Some advice and a question...

For about 3 weeks this fall, I was doing DRT using the lower half of a New Tribe Ascender Strap (in conjunction with a Petzl Ascender) for the footloops. Because the ascender straps weren't playing a role in life support, I got lazy and allowed the delta screw _link_ to come unscrewed. The result was predictable.

My first thought was that I could simply replace the $7.00 screw _link_. Finding the screw _link_ more difficult to get off the straps than I had imagined, I contacted New Tribe. I had the misfortune of corresponding with the one person there who didn't know what they were talking about. That person told me that the screw _link_ was put on after the attachment loops were sewn and that to get the _link_ off, I might need to put a little "muscle" into it. Anyway, I ordered a replacement _link_ from this person.

I ended up cutting the old screw _link_ off. Unfortunately, my attempts at getting the new one on were as futile as my attempts were at getting the old one off. All this led to a murderous stew. Okay, I know what you're thinking but I hated to believe that the people at New Tribe knew something about putting square pegs into rounds holes that I didn't. And yeah, I also didn't like the thought that I couldn't match muscles with the gorilla that they must have somewhere up there in Grants Pass. Anyway, a follow-up call revealed that the attachment loop is actually sewn around the screw _link_. The takehome is that if you mess up the _link_, you're going to have to send the strap back to the folks at New Tribe.

My question is this. In looking at my Petzl Ascender, I was surprised at how much wear the delta _link_ was causing inside the ascender attachment hole. I was particularly struck since I haven't been using the system that long. Given that the _link_ is stainless steel and the ascender is aluminum, some wear isn't all that surprising. But I'd like to hear from people who are using New Tribe's ascender straps with the delta screw _link_ (be it with DRT or SRT) to determine whether my concern is warranted or not. I need to decide on whether I want the people at New Tribe to fix the present system or take the more expensive route of getting a new set of straps that are sewn directly onto the ascenders. Thanks in advance.

bsullend wrote:
"In looking at my Petzl Ascender, I was surprised at how much wear the delta _link_ was causing inside the ascender attachment hole. "

I saw the same problem and decided to use a system of presewn loops from a national supplier to hook up the ascenders to the harness and the same material to make the footloops for the lower ascender. No small _meta_l _link_s used anywhere in contact with the (aluminum) ascenders and only one small oval screw _link_ to tie the two ascenders loops to the middle _link_ of the harness. It is very convenient and the price was very reasonable for the setup.

I stiched up the loops into single runners to prevend a lot of strap flowing all over the place while climbing. (Note: this is not structural stiching).

I was particularly struck since I haven't been using the system that long. I notice the same wear [problem while tying carabiners to the ascenders and other climbing equipment.

Given that the _link_ is stainless steel and the ascender is aluminum, some wear isn't all that surprising.

"But I'd like to hear from people who are using New Tribe's ascender straps with the delta screw _link_ (be it with DRT or SRT) to determine whether my concern is warranted or not. "

Your concern is warranted since you will have to replace the mechanical ascenders sooner than normal because the lower ascender hole may wear out completly from the continuos pulling of the screw _link_s. People with more climbing experience may have different opinions and I would like to hear it also.

I need to decide on whether I want the people at New Tribe to fix the present system or take the more expensive route of getting a new set of straps that are sewn directly onto the ascenders.

New tribe may be willig to repair your straps if you send them back but the time you pay for all the postage back and forth you may end up with a cheaper price going w/ my suggestion. (Under 25 bucks)
Make sure the starps you buy are rated on the package (Mine are 23Kn)
Hope this makes any sense.

An alternative might be to get rid of the screw_link_ and use a biner. Biners have a larger radius.

My favorite ascenders are ISC followed by CMI. They're heavy duty and tough.

Could you get a short webbing loop or runner and girth hitch it around the bottom of the Petzl? This is a pretty common attachment method for aidl climbers and mountaineers. You could then use a screw _link_ between the webbing pieces.