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onbelay510
Jan 4, 2005, 12:02 AM
Post #1 of 13
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Registered: Aug 24, 2004
Posts: 95
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I was thinking of buying some smaller cams and wanted to know what the people thought, Aliens or TCU's?
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vegastradguy
Jan 4, 2005, 12:07 AM
Post #2 of 13
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Registered: Aug 28, 2002
Posts: 5919
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cant resist a poll. i personally prefer aliens. however, i wouldnt turn down a set of TCU's if someone was giving them away. they're a good cam as well- i own more than one. like i always say- it really is personal preference. go check 'em out and see what you like after you get your beta from the folks here. dont buy a cam because some guy on the internet told you they rock. get the cams you like- they all work. also, check the gear heads forum. this topic has been hashed out about 50 times since i came to the site, maybe more- you'll find lots of good opinions. also checking the 'gear' portion of the site may reveal even more good info.
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cyanamid
Jan 4, 2005, 12:29 AM
Post #3 of 13
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Registered: Apr 8, 2004
Posts: 161
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Really its about even for me. I have TCU's and Aliens (Just got my grey today!!) I voted TCU, but both are great to have. I'm probably a bit biased because TCU's are the first cams I ever owned. They place differently and I really don't mind carrying both sets if I've never climbed a route before but I know it takes small gear. In a perfect world I think everyone would have a set of both.
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tattooed_climber
Jan 4, 2005, 1:25 AM
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Registered: Dec 13, 2003
Posts: 4838
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i only have dmm 3cus....no problem...i also have the 3 smallest ballnuts (just got them, haven't tried them out.....but they are more aid then trad (or at least better for...)) one day i may get some aliens....
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healyje
Jan 4, 2005, 2:15 AM
Post #5 of 13
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Registered: Aug 22, 2004
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In reply to: i only have dmm 3cus....no problem...i also have the 3 smallest ballnuts (just got them, haven't tried them out.....but they are more aid then trad (or at least better for...)) one day i may get some aliens.... Pretty much a toss up between Metolius TCUs and Aliens. Could go either way myself or a set of each. The smallest ball nut is best left for aid, but I free climb on (lowe/byrne) ball nuts all the time. On the Camp or Trango new ones you might want to consider grinding/filing down the two corners into a more rounded chamfer as they'll hangup less in tight spots. And consider placing them more like a stopper relative really looking at what you are doing to paying attention to the details versus more or less slamming them in ala cams.
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cracklover
Jan 4, 2005, 2:24 AM
Post #6 of 13
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Registered: Nov 14, 2002
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Aliens all the way. I would trade two TCUs for an Alien. GO
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euroford
Jan 4, 2005, 5:14 AM
Post #7 of 13
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Registered: Aug 26, 2002
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in the context of voting for only one or the other i voted for aliens, but personally have chosen to own zero's and tcu's. i belive the zero's are the superior 4 cam small slcd and i think tcu's complement them well.
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ldsclimber
Jan 4, 2005, 5:41 AM
Post #8 of 13
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Registered: Dec 27, 2002
Posts: 90
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I rarely place my cams over 50% cammed which can lead to walking because i do that TCUs are more apt to walk than a quad cam. Therefore I don't own any TCUs but I have used them I just dont prefer them.
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euroford
Jan 4, 2005, 2:38 PM
Post #9 of 13
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Registered: Aug 26, 2002
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my experience has been that tcu's really don't walk. since they are 3 cams. they tend to pivot on the central cam, but remain in the same place.
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david.yount
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Jan 5, 2005, 12:46 AM
Post #10 of 13
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Metolius TCU and Custom Colorado Hardware Alien. They are different tools, for me. I can't really choose one over the other. If it's a shallow feature, then the TCU is far far far far superior to any FCU. If I can use an FCU then I will, it's superior to a TCU. Four lobes are always better than three lobes. And consider that at these smaller sizes the amount of aluminum in each lobe is very small, they can deform fairly easily. In these small sizes lobe deformation is the failure mode, better to use four lobes if the rock allows it. david yount.
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cyanamid
Jan 5, 2005, 12:56 AM
Post #11 of 13
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Registered: Apr 8, 2004
Posts: 161
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In reply to: I rarely place my cams over 50% cammed which can lead to walking because i do that TCUs are more apt to walk than a quad cam. Therefore I don't own any TCUs but I have used them I just dont prefer them. How do TCU's walk? I've always seen them pivot, but that has been one of the attractive qualities. When they are weighted they seem to pivot on the one cam and load in the proper direction. Anyone else out there ever had a TCU walk on you? It doesn't really seem too likely. Edit: spelling
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esallen
Jan 5, 2005, 1:37 AM
Post #12 of 13
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Registered: Jul 11, 2004
Posts: 304
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I use DMM TCUs, but I'll be using Aliens as soon as I can afford them. :D
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