[tim palmer]

I would second the word of caution on the Beal,  really poor durability.

[moose]

Of those listed, I can personally vouch for the Sterling 9.8mm - good feel and very durable.  My next rope will definitely be  the Sterling 9.4mm - I want a  thinner rope and my experience with mine and partners' Sterlings make them the only ones I would really trust to last.  I have had no problems using a Grigri Mk1 with partner's 9.4mm ropes (to be honest, I prefer that combination - I find the grigri-2 a bit "grabby").  A good budget option you didn't  mention is the Edelrid Python 9.8mm - I have an 80m one that I have used for overseas trips (at least 2 months of solid climbing) and it shows no real signs of wear - not needed chopping at all.  Admittedly mainly on-sights / 2-3-go RPs, rather than proper sieges, but I reckon that on balance that it's a damn hard-wearing rope (not light though but are often cheap and can be bought on-the-reel).

[cheque]

Personally I'd snap up one of the bargain ION 2s from CragX

I have just done this. 

Thin, But not scary thin

Just how I like 'em. 

A good budget option you didn't  mention is the Edelrid Python 9.8mm - I have an 80m one that I have used for overseas trips (at least 2 months of solid climbing) and it shows no real signs of wear - not needed chopping at all.

This was my last rope and my experience was the same as yours- it went on lots of trips before it needed chopping, but I also found it kink-prone and an absolute dirt magnet.

[cha1n]

Anyone know of any good deals atm? My rope is so flat that I can barely untie my fig 8 once it's weighted!

[Paul B]

Has anyone spied any good deals on 80m ropes?

I'm almost tempted to follow my own advice and get another ION II but ideally (holiday destinations in mind) it'd be long enough for a few chops whilst still remaining above 70m.

[kelvin]

My mate was looking recently - Rock and Run have a few, mostly Mammut (and sub £100) but also a fatter Sterling for about £180.

[Paul B]

That'll be the velocity (and what I'm leaning to after climbing on one yesterday). (well handling 9.8mm £180)

There's a Mammut Revelation: 9.2 80m, £152:
http://www.rockrun.com/mammut-revelation-9-2mm-80m

[cheque]

I used my Sterling Ion for the first time last night and was very impressed.  Never going back to chunky ropes now!

[Wood FT]

That'll be the velocity (and what I'm leaning to after climbing on one yesterday). (well handling 9.8mm £180)

I rate the velocity Paul, chopped it a few times but that's mainly just from stacked Sam falling on it

[Paul B]

I went for the "Climax" from Mammut. At £96 for an 80m it was hard not to (Rock and Run).
http://www.rockrun.com/deals/climbing-ropes/mammut-climax-9-6-x-80m

Other options were an Edelrid at ~£145, Revelation ~£160 and the Velocity £180 (all R+R). All coming in at around 9.5-9.8mm diameter.

First impressions are that it's a blue rope with a bit of an odd name.

[TobyD]

I went for the "Climax" from Mammut. At £96 for an 80m it was hard not to (Rock and Run).
http://www.rockrun.com/deals/climbing-ropes/mammut-climax-9-6-x-80m

Other options were an Edelrid at ~£145, Revelation ~£160 and the Velocity £180 (all R+R). All coming in at around 9.5-9.8mm diameter.

First impressions are that it's a blue rope with a bit of an odd name.

any further knowledge on your experience of the errr climax Paul? I need a long (70 or 80m) light string for euro sport type stuff. It'd be great if it didn't fall to pieces the instant i encounter a hard move and fall off; is this the bargain it sounds like, or should i get an ion2?

[bigtuboflard]

I went for the "Climax" from Mammut. At £96 for an 80m it was hard not to (Rock and Run).
http://www.rockrun.com/deals/climbing-ropes/mammut-climax-9-6-x-80m

Other options were an Edelrid at ~£145, Revelation ~£160 and the Velocity £180 (all R+R). All coming in at around 9.5-9.8mm diameter.

First impressions are that it's a blue rope with a bit of an odd name.

Keen to know your thoughts too Paul B; don't do much chuffing any more but my rope is old enough to sit GCSE's now so really needs to go and this looks like a good cheap replacement.

[Paul B]

Good enough that I just ordered a second for my upcoming RRG trip.

One end could do with a chop around about now and it's been in use since purchase, at least 3 or so times a week, redpointing etc. It feels fairly slick (thin for the quoted diameter), and handles well.

Toby - Nat said there was another cheap Mammut on Rock and Run but I think it was near 10mm.

[bigtuboflard]

Thanks Paul, sounds like a good option and probably worth a punt on one. Cheers!

[TobyD]

Anyone used one of these? http://www.bananafingers.co.uk/edelrid-viper-96mm-ts-p-1321.html £106 for a 70m; or one of these? http://www.rockrun.com/rock-climbing/software/climbing-ropes/edelweiss-energy-9-5mm-70m

I have to say I'm tempted to pay the extra 20-odd quid for the energy, though the stated diameter is only 0.1mm different, it is 2g/m lighter. I've not been hugely impressed with Sterling velocity, it is ok, but not, in my experience worth the extra they charge for them.

