EDELRID Technologies

Single ropes are the most common type of climbing rope. They are the classic climbing rope, as it were. Single ropes come in different lengths and diameters and cover a range of different applications. They are classic sport climbing ropes, for both outdoor and indoor use, and are also used for alpine climbing and mountaineering and by big wall climbers. One of their main advantages is their simple and uncomplicated handling. EDELRID manufactures single ropes in diameters from 8.9 mm to 10.5 mm. They weigh in at 52 to 69 grams per metre. Single ropes with a thicker diameter are generally stronger and can withstand a greater number of falls. However thicker also means heavier. For intensive use, such as working routes or top-roping, there are robust single ropes with a higher sheath proportion.

Twin ropes must always be used in pairs. They only offer standardised safety when used as a pair. It is important that twin ropes are always clipped together into each bolt or piece of protection. They have a lighter weight and a thinner diameter. Twin ropes offer greater safety reserves due to increased redundancy that comes with using two ropes. Twin-rope techniques also provides increased safety due to their significantly greater sharp edge resistance as well as reducing the risk of a total failure (stonefall, breaking over a sharp edge). This is why twin ropes are particularly suited to alpine climbing in demanding terrain or for ice and mixed climbing. Using twin ropes also allows you to abseil twice as far, which means that you can escape from a wall quicker. Twin ropes normally have a diameter of 6.9 to 8 mm and weigh around 40 grams per metre.

Half ropes (also known as double ropes) are designed, like twin ropes, to be used as a pair. The same as twin ropes they also only offer standardised safety when used as a pair. However, unlike twin ropes, half ropes do not need to be clipped together into each bolt or piece of protection. This technique is ideal for poorly protected or zig-zagging routes or for traditional climbing (trad). It allows rope drag to be reduced where protection points are spread out and considerably reduces impact force. It follows that climbing with a pair of half ropes requires using a belay device that allows you to manage two ropes simultaneously, i.e. to be able to pay out and take in both ropes. Half ropes are used for the same activities as twin ropes. They have one important difference – half ropes can be used as a single rope to bring up a second. This is particularly relevant when climbing as a party of three and bringing up two seconds. Half ropes range in diameter from 7.5 to 9 mm and generally weigh from 40 to 50 grams per metre.

An innovative braiding process for making bicolor ropes. The woven design of the rope completely changes when it reaches the middle. This provides a permanent and distinctive middle marking. We use this technique exclusively for ropes in our Pro Line. During braiding, the bobbin order of the sheath yarns alters on the braiding machine automatically at the middle of the rope. The design then changes so that two rope halves of the rope are easy to distinguish. The ColorTec braiding process makes both color and design changes possible.

GIVE SHARP EDGES THE COLD SHOULDER

The development of a new braiding process and the combination of high-strength aramid and polyamide fibers allow us to produce ropes with a high cut resistance.

While problems such as acid contact and friction burns can be excluded as far as possible through proper application and storage, edge loads are still a problem.. The edge does not even have to be particularly sharp.

It becomes particularly problematic when there is a pendulum movement over an edge (e.g. when abseiling or lowering). Then, in addition to the edge load, a cutting load occurs, which can have fatal consequences. The rope is cut through, so to speak. How can we mitigate these risks?

A patented braiding process developed by EDELRID for the production of bicolor ropes. The two halves of the rope are clearly distinguishable due to a change in pattern halfway along the rope. The middle of the rope can always be clearly identified, which is a great advantage especially when abseiling, coiling a rope, or estimating how much rope you have left. This change in design is achieved by a bicolor strip woven into the sheath. On reaching the middle of the rope, the strip automatically switches from one side (e.g. green) to the other (e.g. black). This gives the rope a permanent center mark.

Thermo Shield is the basic treatment applied to all our ropes to support the well-known handling characteristics of EDELRID ropes. This treatment is a thermal process in which core and sheath yarns are harmonised with one another. Through a specialised heat treatment, the fibres within the rope are stabilised and the interaction of the yarns inside the rope is optimised. It reduces the tendency of the rope to shrink and become stiff over time.

The 3D lap coiling technique makes uncoiling the rope for the first time unnecessary. We extended our production site with a specially developed lap coiling machine that winds up our ropes. In combination with the thoughtout design of the packaging provided with every EDELRID rope, it has now become super easy to instantly start your climb using your new rope: You do not have to do more than pulling it out! The marking on the rope as well as a detailed description on the packaging additionally ensure that you do things right and can use the full potential of the rope without annoying twisting and tangling.

This procedure bonds together the core and sheath during the braiding process to minimize sheath slippage and significantly increase the rope’s service life. We have always used this technology for our climbing gym ropes, which have to withstand the intensive, prolonged loads of top-roping.