Pulley saver Vs Rope guide

[DB2K]

Hi all. I realise from doing a bit of searching that this topic and similar ones have come up before but found the current topics I read didn't fully answer my musings.

 

So basically I'm in need of a cambium saver and if I'm going to spend out I was planning on investing in either a Tuefelberger pulley saver or ART rope guide. Both look pretty good and seem to have some great features but realistically in a working environment what's the differences between those two devices. And further more do they really offer a good enough advantage over a normal type cambium saver to justify their fairly significant extra cost compared to the standard bit of kit.

I'm going to be using it for normal DRT climbing and also for my mainline while spiking. I do like the idea of having a pulley that will reduce friction in the system but is the reduction in friction noticeable enough to justify the extra £100+ these more fancy devices demand over a basic cambium saver.

I would also happily consider an alternative to those 2 devices I mentioned if people really think something else would do the job as well as either of them.

 

Thanks all,

 

[jackrs1]

Hi, Iv used the ART rope guide for years and would highly recommend it. It’s nice being able to choke it onto stems and IMO you notice a big difference in friction.
Never used the teufelberger so can’t comment on that

[Dan Maynard]

There is a strong element of personal preference here, so it's kind of a 'no right answer' question.

A very popular setup is zigzag plus pulley, I had a climb on a colleague's setup last week and I found it ok but difficult to be smooth on descents. The lower friction is a plus when pulling yourself up, but then you also fall down easy so have to work harder while you tend slack.

So to me the extra £100+ for a pulley is not worth it, I'm happy sticking on multisaver and Hitchclimber.

However I would say that it's definitely worth having an adjustable cambium saver over basic fixed length:
-It fits big and small trees
-You get the chance to position the rings the right distance from the crotch which can be brilliant to avoid rubbing the stem as you move around
-You can pop it anywhere around spars to get a temporary anchor point, good for blocking down but also other times in big trees

Or, to put it another way my multisaver is getting the odd fray and nick, when it is scrapped I'll buy another to replace it.

[owain038]

While doing my NPTC climbing and cutting course I made it my mission to try as much of the instructors fancy kit [emoji23] including an ART rope guide.... Definitely a big reduction in friction using the rope guide vs a ring & ring cambium saver. Used both back to back on a drt VT & hitch climber set up.
Never used a pulley saver so can't comment on that.

[stewmo]

I use a fimblsaver and agree with Dan above. Having an adjustable friction saver is a must in my book. Pulleys optional!

The friction is still in the system just where you are rather than some up above and some below. This has got to increase wear on your hitch setup, rope or mechanical. That said it is very smooth at points.

[htb]

Pulley saver used here with a spiderjack or hitchclimber and VT.

Definitely an advantage having the adjustable length as mentioned above, Would not go back to a fixed length cambium saver.  Mate runs a fixed length cambium saver with a maillon attached pulley on the small eye, sort of a halfway house.

[DB2K]

Thanks for the replies everyone, definitely some good food for thought there. I was able to try different harnesses and friction devices while I was training which really helped me make an informed decision for those but we only had access to basic fixed length cambium savers.

I'm thinking now that I'll have more of a look at the non-pulley based adjustable systems and then go from there.

Cheers

[MattyF]

There is only one true king for double rope climbing and that’s the rope guide, all the others are poor imitations or contenders.

[sime42]

What about a Multisaver with micro-pulley attached?

[Martin du Preez]

Rope guide all day long, notice a massive drop in friction, and if you cant quite find the right anchor point im comfortable with choking it around a smooth stem all day, no slippage. Rarely gets stuck, i know its a stupid amount of money for something so simple but i'd buy it again and again