Any other recommendations 9.4-9.8mm, 70 or 80m?

[Dave Mayes]

Anyone used one of these? http://www.bananafingers.co.uk/edelrid-viper-96mm-ts-p-1321.html £106 for a 70m; or one of these? http://www.rockrun.com/rock-climbing/software/climbing-ropes/edelweiss-energy-9-5mm-70m

I bought a load of ropes for my uni a few years ago, so I've used a couple of edelrid ~£50-80 gooutdoors ones, and some of those nice shiny mammut 9.3 ones. The cheap edelrids were hands down better, I'd probably get one again. Don't know if they make all their ropes to that standard though. The ones I had were 9.8-10mm I think, but they felt thin for that.

[Wood FT]

Anyone used one of these? http://www.bananafingers.co.uk/edelrid-viper-96mm-ts-p-1321.html £106 for a 70m; or one of these? http://www.rockrun.com/rock-climbing/software/climbing-ropes/edelweiss-energy-9-5mm-70m

I have to say I'm tempted to pay the extra 20-odd quid for the energy, though the stated diameter is only 0.1mm different, it is 2g/m lighter. I've not been hugely impressed with Sterling velocity, it is ok, but not, in my experience worth the extra they charge for them.

Any other recommendations 9.4-9.8mm, 70 or 80m?

Toby I've been using a £90 9.8mm 70m Edelweiss rope from crag x. It's been well used in the last few weeks and holding up well, not as supple as my old my old sterling but is comfortable enough to use.

[nai]

My green rope (that I was using at Malham) is one of these, never had a problem with kinking or handling from new.  Has worn well, only lost 4ft off it in over a year.  Slightly cheaper but 1g/m heavier than the Edelweiss.

https://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Mammut_Infinity_Classic_Rock_Climbing_Rope_70m_X_95mm_Green-(88262)


The last Edeldrid I had (an Eagle I think, might be a budget one) was dreadful to start with and doesn't seem to wear anything like as well (EDIT, in fact this is the filthy blue one I was using on Monday)

[Fultonius]

do not, i repeat DO NOT be a silly fucker and buy a "millet" rope while on holiday, or anywhere for that matter. It's the Magma TRX 9.5.

At first it handled well, nice and light, doesn't kink or twist too much...but...BUT within about 5 days use, predominantly on single pitch with no falls - there were multiple "nicks" in the sheath. Almost always on the woven colour patter parts, rather than the main green sheath.

I think they maybe have used poor quality fibre for the colour flashes. Now, 8 months later it's not a lot worse but the nicks are very noticeable lumps that you feel when belaying. Should really have taken it back but we were halfway round Europe in the van so it wasn't really possible.

Anyone know who makes Millet ropes?

[TobyD]

[I bought a load of ropes for my uni a few years ago, so I've used a couple of edelrid ~£50-80 gooutdoors ones, and some of those nice shiny mammut 9.3 ones. The cheap edelrids were hands down better, I'd probably get one again. Don't know if they make all their ropes to that standard though. The ones I had were 9.8-10mm I think, but they felt thin for that.

Thanks Dave, yeah I've got an Eldelrid perfect 10 50m for most British sport from Go Outdoors that was £50, and it seems great for a shorter rope, handles nicer than the Sterling does I think - although it is newer.

Thanks everyone else for decent advice - I've always liked Edelrid and Edelweiss ropes when i've used them (are they made in the same factory?
Mammut seem sometimes excellent and sometimes properly awful (Galaxy).
Sterling seem decent but a total rip off unless you get them on offer. I imagine this is because they are a US manufacturer.
I'll steer clear of Millet then: are they the Decathlon ones?

I'm erring towards the energy at the moment.

[Fultonius]

Not sure you can even get Millet ropes here. Ours was a holiday purchase because the old one died.

[Paul B]

I'll steer clear of Millet then: are they the Decathlon ones?

They're usually Simmond aren't they?

[ghisino]

Anyone know who makes Millet ropes?

used to be Cousin (who now makes Simond ropes) and then some 3 or 4 years ago they switched to Beal.

It should be:

Cousin>Simond, maybe CAMP (not sure). They also sell Cousin-branded ropes (rare)
Beal France>Beal, Millet
Beal Madagascar>Edelweiss
Edelrid>Edelrid, Petzl
Mammut>Mammut

[shark]

Noticed that there are quite a few significantly discounted half ropes available that are not coated.

In practice how useful is a coating for UK trad ?

[slackline]

10% helpful

Zero quantitative insight, but I've read it helps reduce dirt working into the rope.

I did once go climbing at White Ghyll in the pissing rain, the coating didn't stop the ropes getting soaked through.