Having Trouble With New Geckos

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Newguy12358

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I just bought a new pair of geckos this week. I started out on some U.S. Army issue Buckinghams with L Pads. I replaced the hardware, got new straps, and put the weaver cushion wrap pads on. That was a big improvement but still a bit clunky and uncomfortable.

Thinking the Geckos were the way to go I figured it was worth the extra cash to be comfortable. I hope I just need to get used to them.
I adjusted them and played around and just cant get comfortable. When they are set the shank rides on the outside of my arch instead of flat. After about 10 or 20 minutes my I can feel the muscles in my hips start burning because i'm fighting to keep my feet flat. Anyone have any suggestions or had this problem?

Thanks Again Everyone
 
Sorry to hear the Geckos are causing you misery. I have never tried any other spurs than a buddy's Buckinghams, which were not as agreeable to my bones as my old Kleins.
 
Geckos from Distel have several versions of climbing spurs.
Not sure what you've got, but I've got a pair Carbon Geckos with velcro straps.
Yes they are expensive but worth every penny. But what about your boots? A good boot with a really stiff sole is good stuff. :msp_biggrin:
 
... When they are set the shank rides on the outside of my arch instead of flat. After about 10 or 20 minutes my I can feel the muscles in my hips start burning because i'm fighting to keep my feet flat. Anyone have any suggestions or had this problem?

Thanks Again Everyone

I am not sure what you mean by shank riding on the outside of your arch. I think we need to define our terms.

1. The "shank" is the vertical rigid support that the spur is mounted on
2. The "outside" of your arch is the side of your foot closest to your little toe.
3. You have a LOT of different muscles in your hips, which might mean anything from your thigh muscles to your groin or butt muscles. Please add some details here.

I converted to using gecko's in the last couple of years, and I had some big problems with comfort at first, but I got over it quickly. My ankles and knees were not quite ready for the greater side loading that comes with the huge "American" spurs that they generally come with. The "American" spurs are really long, and the large offset to the side of your ankle puts different strain on your leg than you might be accustomed to.

My advice (it's only worth what you are paying for it):

1. Tighten those ankle straps up a lot more, and make a complete turn around the shank to hold that ankle in. I imagine that you might be rolling your foot onto the outer arch to help hold that side-load.
2. Consider buying the "European" spikes. They are a bit pricey, but shorter. They reduce the side-load on your ankles and they might increase your comfort.
3. Make sure that the shank length is set as high as possible to your knee without rubbing into the "knuckle" parts of your knee joint. By moving the pad as high as possible, you give your legs the most leverage possible against the side thrust applied by the spur.

4. Any muscle fatigue above the knees is probably the result of poor positioning or lack of trust in the equipment. Perhaps your lower leg discomfort is making you assume an awkward position to ease the strain on your lower legs. Take a long slow relaxed stance on the spurs while set on a tree hanging from both your lanyard and also from your climbing line. Shift your weight around a bit, and take the time to figure out what is exhausting your muscles. If you are not completely relaxed while standing on your spurs held onto the tree with a rope, you should not be blaming the spurs.

I started out disliking my geckos and I bought the European spurs. Since then, I have lost the shorter spurs and I don't get tired ankles from the American spurs anymore...at least not any more tired than the rest of me. In my particular case, it was weak ankle muscles that got accustomed to the different spurs.
 
Pdq,
Thank you. That's the advice/opinions I was looking for. Yes mis spoke on the shank. I am definetly not blaming the equipment. My bucks have a longer spike but a different angle. I think I just have to get used to the new ones.
 
2. Consider buying the "European" spikes. They are a bit pricey, but shorter. They reduce the side-load on your ankles and they might increase your comfort. I started out disliking my geckos and I bought the European spurs. Since then, I have lost the shorter spurs and I don't get tired ankles from the American spurs anymore...

My Geckos came with the European spikes on them, so I can't really make a comparison with the American ones, but I have no problem wih discomfort with the European type. Shaky knees when I'm really high up maybe, but that's not due to the spikes. That's all in my head! ;)
 

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