Which descender do you use?

[Kenilworth]

I answered "Other", but maybe should have ticked "Rack". I use one of these Micro Racks from USA:

http://onrope1.com/descending-equipment/bms-micro-rack-short/

Small, light, easy to gmaintain, easy to use

My short frame bms has wooden bars. I use the slightly longer bms frame normally since I'm scrawny and usually riding on cruddy 11mm rope. I agree that they are an excellent product.

 

[pwhole]

I've been thinking about one of these for a while now - are they still reasonably controllable on something like 9mm? Presumably it's just a case of nipping up the bars a bit for thinner rope? Or does a single turn around the hyper-bar before the braking krab help more? I'm quite happy with stainless friction surfaces as opposed to aluminium.

 

[Kenilworth]

I've been thinking about one of these for a while now - are they still reasonably controllable on something like 9mm? Presumably it's just a case of nipping up the bars a bit for thinner rope? Or does a single turn around the hyper-bar before the braking krab help more? I'm quite happy with stainless friction surfaces as opposed to aluminium.

Very controllable with 9mm. There is no need to adjust bars, unlike a traditional long frame rack. In fact it's not really possible to spread or jam the bars. I have never seen anyone use a micro rack with a braking carabiner. The hyperbar is more than adequate to provide whatever friction is needed. I do have opposed hyperbars in both the top and third position, but this is to enable quick "soft" lockoffs for changeovers or examining/navigating my route. While you easily could ride with both hyperbars engaged, I've never had any need to.

 

[Rob]

Same, no probs with adjustability and never used a breaking krab. The third hyperbar option looks useful for lockoffs 

 

[pwhole]

Thanks both for the info, and no need for a braking krab is even better as it's one less bit of kit on the D-ring, though I did recently invest in a brand-new Raumer Handy. I'm sure I could offload that