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Step in crampons popping off

Step in crampons popping off


Postby chompish » Mon Nov 11, 2013 9:46 am

Hi all,

Looking for some help trying to figure out what's wrong with my boot/crampon setup that is causing them to pop off.

I currently have a pair of Northface S4K GTX boots and a set of old style step in crampons.

I've adjusted them to be a tight fit to the boot and the rear clip does "click" as you engage it.

They plagued me on saturday - foiling my attempts to summit Ben Vorlich - popping off every couple of steps.

Do i need to get different crampons? or do i just need to adjust them further? any help would be great.
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Re: Step in crampons popping off

Postby claytonm » Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:42 am

Hi Chompish,

I can't comment on what you are currently using but I have the same boots and use black diamond serac c2 (clip) crampons and have never had any issues.

If you can't resolve the problem your boot is a b2 so will take any c2 crampon such as the grivel g12 also.
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Re: Step in crampons popping off

Postby Andy Dog » Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:45 am

Hi

Is it possible to post a couple of photos of the crampon on the boot?

Also I assume it pops off at the heal. I have a pair of crampons and boots that don't match well. I would usually have them pop off about once a day (so not quite as bad as yours). I solved it by gaffer taping a bottle top to the top of the heal clip. This stopped it pulling in so tight against the boot and making the clip slip off the bottom.

I am not sure if they are still set up like this but I'll dig them out tonight and if they are, post a photo to show you what I mean.

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Re: Step in crampons popping off

Postby chompish » Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:53 am

Thanks Clayton, I am prepared to have to buy another set as i think these may just not fit properly so thanks for the recommendation, good to know what definitely works. Also, you must be the only other person I know of that has a pair of these boots :shock:

Andy, I'll get some pictures later tonight/tomorrow. They appeared to be coming off at the front but can't say 100% as i was concentrating on getting a good grip on the ice axe in case they fell off. I suspect the front bar that attaches to the boot is not quite high enough so doesn't secure properly above the sole, causing it to slip off when front pointing.
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Re: Step in crampons popping off

Postby jmarkb » Mon Nov 11, 2013 12:18 pm

Those boots don't look like they are designed to take a front bail attachment. I think a new pair of crampons will be in order, I'm afraid. :( A step in binding with a front basket should work fine, but it is definitely worth taking the boots along to the shop to make sur eyou get something that fits well.
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Re: Step in crampons popping off

Postby Michael Thomson » Mon Nov 11, 2013 2:19 pm

I'm pretty sure they don't have a front step for a bale. I'm intrigued as to how you are attaching said crampons. Photies would help.
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Re: Step in crampons popping off

Postby chompish » Mon Nov 11, 2013 7:39 pm

Image
Image
Image

Picures as requested.

They are a solid fit and can walk around the house no problem in them, but I think the suggestions of the front step for the bale are correct and that is the issue.
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Re: Step in crampons popping off

Postby claytonm » Mon Nov 11, 2013 8:10 pm

That doesn't look very secure at the toe!! :shock:
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Re: Step in crampons popping off

Postby chompish » Mon Nov 11, 2013 8:15 pm

claytonm wrote:That doesn't look very secure at the toe!! :shock:


It doesn't, does it? You can't budge them though, it's locked hard.
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Re: Step in crampons popping off

Postby Caberfeidh » Tue Nov 12, 2013 12:15 am

You see those bits that stick up at each side? They should hold rings which in turn anchor straps. Your crampons are missing some straps. And possibly a Scotch Ring (Toe Ring).
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Re: Step in crampons popping off

Postby chompish » Tue Nov 12, 2013 10:00 am

Caberfeidh wrote:You see those bits that stick up at each side? They should hold rings which in turn anchor straps. Your crampons are missing some straps. And possibly a Scotch Ring (Toe Ring).

Now that makes sense!

do you mean like this?
Image
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Re: Step in crampons popping off

Postby basscadet » Tue Nov 12, 2013 10:24 am

I think if you had straps you might be able to make them stay on, but I think those crampons are designed for a B2 boot, and those ones you have are maybe B0 rated max? Look very similar to Dougies new boots anyway..
The B2 boots have a moulded bit front and back to take the wire at the front, and the clip at the back :?
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Re: Step in crampons popping off

Postby tenohfive » Tue Nov 12, 2013 10:42 am

basscadet wrote:I think if you had straps you might be able to make them stay on, but I think those crampons are designed for a B2 boot, and those ones you have are maybe B0 rated max? Look very similar to Dougies new boots anyway..
The B2 boots have a moulded bit front and back to take the wire at the front, and the clip at the back :?


They are a B2 boot. According to the OP and a couple of other websites anyway.
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Re: Step in crampons popping off

Postby chompish » Tue Nov 12, 2013 10:53 am

tenohfive wrote:
basscadet wrote:I think if you had straps you might be able to make them stay on, but I think those crampons are designed for a B2 boot, and those ones you have are maybe B0 rated max? Look very similar to Dougies new boots anyway..
The B2 boots have a moulded bit front and back to take the wire at the front, and the clip at the back :?


They are a B2 boot. According to the OP and a couple of other websites anyway.


Correct, the boots are B2 rated. I found the picture of the boots with the straps on Google to avoid any confusion :)
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Re: Step in crampons popping off

Postby BigT » Tue Nov 12, 2013 5:22 pm

Was that Vorlich (Loch Earn) last weekend? I chucked it early as i had some blister problems from Fridays walking, but I had just planned to make the most of it in my B2's. I had no crampons at all. Any photos?
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