Does anyone have experience using a Grigri w/a 9.8mm rope? I realize it's recommended for ropes b/t 10 & 11 mm but does the 0.2 mm make a noticeable difference in friction/braking ability?

I have a 9.7 mil cord, and have had ZERO trouble with my GriGri. No noticeable difference in terms of friction, slippage, etc.

Yer Fine

I used my grigri with a 9.8 for months before I read about not using it with a sub 10mm. I've never had any problems.

i remember that they changed the rating to 9.7 to 11mm there for a while- then mysteriously put it back to 10mm.

i know experienced belayers who will use the grigri on 9.1mm ropes with no problem. that said, i would definitely not recommend doing this unless you're very experienced as the grigri doesnt always grab the rope like it's supposed to at that small diameter.

From time to time I use it on my 9.1mm rope for rapping while soloing and everytime I do it I go back to a 10 or 10.5mm the next time! The grip point is very fine.

I'll say it will be fine also but the thing to do is to test it yourself. Are you thinking about buying a grigri and you already have the rope (or the other way around)?

Here, i took some pics of mine (excuse the battle scars). This may help explain why everyone's saying it will work just fine:

Wear gloves while lowering or rapping, and be prepared to include additional friction devices (I run the rope under my leg) or you're in for a bumpy ride. Its a lot easier to give a smooth stop with a fatter rope.

I would say use caution while breaking the rope in, as they always tend to "poof" out a little after a month or so. Most ropes nowadays have a some sort of dry-proofing on them, causing the rope to feel more slick than after a little wear and tear. I've heard the Cinch is better for smaller ropes, and actually is harder to feed with 10mm and up.

One thing that I've found is that on a 10 or 10.5mm rope if I'm rapping and lean back on the grigri from a stance before removing my daisy chain it will automatically lock. On a 9.1 - 9.5mm rope it doesn't and you have check constantly that it is locked and loaded. Just another thing to think about.

I asked this question of Petzl and the response I got was that less than 10mm ropes will work but risk damage by being pinched too tight by the Gri Gri. That and I have had a couple scary rides on a skinny rope.

If you're really worried, you could get a Freino, it will add friction. This is after talking to a Petzl rep, not my personal use.

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful input. I'm actually kind of anti-Grigri...I've watched too many people lackadaisically belay with them and I've always been a little worried that it's easy to become reliant on the device. But, my girlfriend just started climbing and I thought I'd try one as a, perhaps safer, way to teach her to lead belay. Even though it sounds like a Grigri has worked with a mid-9mm rope for many people, I decided to take the time and teach her to lead belay on the basic, old-school belay device (and, at the gym). :)