Beal or Sterling. Thoughts?

I am looking into getting a all around crag rope, and can't decide between Beal, and Sterling. Is there pros and cons from each that you have noticed? Just curious what most people think about them overall.

Sterling is my favorite for durability and feel when handling. Beal also makes good ropes. Either way get a bipattern. Much easier when rappelling. No need for finding a middle marker

Seems like every company makes some excellent ropes and some shit ones. Don’t buy the absolute cheapest one (rrp). 

Additionally, I am also finding Beal ropes for prices as low as 70-90USD. Can it be trusted for such a low price? I am not familiar with Beal, so I am not sure.

Beal Stinger III is a favorite rope of mine. I've had several over many years. Inexpensive, great impact force numbers, handles well, soft and supple. It's the rope I always return to after trying others, Sterling included. I've had a couple Sterlings and both ended up feeling more stiff than I liked. They hold up well though. 

Beal

Beal w unicore!

If you're planning to use the rope for frequent toproping or for projecting something where you want to be able to try the same move repeatedly, watch out for the static elongation numbers on the Beal ropes. I'm a big fan of the unicore construction they have now, but the static elongation on some of their ropes (9-10%; some even higher than 10% I think) is much more than most other climbing ropes. Lots of people seem to like the *very* soft falls this creates, but it could be super frustrating if you're trying to work a project (or even somewhat dangerous if you fall low on a long toprope where the rope stretch could put you on the ground).

Cameron C wrote: Additionally, I am also finding Beal ropes for prices as low as 70-90USD. Can it be trusted for such a low price? I am not familiar with Beal, so I am not sure.

I hope so, I have a cheap beal as my gym rope! (I paid equiv to 116USD (180AUD) for a no-frills beal karma 9.8mm 50m, things here tend to be more expensive than in America). 

Mammut 

Cameron C wrote: Additionally, I am also finding Beal ropes for prices as low as 70-90USD. Can it be trusted for such a low price? I am not familiar with Beal, so I am not sure.

Some of the really low prices are for 40 meter ropes, for using in a gym. Check the length when you see a rope that cheap.

Both, (ie, either) they both make top notch product. 

sterling! they make great ropes and are made in Maine! (full disclosure, that's where I grew up so I'm probably biased)

I have the Beal Karma, it is a super stretchy spongy rope.  I have had dozens of Sterling ropes, and have found the all to be top notch ropes when used within their performance sweet spot. By that I mean don't use a super skinny rope to project a route.

I still have the first rope I bought (Sterling Marathon) that I use to haul out my dock every year.

I prefer Beal, I've had sheath slipping issues on the Sterlings I've owned. And the gym I frequent uses Sterling lead ropes and the sheaths let go after about a week of gym use.

And there it is - this thread, like every other "best rope" or "best resole" thread has brought out the full spectrum of responses. Both are great. Both suck. I'd say buy the one that's on sale in a color you like.

Gunkiemike wrote: And there it is - this thread, like every other "best rope" or "best resole" thread has brought out the full spectrum of responses. Both are great. Both suck. I'd say buy the one that's on sale in a color you like.

If you don't get the Mammut you will surely die....lol

Graham Johnson wrote: Seems like every company makes some excellent ropes and some shit ones. Don’t buy the absolute cheapest one (rrp). 

Yeah I bought a couple cheap ropes recently and I echo this. One gives a hard catch even though it’sa 9.2mm. The other flies through the belay device like wet ice and gets all coiled up.

Sterling all day