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It’s hard to find aftermarket triple clamps that are better than stock these days. So much is involved in making a triple clamp that flexes enough, but also has enough rigidity to aid the machine in corners as well. With the triple clamp flex character so important to chassis handling (on all motocross bikes) sometimes it’s tough to find anyone that can make a “comfortable” set of aftermarket triple clamps. Why do you need aftermarket triple clamps? Well sometimes it’s just for looks with some riders, but there are occasions where you might want another offset for more stability, better cornering, more or less flex, etc. In this case I was looking for the standard offset for a 2025 Triumph TF-450 RC Edition but maybe some added cornering precision in area 1 of corners as well as a better clamping surface/torque setting out of my triple clamps. The Triumph 2025 TF250-X/450 has a high OEM torque values (25N/m for bottom clamp and 30N/m for top clamp) and when I try to lower those values for more comfort each bike either has for slipping issues or a hunt and peck on throttle that I don’t like. This higher OEM torque value helps with the forks from slipping in the clamps as well as a more planted front end feel on throttle. However, with that being said, I feel like some comfort has been compromised with the highest torque values of the stock clamps.
Enter X-trig’s ROCS Tech Triple Clamps and PHDS Mounts. “ROCS” stands for “Revolutionary Opposing Clamp System”. The ROCS clamp allows for precise alignment of the fork tube with opposing clamping surface patterns, the stiffness of the steering stem is specifically tuned to the respective motorcycle model, the steering-head bearing is already mounted on the shaft tube for convenience, a special fork slot and clamping area for precise fork operation, precise clamping with special screws for low torque specs, OEM attachments can be mounted without auxiliary material, and flexibility that is adapted to the fork with anodizing in the technical factory OEM look. The difference between the ROCS “Tech” and the ROCS “Pro” is the “Tech” uses a standard offset with a pressed shaft tube. The “Pro” has two offsets you can choose from by simply adjusting the shaft tube (or steering stem). I didn’t feel like the Triumph needed an offset change (at this time) as the Triumph is predictable on straight line and corners well, so I stuck with the “Tech” clamps. However, I would like a little more of a planted feel entering turns as the Triumph can be a little tough to lean into corners at times.
The PHDS (Progressive Handlebar Dampening System) is a system supported by elastomers designed to absorb engine and chassis vibrations. The system also dampens the forces acting on the handlebar in a horizontal and vertical direction, maintaining steering precision. The handlebar can be adjusted in 12 different positions when the PHDS is mounted. The Triumph does have a little more vibration than most Japanese bikes (except for the KX450, which vibrates a lot) so this is something that I feel the Triumph could benefit from.
Installation of the ROCS Tech clamp is fairly straight forward (with the pressed shaft tube). All you need to do is grease up the steering head bearing and slide the bottom clamp up in the head tube of the frame. All of the front fender mounting points and even the OEM hour meter bolts up the same way with the X-trig clamps. Super clean! Mounting up the PHDS bar mounts is a little tricky as the mounts themselves have a lot of moving parts, so make sure to read the instructions to ensure proper mounting. Technical Touch offers optional PHDS bar mount elastomers that come in soft or firm, but I chose to run the stock medium style elastomers, which seem to be just fine for motocross conditions.
I am super picky about bar positioning, shocking I know, so I went with the second hole closest to me (when sitting on bike) on the triple clamp with the PHDS mounts back. This handlebar position gave me the closest to stock bar position, which I preferred. The PHDS bar mount itself is the same height as the stock bar mount, which I was just fine with as I am using a Renthal 839 Fatbar handlebar on the 2025 Triumph TF-450 RC Edition. Having so many positions available for the rider is definitely a huge positive for adjustability with these ROCS clamps. If you feel like you need a higher PHDS handlebar mount, X-trig also offers spacers to go under the PHDS mounting system. You can pick from 3mm, 5mm, and 10mm spacers.
So what did the X-trig ROCS Tech Triple Clamp and PHDS handlebar mounts do on the track? My goal for this test was to find less vibration, better front tire contact on lean in and hopefully some more comfort from the front end with the updated webbing and torque values. Hopefully I can get all of this without getting added rigidity on hard pack/rough straights. The good news is that this is exactly what I found with the X-trig ROCS Tech/PHDS system. (Full Disclosure: I have NOT tried other aftermarket clamps at the time of this test). The X-trig ROCS Tech clamp on the Triumph provided enough flex and doesn’t feel like it negatively affected front end bump absorption, but was also stiff enough to give me a more positive front wheel feel through flat corners. The ROCS Tech clamp is most noticeable when diving deep into a rut where there is a huge load put on the front end, forced by the rider. The chassis positivity through this area is much better than the stock clamps. The stock clamps has a tendency to flex too much and give the rider a wiggle coming into corners (on deeply tilled tracks or soft dirt) or give the rider an unsettled (dive) when dropping into a long/deep rut (this sensation can only be felt mostly by faster or heavier riders). The X-trig ROCS Tech clamp gives the front end less wallow (firmer) and more cornering stability (without upsetting chassis balance). Straight line stability (on throttle) is as good as stock and front end bump absorption is only minimally stiffer feeling on braking bumps/square edge.
The PHDS mounts do not vibrate nearly as much as the OEM rubber mounted bar mounts. The PHDS bar mounts flex as good as stock with the standard elastomers (up and down), but dampen vibration noticeably better around the track (especially at higher RPM’s). Slap down landings are improved slightly and front end positivity (entrance into corners) are as good as an OEM feel. Simply put, the vibration characteristics the PHDS mounts provide are well worth their weight in gold. I use “weight” because they are heavier than stock ones by quite a bit, but I will gladly take some extra ounces over vibration any day. The Triumph is already one of the lightest in class so adding some “ounces” isn’t a huge deal.
The torque values with the X-Trig’s on are now down at a normal spec and I haver no issues with fork slippage. This is a good thing!
The cost of the X-trig ROCS Tech Triple Clamps and PHDS handlebar mounts are $800.00 plus almost $200.00 for the PHDS mounts. The cost is more expensive than other triple clamps out on the market by a couple hundred bucks, but they do help the handling of the Triumph so as long as I can feel where meh money is going, I am not going to bitch that much. If you’re looking to get some added front end contract feel on lean in, less vibration and a clamp that allows a lower torque value spec as well as provide zero fork slip, the X-trig has some really nice clamps and handlebar mounts available for your motocross machine. You can check out and purchase all of the X-trig products over at technicaltouchusa.com.
