willstrickland Posted November 2, 2001 Posted November 2, 2001 I've been considering these as a replacement for all around stuff. The question I have is this: Has anyone seen the frontpoints of these in person? They are vertically oriented and changable between duals and monos, but the back-end (nearest your toes) of the points looks flared out toward a horizontal orientation. I'm assuming this is for better support in softer snow/rotten ice...and I'm asking because this feature is the biggest reason I'm considering these. Are the points flared enough and constructed in such a way (preferably with a flat surface on the bottom) as to provide some additional support compared to regular vertical frontpoints? I don't worry about the flare inhibiting penetration in hard ice, it looks far enough back on the point that it wouldn't be an issue. Anybody got the knowledge? Quote
Dru Posted November 2, 2001 Posted November 2, 2001 FWIW the Terminators, and I believe the M10's and Rambocomps, have versions of the same sorta t-shaped cross section on the frontpoints - vert at the front and with some horizontality at the back near the toes. so either its trendy or it works! Quote
dan_e Posted November 3, 2001 Posted November 3, 2001 I can tell you that I had problems with Grivels first version of monopoints for the Rambo crampons, they had a very wide horizontal flare which caused problems when I rotated my foot while the point was in the ice. Fortunately, I used to be a machinist, so I whipped out my trusty dremel tool and went to work, basically shaving off the flare from the front by 1/4" and also reducing the width a bit. Funny thing is, I just picked up a used pair of Rambo Comps and the front mono points look almost exactly like the ones I modified! Looks like Grivel addressed that issue. As for the BD's, from what I can tell the flare does not seem too wide, but it looks like it starts from almost the beginning of the point. It's hard to tell for sure, as this was from examining the photo on BD's website. Grivel does make a crampon similar to Bionic though, they are the "Rambo EZ Adjust". I have a pair of these which I use on more technical mountain routes, ect., however they cannot be converted to monopoints. Hope that helps. Dan E. Quote
CharlesEvans Posted November 13, 2001 Posted November 13, 2001 I'd be really careful with the first run of any BD crap-on, remembering the first switchblades etc. Maybe hold off until next year... Quote
dan_e Posted November 13, 2001 Posted November 13, 2001 CE has a point, I had a pair of the first switch blades and they did suck. I have not seen the Bionics in person yet, but they don't look like they will be a problem (the switch blades had way too many screws which worked loose even with loctite on them, kinda scary! Dan E. Quote
willstrickland Posted December 10, 2001 Author Posted December 10, 2001 I took a good look at these in the shop yesterday, and the front point flares are almost identical to the Rambo comps. Horizontal rails look cool, but they barely put the boot any closer to the ground than the Rambo comps...maybe a 1/4 inch if that much. That point, in addition to more resistance to balling are the selling points of the horizontal rails...since balling problems can be solved with anti-bot it's not much of a selling point IMO. They look like they'd be great ice/mixed/all around but I'd personally choose the rambo comp duals. The short points under mid-foot on the grivels makes the reverse oriented third points actually useful. I'll be ordering some Rambo comp duals this week. The only concern I have with the Grivels is that the replacement front points are crazy expensive...$55 bucks where I checked. Quote
erik Posted December 10, 2001 Posted December 10, 2001 but will, how often do you plan on changing your front points??? i've had my rambos a couple years now and even with all my bad technique and kicking rock i have had to only sharpen them very minimally. and offset those dual points it makes a world of difference. Quote
Cpt.Caveman Posted December 10, 2001 Posted December 10, 2001 Will the only feature I must warn about on the rambo style crampons is the heel bail. If you are not carefull when putting your crampons on it can come off. I think the reason is the design of the 2 tiny metal bars that insert into the crampon body itself. Right there it seems as if they are too easily removed when lined up with the holes. Perhaps one could modify this with some tools though. I did in fact have one of my crampons pop off when leading an easy pitch last season. From then on out i watched carefully and inspected them after each time I put them on. Quote
willstrickland Posted December 10, 2001 Author Posted December 10, 2001 Caveman, I've heard that shaping the rear bail can help alot with that problem. Erik, you mean offset them as far as protrusion length? Like have the outside point shorter than the inside point? Quote
Cpt.Caveman Posted December 10, 2001 Posted December 10, 2001 I am sure it can. I just wanted to tell you bout it. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.