Bridges

[macswan]

I have a cougar saddle, so recently I've been thinking about alternative bridges. Mostly I've been leaning toward a webbing style, but my boss recently brought up the idea of using amsteel. That blue winch cable stuff, I think it's called amsteel. I haven't looked into it at all, but it seems like it would be great. I would worry about knotability, but they put splices in the long bits, why not a short one? Anybody think of any drawbacks or some obvious major flaw that hasn't occurred to me?

 

[MikePoor]

I don't know about an amsteel bridge (although I joked about having one on TB a few mos ago) but I think all saddles should come standard with an emergency back up bridge. If I hear one more story about bridge failure.....I'm going to rig two bridges on my saddles and clip into both.

 

[Murph]

The warp speed bridges that many people are using to replace their untrustworthy cougar bridges are just an amsteel blue core with a polyester cover. Not sure that I would want to use just naked amsteel though.

 

[islandarb]

Why not try the Globe 3000 that is the same rope used on the TM ( treemotion ) bridge. It is super strong and durable and Treestuff sells it by the foot. Two double fishermans and away you go, you will never be dissapointed. I trust this material. I agree a backup with some New England 5mm maxim tech cord seems like a good idea, I will be doing this I think.

 

[joedietz]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know about an amsteel bridge (although I joked about having one on TB a few mos ago) but I think all saddles should come standard with an emergency back up bridge. If I hear one more story about bridge failure.....I'm going to rig two bridges on my saddles and clip into both.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's what I do.

 

[macswan]

Thanks swingdude, I didn't know what that rope was called. I like the back up idea as well, I was using a piece of webbing before I replaced my previous weaver bridge. I actually sent them an email, asking about the failures I've heard about, and they sent me a new bridge. Just like the old ones except the core is orange. I can't fit my webbing backup behind it thru my swivel, but maybe maxim would fit.

 

[frashdog]

I'll be using two.

I'd like to try with one bridge a tad looser then the other, so as not to share the load full time. I'd like to know if/when one would have failed.

How about the new tribe with dual bridges?

 

[BOTS]

This is why I dont own a rope bridge saddle, dont want to worry about when to replace rope or to add another rope for safety...I will stick with webbing bridge with 2 D's...just me though, not slamming rope bridge, just not for me......

 

[islandarb]

I am hearing ya blackoaktreeserv. I too loved my weaver floating D leg loop saddle, and it was durable as heck bomb proof IMHO. But like all things I wanted a lighter more comfy saddle made with breathable material and opted for the sequoia which served me well I liked the webbing bridge on that and felt comfortable in it. Now I have a treemotion and that took a while to feel comfortable with the bridge, but I trust it 100%, guys been climbing on these for 4 years or more ( not the bridge obviously ) and that globe 3000 is very tough stuff. A change once a year for the bridge and regular inspection is the norm. The mobility I get with the TM is unrivaled IMHO, and the lower D's give me options I never had before.

 

[Blinky]

It should evident to everyone at this point that hi-tech fiber is not the best solution for a bridge. Plain old polyester performs perfectly. Hi-tech cordage is cool but it sucks for bridges.

 

[southsoundtree]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know about an amsteel bridge (although I joked about having one on TB a few mos ago) but I think all saddles should come standard with an emergency back up bridge. If I hear one more story about bridge failure.....I'm going to rig two bridges on my saddles and clip into both.

[/ QUOTE ]

I added 2 rings to my warp speed, and tied a maxim tech cord back up bridge.

My last warp speed performed wonderfully. When my cover was worn through, my core still looked great.

I figure I am pretty well covered unless a ring breaks.

Better overkill than underkill.

 

[GibsonTreeCare]

[ QUOTE ]
It should evident to everyone at this point that hi-tech fiber is not the best solution for a bridge. Plain old polyester performs perfectly. Hi-tech cordage is cool but it sucks for bridges.

[/ QUOTE ]

what say you on the TM bridge? globe 3000?

 

[BOTS]

[ QUOTE ]
I am hearing ya blackoaktreeserv. I too loved my weaver floating D leg loop saddle, and it was durable as heck bomb proof IMHO. But like all things I wanted a lighter more comfy saddle made with breathable material and opted for the sequoia which served me well I liked the webbing bridge on that and felt comfortable in it. Now I have a treemotion and that took a while to feel comfortable with the bridge, but I trust it 100%, guys been climbing on these for 4 years or more ( not the bridge obviously ) and that globe 3000 is very tough stuff. A change once a year for the bridge and regular inspection is the norm. The mobility I get with the TM is unrivaled IMHO, and the lower D's give me options I never had before.

[/ QUOTE ]

swingdude, I here ya bro,I just replaced my weaver with the Ergovation Economy, its 5 pounds, wider legg straps, lots of tool loops and is just super comfy, but still has webbing bridge with 2 floating D's...just what I was looking for in a saddle.

You can see it in the wesspur catolog or on tree stuff

 

[goodaking]

I’m getting ready to be on my third tree motion and when it comes in I’m defiantly putting a second bridge on it. Last year I wore half way through the bridge in no time. I’m not sure if the aluminum In the swivel had anything to do with it, but there were medal fibers coating the bridge. I agree I would feel safer with two bridges.