Adjusting Heel Bails on BD Sabertooths?

[Greg_W]

So, I was struggling in my kitchen last night, trying to figure out how to adjust my heelbails down to fit a pair of boots with a thinner welt/heel. I gave up, stymied. Right out of the box, they fit onto my plastics; now I'm trying to fit them to a pair of lighter, leather boots.

 

Can anyone help?

 

GregW

[lummox]

dont they have a screw to tighten or loosen the heel bail? put em on the boots and tighten.

[Billygoat]

Flip the shim in the back of the throw.(where the recessed nut and bolt are)

 

And then flip me some shit for bailing on next weekend

[Greg_W]

I did both of those things and it didn't seem to help. I'll try again tonight.

[iain]

Are they the new Sabertooths? That new heel adjustment is the worst thing I've ever used. Adjusting the main bar underneath the boot sole gives single size adjustments, and that plastic shim in the back gives half size adjustments. I gave up trying to get them to work on my AT boots. What a stupid idea that plastic shim is. The screw was way better.

[Greg_W]

Are they the new Sabertooths? That new heel adjustment is the worst thing I've ever used. Adjusting the main bar underneath the boot sole gives single size adjustments, and that plastic shim in the back gives half size adjustments. I gave up trying to get them to work on my AT boots. What a stupid idea that plastic shim is. The screw was way better.

 

They must be, I bought them 2 years ago. It can't be as fucking difficult as it appeared last night.

[iain]

I was pretty confused too, since there is a screw back there with a nut on it, but it doesn't seem to do anything. As far as I can tell, you have to get it as close to fitting as possible with the bar, then if it's too loose, put the plastic heel shim below the metal thing, or if it's too tight, put the shim above the thing. PITA.

[Greg_W]

I was pretty confused too, since there is a screw back there with a nut on it, but it doesn't seem to do anything. As far as I can tell, you have to get it as close to fitting as possible with the bar, then if it's too loose, put the plastic heel shim below the metal thing, or if it's too tight, put the shim above the thing. PITA.

 

My experience, as well. Are you talking about the bar that connects the heel and toe pieces?

[iain]

yep, I've tried moving that back and forth about a billion times. I either get the crampons too tight and it cuts into my boot heel, or too loose and I freak out when the front points move around. Maybe I'm not understanding the system right, but then again I've made some stupid mistakes in the past.

[Greg_W]

I'm thinking about taking them to Feathered Friends and swallowing what little pride I have and look like a dumbass and ask for help.

[foraker]

i got it to work. let me take a look at them again tonight and remember how. they snap on nice and tight now. haven't used em yet though. :-(

[Billygoat]

The front bail will move back and forth as well but that shim does suck!

 

WTF is that nut and screw for anyways!?!

 

When you get done embarrassing yourself Greg, shoot me a PM and spill the beta.

 

Thanks

[iain]

The nut and screw are remnants of the older adjustment in the heel, which used a screw to tighten up the bail. This was fine, so I don't understand why they changed it, except you don't need tools.

 

A thumb dial like the Charlet Moser S12 setup would be perfect. Maybe it is patented or something.

[Dru]

just hit it with your purse

[boatskiclimbsail]

The nut and screw used to be annoying due to the 1/4" of slop where the nut contacts the sliver of c-channel but at least it worked when you adjusted it. I don't like where they are going with this shim thing. I second the 'hurrah' for the S12 thumbscrew. Besides that, it's yellow!

[iain]

I could just see someone losing that shim halfway up a climb fumbling with it with gloves. Hmm, my crampon could be tighter here, let's take a break so I can adjust it. Oh crap there it goes! Then you are screwed unless you can crank up one size on the connector bar thing and get it on your foot. The shim isn't falling out or anything, but give the opportunity and climbers will make it happen.

[Greg_W]

I e-mailed Customer Support and TommyC called me within 3 hours to chat about the problem. He gave me a couple things to try. I got home and got it to work (just had to shorten the bar more than I thought possible and switch the shim). Foraker called me to give me his insight, as well. I love this climbing community! Thanks guys!!!!