need a new bridge

doctor_L

doctor_L

Location
tennessee
feel im getting close to putting a new bridge on my Glide Light. Prefer to find something without that bump in the middle under the jacket took a while to rely trust it. and im not sure about the webbing. considerd putting two bridges on there any harm in that?
 
searched a little for it got sidetracked in reading about bridge failures ring failures etc. etc. .peace of mind goes along way. Hit the ground once from 32 feet don't want to try my luck with that again.

so If you could give me the scoop on that bridge I am interested for sure.

Im sure my bridge is still tip top or I would not be climbing on it, however even though the last two saddles ive had have had a bridge ive never fully trusted them like the old D rings. A solid bridge made with positive thoughts could change that.
Thanks.
 
I was thinking about stripping the core from some 16 strand Arbor master and splicing it like a hollow braid. Has anyone done this before?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Is it safe to make a bridge out of dyneema? I know it wasn't designedfor rope bridges, but its the strongest stuff out there for its diameter

[/ QUOTE ]

When it comes to bridges, the issue is not strength. Think about it. What do you weigh with all your gear? 180, 250, 300, 350 max, right? This is barely 5% of the breaking strength of a polyester bridge or maybe even just 1 or 2% of the breaking strength of a dyneema bridge. Either way, it's miniscule and the rope won't even barely notice you.

What kills things is that in this configuration you are shearing the rope from the side rather than how it wants to be loaded- in a straight pull. So you want something that can handle tight bends, constant movement under load, resistance to chafe, etc. In these regards polyester outshines dyneema by a long shot. Someone once asked, in an attempt to prove me wrong, "Then why does Buckingham use dyneema slings on their Glide [and several other] saddles? Are you saying they don't know what they are doing?"

Good point. My response:

"What is that dyneema covered with?"

There is a reason why they cover their bridges with polyester. It can handle the stresses of the job better than anything else we have available to us.

My recommendation is a polyester (nylon is cool, too- I consider them cousins) bridge with a thick coating of something protective. I use Yale Maxijacket coating, triple-dipped and honestly it's not fun to climb on the first hour or so. It is quite stiff. But after a little bit it softens up and works perfectly.

I've attached a pic of a bridge I made a few weeks ago. This one came in at 10.5" long. Here it is after it's first Maxijacket coating.

love
nick
 

Attachments

  • 290710-bridgeDEcoveronelayer.webp
    290710-bridgeDEcoveronelayer.webp
    215.8 KB · Views: 141
[ QUOTE ]
I was thinking about stripping the core from some 16 strand Arbor master and splicing it like a hollow braid. Has anyone done this before?

[/ QUOTE ]

It's been done. I think the makeup of 16 strand climbing line is perfect for a bridge. It's polyester and built for chafe resistance. It is pretty tricky to make them 8 or 12 inches long and is typically not recommended. You are either deviating from manufacturer's recommended splicing and doing a locking brummel, or you're doing the normal straight bury, but shortening the taper to make it fit in 2 overlapping tails just about 6" long each.

Again, you can do it, but you're better off with other things.

love
nick
 
Here's a pic of the finished product. It did go to a fellow tree-buzzer so if he stumble's upon this, he might recognize it and can maybe chime in.
 

Attachments

  • 290712-bridgeDEcoverfinished.webp
    290712-bridgeDEcoverfinished.webp
    124 KB · Views: 135
I recognize that bridge
cool.gif
.

Here's a photo on my sequoia, had this saddle for +3yrs bridge needed to be replaced. Love the new setup, thanks Nick.



jp
grin.gif
 

Attachments

  • 290827-CIMG0854.webp
    290827-CIMG0854.webp
    141.8 KB · Views: 141
I hate the bridge my sequoia comes with. It just doesn't last at all. I replaced the first one and got the ring that Petzl sells for it. That lasted all of 5 mths and then replaced that! Not pleased at all...
 
Yeah they wear down quick, I've been thinking of switching to a rope bridge. I'm on my third in the past year. I found that the other two started to fray on the right side of the ring... Where does most of your degradation happen on all of your bridges?
 
Discolouration, bulging/changes in rope diameter, exposed core strands, frays. You can check rope diameter by just milking it with your fingers.

If the outside is frayed, chances could be the inside is frayed too, or you can expose the core to look (but it should be changed regardless). If the core is exposed then its pretty evident that there is something wrong with the jacket/structural integrity of the bridge. Discolouration could be from dirt, which can be washed out with water and dish soap. To gasoline and bar oil which has more serious effects, likewise with UV damage.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Yeah they wear down quick, I've been thinking of switching to a rope bridge. I'm on my third in the past year. I found that the other two started to fray on the right side of the ring... Where does most of your degradation happen on all of your bridges?

[/ QUOTE ]

Middle of the bridge with the outside layer wearing first.

I bought 2 replacements this time but will be looking at alternatives since Petzl feels this is an acceptable life cycle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom