What the bananas

[Bart_]

I have to admit I never figured on reversing the positions of the RW and the rope pinch from the rope runner. kudos if they made that work. Closer look the link also rope pinches into the bottom RW which looks to have standard RW bollard spacing adjustment.

The other fellow's three position RW looks like a version of my RW test mule but with less holes to select from. Interesting he got around the side plate opening patent, if I understand correctly. Maybe that's wrong and the side plates don't move and it's just a slic pin arrangement.

Reg's unit has a lever going to internals so maybe some difference there.

Now we'll all get confused because bird always meant the tip of the RW but now it will be part of the pinch.

Speaking of confusion, now I've got Moubled rope and Sechnique rumbling around the noggin with an image of Mr.T's haircut

 

[Steve Connally]

Another +1 on the akimbo, there's room for improvement but has become my go to the last 9 months or so. I've owned rrp, hhxf, and cbdb, at the end of the day the akimbo works excellent for my style. Just don't expect it to switch and adjust smoothly between ropes types lol. Works great on xstatic, a bit finicky on everything else I've tried. If I want the smoothest modulation I'll bust out the hitch based systems. I even prefer the quick disconnect now.

The only rope I had the Akimbo would work on was XStatic. I put it on the Courant Ropes and it worked on every one without a single adjustment. I haven tried it on the StatX yet. New Big Akimbo is big improvement from the current one we have.

 

[Lignotuber]

The only rope I had the Akimbo would work on was XStatic. I put it on the Courant Ropes and it worked on every one without a single adjustment. I haven tried it on the StatX yet. New Big Akimbo is big improvement from the current one we have.

Thanks good to know, I've thrown it on my squir lanyard a few times and seemed to work fine. I just didn't want to risk flattening it too much and impact the bite of my hitch.. It worked fine-good on my other ropes but flattened them beyond my comfort after a few days. When you say Big Akimbo are you referring to the Buckingham one or next gen Akimbo? Tried either?

 

[Steve Connally]

Thanks good to know, I've thrown it on my squir lanyard a few times and seemed to work fine. I just didn't want to risk flattening it too much and impact the bite of my hitch.. It worked fine-good on my other ropes but flattened them beyond my comfort after a few days. When you say Big Akimbo are you referring to the Buckingham one or next gen Akimbo? Tried either?

I havent seen the Buck but have had my hands on the next akimbo. Its a little bigger and the spring is in the upper bird instead of the can inside the upper. So much easier to adjust and dial in and much more forgiving on the sap situation.

 

[Acerxharlowii]

I havent seen the Buck but have had my hands on the next akimbo. Its a little bigger and the spring is in the upper bird instead of the can inside the upper. So much easier to adjust and dial in and much more forgiving on the sap situation.

So many exciting things coming 2024

 

[Lignotuber]

I havent seen the Buck but have had my hands on the next akimbo. Its a little bigger and the spring is in the upper bird instead of the can inside the upper. So much easier to adjust and dial in and much more forgiving on the sap situation.

Awesome thanks! I'd love to see a pic of one/prototype. Definitely on the list for when it comes out. Haven't learned my lesson from the ultra link lol.

 

[moss]

I have to admit I never figured on reversing the positions of the RW and the rope pinch from the rope runner. kudos if they made that work. Closer look the link also rope pinches into the bottom RW which looks to have standard RW bollard spacing adjustment.

The other fellow's three position RW looks like a version of my RW test mule but with less holes to select from. Interesting he got around the side plate opening patent, if I understand correctly. Maybe that's wrong and the side plates don't move and it's just a slic pin arrangement.

Reg's unit has a lever going to internals so maybe some difference there.

Now we'll all get confused because bird always meant the tip of the RW but now it will be part of the pinch.

Speaking of confusion, now I've got Moubled rope and Sechnique rumbling around the noggin with an image of Mr.T's haircut

Too great! Haha. I'm back to using "SRT" and "DdRT" terminology, going retro. Hey, I'm old, I can do what I want, suck it up Tower of Babel solving people!

About the "bird" terminology on mechanicals... The rope wrench set the lingo. In my flighty but sometimes effective mind the top part of a multicender mechanical that is the initial friction point a climber puts their hand on is: "The Bird". Not caring to convince anyone ;-)

Ironically A poorly fitting or semi-shredded grippy glove gets sucked into the hitch not The Bird on the ZK-2 and subsequent versions, and rip-offs (hello my friend Chicane you're ok don't worry).

