Carbon fiber is a wonderful thing for today’s cyclists, allowing us to ride road, cross-country or even downhill frames with a previously impossible balance of high strength, ride compliance and low weight. It also allows manufacturers to get creative with frame designs in the pursuit of their structural and aesthetic goals. However, these unique frames have made life more difficult for mechanics.
The simple act of putting a bike into a repair stand suddenly became a bit of a head-scratcher with aero tubing and odd designs becoming commonplace. More importantly, traditional repair stand clamps leave delicate carbon frames vulnerable to compression damage. After watching a shop mechanic struggle to safely secure an aero-framed bicycle to a repair stand, Brandon Hirokawa and partner Marc Bellet created Hirobel Cycling Components’ flagship product, the Carbon Frame Clamp.
Get a grip on how it works after the jump…
Introduced at Interbike 2014, the Carbon Frame Clamp is designed to eliminate compression damage to expensive carbon frames or seatposts that can occur with traditional work stand clamps. The clamp is an add-on for your existing stand that clamps in itself where the frame or seat post normally would.
Its octagonal tubing fits securely into all repair stands, and prevents the assembly from rolling side to side. The bike can be rotated 360 degrees, and will hold firm in any position to allow clear access for any kind of repair.
The bike frame rests on rubber wheels, and stretchy rubber straps hold it in place (quite similar to a car carrier). The specially grooved wheels are the key component, as they’re designed to spread pressure over multiple contact points to hold your frame tight with minimal compression on the frame tubes. The grooves also help the clamp work around cables, braze-ons, etc.
The Carbon Frame Clamp supports the bike’s weight from a structurally sound position inside the front triangle. Adjusting the clamp to fit the frame does not require you to hold up the bicycle- You can conveniently hang it first, then fine-tune the wheel positions. It’s also a time-saver for professional mechanics since you don’t have to remove seat bags, raise a seat post or remove wheels to get a bike on your repair stand.
The clamp is designed to fit open-triangle framed bikes of nearly any size and frame configuration. While intended for carbon bikes, it’s suitable for any type of frame- including bamboo. Hirobel’s Carbon Frame Clamp sells for $249.99 USD.
