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X-Dream vs Ergos

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180
Theriault wrote: the cascade picks are impossible to find now a days... I have a new set of them and I don't even want to use them.... the "modified" ice picks do the job but....
Nomic Cascade picks are hard to find but Quark Cascade picks are readily available. Fitting Quark Cascade picks takes about 10 minutes with a Dremel and hand drill. I understand that some people need a bolt on fit but if you're handy you can have new Cascade picks.

I know what you mean about the Ice picks, the angle is a few MM lower in the Nomic and changes the swing.
Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180
Bill Kirby wrote: It's nice to have a civil conservation about this. I haven't used Cascade picks. I have spent time filing down three sets of Ice picks for my old Nomics. The process takes way longer than filing the beak off the Cassin picks. The first time was fun as I was with new friends. The rest of the time sucked! I was taught to file the teeth as well the tip on the Petzl picks. Maybe try that? The problem still is file too much away and it gets dangerous. I've tried the Quarks. I used for more than a day and don't like them at all. I don't know if it's the angle or the picks or the grip. I think the new Quarks aren't an improvement over the old ones either. I saw George Mallory rocking the old Quarks so I'm sure they're not horrible. I guess I just need all I can get in the gear department to get myself up a 4+. Haha.. I like BD tools. I know you think I'm dense but I like the Cobras and a laser pick. I love the Fusions for drytooling. The Cobras are great for alpine ice even though I use my Dreams for everything. In the end it's all about trying every tool out there and making a decision based on what feels good to you. I wouldn't fault anyone using any tool if they can get the job done efficently. It's frustrating to watch someone hack a route up trying to get a good placements then once the tools in they can't get it out. You ask if they have tried anything else than what tools they got and they answer no.
I only reduced the first four teeth, I left the rest alone. However, I use cascade picks and Ice picks for spares. I don't like Quarks for water ice but they're great for alpine because of how cleanly they strip down. Pick angles are less an issue on the Quark. I have no interest in Ergo's at all.
danny m · · All over · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 340

Unless you have tried the Ergos on multiple routes and know your in love them I would stay away from them. The angle is very extreme and makes for a wired swing.

Between me and the gf we own a lot of ice tools and I can honestly say the Ergos have been used at most 5 times. We don't own the X-dreams but have tried them and was not very impressed with the angle of them as well. I would say stick with the usual's Nomics, Cobras, Fusions, or the new Fuels. But hey some people just love the Ergos and use them for everything even low angle WI3's. If your one of those people I am actually going to be posting my Ergos in the for sale forum so keep and eye out (or just PM me) for my add if you want to save some money on a used pair.

Jerry1 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 0
divnamite wrote:I got a pair of brand new Cassin X-Dream for sale if anyone is interested.
I might be interested in the Cassin X-Dreams.. What are you asking for them?
divnamite · · New York, NY · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 90
Jerry1 wrote: I might be interested in the Cassin X-Dreams.. What are you asking for them?
PM you.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Ice Climbing
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