I'm a beginning sport climber and am going to be purchasing a set of quickdraws soon. Your advice would be appreciated - specifically:
- how many draws should i start out with?
- are keylock or wiregate biners worth paying more for? - especially considering i'm a beginner climbing .7s and .8s
- any good/cheap places you'd recommend?
- brands i should consider/avoid?
Quickdraws
A recent Rock and Ice had a good review on draws and what to look for, including what all those numbers mean...
That said, 10 or 12 is a good number to start with. You can usually scrape more up if you need them for some specific route.
I really like the keyless biners for the top biner, and wiregates for the bottom biner, but starting out, they probably don't make much difference. I still have some draws with old ovals on them, and truthfully, I notice very little improvement over other biners...
Look online. Search a bit. You're bound to find a deal.
Omega Pacific makes good, inexpensive draws....
That said, 10 or 12 is a good number to start with. You can usually scrape more up if you need them for some specific route.
I really like the keyless biners for the top biner, and wiregates for the bottom biner, but starting out, they probably don't make much difference. I still have some draws with old ovals on them, and truthfully, I notice very little improvement over other biners...
Look online. Search a bit. You're bound to find a deal.
Omega Pacific makes good, inexpensive draws....
"Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken."
-Tyler Durden
www.odubmusic.com
-Tyler Durden
www.odubmusic.com
Go ahead and get a dozen. Even though you're only climbing .7 and .8 now, the draws will last you a long time, so go ahead and get something you won't regret later. Ditto the keyless and wiregate combination - it's worth a few extra bucks. GearExpress on the web has some good deals from time to time.
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lordjim_2001
- Posts: 1764
- Joined: Fri May 30, 2003 5:07 pm
gearexpress has good deals all the time.
gearexpress wrote: Please give me a 10% discount on this carabiner! I intend to buy 10 or more carabiners (mix or match) during this visit. This count includes each carabiner used in a quickdraw (i.e. 1 draw equals 2 'biners) but does not include carabiners which are marked as exempt because of a sale or closeout.
Screw you guys. I'm going bowling.
And I'll make it three on the Spirits.
Well worth the investment, even if they cost more. Consider the fact that climbers (sport) don't really have much equipment to invest in, so make sure what you get is what you like as well as somethig with a sterling reputation. Try out different draws and see what you are comfortable clipping into. Oh, and did anyone mention that the gear you choose is what may stand between you and the ground? While all gear has to pass a stringent approval procass before going to market, remember, it's a dangerous sport and people die. Your life is in your belayer's hands, your equipment and your common sense.
Well worth the investment, even if they cost more. Consider the fact that climbers (sport) don't really have much equipment to invest in, so make sure what you get is what you like as well as somethig with a sterling reputation. Try out different draws and see what you are comfortable clipping into. Oh, and did anyone mention that the gear you choose is what may stand between you and the ground? While all gear has to pass a stringent approval procass before going to market, remember, it's a dangerous sport and people die. Your life is in your belayer's hands, your equipment and your common sense.
Pick myself up, stop lookin' back.
Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Funk Railroad
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ElectricDisciple
- Posts: 297
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2003 4:42 am
You should get 13 draws.
If you're in Dayton, talk to the guys at Urban Krag and see what they can do as far as putting together a "package deal". Usually it's 10-15% off the total bill. I think it's admirable to support your local businesses, unless they can't get what you need. Petzls are the best draw if you can afford them. When you buy 13 at 20.00 a piece it can get pricey, even with the 10%. I have got a dozen of the BD hotwires and I am pleased with'em.
One more thing to consider. If you're gonna toprope anything after leading the climb, I would suggest buying two of the long Petzl dogbones and four locking biners to put on them. You'll use these to set up your toprope anchor, clipping the draws on either the hanger or the rings themselves opposite gates, and clip your rope through the biners on the bottom. It's not generally accepted to TopRope through fixed gear, i.e. run the rope through the rap rings as your toprope setup.
If you're in Dayton, talk to the guys at Urban Krag and see what they can do as far as putting together a "package deal". Usually it's 10-15% off the total bill. I think it's admirable to support your local businesses, unless they can't get what you need. Petzls are the best draw if you can afford them. When you buy 13 at 20.00 a piece it can get pricey, even with the 10%. I have got a dozen of the BD hotwires and I am pleased with'em.
One more thing to consider. If you're gonna toprope anything after leading the climb, I would suggest buying two of the long Petzl dogbones and four locking biners to put on them. You'll use these to set up your toprope anchor, clipping the draws on either the hanger or the rings themselves opposite gates, and clip your rope through the biners on the bottom. It's not generally accepted to TopRope through fixed gear, i.e. run the rope through the rap rings as your toprope setup.