Design Details
The following comparison chart gives a quick overview of the differences in our latest clamps:
Feature |
Gen2 Clamps |
Gen3 Clamps |
Gen3 Pro Clamps |
Design |
Highly Optimized |
Optimized |
Highly Optimized |
Stiffness - Comfort |
++++ |
Stiffness - Precision Handling |
+++ |
+++ |
++++ |
Adjustable Stiffness Braces |
No |
No |
Yes |
Weight |
Ultralight |
Light |
Light |
Offset |
Fixed |
Fixed |
Adjustable - 4 Offsets |
Clamp Material |
Standard Aluminum |
Standard Aluminum |
High Strength Aluminum |
Stem Material |
High Strength Aluminum |
Fasteners |
Titanium |
Steel |
Titanium |
Steering Bearing/Seal |
OEM - High Quality |
Bar Mount Interface |
KTM Rubber Cone Style |
Direct Bolt-On |
Bar Positions (Front to Back) |
2 |
6 |
Bar Heights |
3 |
3+ |
Finish |
Electropolish + Anodize |
Fork Tube Bores |
Anodized |
Anodized |
Machined - Raw Aluminum |
Torque and Markings |
Engraved |
Engraved |
Laser Etched |
Manufacturing |
Made in USA |
Design
All of our clamps are designed using advanced topology optimization, finite element analysis, and high-end engineering techniques. The optimum design is rather intricate with a lot of features. The more intricate the design, though, the longer the parts take to machine (and the more expensive they are). We save a little cost on the standard Gen3 clamps by removing some of the time consuming features of the Pro version. But they're still more complex than the norm our competition puts out. This image shows the combined stresses in our Gen3 clamp under all normal riding conditions.
Stiffness Level - Comfort
Longitudinal stiffness (front to back) has a big effect on rider comfort. The more compliant the clamps are in that direction, the better the ride. But this needs to be balanced with enough stiffness to maintain a precise handling character. Really fast riders will prefer something a little stiffer to maintain precision handling and our Pro clamps include optional stiffening braces to allow for some fine tuning. The image shows an FEA plot of longitudinal displacement in response to a slap-down type landing.
Stiffness Level - Precision Handling
Similar to the above, but the opposite. The stiffer the clamps are in the other directions (vertically, laterally, torsionally), the better for maintaining a precise and predictable handling character. There is a little trade-off here with comfort. The FEA plot here represents a torsional (cornering) scenario.
Adjustable Stiffness Braces
Some riders prefer a more solid feel front to back for more precise handling. Our Gen3 Pro clamps include optional braces to tie the two halves of the lower split clamp together. This increases stiffness and reduces wandering in high g-out situations and hard landings with the trade-off of slightly reduced comfort. Riders who prefer more comfort should run the clamps without the braces installed.
Our Gen3 Standard clamps do not include braces and come permanently tied together at the split. These clamps are designed to flex more, though, so the Gen3 standard clamps have a similar flex front to back as our Gen3 Pro clamps without the braces installed.
Weight
The lighter the better! The Gen3 Pro clamps are generally very light, but the adjustable offset feature adds a few more grams which makes our Gen2 clamps just slightly lighter. Despite the added weight of an adjustable offset, our Gen3 Pro clamp is well optimized and weighs in a few grams lighter than our Gen3 standard clamp.
Offset
Stock offset and/or a fixed offset is fine for most, but an adjustable offset can provide significant advantages at different tracks. The Gen3 Pro clamps are adjustable with four different offsets by using eccentric inserts in the top clamp and eccentric steering stems. It's a bit more expensive, but you're essentially getting four triple clamps in one.
Materials
High strength aluminum, such as 7075-T6, allows for a lighter design of the same strength as what could be achieved with standard (6061-T6) aluminum. It's also a little stronger overall to better hold up to extreme riding and the crashes that come along with it. All of the aluminum we use for our products is made in the USA.
Fasteners
All of our clamps include bolts. Titanium is lighter, but obviously more expensive. We use titanium bolts on our Pro clamps, but save our customers some money with zinc-coated steel fasteners on our standard clamps. All of our pinch bolts are intended to be installed with the included anti-seize for consistent torque/tension setting. Torque settings etched on the clamps reflect the use of the anti-seize.
Steering Bearing
All of our clamps use OEM or OEM equivalent (for example, the same SKF bearing, but without the KTM logo) bearings and seals. No skimping with cheap bearings here! Where others save money with Chinese bearings, we feel that if you're paying for the best triple clamps, they should come with the best bearings as well.
Bar Mount Interface, Bar Positions, and Bar Heights
The more bar heights and positions available, the better a rider will be able to fit the bike to their preference. More on all this below.
Finish
The finish on most all aftermarket triple clamps is a standard Type II anodize, usually dyed one of various colors to better match the bike (blue on Yamaha for example). Adding electropolish to that makes for a more expensive process, but a shinier and better looking part. All of our triple clamps are electropolished and anodized. Our anodize does not easily fade like some others; we've had red Honda clamps in use for years that are still very much red and not pink!
Fork Tube Bores
Anodized aluminum fork tube bores are the norm and fine for most people. But raw aluminum fork tube bores have more friction and grip the fork a little better so there's less chance of slippage and twisting under very hard riding or after a crash. Machining the bores after anodize allows for a higher precision fit and less chance of slipping, but adds additional expense.
Torque and Markings
All of our clamps feature torque markings near the bolts as well as various other details to help the mechanic and rider best set up the clamps. These markings are either engraved directly on our CNC machine or laser etched into the anodize as a separate operation. The laser etched markings are just a bit nicer and better contrast for easier reading.
Made in USA
All of our clamps are engineered, designed, and made in the USA in our San Diego facility.
Comments (1)
Are you guys planning to make triple clamps for austrian 85's? The handlebar clamps are especially complete garbage.
We might in the future, but have to get caught up on all the big bikes first!