I'd agree with Ali. Of all the fixed kit threads seem the least obtrusive, but they do require some maintenance and doing a route without them seems an improvement in style. Surely minimising fixed kit is something to aspire to as a trad climber?
I think it's interesting to consider a few examples to see what they'd be like with and without threads:
Just Klingon, Mother Careys - surely doable without fixed threads but it'd be a proper pumper. A good E5 with threads or a good E6 without?
Ghost Train, Stennis Ford - Could you place pre-run out thread on the lead? I assume placing the thread at the end of the run out would be very spicy on lead? Maybe you'd skip it entirely? Surely a pretty sketchy E7 with no threads in place vs. a popular E6 with normal threads in.
From a Distance, Stennis Ford - Softy E7 with threads or a mid/hard E7 without? I imagine it'd feel very run out without the threads but I think it'd still be safe-ish.
