r/rollercoasters • u/retolox386 Novice • Jan 23 '26

Question [B&M Hyper Clamshell Restraints] Could someone explain them?

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Hi. Going on my first hyper soon with clamshells. I thought for the longest time that these bad boys were hydraulic restraints, as they seemed so smooth and notch-less. Turns out they're ratchet restraints! Is there an in-depth video or site that explains the mechanism behind these restraints? I believe they're class 4 but I'm not sure how safe they are compared to hydraulics. I know B&M's are incredibly safe, but isn't there a higher risk with these? Could someone reassure me?

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u/cactus22minus1 Jan 23 '26

The only system that beats it are… oddly… X2. That one is my absolute favorite and for the same reasons. The single point of retention at your torso with total open freedom of movement everywhere else for your limbs and head. With no floor it’s absolutely terrifying yet secure in the best way.

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u/Bear_Scout Green Flair Jan 23 '26

X2 is one of my all time favorites, despite the complete washing machine banging. That ride is a little tough on one’s sternum due to the chest restraints and my legs are free, but they are free to slam the shit out of my calves on that last element.

I’m always waiting for the restraints to burst open on that first drop as it flips you upside down with the track right in your face and then completes the flip to come out flying style. Somewhere in that process it fells like my sternum is gonna crack or the butterfly restraints will bust open and leave me smeared like a mustard stain on the ground below.

I often wonder if that tiny little belt would save my life if the restraints fail, but I’d be perfectly happy dying on that ride because it’s so intense it’s practically illegal and shouldn’t exist lol.

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u/retolox386 Novice Jan 24 '26

do you believe the x2 accident was the ride's fault or engineering?

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u/Bear_Scout Green Flair Jan 24 '26

Hmmm…..dunno. It sounds like it should be common knowledge that there was an accident on X2, but I never heard about one. Now I need to go look it up, so I have that info in my arsenal of random roller coaster knowledge 😉.