What is the name for cross country ski bindings with three pins, but that are narrower than normal "3 pin"?

Question

I got a pair of cross country skis from a thrift shop. The bindings say only "Trak". There's 3 pins on the bottom and a top part that snaps down (but different than your normal 3-pin...it's more narrow and pointy, so my 3 pin boot doesn't fit in far enough to clip in).

What's the name for this kind of binding? I'd like to find a pair of boots to fit it.

Thanks!

Answer 1

This sounds like an old Rottafella set up. Any pair of boots that will fit into the toe piece should work. A  hollow insert is used to align the boot over the pin. When I last used this style they were becoming a less popular system and this was about 35 years ago. Check with your local shop who do Xcntry race and some back country terrain work.

Answer 2

For years (decades?) the "Nordic Norm" 3-pin bindings were 75mm wide and that is what you mostly see on older skis.  However, for a few years in the late 70's early 80's there was also a 50mm 3-pin system (I used it for a while.)  It looks identical to 75mm Nordic Norm but skinnier.  Far as I know, nobody makes that configuration of binding or boots anymore.  Your 75mm boots will not fit (as you've noticed) and you  will have a great deal of trouble ever finding boots that will fit those bindings so I would recommend you replace the bindings on the skis with a pair of 75mm.  The mounting holes are the same so just back out the screws (if the screws were glued in by the original mounter, heat them carefully with a soldering gun and they should come out.)

Check the www.woodenskis.com website for sources of the old 3-pin bindings if the ski shops don't stock them any more or look on Craigslist in your area to see if anyone has an old pair.  They are usually available for $10 to $20 -- far cheaper than new boots.   When I converted all my skis over to more modern boots and bindings (SNS mostly) I gave away all the 75mm hardware so there must be others doing the same.  People kind of look at me funny since I prefer 30 to 40 year old waxable wooden skis (my faves are Madshus Birkebeiners and steel-edged Bonna 2400's) but have these high-tech modern bindings and "space jockey" looking rear-entry boots but the combo works.  If you do a lot of skiing you may want to eventually consider going with the newer bindings/boots.  You'll get more speed and greater comfort skiing with them than with the old 75mm stuff.

Happy trails!