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Submitted by
Brady
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Moore Fun | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Durable, Instant engagement, User serviceable, smooth as butter. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | Chris King Head & Hubs | | Bottom Line: | I've had these hubs for eleven years, I HAVE NEVER EVER HAD ONE SINGLE PROBLEM WITH THEM, AND THUS, NO REGRETS. I have worn out three sets of rims and two bicycles with this single set of hubs! They are now on a third bike! I believe the secret to their success is all due to the engenieering genius of Chris King, and his brilliant idea of a user friendly design. You don't need three hands and a vice to service these hubs, two 5mm hex wrenches slide in where your skewer lives and pow! you're in! On the trail, at the camp site or in the garage. this ease of service makes it quick and simple for you or your mechanic to tune (clean & repack) that you'll do it more often thereby extending the hubs life. (This is a preseason ritual for me.)I've put tens of thousands of miles on these hubs, oh did I mention I weigh two hundred pounds and that I love to climb and descend the harsh-bump-and-grind, trials-like, technical trails? Anyone who rides technical cross country or trials will tell you the more points of engagement your freewheel has, the better. In other words, the less you have to ratchet your cranks to find a point of engagement the easier it is to keep your pedals in their power "sweet spot" for greater control. Beg, borrow, pan-handle or simply save enough money to buy Chris King hubs! If you don't, remember this, you'll be buying twice as many inferior hubs for the same amount of benjamins and you will have spent less time on the trail! (happy trails guys and gals.) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve holcomb
a Weekend Warrior
from tampa florida
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | n/a | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | beyond bikes | | Strengths: | 5yrs old and going strong w/1000's of miles on them. Granted, I ride in "clean conditions" and rarely on dirt roads or when it is raining. These are the best hub I have every owned, and I have cycled 10's of thousands of miles. | | Weaknesses: | After 5yrs, I have found no weaknesses. About a month after starting to ride on these hubs, they loosened up alittle, which is normal for the "break in period". I easily
adjusted them, AND HAVE NOT HAD TO ADJUST THEM AGAIN, EVER ! | | Similar Products Used: | Campy Record and Campy Super Record Hubs, and they are great too, but I rate Cris King a step above | | Bike Setup: | doesn't matter. | | Bottom Line: | If you can afford these hubs, get them, they are the best hubs on the market in my opinion.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Saint Louis, Missouri USA
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Berryman | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Indestructable and jewell like quality. A really nice set of hubs. | | Weaknesses: | The seals for the bearings, making them last such a long time, are WAY TOO STIFF!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Various Shimano, Phil Wood, etc... | | Bottom Line: | I hand built a set of Chris Kings with Mavic rims and Wheelsmith spokes, blahblahblah... Bottom line was that I put over 1000 miles on these hubs and the seals for the bearings still dragged way too much. They talk break-in mileage for these things, but it was rediculous. I have built a set of Phil Wood hub wheels and they roll way better than the Chris Kings, even after 1k on the CK's.
The hubs are really nice and built well, no doubt about it. But the drag from the seals is way too much. Loosen up, Chris (Pun intended)! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from Cleveland, OH
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Somewhere in GA | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Strengths: | Still strong and smooth. Good service (I did pester them a bit 'cause I thought they could be faster) | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Full rigid Stumpy (2nd frame) | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up to a previous post (see below)
The ratchet wore out after 10 years of all kinds of riding. I sent the wheel back to Chris King where they gutted the hub and put in all new + upgrades for $25. It cost me more to ship it than the repair cost. It is better than new, and for those of you who perceive added drag from the ratchet, I out-coasted 13 other bikes including 2 guys on 29ers on several dirt roads in PA last month just to test them. I'm 185#, running 2.3" Vertical Pros at 35-40 psi.
The front hub has been adjusted maybe twice, and survived a 4" post going through my spokes (call that a minor trajectory miscalulation - oops)
Thses hubs are great! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Maxim
a Cross Country Rider
from Urawa
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | 72pt | | Weaknesses: | Price
If you tell something they'd like not to hear, chris king won't give you warranty
Customer service
5-year kid level drilling job
bearing
rolling resistance
| | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | All of my bikes were equipped with king hubs and won't in the future
| | Bottom Line: | The one I purchased today was the worst hub.
