Stainless steel replacement spools/pulleys for the venerable Petzl Simple descender. Made of 316 stainless steel, these replacement spools last approximately 6-10x as long as the stock 6061 Aluminum spools. They offer reduced friction and a much smoother ride. We recommend replacing only the bottom spool (which sees the most wear) with the stainless steel version—replacing both is unnecessary. Each spool weighs approximately 147g (5.2oz). We also make 7075 Aluminum (light weight, but more durable than stock) as well as 2-hole upper spools for the older simple (in stainless or aluminum).
316 stainless steel is a costly raw material and is somewhat difficult to machine requiring extra time and more robust and expensive tooling than aluminum. The stock 6061 spools are cheap at around $15-25 depending on your source but our stainless spools last so much longer that they end up being significantly cheaper than the number of aluminum spools you would use in the same time-frame. It depends on your use case of course, but most people should expect get many years of regular use from just one! For some, it will be the last replacement spool they ever need to purchase. These spools are in use all over the world and hand made in the USA.
The reduced friction of these spools is really what makes them worth the extra cost—they are quite smooth and easy to control with less of the ‘grabbiness’ of the aluminum versions. This is especially helpful for lighter weight cavers who struggle with the Simple on long pitches or fat/muddy ropes. The reduction in friction is nothing crazy—I weigh around 200lbs (91kg) and still much prefer them even on ropes down to 8mm. They make the Simple ‘smooth’ rather than ‘fast’.
It is, of course, your responsibility to familiarize yourself with your new spool(s) (and any other changes to your vertical setup) in a controlled setting prior to real world use. Replicate all conceivable scenarios you might encounter. Make sure your setup works to your satisfaction, your life depends on it! If you aren’t happy with the performance of your spool(s) after this step, you may return them.
All spools are tested for fit and function prior to shipping, please excuse any resulting minor cosmetic imperfections that may result. Serial numbers may be laser engraved or stamped.
Speaking of which, If you so desire we can add limited simple custom text to your spool(s) e.g. your name/NSS #/organization/ID# for clubs, etc. Reach out through email.
Still have questions? FAQ’s! Feel free to send us an email! Thanks, and happy caving!
Replacement Slide Bars for Micro Racks with 5/16” (8mm) frames. Made from durable 304 stainless steel tubing. Dimensions: 7/8” (0.875”, 22mm) OD, 1/8” (0.125”, 3mm) wall.
7075 Aluminum replacement spools/pulleys for the venerable Petzl Simple descender. Made of 7075 aluminum, these replacement spools last about 2x as long as the stock 6061 Aluminum spools. They offer similar friction characteristics to the stock spools. These make a great upper position spool to pair with our 316 stainless steel spools. You can, of course, run these spools in both positions to maintain the light weight of the Simple and/or to preserve the original friction characteristics. Each spool weighs approximately 51 g (1.8 oz). We also make 316 stainless steel (smoother ride and much more durable than stock) as well as 2-hole upper spools for the older simple (in stainless or aluminum). These spools are in use all over the world and are hand made in the USA.
It is, of course, your responsibility to familiarize yourself with your new spool(s) (and any other changes to your vertical setup) in a controlled setting prior to real world use. Replicate all conceivable scenarios you might encounter. Make sure your setup works to your satisfaction, your life depends on it! If you aren’t happy with the performance of your spool(s) after this step, you may return them.
All spools are tested for fit and function prior to shipping, please excuse any resulting minor cosmetic imperfections that may result. Serial numbers may be laser engraved or stamped.
Speaking of which, If you so desire we can add limited simple custom text to your spool(s) e.g. your name/NSS #/organization/ID# for clubs, etc. Reach out through email.
Still have questions? FAQ’s! Feel free to send us an email! Thanks, and happy caving!
Replacement Hyper Bars for Micro Racks with 5/16” (8mm) frames. Made from durable 304 stainless steel tubing. Dimensions: 7/8” (0.875”, 22mm) OD, 1/8” (0.125”, 3mm) wall.
Hyper Bars come with a stainless roll/spring pin installed in the ‘standard’ right hand position. If you intend to use your rack ‘left handed’, we can install the roll pin in that position for you—just let us know. It is easy to do yourself by tapping the roll pin through to the opposite side.
7075 Aluminum replacement spools/pulleys for the venerable Petzl Simple descender. These 2-hole spools replace the upper position spools of older Simples (pre 2019). Made of 7075 aluminum, these replacement spools last about 2x as long as the stock 6061 Aluminum spools. They offer similar friction characteristics to the stock spools. These make a great upper position spool to pair with our 316 Stainless Steel spools, or pair with one of our 1-Hole 7075 Aluminum spools to maintain the light weight and/or to preserve the original friction characteristics of your Simple. Each spool weighs approximately 51 g (1.8 oz). We also make 316 stainless steel (smoother ride and much more durable than stock). These spools are in use all over the world and hand made in the USA. The 2-Hole versions are more time consuming to manufacture due to the off center mounting holes, and thus cost a bit more than the 1-Hole versions.
It is, of course, your responsibility to familiarize yourself with your new spool(s) (and any other changes to your vertical setup) in a controlled setting prior to real world use. Replicate all conceivable scenarios you might encounter. Make sure your setup works to your satisfaction, your life depends on it! If you aren’t happy with the performance of your spool(s) after this step, you may return them.
All spools are tested for fit and function prior to shipping, please excuse any resulting minor cosmetic imperfections that may result. Serial numbers may be laser engraved or stamped.
Speaking of which, If you so desire we can add limited simple custom text to your spool(s) e.g. your name/NSS #/organization/ID# for clubs, etc. Reach out through email.
Still have questions? FAQ’s! Feel free to send us an email! Thanks, and happy caving!
UNDERGROUND MANUFACTURING
I started making stainless steel replacement spools for the Simple after not being able to find any commercially available. I had some 316 round stock left over from a previous project and access to the necessary tools to make it happen. I was very pleased with the performance of that initial spool, having wanted to try one for many years, but didn’t have plans to make any more. It turned out, however, that there was widespread demand for more durable replacement spools as well as for the 2-Hole upper spools needed to keep older Simples in service. As is often the case in the caving world, a one-off home machine shop project evolved into a small business—the goal of which is to provide well thought out and well made niche equipment to the caving community. Stay tuned for more.
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