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Marylandclimber
Nov 8, 2011, 8:31 PM
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For the next cam to purchase, I wan't to get the Ultra Light TCU cam by Melitous. It's only about 50$ but I know nothing about it. Can somebody tell me if there strong? flexible? Worth buying or not.
(This post was edited by Marylandclimber on Nov 8, 2011, 8:46 PM)
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rtwilli4
Nov 15, 2011, 9:38 PM
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I'm going to give you another answer, but also some advice this time.
The TCU's are excellent cams. They are very light and just as strong as any other cam out there. They work well in all types of rock and are pretty durable as well.
Now for the advice: The questions you are asking make me think that you have never actually used traditional climbing gear before. You really shouldn't have to ask if a cam is "strong" or not. All manufacturers give their cams' strength ratings on their websites.
You're better off asking more specific questions about what you don't understand when it comes to rock climbing gear. Like "what does 5kN mean" or "what is the difference between Metolius TCU's and Black Diamond C3s?"
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scottek67
Nov 15, 2011, 9:54 PM
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rtwilli4
Nov 15, 2011, 10:54 PM
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Well yea, except that out of the first 100 links that turn up in that search, only one has anything to do with kilo-newtons - and it brings you to this page!
If you're going to be an ass to the guy, at least do a good job.
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acorneau
Nov 16, 2011, 2:44 AM
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I've had the older TCU's (#1-4) for a long time (~1999), and while I don't get to trad climb that often I have used them long enough to know they are great cams.
That being said, I had started a thread last year about Wired Bliss's TCU's (which are very similar to the Metolius') and the DMM 3CU's which you might find informative and/or helpful:
http://www.rockclimbing.com/...post=2415757#2415757
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Marylandclimber
Nov 16, 2011, 12:13 PM
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Thanks but I have learned to place protection and I have a small rack of three black diamond C4 Cams, 12 black diamond stoppers, and a pink tricam.
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shockabuku
Nov 16, 2011, 1:29 PM
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Marylandclimber wrote: Thanks but I have learned to place protection and I have a small rack of three black diamond C4 Cams, 12 black diamond stoppers, and a pink tricam.
So why did you ask such an ambiguous question?
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Marylandclimber
Nov 16, 2011, 8:36 PM
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Because I don't own a TCU.... XD
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shellc0de
Dec 2, 2011, 7:14 PM
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Theyre more like half cam half stopper, and theyre as strong as the rock you put it in, unless you fall 50 feet on a static line...
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csproul
Dec 2, 2011, 8:26 PM
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shellc0de wrote: Theyre more like half cam half stopper, and theyre as strong as the rock you put it in, unless you fall 50 feet on a static line...
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shellc0de
Dec 3, 2011, 7:08 PM
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Oops I was thinking of tri-cams, theyre just one moving part but a camming action.
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shellc0de
Dec 3, 2011, 7:08 PM
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Oops I was thinking of tri-cams, theyre just one moving part but a camming action.
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shockabuku
Dec 3, 2011, 11:05 PM
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csproul wrote: shellc0de wrote: Theyre more like half cam half stopper, and theyre as strong as the rock you put it in, unless you fall 50 feet on a static line... It really is ok to not post if you don't know what you're talking about.
That^^ is good advice.
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porthillsclimber
Dec 10, 2011, 7:47 PM
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yes the tcus are worth buying. but i would also consider spending a little more and getting the master cams if you want small cams.
before you start buying tcus or master cams you should complete your set of c4's. maybe get sizes .4 - 4. at the very least get sizes .5 - 3.
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Marylandclimber
Dec 10, 2011, 9:21 PM
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But are the sizes like the C4's?
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johnwesely
Dec 10, 2011, 9:37 PM
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porthillsclimber wrote: yes the tcus are worth buying. but i would also consider spending a little more and getting the master cams if you want small cams. before you start buying tcus or master cams you should complete your set of c4's. maybe get sizes .4 - 4. at the very least get sizes .5 - 3.
Depending on where the OP is from, that might be awful advice. In the Southeast, I would advise someone to get 1-4 tcus or equivalents before getting a #2 camalot sized cam.
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joeforte
Dec 11, 2011, 4:09 AM
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I love both of them, but why would anyone bother with TCU's or mastercams now that NEW aliens are being produced by TWO different companies? TCU's compliment Aliens really well, so they make a decent doubles set. I just think aliens are much more versatile in general, and are therefore more useful.
I rarely use or carry anything bigger than a #2 camalot, so you are on the right track getting yourself some small stuff. When the cracks get small, often the climbing gets tough or insecure. If the crack is 2"+ you can usually jam, wedge, thrutch or grovel with the crack and get through it. When cracks get thin, you become thankful for even the crappiest of placements. This is where I have found aliens truly excel. I have fallen on some really bad looking aliens (backed up of course) and have been amazed at what they will hold. The combination of soft lobes and an ideal camming angle gives them the perfect balance between range and holding power. The ultralight TCUs have great holding power, but their range is poor, and they have very little overlap between sizes. Together though, they make a well rounded rack !
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grantut
Dec 11, 2011, 4:41 PM
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i love my tcu's. there strong, flexible and worth buying.
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psprings
Dec 28, 2011, 2:58 AM
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Marylandclimber wrote: For the next cam to purchase, I wan't to get the Ultra Light TCU cam by Melitous. It's only about 50$ but I know nothing about it. Can somebody tell me if there strong? flexible? Worth buying or not.
Key sizes are 1, 2, and 3. I personally like 4 as well, but some people dont like them in that size.
They will work excellent in about 90% of placements. The other 10% of placements is a shallow, vertical crack that aliens or mastercams work better in, but it doesn't change the fact that it is a crappy, dangerous placement that may or may not hold.
Overall, you cant go wrong with Metolius TCUs size 1-3. They are workhorses.
(This post was edited by psprings on Dec 28, 2011, 2:59 AM)
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billcoe_
Dec 30, 2011, 4:30 PM
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psprings wrote: Overall, you cant go wrong with Metolius TCUs size 1-3. They are workhorses.
True. I'm thinking that the first poster needs a mentor before he needs more cams.
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shockabuku
Dec 31, 2011, 4:05 AM
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billcoe_ wrote: psprings wrote: Overall, you cant go wrong with Metolius TCUs size 1-3. They are workhorses. True. I'm thinking that the first poster needs a mentor before he needs more cams.
Yeah, but I checked all the on-line dealers and they're universally out of stock.
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tri-n-climb
Dec 31, 2011, 5:09 PM
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I have 4 TCU's size 0, 1, 2, 3 that I just got back from Mountain tools to get reslung. I am looking to sell them if you are interested. The only reason I am selling them is because I don't need a triple set of TCU's. They are used but I am a conscious seller, which is why I spent $40 to get them reslung simply to sell them. I'm asking $130 for the set.
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shimanilami
Dec 31, 2011, 6:51 PM
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They are solid, but they are small. People with big fingers, or wearing gloves, can have a hard time with them. I've never been bummed when a partner's rack has a bunch of UL TCU's, but I wouldn't buy them myself.
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crjanow
Jan 22, 2012, 6:25 PM
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shellc0de wrote: Theyre more like half cam half stopper, and theyre as strong as the rock you put it in, unless you fall 50 feet on a static line...
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