NeoPro Reviews

John_Hartenburg

John_Hartenburg

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to see if anyone has a review/comment on the new NeoPro rope?

Personally I have been climbing on it for a few months now, but wanted to see what other climbers think of it.

I realize that this is a new rope out there, so it may not be in a lot use just yet, but regardless, some feedback would be interesting.

The attached picture is for those who wonder what I'm talking about. If you are curious, it is a 7/16 rope with a 16 strand construction.
 

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So far I am pretty impressed with the line. It milked seriously (to the tune of 5') at first, but once the milking was done the line was really nice. I tend to prefer a stiffer line so this one works nicely for me, those who prefer softer lines are more than likely not going to like it. The price is also easy on the wallet.

One of the biggest things that I like about the line is that the 16 strand construction takes a ton more abuse than the 7/16" double braids as far as incindental nicks with handsaws and running over natural crotches. This also makes is it a good line for safetys. Also, due to the increased abuse the line can take coupled with the super tight weave of the sheath this line works quite well with ascenders and other mechanicals.

A few draw backs to NeoPro would be the milking issue and the fact that it is not a whole lot of fun to splice. I would really suggest to anyone trying to splice this to take a look at Nick's recommendations for splicing used lines. (not sure if it is on this forum or TH) His advice to split the individual taper strands in the sheath really helps with getting the crossover done on this line.
 
I've always liked the smaller lighter ropes. I have been using this rope for a couple of months and am diggin it so far. Once it was all milked.
 
Yes, it's allgear, aka Atlantic Braids. The half inch version of the rope has a braided core. I'm not sure if the 16 strand has a braided core as well. I first found Atlantic Braids rope at TCI Baltimore...I think that was 2004 (maybe '03)

At the time, I was not impressed with them as a company because neither Allgear or anyone at Atlantic Braids headquarters in Ontario could tell me where they get their fibers nor could they provide me with splicing directions for any of their ropes. I was kind of put off by this.

I have spliced and used a few of their ropes since then (specifically the 1/2" 16 strand climbing line and the yellow technora hitch cord I think they call techline) I notice the strands of the 16 strand are woven more loosely than I am used to with other 16-strands. This makes the rope lighterweight (a plus) but also less abrasion resistant.

The techline is pretty good.

I don't like that they piggy-backed on the Zing-it name by rhyming the name of their throwline.

Finally, they have the word "arborist" spelled wrong on their website! http://www.atlanticbraids.com/products2.html

So far I still encourage people to stick with rope from Yale, Samson, or New England Ropes. The cost is only slightly higher, but they come from the innovators of the rope world.

love
nick

ps- it is worth mentioning that it has probably been 2 full years since I have used or spliced a rope from Atlantic Braids/All gear. They may've changed their rope recipes by now for all I know.
 
Atlantic Braids has produced a 16 strand climbing line that is 50% technora. A student came to school last year with it freshly purchased from a local supplier. I said he couldn't use until he could give me specs. on it. He got no results from the supplier, so I called. They had sold almost 1200 feet of the rope to various local companies. The supplier had no documentation available for the rope. I had the supplier call AB to get the specs and there were none. They communicated an expected average MBS of 6500lbs, but had no data to support this claim.

They were producing and selling this rope at the time.
 
As far as splicing goes, instead of taking 5 sets of two strands as you would in 1/2 16 strand, try 6 sets of two. That seems to match the amount of rope in the core.

See how that works for you.
 
Thanks for the reviews so far.

My take on this rope is pretty positive overall. It really seems to fill a need for a real workable and strong 7/16 rope, but has the feel and durability of "regular" 16 strand ropes we have been using for years.

As others have mentioned, this rope milks like nothing else I have ever seen. My first time climbing this rope brought about 8 feet of jacket extended past the core. No joke.

I have spoken with the manufacture of this rope to address this, and find out why this was the case. For now it is something we have to live with until the manufacturing process becomes adapt at a method of making the rope in a way where it doesn't milk as much. It seems to be a matter of the core construction. After 2 or 3 climbs however, the rope settles in and it becomes a real solid performer.

Time will tell as to how this rope will accepted in the marketplace. It wouldn't surprise me if Yale, Samson, etc. bring something like this out in the not to distant future. It is a real cool idea.

Anyway, with that extra jacket, I was able to make a nice split tail so when life gives you lemons, make split tails I guess.
 
Well I am looking for a new rope and saw this rope at the expo and was wondering if this is a good choice or should I go back to the fly that I've been climing on. I like the blaze but fly is nice as well as a little less expensive.
 
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It wouldn't surprise me if Yale, Samson, etc. bring something like this out in the not to distant future. It is a real cool idea.

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When the 11mm lines came out they were were touted as being lighter and having less surface friction. But, because of the smaller diameter, they are more difficult to hold and pull.

Interestingly, rope manufactureres have addressed this issue in different ways.

New England introduced Tachyon, which is a 24 strand double braid with a solid core, so that it maintains its shape and is easier to hold.

Samson introduced Lightning, which is a 1/2 inch 16 strand, so that it is easier to hold, with a new type of core, so that it is lighter than traditional 16 strand lines.

All Gear introduced NeoPro which is a 16 strand, so that is easier to hold and has a familiar feel, but is 7/16 inch, so that it is lighter than traditional 1/2 inch 16 strand lines.

Three different approaches to making climbing easier.

Yale has had great success with Blaze and did not introduce any new climbing line.
 
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