SAKA

yoyoman said:
...What this implies is that it is designed to go straight up and down the rope, not at an angle...
Click to expand...

An experience of mine with a SAKA I made some time back would tend to back this up. I made it with the CT chest ascender oriented as on a HAAS and incorporated a few small "improvements". It worked beautifully until a few of my "improvement stitches" failed allowing the ascender to rotate slightly out of alignment with the rope. I didn't discover this until I looked for the reason why it suddenly intermittently failed to grab the rope. Short version...rotated ascender = failure to grab.

I suspect picking your foot straight up will be the cure.

On my latest DIY SAKA I have duplicated Richard's construction as closely as possible and all is good.
 
What I'm getting from this is it has a lot to do with the position of your body on the line when you thrust. In other words, if you're body alignment is closer to vertical when you climb, there will be less of an angle to the climbing line. Maybe adjusting the bungee longer to facilitate a shorter step, so you don't have to lift your knee as high would help. For me, the other day was the first time this occurred. Generally, it has not been a problem. I think a little experimenting is in order.
 
ok had a go with it today. I think u were right with the angles and my technique. I went up and concentrated on keeping my legs under me and it was fine. felt awkward kinda like doing a leg extension vs stepping up tho and I had to take smaller steps. as soon as I started stepping like I normally do it slipped and gave me a good pucker. I tried turning it around but it wasn't working out. I put it on my right leg next and got my foot ascender on the left and it worked but even tho its the same technique it just felt too awkward and was throwing me off so I stopped. When it was working I definitely prefer it over my haas but I prefer my technique too so I might just end up giving it up. would it be possible to make one with a left vs right ascender?
 
When I made mine monthes ago I used a CT chest ascender. Same gripping mechanism but the back plate (Orange part) is bigger. I take bigger steps with it but also climb on Vortex. Just a thought maybe. Thanks for the video back them Rich. Fully understand why you had to pull it down though.
 
joezilla11 said:
ok had a go with it today. I think u were right with the angles and my technique. I went up and concentrated on keeping my legs under me and it was fine. felt awkward kinda like doing a leg extension vs stepping up tho and I had to take smaller steps. as soon as I started stepping like I normally do it slipped and gave me a good pucker. I tried turning it around but it wasn't working out. I put it on my right leg next and got my foot ascender on the left and it worked but even tho its the same technique it just felt too awkward and was throwing me off so I stopped. When it was working I definitely prefer it over my haas but I prefer my technique too so I might just end up giving it up. would it be possible to make one with a left vs right ascender?
Click to expand...
I have a better understanding of what is causing this and will try to put together a video tomorrow. I think it is something to consider, especially if a climber is looking for that competitive edge. (as for me, I'm just happy when I can get up a tall tree)
 
thanks for taking the time to put that together. it actually explained a lot and makes sense with my haas oriented the opposite way. ill put it to practice and see what I come up with or have anything to add.
 
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