Marc

If you were to follow this same thought to its logical conclusion then more than half our systems are not safe to climb on unless we buy a CE climb from tefalburger and maintain the components only with manafacturer originals. You are correct though the harness has been CE tested in the configuration you bought it and any alteration to that means it as a whole not been tested. Only the piece of suitable cord you replaced the bridge with has been ce certified and is also suitable for the knots we tie. I do not believe the original bridge has any special characteristics for use as a bridge unless someone else can tell me otherwise. Basically the systems we climb with as a whole are a mix n match of parts often none of which have been CE certified as a whole as long as its done appropiatley I can't see there being any issue.

If I am on the lowering line you'll love roping down the top as I'll guarantee you will not feel a thing!

You have Velcro or buckle bottoms Steve, I prefer Velcro because of the heel cup that allows you to adjust albeit slightly where the spike is and you don't need them tight.

I know nothing of the Stein spikes if it was me I'd wouldn't buy stein but maybe I am a gear snob. I'd second the Geckos I have the carbon fibre ones I'd reccomend the Ali ones though.

Nice little Mog.

Because one day it may break, I also like to just keep to essential kit I get sick n tired of dragging everything around. It's good to be proficient with the hand throw technique. As for tips it's entirely personal, for me it's do not throw it hard as soon as I give it some real omph my accuracy goes. Been able to get 90ft accuratly just not consistently and can take a few goes. Lets face it how often do we get to work on anything over 100ft not to often!

Hmm not sure why this is being marketed as the super light version, and cannot understand why they went for a buckle and not a clip seems a bad idea. Weight is not really and issue and you shouldn't look at this harness in that way, it also doesn't need the comfort backpad but you could add it if you wanted. It's all about the new material which is lighter and conforms to you body more it will suit some of us but not all. We have a choice wish I could choose quick clips though!

You can find new rope from a reputable supplier for the same price. Abacus safety for example has 50m of 11mm DMM worksafe for £64. Beal antipodes can be found for around the same price with some searching and seems popular in industrial access. I had some Mammut static line that cost £1 a meter so 66m for £66 pounds and was perfectly adequate for access work. So I would not take a chance on some sone eBay purchase like this.

The bridge is textile to aid tip work and manouverabilty due to its ability to flex into a comfortable position. Drsteeve has already made clear his needs are not like ours, replacing the rings with mallions common sense would say he has probably doubled the strength of this part as the originals are only rated to 15kn and at a guess the mallions loaded on axis will be 24kn at least. He has used the original bridge with a rigging pawl again on some harnesses this is a standard feature and a rigging pawl has a very good strength along multiple axis. The zig zag failed because it was a big oversight on Petzls behalf and not over engineered enough for the scenarios it was used in. The harness mods in principle look sound to me for his needs which are not in a commercial application. As for the Petzl I'd well ok maybe this is the weak point in the system it's not designed to be used in a situation where slack can occur, it's designed to allow rope to be placed into the device whilst it is on your harness, there is a chance of cross loading the plastic gate which could fail and the device will open... Hence why I'd like to see Steve use a hitch climber.

Does anyone even know if Marlowe viper is suitable for that category of splice? I only know that beeline and hrc is for sure.

Yeah my bad, I more than likely will be getting one of those, I tried one a few yeas ago and was really impressed wasn't sure if it would ever make it into production.

This is why you check your cord on a daily basis, and to draw comparisons between a bridge replacement and the leg loops with rated stitching is just being counter productive. We are not talking any old cord here, we are talking suitable alternatives, if for some unforeseen reason I damage my bridge and have no original cordage to hand I see no issue with using climbing line of suitable construction to keep my harness and myself working.

This is why you check your cord on a daily basis, and to draw comparisons between a bridge replacement and the leg loops with rated stitching is just being counter productive. We are not talking any old cord here, we are talking suitable alternatives, if for some unforeseen reason I damage my bridge and have no original cordage to hand I see no issue with using climbing line of suitable construction to keep my harness and myself working.

?? Providing the cord is suitable for that type of splice and it was spliced correctly it should be fine, but I'd still prefer to have my splices from a reputable source and I'm not saying yours are not! My pulley cambium saver use this type of splice and it bears 100% of my weight not 50% like a hitch does. For hitches I just tie my own, try a Knut it does taking a little dressing to get right and will need to bed in a little go low and slow for a bit till it grabs reliably.

Here is the more detailed set up of the doubled line rope walker [ame=http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5-_GUggGMmM]DLRW - YouTube[/ame]

Have you tried using this method with a hitch climber? Your still having to use your arms an awful lot from the looks of it only with the added bonus of greater pulley ration, its basically a rads/yoyo system but without the leg loops. One of the reasons I think most of us get on fine with standard set-ups is obviously a little more physical conditioning and also because we become less reliant on our arms for ascent, the rads has a leg loop which should help you as the system your using there looks awkward to use any kind of foot grab or loop? Back to the hitch climber with a doubled system a HC to me at least just seems more practical and you can do exactly what your doing it a more tidy compact package it would also open up the use of the double rope walker. The ID is better for single line and rads with a foot loop. Here is a link to Gerald's YouTube vid if you search his channel you should find a better vid giving a detailed view on how to set it up. [ame=http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wdV8Nr4tEpo]DLRW 2 - YouTube[/ame] I'll have to give your set up a try sometime.

Your point is? I don't even know how much an original bridge is. I just happen to have several meters of velocity climbing line I bought to use as a lanyard and never did that I use as bridge material ok it's not original are you trying to tell me its not suitable? This isn't about being tight fisted or scrimping on vital safety equipment, my point is the suitability of heat resistant cords and why bother when standard 11mm climbing line will do the same job and probably be more suitable for the task. If it all goes Pete tong I doubt the use of appropriate non original line would make a difference.

Colour choice is essential but I'm yet to find pink helmet.

There is a new tree motion? Oh wait they've changed the rear chainsaw attachment point from a red ring to a green ring as its now rated for life support awesome now I can hang from the tree by my ass which may be an improvement in style for me. Still a great harness and seeing as my tree motion after 5 years abuse is now due for retirement with nothing else out there to really grab my attention another TM it will be.

Ha looks good fun, you've certainly got the toys. And grease if you haven't noticed this is mostly a working arborist forum the clue is in the title and the content of the site..... No need to blow so much hot air at the forum members.

They are based in Berkshire near Reading

They are more expensive per meter than blaze or velocity? And will not give you any real benefit, now I,m not sure on this but its my opinion that ocean poly may increase wear on the ring.

I use 11mm climbing line yale blaze or Samson velocity.

One mistake in that list, Petzl Vertex Black? Be wise buy a bright coloured helmet it gives the senior climbers something to aim at, black just blends in during the winter months and make it much harder for us to throw thing at your head. Yes I am racist and in the anti-black helmet clan.

Thanks for pointing that out for others Steve. Dr Steeeve I applaud your experimentation even if to me it seems your looking and investing in all the wrong places..... But just maybe I,m looking at it wrong. Can I suggest you try searching on YouTube for the doubled rope walker system, I believe Gerry Bernak did a good one it may be a technique you could adapt to your needs.