Black Diamond Cyborg Crampons - 2007 BCS

These crampons are great. You can set them up mono or dual point which is awesome, but without the right tools cutting the abs to work with mono can be a hassle. Unlike most ice climbing crampons these do not have a fully vertical frame which makes them a little more friendly for the ABS plate and hiking. I use mine for ice and general mountaineering. The bails and adjustment bar are pretty standard but they are more adjustable than the G-14s. These crampons work perfectly with my La Sportiva boots (Nepal Evo).

I've always believed that there were walking crampons and climbing crampons, but that combining the two would always compromise performance. BD did it, and they're amazing. I wear these with my La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX slippers and have incredible toe placements. These crampons will make you climb harder if you let them. Worked great from the trailhead to the summit every time. Kicking steps, mono pointing for some tricky mixed, and walking around high camp, these things are ready to go.

As always, you have to keep them sharp and you have to make sure they fit your boots properly. A friend of mine cut the straps short on his to save weight and to avoid having to tuck the loose ends under his gaiters, but then the strap wasn't long enough to get around his double boots. Don't do that. Also, if you're new to crampons, try putting them on at home in the dark with gloves on before you hit the mountains. I can get mine on and snugly adjusted in under a min with gloves, but it took practice.

The thin metal strip is the achilles heel of these. I've used these for a year mountaineering and ice climbing, and from the start the strip has nearly welded at the toe bail. The result is the strip bends over itself at an angle. I have tried cleaning it out, but again on a trip in ouray the thing seized and had to bend over itself to tighten. It has developed a crack in the metal from tightening it while frozen/bent and I'm sure it will fail soon. Cobes.

As usual BD comes out with a great product. Great solid platform for vertical ice, and maneuverable enough for glacier travel. The points perform well on all ice I have encountered, and the adjustability makes it easy to swap out on different boots. The antiballing plates perform well. I never have a problem while I watch my friends collect snow underfoot.

It is a great feeling climbing with these as I always feel I can trust my feet. So solid. I also wear them with the La Sportiva Nepal Evo. Great set up.

The ABS system, the detachable front points, and the dual bail binding all combine to make this one of the most versatile crampons on the market.

The anti balling up plates work like you'd never believe and they are as tough as the come. None of that whimpy rubber flimsy stuff that just disappears after a mile or two. The fit and performance of this ice tool is number 1! If you looking for the right teeth for your feet, then look no further. These will slay the icy headwall and walk the miles back to camp the long way. Climb harder with these on your feet then ever before because of the confidance you'll have in the toe placements.
I have just gotten mine for this season and already I am swinging away at the mosters I previously feared. Slay those pillars with true teeth on your feet and never again worry about kicking extra hard. A simple swing from the knee will plant these babies as firmly as you'll ever need.