Official Best Barbell Collar Thread

[RemainDieHard]

My authentic lock jaw collars aren't that tight. You can move them a nudge laterally pretty easily. Is that just because the rubber is compressed or are they not that strong when new? Been so long I can't remember?

[Sdca7718]

Can anyone comment on how lockjaw collars and oso collars hold on ribbed sleeves?

I have both of those collars and they seem very tight on my Pendlay and Rogue bars. I don't drop my bars to see if they will loosen but regular lifts they don't budge. I have the regular lock jaws and metal lock jaws, the metal seem tighter and a little harder to clamp. I just got the oso clamps so no real experience with them yet. They are something I will have to get used to, you can use the gear design to help leverage the lock bar open or closed. The lock bar seems to be a hard plastic so I will have to see how long it will last. It has two roll pins that ride in grooves to lock it open or closed. The rubber insert really makes this collar feel solid. When I clamped it down to test them it locked up real tight. The lever snaps into place when it is locked or open.

[Conquer92]

Does anyone have a pair of COC-2.5kg (chrome ivanko) they were looking to trade or sell? I have an extra pair of CO-2.5kg (grey) (I own two pairs), and was hoping to find someone who has an extra pair of chrome ones so that we can trade and both have both chrome and grey versions

Let me know!

[Xone]

The OSO clamps are made by a few guys nearby that we used to partner with. Brilliant design. The gear shape is intentional/functional. Been using them myself for the past few months and they are superior to anything else I've ever tried. Local CrossFit gyms have been buying them up quick. Plates do not move at all when Oly lifting.

how is the gear shape functional? honestly curious what the purpose is.

only thing I can think of is to keep weight down and still have some surface area against the plates.

[throwaway3441]

how is the gear shape functional? honestly curious what the purpose is.

From http://www.osobarbellcollars.com/category-s/120.htm:

What makes these collars so effective is that the aluminum flexes when tightened on the bar using the handle. This flex allows the collar to hold tightly in place by compressing the rubber to grip the entire circumference of the bar. When open and off the bar, the thinner walls that flex become a weak spot and if over stressed the aluminum will bend. While bending like this is not covered by warranty, we may be able to help. Shoot me an email at sara@osobarbellcollars.com and let me know what happened.

Below is a picture of a collar that has had a 45lb plate dropped on top of it while free standing upright.

I'd love to see how they do in this test but I'd have a hard time pulling the trigger on them when you can get compression collars for a few dollars more.

[vsral]

Found a pair of Ivanko COC-2,5 in Germany.
Price is 80 euros shipped to me in Belgium.
Seller is/ was an official Ivanko retailer so I thought those were 'showroommodels'

They sent me some pics but they seem like they've been used pretty much...

Not sure if I'm going to buy them now.

[Synthetickiller]

Found a pair of Ivanko COC-2,5 in Germany.
Price is 80 euros shipped to me in Belgium.
Seller is/ was an official Ivanko retailer so I thought those were 'showroommodels'

They sent me some pics but they seem like they've been used pretty much...

Not sure if I'm going to buy them now.

If they go for 80 euros, what's the msrp?
If it's a large enough drop, you really might want to consider it. Talk about a solid collar.

I can say that these are my second favorite collar, right behind the the old cox-2.5kg.

[Bench905]

Again Faster Klokov Comp Collars for under a benjamin: https://www.againfaster.com/shop/col...arbell-collar/

[dumb.bell]

Again Faster Klokov Comp Collars for under a benjamin: https://www.againfaster.com/shop/col...arbell-collar/

Do the screws activate a compression collar like the Ivanko Collars or are the screws going into the bar?

[Bench905]

Do the screws activate a compression collar like the Ivanko Collars or are the screws going into the bar?

Pretty sure it's a compression ring/collar judging from the video.

[snova031]

Do the screws activate a compression collar like the Ivanko Collars or are the screws going into the bar?

Looks like there's some sort of compression ring that gets activated, doesn't seem like the screws go thru:

[dumb.bell]

Looks like a pretty good collar for the money!

[Bench905]

Looks like a pretty good collar for the money!

Yeah. The only concern I have is that there are two actions in the video that are required for locking. The person twists the blue knobs and then twists the two parts of the collar in opposite directions. I love the look of them, but would seem kind of a pain to use them if you required a bunch of put ons/take offs. Probably why they are labeled a competition collar.

