Srt for heavier climbers

T

tparr87

Location
London
Hi, I am looking for some advice on my srt set up. I am currently using a newer rope runner on a squir 11.5 rope. Been climbing on it for about 6 months and still finding getting the friction settings smooth difficult.
Once loaded hard it is stiff to break and when it goes it goes with little initial control which is disconcerting when trying to get out towards the tips laterally.
I weigh about 220lbs plus gear so am on the upper limits of the device I'd imagine.
So the goal is a smoothness and level of control akin to a zigzag on ddrt, is it possible?
Considering whether changing to xstatic 11.75 would spread friction better?
Long, dry post but any advice would be appreciated
Cheers
 
I am heavier than you are and when I climb on the rope runner (original model, not the pro) I switch between 12.5 imori and 11.7 blue moon with that device with a preference for the imori. I'll occasionally have the runner load up hard enough that it can be slightly difficult to break free, but not often.

If your rope is new it may need to be washed for better performance and your runner if not used regularly may still need some time to break in.

If your able to, when trying to break the bird free, stand on a limb and tend the slack. Breaking that tension up the rope is easier than down while weighted. As for control while descending, it should be able to make micro adjustments. Not having that control could be caused by the rope, device not broken in, or even hand placement on the runner.
 
Aside from the vast difference rope construction has, a fatter rope will always have a broader modulation range than an identical, but thinner rope.
 
DSMc said:
Aside from the vast difference rope construction has, a fatter rope will always have a broader modulation range than an identical, but thinner rope.
Click to expand...

Sorry I'm not sure I understand, I heard the fatter the rope the more capacity for adjustment?
Just for my understanding as the rope is compressed in the device, in this case roperunner, the rope will flatten out increasing surface area and friction.
So a larger diameter or perhaps softer rope will squash down larger increasing contact area between the two making it easier to find the sweet spot?
 
I'm lightweight, but noticed on my last climb, that the bird was harder to release. I have a low mileage RRP on equally new XStatic. I'm guessing that getting some wear on things has increased the contact patch and friction. Will try a slight adjustment on the RRP if it ever quits raining.

I wasn't clear on whether or not you've been adjusting the rope runner as it's worn in.
 
Yea I'm fiddling with the adjustments every so often but finding that sweet spot is tricky, having said that I don't think I have since the coating on the friction plate has completely worn away so will adjust next climb and see.

If I understood dsmc post correctly I think I'll try the xstatic if still no joy as that may make finding the sweet spot easier.

Zigzag and chicane is slippy af on my squir all the benefits of a 1:1 ratio are lost when you have to climb it twice! Was a nice setup on a previous rope especially like the handle for those little ascents but also some annoying aspects of it as well which the runner does better. Can't have it all.
 
I have the og rr with a baby bump friction plate and an rrp. I find the og to be much smoother. I was hoping that they would make the bump available for the rrp and Kevin told me it was being discussed. Wish they would hurry up with it. BTW, I go about 280 out of the shower.
 
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tparr87 said:
on a squir 11.5 rope.
Click to expand...
I'm not familiar with this rope and could not find it with a web search so it's hard to compare it. I would recommend the imori, not only is it larger, but the construction of it gives it a better grip than most ropes. It's almost sticky compared to some others.

I think you'll find that it works well with the runner
 
Jehinten said:
I'm not familiar with this rope and could not find it with a web search so it's hard to compare it. I would recommend the imori, not only is it larger, but the construction of it gives it a better grip than most ropes. It's almost sticky compared to some others.

I think you'll find that it works well with the runner
Click to expand...
arbsession.com

Courant Squir Red 11.5mm Climbing Rope

Courant Squir was designed especially for SRT and/or use as an access line, Courant has re-developed their low stretch 32-strand 11.5mm diameter Squir rope with a more durable but still flexible sheath. Its low stretch (less than 2% elongation) ensures that the bounce effect is kept to a minimum...
arbsession.com arbsession.com
 
Locking up a bit used to bother me on a rope wrench setup i.e. the bird and the solution was to be explicit about the bird/wrench grabbing before the lower section which guarantees getting a good portion of load in the bird/wrench. The spring is the wrench setter in the rope runner. Maybe your spring is weak. Worth a try.(?)
 
Jehinten said:
I find it to have better grip than other ropes of that size and construction. It works great in the RR


Sticky may not be the best way of describing it, it's just easy to grip.
Click to expand...
Got it.
Thanks for the reply.
I wear gloves most times so that's not a big problem, but I was wondering as it would be nice to have a rope specifically for when it's real hot.
Have a great day.
 
I'm about 240lb dressed + gear. I had similar problems with the RRP and blue cougar (both brand new at the time). Too hard to release yet not enough dynamic friction to halt a descent adequately.

Solved the problem (or at least, significantly improved it) by washing the rope, then running a scouring pad over the length a few times to roughen the surface and "break it in".

After that, I was able to adjust the RRP to find an acceptable balance between release force and dynamic friction.
 
Adjusted the bollard and is definitely better, enjoyed using it again. Appears that as the coating came off the plate the bared metal increased the friction significantly.
Still jumpier than a zig zag but that may be not enough feel for it which will come with time, and if not I'll experiment with ropes.
Thanks for taking the time to share your views.
 
My RRP wouldn’t completely grab after longer descents, it would slow me down, but not completely stop…..Searching for a solution, I milked about 18” of jacket off the 11.7 confetti black I’m using, and it seemed to have solved that problem for me for now……
 
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