface and this leads to me breaking the core.

Anyone know if the bolt pattern is changing? Anyone experienced something similar w the core breaking where the binding is mounted on Pivots or any other binding?

I am mounting at -1 from true centre. Is the core stronger at recommended?

Thanks in advance.
2 years ago
4 0
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4713 - Karma: 20,085
wanglee93Hello Ns,

Over the past few seasons I have broken a couple of pairs of Bentchetler 120s in similar ways.

The core keeps breaking where the bindings are mounted.

The bindings are Look Pivot 15s.

Both times I have successfully received a warranty pair. I currently have an unmounted pair in my living room which I'm realizing I should maybe consider trading / selling as I don't think there's a warranty on a warranty and my track record has not been good.

I am not skiing park with them, for the record.

Our local wizard tells me that he feels it's likely because the bolt pattern on Look Pivots are 35mm. Apparently most brands have gone to 40mm, and Pivots are soon to follow suit.

From my understanding, he's saying the forces exerted on a 35mm bolt pattern are spread over a smaller surface and this leads to me breaking the core.

Anyone know if the bolt pattern is changing? Anyone experienced something similar w the core breaking where the binding is mounted on Pivots or any other binding?

I am mounting at -1 from true centre. Is the core stronger at recommended?

Thanks in advance.


Are you pulling the bindings out? Or just breaking the ski itself? I have heard of issues with pivot heels being pulled out. Haven’t seen it personally. No issues on my Chetler 120 with pivots 18’s.
2 years ago
5 0
profile picture
Wez
Posts: 55 - Karma: 543
wanglee93Hello Ns,

Over the past few seasons I have broken a couple of pairs of Bentchetler 120s in similar ways.

The core keeps breaking where the bindings are mounted.

The bindings are Look Pivot 15s.

Both times I have successfully received a warranty pair. I currently have an unmounted pair in my living room which I'm realizing I should maybe consider trading / selling as I don't think there's a warranty on a warranty and my track record has not been good.

I am not skiing park with them, for the record.

Our local wizard tells me that he feels it's likely because the bolt pattern on Look Pivots are 35mm. Apparently most brands have gone to 40mm, and Pivots are soon to follow suit.

From my understanding, he's saying the forces exerted on a 35mm bolt pattern are spread over a smaller surface and this leads to me breaking the core.

Anyone know if the bolt pattern is changing? Anyone experienced something similar w the core breaking where the binding is mounted on Pivots or any other binding?

I am mounting at -1 from true centre. Is the core stronger at recommended?

Thanks in advance.


I have had a very similar thing happen, core snapped under the rear heel peice of a STH 16 binding. Super low impact when it occurred as well in fresh snow, just pulling the tips up over a compression.
2 years ago
1 0
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profa_212
Posts: 9195 - Karma: 40,198
I would blame the fact that it's an 1800g, 120 underfoot, poplar wood ski over the pivot mount pattern all day.
2 years ago
10 0
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mikem
Posts: 968 - Karma: 9,899
profa_212I would blame the fact that it's an 1800g, 120 underfoot, poplar wood ski over the pivot mount pattern all day.


This is right. Id just sell/trade. It’s fun to try different skis.
2 years ago
1 0
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wanglee93
Posts: 9 - Karma: 26
Thanks for the responses. I know different skis are fun but man, if you've tried these then you know why it's hard to deviate.

My breaks were not as dramatic as the one picture above but the first was similar. Visible crack in sidewall that allowed me to see into the inside of ski, directly under both heel and toe.


Second time, I brought my skis in for summer wax and the local wizard told me they were broken. Nothing visible. He said the amount of rocking in the heel piece was a giveaway. If i showed you the video, you'd think I was nuts because there was very little play. The wizard has seen enough for me to trust his opinion. I compared it to my gf's same setup and it was noticeably different, though still subtle af.

I'll try to post the photos + video when I have more time.

Thanks again for the input. Appreciate it. I will continue to weigh my options. Rossi black ops seem rather appealing . . .
2 years ago
1 0
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wanglee93
Posts: 9 - Karma: 26









https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/1076279/Atomic-Warranty-video-mp4
2 years ago
0 0
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wanglee93
Posts: 9 - Karma: 26
Also, i'm about 6'2", and weigh from 185-200lbs. I think if I were shorter and lighter this would be less likely to occur.

Mounted at -1 true centre, not sure if i mentioned that.
2 years ago
0 0
profile picture
PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4713 - Karma: 20,085
wanglee93









https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/1076279/Atomic-Warranty-video-mp4


Seems like a decent amount of movement. I’m going to go try mine and see what happens for comparison
2 years ago
1 0
profile picture
mayslay
Posts: 61 - Karma: 234
wanglee93Hello Ns,

Over the past few seasons I have broken a couple of pairs of Bentchetler 120s in similar ways.


Stop buying them.
2 years ago
2 1
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