[morebarbell]

From http://www.osobarbellcollars.com/category-s/120.htm:

What makes these collars so effective is that the aluminum flexes when tightened on the bar using the handle. This flex allows the collar to hold tightly in place by compressing the rubber to grip the entire circumference of the bar. When open and off the bar, the thinner walls that flex become a weak spot and if over stressed the aluminum will bend. While bending like this is not covered by warranty, we may be able to help. Shoot me an email at sara@osobarbellcollars.com and let me know what happened.

Below is a picture of a collar that has had a 45lb plate dropped on top of it while free standing upright.

I'd love to see how they do in this test but I'd have a hard time pulling the trigger on them when you can get compression collars for a few dollars more.

How is that bent collar supposed to be a good thing??? LOL! Seems like a good reason not to buy it!

Looks like there's some sort of compression ring that gets activated, doesn't seem like the screws go thru:

Yeah. The only concern I have is that there are two actions in the video that are required for locking. The person twists the blue knobs and then twists the two parts of the collar in opposite directions. I love the look of them, but would seem kind of a pain to use them if you required a bunch of put ons/take offs. Probably why they are labeled a competition collar.

It's not necessary to use the spinlock. You can skip the second step and use them like regular collars. The spinlock just takes out any extra slack.

It's optional like the turn signal in a car.

Looks like a pretty good collar for the money!

They're steel which is nice ...but they're probably cast steel. I don't like the chrome or the use of the cheapest possible alternative to the t-bolt used by other manufacturers.

Probably foreign made. Cheap foreign made compression ring collars used to be readily available. I wonder what happened to them.

[Synthetickiller]

Looks like there's some sort of compression ring that gets activated, doesn't seem like the screws go thru:

For $100, that's very tempting. I'm only turned off by having to screwn in both sides. This isn't a big deal or squats or benches, but deadlifts/oly lifts are going to require the lifter to get on the floor to tighten both sides. Seems like a PITA. It's almost forgiveable for the price though, almost.

[matrix563]

I have 2 pairs of lurie standard collars not pictured. I also have one pair of the plastic slide pop collars i think they are in my wrecked car at my bros house.

I also have 3 knockoff compression collars and a single black oxide cot im letting my friend matt borrow along with a second pair of lockjaws.

I gave one pair of black oxide standard sized cots to my coworker and sold a second pair to skinny. The 2 chrome pairs i got for free lol. I had 2 pair of the smaller rectangular york collars on york olympic dumbbells but i sold those to morebarbell. I have a single pair currently.

I may have 1 more pair of the cot 1.25s in chrome but im not sure.

Id like to get a pair of CO-2.5kg to use with my COC 2.5kg as i think the bronze cox are too pretty to use lol. But at 16 pairs of compression collars i think im good .

[Bench905]

Looks like there's some sort of compression ring that gets activated, doesn't seem like the screws go thru:

So can someone tell me how the Ivanko compression collars (COC, COX) work?

I ended up buying the Klokov collars in the pic I'm quoting and I'm having an issue. At about 0:30 in this video, they are being applied. https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1&v=_C5F7kqkmkw

The first tightening is the two screws tighten the compression ring...no issue with that. Second, they rotate the ring closest to the plates clockwise and the outside ring counter-clockwise. In doing this, I think it should push the ring closer to the plates into the plates more. Am I correct? That seems to be what is happening to mine..it seems secure....and then I'll do some bent over rows and I'll hear collar noise. And when I set it down, the inner collar is totally loose from the plates. If that happens from bent over rows, dropping a clean or any other oly movement would be even further amplified.

I've tried REALLY screwing down the collar to the plates and it still comes loose every time. The collar isn't going anywhere since the compression ring is tight...but this is annoying me since I just dropped $100+ on these collars.

[Sdca7718]

So can someone tell me how the Ivanko compression collars (COC, COX) work?

I ended up buying the Klokov collars in the pic I'm quoting and I'm having an issue. At about 0:30 in this video, they are being applied. https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1&v=_C5F7kqkmkw

The first tightening is the two screws tighten the compression ring...no issue with that. Second, they rotate the ring closest to the plates clockwise and the outside ring counter-clockwise. In doing this, I think it should push the ring closer to the plates into the plates more. Am I correct? That seems to be what is happening to mine..it seems secure....and then I'll do some bent over rows and I'll hear collar noise. And when I set it down, the inner collar is totally loose from the plates. If that happens from bent over rows, dropping a clean or any other oly movement would be even further amplified.