The only birdless multicenders in general that I know of are all the iterations of the Hitch Hiker concept. No bird. Enlighten me or fight me if you disagree. Peace.
-AJ

 

[DSMc]

...The only birdless multicenders in general that I know of are all the iterations of the Hitchclimber concept. No bird. Enlighten me or fight me if you disagree. Peace.
-AJ

I'll agree only if you meant to say Hitch Hiker multicenders.

 

[Treetopflyer]

I'll agree only if you meant to say Hitch Hiker multicenders.

It’s become my go to ! Only wish I would’ve used it sooner than I did ..

 

[moss]

I'll agree only if you meant to say Hitch Hiker multicenders.

Edit made, thank you!

 

[bobs yeruncle]

Still thinking about the FreeXion. FTC Tree said they would have more news on availability before the end of the year but that doesn't seem likely at the moment. Based on how his prototype moves by using a cam instead of a top bollard it seems to drag upwards with minimal friction (hence the loose tether) and catch right away upon stopping so it always self-orients. I wonder what the shortest safe setup would look like

 

[rico]

It’s become my go to ! Only wish I would’ve used it sooner than I did ..

What? You are flying a HH? Which version?

 

[Treetopflyer]

What? You are flying a HH? Which version?

Hh2

 

[Bart_]

IMO the third, but original, class of multicenders is the unicender/zigzag where a miniature articulating rack is implemented with an initial force provided by the binding of the the top link - sort of a mini RW/bird component.

I'm not sure where to stick in ropejack and grigri is sort of there too. Bendy-pinch units.

HH is a pure pinch unit with associated advantages over bend units. Rope tail loading not-effect main one. IMO

 

[DSMc]

...HH is a pure pinch unit with associated advantages over bend units. Rope tail loading not-effect main one. IMO

Yes, this is true. The automatically variable grip based on load that Paul Cox came up with, without the need to bend the rope, is pure genius and unlike anything that came before or since.

 

[Phil]

Yes, this is true. The automatically variable grip based on load that Paul Cox came up with, without the need to bend the rope, is pure genius and unlike anything that came before or since.

I loved the HH2 and now run the HHxF, which I also love. The interesting thing I've noticed about the HHxF is the fiber loss of the main line after each climb. I think there is a static charge built up in the device as the rope runs through it and it makes the small tiny fibers that are worn off the rope cover during use stick to it. Its obvious with the device body being black and most all of our ropes being bright colors. I'm not saying this is a fault in the device, just a very clear demonstration of what normal wear and tear is and how nothing will last forever. Put 200 climbs on a rope in the device and how much rope is gone from the cover?

 

[DSMc]

Yes, it should not be forgotten that climbing ropes are a very consumable component within our climbing systems.
That said, I can't say that I have noticed any more rope fibers on my HH2 than on other multiscenders.

Does the anodizing on the HHfX wear off at the contact points over time?

 

[rico]

I loved the HH2 and now run the HHxF, which I also love. The interesting thing I've noticed about the HHxF is the fiber loss of the main line after each climb. I think there is a static charge built up in the device as the rope runs through it and it makes the small tiny fibers that are worn off the rope cover during use stick to it. Its obvious with the device body being black and most all of our ropes being bright colors. I'm not saying this is a fault in the device, just a very clear demonstration of what normal wear and tear is and how nothing will last forever. Put 200 climbs on a rope in the device and how much rope is gone from the cover?

I have noticed the same thing with my HHXF. I thought I was losing my mind, but it looks like I am not the only one.

 

[rico]

Yes, it should not be forgotten that climbing ropes are a very consumable component within our climbing systems.
That said, I can't say that I have noticed any more rope fibers on my HH2 than on other multiscenders.

Does the anodizing on the HHfX wear off at the contact points over time?

The anodizing does wear off, but to Richard’s credit, it takes a fair amount of climbing to wear through. This HHFX has seen some serious action and the wear is minimal. I have also noticed that as the device breaks in it seems to have less of an impact on the rope.

 

[DSMc]

Thanks, Eric. The reason I asked, was that the frictional coefficiency of anodizing is much different than the metals used in the HH2. Therefore, the wear from break-in-use on the HHfX could be more beneficial than not.