Anti balling plates (also known as Antibotts) stop you turning your crampons into clodhoppers. They are one of those products that alpinists used to pour scorn on a few years ago, until that was that they realised that the few pioneers who were using them weren't falling over as much as they were. Now the antibott is on the other foot so to speak and most guides will not accept clients who don't have them.
The more modern, two part, yellow ones may include a pair of Accordeons, Grivel's antibott for the connecting bar. NB When fitting these to Grivel crampons, it is essential that the rubber tabs fit over the spring steel catch and not under it. We believe that crampons may have come apart where these have been incorrectly fitted. However, Grivel have now stopped making Accordeons so it is increasingly unlikely that these will be included.
Grivel have produced many models over the years and this is a full list of what is currently available. In particular, Grivel have gradually changed nearly all their crampons to the same heel section first seen on the Air Tech. This new heel section is smaller than previous versions and has crinkled spikes on it. Older versions of all models will have smooth spikes on the heel. There is also a very old version of the G10 which had a front section (measured from between the front points to the rear of the section) longer than the 11cm of the most recent two versions. The antiballing plates for this longer front version (100.10) are no longer available.
The most recent versions of Grivel crampons have anti-balling plates riveted into place which does mean that there is less chance of losing them. Once they are worn out, the rivets can be removed and a suitable plate chosen from the list below.
We stock most of these antiballing plates but the few that we don't have in stock are generally available from the importers fairly quickly - please email us to check.
Supplied in pairs, ie enough bits for both left and right crampons.