I've tried REALLY screwing down the collar to the plates and it still comes loose every time. The collar isn't going anywhere since the compression ring is tight...but this is annoying me since I just dropped $100+ on these collars.

It's probably because the dual opposed screw is a bad design for the compression collar. The screw puts pressure on the internal ring and the opposite side of the collar is pulled toward the barbell sleeve causing the friction that locks the collar in place. Having two screws opposite of each other can actually help loosen this friction, try only to tighten one side and see if the problem still happens.

I know you say it is not slipping but that would be my first guess, it slips a little then maybe the ring loosens up.

[Bench905]

It's probably because the dual opposed screw is a bad design for the compression collar. The screw puts pressure on the internal ring and the opposite side of the collar is pulled toward the barbell sleeve causing the friction that locks the collar in place. Having two screws opposite of each other can actually help loosen this friction, try only to tighten one side and see if the problem still happens.

I know you say it is not slipping but that would be my first guess, it slips a little then maybe the ring loosens up.

Thanks for the reply. I tried a bunch of different scenarios and the inner collar part always gets loose from the threads. Here are two pics. Basically, there's a o-ring in there, so there's friction when you screw the collar pieces closer together...but when you put it on a barbell sleeve, you are screwing the outer collar away from the o-ring and into the plates. So basically, there's no friction holding anything together. The collar isn't going anywhere because those screws are putting the internal sleeve into the bar, but the inner collar piece always gets loose and makes noise even before the barbell is dropped. I was doing some high pulls and I could hear the collar clanging around.

Before I return these and buy the Ivanko or Eleiko spin locks, I'm wondering what mechanism they use.

[Sdca7718]

Thanks for the reply. I tried a bunch of different scenarios and the inner collar part always gets loose from the threads. Here are two pics. Basically, there's a o-ring in there, so there's friction when you screw the collar pieces closer together...but when you put it on a barbell sleeve, you are screwing the outer collar away from the o-ring and into the plates. So basically, there's no friction holding anything together. The collar isn't going anywhere because those screws are putting the internal sleeve into the bar, but the inner collar piece always gets loose and makes noise even before the barbell is dropped. I was doing some high pulls and I could hear the collar clanging around.

Before I return these and buy the Ivanko or Eleiko spin locks, I'm wondering what mechanism they use.

The Ivanko Doesn't have a o ring on the thread for the spinlock. Maybe the thread size/pitch is different also. I know they can get stuck once locked down and you have to loosen the t handle to pull the collar then unscrew the ring. At least this is how they work for me, I have rubber plates. I've never bounced the weight around to test them but I believe others have posted positive reviews including the YouTube clip where they are standing on the bar.

I'm not sure what else could cause those collars to loosen. I think the Eleiko look like same as Ivanko except they have the IPF/IWF certification. My COC-2.5 had some plating issues but are solid and functional.

[throwaway3441]

Ivanko threads:



Looks to be about 12 threads per inch.

That o-ring is interesting. I wonder if it fixes the binding problem Eleikos and Ivankos have.

Is the second screw really necessary? Ivankos and the like get by fine with one.

Is there anything unusual about your plates? Something that would prevent the spinlocks from grabbing?

[Ex-Terminator]

I haven't read the entire thread, but do any of you have experience with these from Amazon?



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...ilpage_o00_s00

Yes, I know they're plastic, but the only thing I plan on using them for is deadlifts. I want something that will keep the plates upright with little or no lean. I plan to still use the regular spring collars for everything else.

These get high reviews and they're cheap, so I decided to get a pair.

[irongrandpa]

I haven't read the entire thread, but do any of you have experience with these from Amazon?



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...ilpage_o00_s00

Yes, I know they're plastic, but the only thing I plan on using them for is deadlifts. I want something that will keep the plates upright with little or no lean. I plan to still use the regular spring collars for everything else.

These get high reviews and they're cheap, so I decided to get a pair.

I have two pair and they've been fine , as of yet I haven't seen any difference between these knockoffs and the $40 originals. I like them well enough that I just ordered two more pair. The site I ordered from had them for $12.99 / pair and when I ordered two pair , I got $5 off. Total for two pair shipped was $20.99.

[trnk1001]

I have those Ivanko CoC collars and can confirm that they do not have o-rings and they do have binding issue every once in a while. Not my favorite collars, but they are 2.5 kg each. For Olympic lifts, Lock jaws and OSO collars work better (at least for the lighter weights that I use).

