This year my Black Diamond Cyborg crampons will be retired – after four years and kilometres of climbing in ice and rock:-). I think is good time to do some review this all-round crampons.

Here you have description from Black Diamond Company

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Designed for technical ice routes and steep mixed climbing, the Black Diamond Cyborg Pro Crampons feature a lightweight stainless steel design that enhances durability and protects against rusting and snowballing.

The adjustable, hooded front points bite hard in vertical water ice and provide precise edging while dry tooling

Can be set up with either dual or single points

The rear heel clip features a micro-adjustment system for a secure fit

Dual-density ABS plates keeps snow from sticking to the bottom of these crampons

Ideal for steep ice and mixed climbing

Item #BLD0483

Tech Specs

Material: steel

Boot Compatibility

step-in Front Points dual

Number of Points: 12

Anti-balling plates: yes

Claimed Weight[pair]: 1120 gram

Recommended Use: ice/mixed climbing, mountaineering

Manufacturer Warranty1 year


Mixed climbing (on ski tour boots) in Tatras.. Fot. Cezary Klus

Climbing Review

Cyborgs are crampons dedicated to ice/mixed climbing and mountaineering. We have choice to use in them mono or dual point, which is great advantage for different type of climbing. In fact you have 3 different types of crampons! If you want a single crampon that can climb in three different modes and you don’t mind a little extra weight, the Cyborg should be your type.

Personally I prefer mono point (especially in Tatra mountains). Dual point usually I used on snow type climbing routes.

I climb with them in different types of mountaineering boots: TNF Verto S6K (here you have outdoor review), TNF Verto Extreme S6K (here you have outdoor review), Dynafit TLT 3 (skitour boots) and Bestard Fitz Roy. Cyborgs stay well on this boots (but on other types could be different).

Also my friend says that they perfect fit to: Boreal Stetind, La Sportiva Trango ALP Gtx, Batura 2.0 and Dynafit tlt5.

I prefer monopoint system, then I cut hole in antibot plates to better set single point. Unfortunately it was difficult to proper cut this hole. After 1-2 hours (and involves a hacksaw) of working I achieved success… But in crampons for 200 bucks producent should prepare something better.

You can place single point without cutting hole in your snow plate, but it will be more demanding for your calf to stay on small footholds and holes in ice.

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Front of my Cyborg before retiring ;-). Photo Damian Granowski

In general if You climb usually on mono point, then maybe better choice will be to buy Black Diamond Stinger Crampons (960 gram pair). 

Cyborg has heel clip features a micro-adjustment system for a secure fit, but after 3 years of using I have problem with them. Steel wire “jump” in plastic hole when I placed crampons on my boot. After that it was loose on my heel. I solved this problem with climbing tape, but… you know… crampons for 200 $...

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Photo Damian Granowski

Strap are quite long, then you can cut them for your shoes. 

I climb in them routes to M10 and WI6. They stay well on foot and small crimps, penetrate ice and frozen grass. What else you need :-)?

Ice climbing in Tatras. Photo Bartłomiej Szeliga

Weight of Cyborg (pair)

Monopoint – no antibot – 940 gram

Dual Point – no antibot – 1000 gram

Dual Point – with antibot – 1120 gram

If you want a single crampon that can climb in three different modes and you don’t mind a little extra weight, the Cyborg might be the your choice. Especially on steep ice and winter mixed climbing.

BTW

Here you have another option for old crampons. Front designed by Rzeszowska Kuźnia Szpeju for ~200 złoty (50 euro).

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