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New BD cams - rumor?

Aric Datesman · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 145
mattm wrote: I've noticed in various reports that the smallest aliens tend to fail with the cam metal shearing off (see Aric's pull testing). I'm hoping the harder alloy of the X4 as well as the narrow head width will be improvements on the old Alien design.
Been a while since that testing happened, so quick clarification for those who weren't around then.... Yes, of the 30-40 CCH Aliens I pull tested a disturbing number smeared out of the test fixture well below their rated strength. But this result was *NOT* an indictment of the relatively soft 6061-T6 alloy CCH claimed to use for their lobes. Cams from other manufacturers that claim to use 6061-T6 did *not* have these problems, and neither did cams I personally made with 6061-T6 material that I have material certification for. Quite simply CCH's claim about the material they used was completely bogus, and the subsequent hardness testing I preformed proves that the material was not 6061-T6 (just to be sure I sent several samples out for independent 3rd party testing, along with samples from other manufacturers and material I had certs for).

The theory floated by the person I sent the samples to (who was at the time finishing a Masters in Material Science) was perhaps the place CCH contracted their extrusions to was counting on the heat from the extrusion process to bring the material to T6 condition, but failing completely in that regard. Given that his billable rate to do the micrographs to determine just what the material was would have been well into the 4 figures, we punted on it since we were only really interested in proving it wasn't 6061-T6 as claimed (he did the testing as a favor to me and wasn't interested in publishing micrograph results that CCH really should have paid for).
jbird · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 0

I haven't read much of this post but I can say I handled these cams a few weeks ago and noticed a few differences.

First they are way narrower than the traditional C4, if you are looking at a C4. . . imagine cutting off one cam lobe and you will have the width of the new C4.

Second they are way lighter, noticeable to the touch.

Third they are way more flexible. . . way more flexible.

And finally, yes the smaller sizes have an offset axle but the difference was not that noticeable to me.

just my opinion.

slim · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2004 · Points: 1,103

haven't read through the whole post, but if they make a size that is perfectly between blue and green alien, i'll probably buy 6 of them. i think the biggest mistake that all of the small cam manufacturers are making is that they the sizes are all too similar.

Wiled Horse · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2002 · Points: 3,669
slim wrote:haven't read through the whole post, but if they make a size that is perfectly between blue and green alien, i'll probably buy 6 of them. i think the biggest mistake that all of the small cam manufacturers are making is that they the sizes are all too similar.
+1
i am finding a gap between my 0.2 microcamalot (roughly a blue alien) and the 0.3 C4..

oh and like Jake said above, i have the five WC Fr sizes 1-2 (including half and quarter sizes) and they compliment the BDs well from 0.4-1.
Auto-X Fil · · NEPA and Upper Jay, NY · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 50

Depending on the kind of rock you climb, offset/hybrid cams can be great for in-between sizes. Unless it's perfect sandstone splitters all the time, offsets seem to fit just as good as often as a regular cam in the smaller sizes (up to 0.5 C4 or so).

DrApnea · · Wenatchee, WA · Joined May 2011 · Points: 265

Played with them at OR. Head width is like a C4 with a lobe shaved off which seems close to C3 head width. Nice bit didn't make me want to sell my master cams.

NC Rock Climber · · The Oven, AKA Phoenix · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 60

Does anyone knows when these cams are actually going to be available for purchase?

Kevin · · California · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 0
NC Rock Climber wrote:Does anyone knows when these cams are actually going to be available for purchase?
Spring 2013.

Hopefully March?
Colonel Mustard · · Sacramento, CA · Joined Sep 2005 · Points: 1,241
Aric Datesman wrote: Been a while since that testing happened, so quick clarification for those who weren't around then.... Yes, of the 30-40 CCH Aliens I pull tested a disturbing number smeared out of the test fixture well below their rated strength.
Hmmmm... I had that happen in my own "testing" once. It looked like a perfect placement of a yellow alien and then failed when I fell on it. The lobes were deformed, "smeared" as you say. If your explanation of the metal claimed not being the metal used is true, what a truly piece of shit company CCH was. Not that this is a newsflash at this point ;).
Caitlin Mac · · Tempe · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 115

anyone know pricing?

Ryan Williams · · London (sort of) · Joined May 2009 · Points: 1,245

Is it weird that the only thing I've gotten out of this thread is that I need a new helmet?

TWK · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 160
British helmet

I think your current helmet fits well.
Andrew Mayer · · Driggs, ID · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 131

Randomly noticed the other day that they are now shown on BD's website

blackdiamondequipment.com/e…

Stated availability of late march/early may...

bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065

i was hoping that they would have full strength cam stops ... but it looks like the 3 smallest sizes dont ...

the only microcam with full strength stops i know off remains the WC zero ....

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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