UKC

I took the opportunity to scratch my shiny new G12’s at the weekend. Was presently surprised how easy the were to walk in. I did have a question though. Are they better with or without the accordions on? A mate claims his G12s ball up more with the accordions on.

Is that’s folks general experience with them?

In reply to mmmhumous:

Mine definiately drop snow better with the 'accordions' on.

Mike

In reply to mmmhumous:
I don't use them as I can't compress the crampons as easily with them on and I don't find them that useful. Apparently if not correctly fitted they can cause the clip on Grivel crampons to open unexpectedly too.

In reply to mmmhumous:

I've never used the accordions on mine, purely because it means they don't pack down quite as small and the bag I put them in can't fit them with accordions on. Balling up isn't an issue for me usually. I suppose different snow types may ball on the accordion (or not) differently.

In reply to mmmhumous:

Cheers all

I've got a pair of brand new Grivel Accordians, that someone can have for £4 posted.

PM me.

In reply to mmmhumous:

Took mine off at the advice of a BMG and then separately without prompting a MIC said the same to me. Can't tell the difference. I love my G12s tho. Decent weight, good to climb in and fine for walking also.

In reply to mattrm:

Any reasons given for taking them off?

In reply to mmmhumous:

The accordion wasn't causing the problem, in fact you help solve the problem by fitting the accordians properly.

In reply to mmmhumous:

I have taken the accordians off all my crampons for ease of folding up and I have notice no difference in balling

In reply to mmmhumous:

What a novel idea. I've never thought of taking an accordion with me winter climbing before.

In reply to mmmhumous:

I have one crampon with accordion and one without; doesn't make much difference but without easier to compress for crampon bag...

In reply to mmmhumous:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0tASrCgLOs&feature=share&list=UUZh_...

In reply to mmmhumous:

Took mine off, mostly for compression, but would be interested to know whether balling up reg bars is a commonly experienced problem? Not one I can ever remember really having - felt a bit like a solution to a problem that didn't really exist to me. Maybe just been lucky to avoid it though

In reply to Ron Walker: nice one! Never had a serious issue with grivel crampons bailing up and viewed the acordian as superfluous and a point of potential corrosion, so never fitted them on my G14s. Having watched the video, IMHO I would view them as a potential serious safety issue.

In reply to Mountain Llama:

Despite owning over 12 pairs of Grivel Crampons that are used by clients, I never saw the crampons fall apart or lose their adjustment. However after the introduction of the accordion I saw new crampons fall apart. This happened two or three times just after they were introduced. I also noticed some clients on winter courses seemed to keep getting their crampons out of adjustment. While watching them pack and unpack the crampons I realised why this was now happening.
As I never ever fitted the accordions I initially couldn't understand why this was now happening. However when you fit the accordions wrongly you can see how this can open the adjustment clip, in certain situations.
I think the video shows quite clearly how this can now happen.
Having said all that, I still think the Grivel Newmatic binding and antibot system (without the accordion) is the safest and easiest to use in most situations.

In reply to mmmhumous:

Just had two days north of the border. Balling wasn't a problem on G12s with or without the accordians, so mine will be staying off (for ease of packing). A guy on borrowed C3s discovered the benefit of anti-balling plates within his first morning on snow: Puting his newly aquired self-arrest skills into practice on a 40° slope prompted him to break out the Duck tape.