I'm looking for a good rope for long multi pitch routes (8+ pitches) that can also take some abuse of short weekend cragging trad routes. I'd like a rope that is bi-color and dry treated. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Wilderness Exchange Unlimited (Denver, CO) is one of the site sponsors. Last time I checked (my partner bought one) they had a few sub-10mm Eidelwiess 70m bicolor dry-treated ropes on sale for about $190... or so. I think the models were the Laser ARC and Onsight Arc. The 60M ropes are somewhat cheaper.

I've been climbing on this model. It isn't bullet-proof, but it's better than some ropes I've used. Dollar for dollar, if it does not last as long at 'the best' rope out there, it's still a very good buy...

They also have the BW Lightning-Pro 9.7mm bicolor, double-dry 70M for $230 and the 60M for $175.

You need this rope.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3302>>>>>

I use this rope and would buy it again.

I agree with Mcclimber... the Maxim rope is the way to go. I have an Edelweiss, which I really like, but my friend just bought a maxim rope and it is just a great rope. It feels so much better, like the braid of the rope is smaller and tighter. It's really nice and will be what I buy next time I'm in the market for a rope.

In 2007 I bought a maxim 10.2, bi-pattern (continuous weave sheath),
dry core, 60m. The price was around $225.
Great rope, good feel, and the bi-pattern is really great, simplifies belays and rappels. And it's decent for top roping.
IMHO, I would never buy a used rope. How much could you save, $100?
The price of new ropes is simply not that high to make it worth considering.

My vote would be for a Sterling rope. They offer all the features your looking for. I've had one for almost one year and abused the heck out of it and it still looks and works well.

Mammut ropes are very durable. I have only owned their doubles, and find them to be the best ropes I've ever owned, but have friends that have enjoyed similarly good results with their singles.

I just got a new Millet Rope - 9.8 mm. Spent some time looking at different ones, the Millet seems to have the reputation for withstanding lots of abrasion and 'abuse' as one would subject a rope to on long, multi-pitch trad routes (with traverses and low angle sections for example). It started out pretty stiff, but after a few outings, it's softened up and feels pretty good now.

I had an Edelweiss rope (10.3 mm), and it held up pretty good, but I wanted something smaller and lighter.

Brand Diameter Weight Falls Impact Stretch
Beal Stinger 9.4mm 59g/m 7 8.2kN 9.5%
Mammut Infinity 9.5mm 58g/m 7 9.1kN 6.8%
Sterling Ion 9.5mm 60g/m 5 8.4kN 10%
Beal Booster 9.7mm 63 g/m 9 7.3kN 9.7%
Mammut Tusk 9.8mm 63g/m 6.5 9.1kN 8%
Sterling Nitro 9.8mm 62g/m 5 9.0kN 10%
Sterling Velocity9.8mm 62g/m 6 8.8kN 8.6%
Beal Tiger 10.0mm 61g/m 7 7.6kN 10%
Mammut Eternity 10mm 66g/m 10 8.8kN 7%
Mammut Galaxy 10mm 65g/m 7.5 8.8kN 6.5%
Sterling Pro 10.1mm 63g/m 6 8.6Kn 8.4%
Here are some rope specs I put together last year to help compair ropes from my three favorite rope manufacturers. My theory on ropes is you will end up spending more money buying cheap ropes than you will buying good ropes over the long run.

Even though their specs are not as good, my Sterling ropes have been the longest lasting ropes I have ever owned. I'm currently climbing on a Sterling Biathalon Pro dry rope and at 10.1 it feeds better than most 9.7 ropes although the dry treatment is almost scary at first as it wants to slip through your grigri. After 10 days of heavy use including 2500 feet of slabbing on it's last outing it is just starting to look used.