RRC Archives

This may be a silly question but did they make any design changed to the grigri in the past few years?

My first grigri I bought in 2002. Worked fine, wandered off in the Louisville gym.

I just bought another last week and it doesn't feel the same at all. It doesn't lower the climber well at all. I do plan on swinging by the store and making sure it isn't defective. Thanks.

LGA

What kind of rope are you using? I know our gri gri does not work well at all with the barge hauler that Joe always likes to use....could be the rope...even though the rope size is within what they say a grigri can handle, on the fat end....it is very jerky, not smooth at all and just a pain in the ass to handle. Also...correct me if I am wrong...but is there not a grigri out that is geared for skinnier ropes? We purchased one for a little friend of ours that is getting into climbing and it seemed different, we checked the box and the rope diameter suggestions were different than our grigri. Could have been a box misprint I guess...

It may be age. I bet after a few years of use the metal in your gris gris get's somewhat worn. Maybe you became more comfy with your more "worn" version?

Or you could just be a bad belayer....

that is a jokeby the way....

I'm with Spuzo on this one. It's the rope. A new rope always slides through things easier. Go shopping LGA! Spend some dough. Or you could use some other ATC

i am pretty sure that the grigri design hasn't changed although they did add colors once the Trango Cinch came out. i heard a while back that they changed the rope range that is on the side, i know mine is 10 to 11 but i seem to remember it being different years ago, maybe only down to 10.5, regardless i don't think they've changed the design

I'm guessing it's a combo of rope and wear on the GriGri.

From the link that Artsay posted awhile back to the Petzl's specifications and instructions.

Instructions for use
This product is a belay device for
the leader or second on a rope.
It has been developed for indoor
wall climbing or for climbing
on well-protected sport routes
where anchors meet the UIAA
standard. It should not be used
for mountaineering or adventure
climbing. It is designed to be used
with a UIAA dynamic single rope,
10-11 mm in diameter (9.7 mm
is acceptable). However, extreme
CAUTION should be exercised
if using a rope that is less than
10 mm in diameter because the
human hand cannot effectively
grip a thin rope, particularly while
rapelling or lowering. The use of
static or semi-static ropes is limited
to rappelling and top-roping. The
user must receive specifi c training
and always remain alert.

Also, remember that ropes swell a bit with use and after washing.

Yep, no gri gri is the same, esp. with different ropes. Mine is nearly 8 years old, and pretty worn. But, it still locks up my 9.8 rope just fine. I think the design has changed as well, they seem a bit smaller now or something...