Have you tried contacting Again Faster for help?

[Cleveland33]

I have those Ivanko CoC collars and can confirm that they do not have o-rings and they do have binding issue every once in a while. Not my favorite collars, but they are 2.5 kg each. For Olympic lifts, Lock jaws and OSO collars work better (at least for the lighter weights that I use).

Have you tried contacting Again Faster for help?

if it is binding against the plates, the o ring being on the opposite side is not going to help

[rpark]

Thanks for the reply. I tried a bunch of different scenarios and the inner collar part always gets loose from the threads. Here are two pics. Basically, there's a o-ring in there, so there's friction when you screw the collar pieces closer together...but when you put it on a barbell sleeve, you are screwing the outer collar away from the o-ring and into the plates. So basically, there's no friction holding anything together. The collar isn't going anywhere because those screws are putting the internal sleeve into the bar, but the inner collar piece always gets loose and makes noise even before the barbell is dropped. I was doing some high pulls and I could hear the collar clanging around.

Before I return these and buy the Ivanko or Eleiko spin locks, I'm wondering what mechanism they use.

As the poster above pictured, I don't believe the Ivanko has any rubber gasket.... but it really shouldn't need one. You put the spin lock portion next to the plates as close as possible then tighten down the screw lock onto the rubber piece inside to hold on the barbell sleeve... then spin the spin lock to put pressure on the plates. I've not had the Ivanko's come lose ever. Basically what it sounds like you are describing is that the spin lock portion is un-spinning and not keeping weights in tight?? I've never had that problem with the ivankos. I'd like to try the Eleiko's to match my bar, but haven't justified wasting the $$ for another set of spin locks.

[trnk1001]

if it is binding against the plates, the o ring being on the opposite side is not going to help

It is not binding against the plates, it is binding against the other piece of the collars. So the O-ring would probably help with that. Not really a big deal since it is not hard to undo. Both pieces are big and easy to handle.

[rpark]

It is not binding against the plates, it is binding against the other piece of the collars. So the O-ring would probably help with that. Not really a big deal since it is not hard to undo. Both pieces are big and easy to handle.

Huh? Did you put them on backwards? The spinning part goes against the plates, the part with the bolts or screws goes on the outside.... farther away from the plates. You set the bolts first.... then screw the spin piece against the plates.... to bind the plates against the barbell. Or maybe I misunderstood?? Is this collars 101?

[throwaway3441]

For Olympic lifts, Lock jaws and OSO collars work better (at least for the lighter weights that I use).

How so?

Huh? Did you put them on backwards? The spinning part goes against the plates, the part with the bolts or screws goes on the outside.... farther away from the plates. You set the bolts first.... then screw the spin piece against the plates.... to bind the plates against the barbell. Or maybe I misunderstood?? Is this collars 101?

The problem happens when you're not using the spinlocks.

When you don't use the spinlocks you tighten them down so they take up less sleeve space. When you do that they have a tendency to bind. The trick is to not tighten them all the way down but we all forget occasionally and they can be a bastard to unbind.

[Bench905]

The Ivanko Doesn't have a o ring on the thread for the spinlock. Maybe the thread size/pitch is different also. I know they can get stuck once locked down and you have to loosen the t handle to pull the collar then unscrew the ring. At least this is how they work for me, I have rubber plates. I've never bounced the weight around to test them but I believe others have posted positive reviews including the YouTube clip where they are standing on the bar.

I'm not sure what else could cause those collars to loosen. I think the Eleiko look like same as Ivanko except they have the IPF/IWF certification. My COC-2.5 had some plating issues but are solid and functional.

Just to be clear - the collars are still tight on the bar...it's just the inner collar part gets loose and starts making noise. I have no fear of the plates coming off.

Is there anything unusual about your plates? Something that would prevent the spinlocks from grabbing?

I'm using Pendlay Elite bumpers with a steel hub. I've tried tightening it so much that it leaves marks on the metal, but the inner collar still gets loose and will spin freely in the threads.

Have you tried contacting Again Faster for help?

I contacted them, they said I'm doing everything correctly...asked me to send them a video. I made this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXRA3QWlK90 I misppoke at the end...it won't stay tight, I meant to say. I know I'm using one hand, but I've tried REALLY cranking down with both hands...it makes a little difference, but the inner collar still comes loose from the plates.

They say 100% satisfaction guarantee, but I'm going to be out both ways shipping if I send it back (probably $30 in total).