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Re: [osbornedj] Wire Gate versus solid Gate help please:
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fresh
Aug 25, 2009, 4:05 PM
Views: 3417
Registered: Aug 7, 2007
Posts: 1199
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just as a tip, there's a search function on this site that can give you a lot more information than starting a thread will. here's a thread that might help you:
http://www.rockclimbing.com/..._reply;so=ASC;mh=25;
as far as safety goes, the difference between wire gates and solid gates is very very small. in the 80's, as sport climbing became more popular, gate flutter would cause some solid-gate biners to break. I haven't heard of this being a real safety concern in my time, though. I'm not sure, but maybe the spring action in today's solid gates are designed with this in mind.
one thing in favor of solid-gate biners is that wire gates have the [rare] potential to unclip themselves from bolt hangers. I've only seen it demonstrated, but for that reason I prefer solid-gate biners on the bolt end when I'm sport climbing. it doesn't seem to be an issue with glue-in eye bolts.
it really comes down to preference. if you're planning to climb trad, you'll probably find you like wire gates better as they're easier to manipulate. for your first set of biners I'd recommend some easy-to-manipulate wiregates like black diamond hotwires. the notched nose might be annoying as it can catch at annoying times, so maybe you'll eventually get some WC heliums. (although you never want to load any biner over an edge, the heliums seem maybe more fragile than most due to the I-beam design, so be aware of that too.)
test out a variety in the store. practice manipulating biners and slings with one hand, practice clipping a rope into it, see what feels natural in your hand.
and use the damn search function 
(This post was edited by fresh on Aug 25, 2009, 4:06 PM)
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Post edited by fresh
() on Aug 25, 2009, 4:06 PM
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