When the Bishop was introduced over a decade ago the telemark world got to experience a true heavy-metal telemark binding. At the time it was certainly the heaviest telemark binding around. Fast forward to the present and Dave Bombard and crew have unleashed the overdue descendent of the Bishop, the BMF-R, which stands for Badass Mo’ Fo’ – Randonnée, and in the heavy metal genre, the most decadent, or if your superlatives are a shade goth, the most degenerate version and by any objective measure, the most active telemark binding evah! – making its moniker oh so appropo. It’s still the heaviest too.

NTN or 75mm

The BMF is one of the few bindings that can accommodate either style of boot, 75mm or NTN.

The BMF adds features that were never seriously considered in the original Bishop; a tele machine made for downhill performance, particularly the ability to apply all your weight to the edges of both skis which means no wiggle in your tele, just pure, precise carving. Without a solid connection, that’s a tall order. That’s why the BMF continues to deliver power through a metal frame. However, the BMF adds two essential features: alpine style, heel activated step-in convenience, and in the BMF-R, a pole activated free pivot for skinning.

Step-In

Early versions of the step-in were finicky, requiring careful alignment of the heel. Reports from Fakebook indicate otherwise.

David Sexter #Telemark Skiing Forum: finally got to ski this weekend after months of staring at new set up. In one word the bmf’s are SICK. Step in is flawless. No messing around, no weird angle, just step in like an alpine binding. Works first and every time. Exit is just as easy and consistent.
The power transmission from boot to ski is ridiculous. I was previously on 22design vices and the bmf makes them feel like a a rubber band with a spring. The biggest upside for me is that because they are so responsive I don’t need to keep my boots super tight. First time in 25+years of teleskiing no foot pain.
I don’t tour so can’t speak to that, but for a resort binding these are far and away best I’ve ever used – nothing even comes close.

There’s no doubt about the genuine sound of that endorsement. Those who prefer finesse over power nod in silent dissent knowing that time and a greater variety of conditions will change that tune. But don’t let me stop you if you want an active binding – the BMF is the clear winner in that category.

The basic frame and transmission is the same for either style duck-boot, the toe changes to fit a symmetric NTN alpine-style toe, or an asymmetric duckbill. In either case, the main reason you want a Bishop BMF is because you prefer to drive as much pressure as you can to the tip of the ski. On firm snow it delivers amazing edge power and you may find you actually have to throttle back a bit from what you’re used to to avoid over steering, especially in softer snow. It’s good to know there is some adjustability to the tension BMF delivers, from strong to excessive, but it is never wimpy. As someone who prefers a less active binding, the BMF is overkill. But if you like the resistive feel of an active binding, the BMF may be what you’re itching for.

Optional Soft Springs

All that power comes from having an effective pivot for the heel spring at 60 mm behind pin line (75mm). If you don’t need or want power on steroids, you can swap in a softer spring to adjust the tele tension down a notch or two. Theoretically.

Brakes

Bishop Bindings offers ski brakes, implying that the binding is releasable. Not with the reliability one expects with an alpine binding, but with elasticity in the heel it is possible with the right circumstances for an NTN boot to pop out. Not DIN reliable, but if you’re lucky, good enough that those brakes might come in handy.

Ryan Reese on FB: I have had my BMF-Rs release quite a few times. I trust the release, and would reccomend it, even if it isn’t a DIN release.

With a duckbill? – don’t get your hopes up.

Touring

BMF has a Free-pivot for touring, but make no mistake this is not a light weight binding. It can be used for backcountry, but weight makes it more appropriate for sidecountry; unless, of course, you’re a stud or just want the extra weight for a tougher workout. To switch to skin mode simply lift the metal tab at the front of the binding. Either bend over, or use your ski pole and hook it with the beak of your grip (if your pole has one). With the toe unlocked there are 55° of frictionless rotation with a 75mm boot, 60° with NTN. Two climbing pegs allow angles of 7° or 12°. I haven’t actually toured with this binding so I can’t tell you how badly it can ice up, or not; my tele boots alone are enough training weight. My excuse is age. 😉

Bottom line

And just to weed out the faint of heart, the BMF-R retails for a cool seven Franklins. If this is your tele engine for in bounds only, get the BMF3 for just four Franklins. YMMV. And no, I don’t know what the 3 stands for.

Bishop Bindings
BMF-R
MSRP: $700
Weight/pair: 1.9 kg : 4 lbs., 3 oz.

© 2019

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