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Scooter Compression Guide
Pro scooter compression systems play a vital role in your setup. Your compression system secures a proper connection between your bar, headset, and fork. Whether you're a beginner or intermediate scooter rider looking for a new compression kit, this guide is a chance to learn the most essential concepts related to pro scooter compression.
We'll break down the pros and cons of the most common compression systems and explore their compatibility with other parts of your scooter. By the end, you'll know which type of compression is right for you and how to get the most out of your pro scooter.
SCS Compression
1: Bar (no slit) 2: Compression Bolt 3: Top Cap 4: SCS Clamp 5: C-Ring 6: Fork 7: Deck (headtube & headset)
SCS is short for Standard Compression System. Cherished for its strength and simplicity, SCS compression is the best compression system for heavy shredding. With SCS, you get a slightly heavier compression system, but at the same time, SCS is probably the most robust compression system, and it is compatible with both standard and oversized bars, which is also a pro.
How to Install SCS Compression
The clamp is attached to the fork using an internal compression bolt with a top cap that presses down on an edge inside the clamp. The compression bolt is threaded into a starnut or built-in thread inside the fork (most new SCS forks have built-in threads). The clamp holds the bar in place, and it is tightened using four bolts.
Watch the video below to see how to install SCS compression:
SCS Compatible Bars
For an SCS setup, you need a bar without a slit at the bottom. Otherwise, your bar will break because the clamp will just squeeze the slit. You can either cut your bar to remove the slit, or find a compatible SCS bar adapter to eliminate the slit.
SCS Compatible Clamps
For SCS you need an SCS clamp as the compression system is built into the clamp. Be sure to get a clamp with an inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of your bars – either standard 32 mm or oversized 35 mm.
Notice: If the edge inside the SCS clamp is not above the top of the fork, you won’t be able to achieve a proper connection between the clamp and the fork. To address this issue, you can use a headset spacer to raise the position of the clamp.
SCS Compatible Forks
All HIC and SCS forks are compatible with SCS compression (there is no difference between HIC and SCS forks).
HIC Compression
1. Bar 2. Compression Bolt 3. Top Cap 4. IHC Shim 5. C-Ring 6. Fork 7. Deck (headtube & headset)
HIC stands for Hidden Internal Compression. While not the lightest scooter compression system available, HIC is valued for being lighter than SCS and relatively straightforward to assemble. A disadvantage of HIC is that it requires a bar with a slit cut into the bottom. This slit introduces a point of weakness that is not present in the heavier SCS compression.
How to Install HIC Compression
An HIC shim is placed onto the fork, and a compression bolt with a top cap is used to press the shim down onto the headtube of the scooter deck, effectively securing the fork in place. A clamp is used to tighten the bar around the tube of the fork.
Watch the video below to see how all the parts of an HIC compression system are mounted:
HIC Compatible Bars
HIC-compatible bars have an internal diameter of 32 mm and an outer diameter of 35 mm. They are made of robust materials like steel or titanium. Aluminum bars have an oversized outer diameter, but a narrower inner diameter because extra thick tubing is required to make them durable for shredding. Therefore, you can't run aluminum bars on an HIC setup. HIC bars feature a slit at the bottom.
HIC Compatible Clamps
Your HIC clamp should cover the entire length of the slit in your bar. When getting a clamp for your HIC-setup, it should have an inner diameter of 35 mm (oversized).
HIC Compatible Forks
HIC/SCS forks are compatible with the HIC compression system.
Note: To resolve this issue, insert an HIC spacer before placing the shim onto the fork. This spacer is essential for achieving adequate compression and ensuring efficient tightening of your setup.
IHC Compression
1. Bar 2. Compression Bolt 3. Top Cap 4. IHC Shim 5. C-Ring 6. Fork 7. Deck (headtube & headset)
IHC, or Internal Hidden Compression, shares many similarities with HIC. One significant advantage of IHC compression is its ability to create a lightweight setup with reliable compression.
The key distinction between IHC and HIC is that IHC forks have a slimmer shaft or fork tube. This slimmer shaft allows an IHC fork to work with bars with a 28 mm inner diameter. As a result, it can accommodate aluminum bars with a standard 28 mm inner diameter and an oversized 35 mm outer diameter.
How to Install IHC Compression
An IHC compression ring is installed within the headset bearing to accommodate the narrower fork tube. This ring effectively eliminates any movement or looseness between the fork and the headset bearing.
Next, mount an IHC shim onto the fork tube, followed by placing a top cap on top of the shim. Thread the compression bolt into the threads inside the fork, and when properly tightened, it presses down on the top cap to establish compression.
Watch the video below to see how to mount IHC compression:
IHC Compatible Bars
IHC fits all bars that have an internal diameter of 28 mm (standard) and a slit at the bottom.
IHC is compatible with all bars featuring a standard internal diameter of 28 mm and a bottom slit.
If you intend to use an oversized steel or titanium bar with an IHC compression fork, you'll need an adapter to accommodate the larger inner diameter.
IHC Compatible Clamps
Ensure that the inner diameter of the clamp you're using matches the outer diameter of your bar.
IHC Compatible Forks
IHC forks are essential for IHC compression. They feature thin shafts to reduce weight and unlike HIC, an IHC fork can be paired with bars with a regular inner diameter of 28 mm.
Note: The IHC shim should extend beyond the portion of the fork tube that protrudes from the headtube. Otherwise, you won't be able to achieve proper compression. If this occurs, use a headset spacer to ensure proper tightening.
ICS Compression
ICS, short for Inverted/Internal Compression System, is renowned for its lightweight and low cost. Compared to other compression systems, ICS requires the fewest parts to fit together.
The drawbacks of ICS are primarily related to its installation and maintenance, which can be somewhat challenging. While its lightweight design may appeal to park riders with excellent control over their landings, it's worth noting that ICS is nowhere near as durable as SCS.
How to Install ICS Compression
In ICS compression, a bolt runs through the fork from below. The part of the compression bolt that protrudes from the fork is threaded into a starnut inside the bar. ICS is the compression system that requires the fewest parts compared to other systems.
The installation process and maintenance can be quite cumbersome. To adjust the compression bolt, you have to remove the front wheel. For example, if you need to remove your bar, it is necessary to remove the front wheel and then fully loosen the compression bolt.
Watch the video below to see how to install ICS compression:
ICS Compression Bars
ICS compression relies on a starnut to be able to sit firmly inside the bar. On most steel and titanium bars, the surface is really smooth and hard, making a starnut prone to slide down, effectively loosening the compression. Aluminum is softer, and starnuts grip more securely inside aluminum bars.
Consequently, for ICS compression, we recommend either an aluminum bar or a bar with a permanently built-in starnut.
ICS bars typically have an inner diameter of 28 mm and a slit at the bottom, akin to IHC and HIC bars. The outer diameter can vary between 32 mm and 35 mm, so ensure your clamp’s inner diameter matches your bar's outer diameter.
ICS-10 Compression
The ICS-10 compression system is very similar to standard ICS. The only difference is the size of the compression bolt thread.
ICS-10 compression bolts have M10 thread, whereas regular ICS uses M6 threads.
The thicker bolts are slightly more durable than the thinner M6 bolts.
In the video below, you can see how ICS10 compression is mounted:
Compression Systems Video Explainer
Check out this explainer, packed with expert insights on scooter compression. In it, you will learn about SCS, HIC, IHC, and ICS-10 compression systems.
