What is a Compression System?

In the world of pro scooters, the Compression System refers to how your deck, fork, and bar all work together. A good compression system is going to secure the fork, clamp, and bar together with the deck, allowing all the components to be tight yet move freely.

It’s important to choose the right compression type for your whip because it’s going to give you the ride you’re looking for. Not only that, but the compatibility of compression to the scooter parts – whether it’s the deck, fork, or bar - matters too.

The 3 main types of scooter compression systems are:

  • IHC (designed by ENVY): Integrated Headset Compression System
  • SCS: Standard Compression System
  • HIC: Hidden Internal Compression System

Here we’ll run through and compare the different types of compression, then give our recommendations as to how to choose the best compression system for you.

 

What are the different compression systems?

IHC

The Integrated Headset Compression System (IHC) is the hallmark compression type of Blunt Envy. Designed and created by ENVY for use in park and street riding, the set-up is simple and lighter than SCS, for example. The IHC System is probably the most versatile as you can fit it with any standard bar with a slit. It will also take an oversized bar with an oversized clamp.

IHC uses a shim and 6mm head bolt that work in unison to tighten the fork against the headset and deck. The handlebars are side over the top of the shim & fork and secured with a 2 Bolt Clamp.

 

Best suited for: everyday riding

Features: lighter feel, good all-rounder

 

SCS

Moving to the Standard Compression System (SCS). This type of compression only works with handlebars without a slit (Solid Bars with No Slit). It’s a bit trickier to setup and is generally preferred by the more advanced rider. SCS is one of the stronger compressions favoured by the heavy use riders. It is durable but adds more weight to the scooter and requires more tweaking to setup.

The way SCS works is that it uses a SCS clamp to tighten the fork against the headset and deck. The bar is inserted into the top half of the clamp and secured by the top half of the clamp.

 

Best suited for: advanced riders

Features: stronger feel, great for heavy duty riding

 

HIC

HIC refers to the Hidden Internal Compression System. Taking after the threaded system that is used on pushbikes, HIC was the first compression system available on the market. The HIC compression type only fits internal oversized bars with a slit (such as [GRETEL TO ADD RELEVANT PRODUCTS]).

HIC is similar to IHC but has a thinner 5mm Head Bolt and requires a HIC or SCS fork to compress against the headset & deck. The handlebar slides over the top of the HIC shim & fork and is secured with a 2 Bolt Oversized Clamp.

 

Best suited for: everyday use

Features: easy to use, light

 

Which compression system is best for you?

It really all depends. Deciding which compression system you should use comes down to what components you already have (to maintain compatibility) or down to rider style & preference.

For example, if you want the lightest scooter then IHC may be for you. If you aren’t concerned with more weight but want the tallest bars possible to ride street style, then SCS may be a better fit for you. If you like SCS forks but want a bar with a slit, then HIC may be a good choice.

 

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