Comprehensive Guide to Purchasing Scooter Clamps

The main role of a stunt scooter clamp is to affix the bar securely to the scooter fork. When selecting a clamp, it's essential to think about factors like compression, compatibility, and durability. Detailed explanations can be found here.

Scooter clamps are available in a variety of forms and dimensions, and they are crucial to your scooter setup. Making an informed decision when selecting your scooter clamp allows you to find one that will endure for a long time. Continue reading as we cover everything necessary concerning scooter clamps.

Various Kinds of Clamps for Stunt Scooters

Three primary factors differentiate the types of scooter clamps:

  1. Inner Diameter of Clamps: It's important that your clamp's inner diameter matches your scooter bar's outer diameter. Standard clamps possess an inner diameter of 32 mm, while oversized clamps measure 35 mm. If you're using a standard-sized bar, you may utilise an oversized clamp with a compatible clamp shim. These shims are small tubes that adjust a clamp’s inner diameter from 35 mm to 32 mm, allowing a secure fit on a standard-sized bar.
  2. Number of Bolts: Terms like quad, triple, or double clamp hinge on how many bolts tighten the clamp. Quad clamps often suit SCS setups, although triple SCS clamps (which save weight by using fewer bolts) are also options. Single or double clamps usually pair with HIC, IHC, or ICS setups.
  3. SCS Clamps or NON-SCS Clamps: SCS clamps incorporate the compression system. Despite their heavier weight, many riders favour them. IHC and HIC clamps are a separate classification. Using SCS compression means you'll need SCS clamps. Other compression systems (such as ICS, HIC, or IHC) call for a non-SCS clamp (i.e., a standard clamp).

Standard vs Oversized Scooter Clamps

Standard clamps usually feature an inner diameter of 32 mm, which corresponds with the outer diameter of standard scooter bars.

Conversely, oversized clamps are designed to fit the outer diameter of oversized bars. They can host standard-sized bars with a shim that narrows the inner diameter accordingly. Many oversized clamps include a shim at purchase.

When deciding between standard and oversized clamp diameters, compatibility stands as key. Should you want to explore different bar diameters, oversized clamps afford greater adaptability. However, when riding standard-sized bars and aiming for the lightest setup, choosing a standard-sized clamp is ideal.

Discover more about standard and oversized scooter bars here:

Choosing Between Double, Triple, or Quad Clamps

For setups like HIC, IHC, and ICS, where bars have a slit at the base, opting for a robust dual clamp that doesn't extend past the slit is advisable. Otherwise, bar damage could occur. Dual clamps offer adequate support with two bolts and fortunately do not add excessive weight to the configuration.

Scooter SCS clamps tend to be quad clamps that distribute clamping pressure evenly across the fork's top and the bars' bottom thanks to the extra bolts.

Compatibility of Stunt Scooter Clamps

The following table provides a summary of scooter clamps and their compatibility within a stunt scooter setup. Ensure a clamp matches your setup before purchasing.

Clamp Dimension

Standard Clamp (32 mm inner diameter)

Oversized Clamp (35 mm inner diameter)

Standard SCS Clamps

Oversized SCS Clamps

Compression Mechanism

IHC

HIC, IHC

SCS

SCS

Scooter Bar

Standard, 32 mm outer diameter with slit.
  • Oversized, 35 mm outer diameter with slit.
  • Standard 32 mm wide bars with slit using a clamp shim

Standard 32 mm outer diameter, no slit
  • Oversized bars
  • No slit
  • Standard 32 mm wide bars necessitate a clamp shim

Should you use an SCS clamp on a bar that has a bottom slit, you have a couple of routes. Employing an SCS adapter is one solution, or you might choose to cut down the bar. Be aware, cutting down the bar annuls its warranty and results in a shorter bar.

Attaching Scooter Clamps

Make sure to tighten your compression before mounting the clamp, and confirm that both the wheel and bars are aligned before tightening the clamp.

Follow distinct procedures for the various clamp/compression types:

  • HIC or IHC: Begin by sliding the bar into the clamp, mount the bar, and then secure the clamp bolts.
  • SCS Clamp: Initially install the clamp and ensure the compression bolt is tightened, then mount the bar and tighten the clamp bolts.

To spread compression evenly, it's sensible to gently tighten bolts in a cross pattern instead of fully tightening one bolt before moving to the next. For quad clamps, lightly adjust bolt 1, then bolt 3, followed by bolt 2, and lastly bolt 4. This technique aids in equalising compression across the clamp zone.

Explore our guide on scooter compression, featuring valuable videos on installing scooter clamps and compression systems and much more:

SkatePro