(king SS rear hub)
Spoke hole drilling was worse than the chinese hub.
I mailed king and they rejected my mail address.
I've paid $400 and got the botch.
I complaint Ms Adrian Knapp about bearing price before and sounds like she put my address to black list.
You can try my e-mail address vengo_subito@hotmail.com and
chris king rejects it and other fake email pass.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Maxim
a Cross Country Rider
from Urawa
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | 72pt | | Weaknesses: | Price
If you tell something they'd like not to hear, chris king won't give you warranty
Customer service
5-year kid level drilling job
bearing
rolling resistance
| | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | All of my bikes were equipped with king hubs and won't in the future
| | Bottom Line: | The one I purchased today was the worst hub.
(king SS rear hub)
Spoke hole drilling was worse than the chinese hub.
I mailed king and they rejected my mail address.
I've paid $400 and got the botch.
I complaint Ms Adrian Knapp about bearing price before and sounds like she put my address to black list.
You can try my e-mail address vengo_subito@hotmail.com and
chris king rejects it and other fake email pass.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from Cleveland, OH
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | somewhere in Georgia | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | one-eyed man in an alley | | Strengths: | This set is 10 years old! ...and they're still just as PURPLE as the day I laced them up. They have been on a fully rigid bike the whole time and have survived the roughest terrain: Snowshoe, W.VA (like Gut Hammer and the like); Windy Gap, Fort Mt., and Bull Mt. GA; Laurel Highlands and Wolf Rocks PA. | | Weaknesses: | I think the ratchet finally wore out (must be coasting too much). I can't find anyone local with the King hub service tools.
They are also very expensive - more than I would currently spend for hubs of any sort. | | Similar Products Used: | There's nothing like them. | | Bike Setup: | Full rigid X-C Stumpy w/ Instigator fork (in its 3rd revision) | | Bottom Line: | When the flange rips off a Nuke Proof front hub (laced x-3) and the freehub strips out of the rear, what do you replace them with? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T.J. Hogan
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | everything Sedona.... | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Strengths: | Made in U.S.A. by American kids (how often can you say that in this day and age of unrivaled greed?)
Customer Service Department is the greatest.
Smooth, quick engagement.
Product pride.
| | Weaknesses: | Nada | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT hubs, WTB Laserdiscs, WTB DH, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Marin Mt Vision Pro, Fox float, Marzocchi Z1, Shimano XT, Mavic X729s, C.K. headset. | | Bottom Line: | If you have the ca$h, don't be afraid to buy the best. Expect nothing but great service and even better support from the folks at Chris King. I beat the s*** out of these hubs! They are OVER ten years old and just recently needed a rebuild. I am hard on stuff and unforgiving of s*** that doesn't work. Buy and ride with complete confidence that IF something goes wrong, they will have your back. NEVER seen a company stand behind their product like Chris King. I stick with what works and my next bike(s) will have CK hub(s) and headset(s).
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Perkins
a Racer
from Brampton Ont Canada
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything built by Sean Rupple | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Daves Speed Dream | | Strengths: | Re-Post,I wanted to give Chris King a futher review.My complaint was excessive drag.I removed two plastic washers,very thin behind the bearings.Wheels spin very freely and no complaints.
All the good points listed in reviews are true and my only complaint corrected.It could have been i just set the bearings in to tight on adjustment but i don't think so.
I had bearings removed by shops and when rebuit problem remained.
Washers out hubs spin great with no problems.They are not my race wheels anymore and use them to train in spring winter rain mud snow etc.No maintance or reliabilty issues.
Will change my score to fives. | | Similar Products Used: | presently owned cross max, 2003XTR and two 2001 XTR wheel sets | | Bike Setup: | Titus racer-x
Specilized s-works epic
Don't ask still old man with little boy i want it therefore must need it mentality. | | Bottom Line: | Good product as I set up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kirk Denetclaw
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque, New Mexico
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | Reliable, smooth, durable, sweet ratcheting sound. | | Weaknesses: | Price, but you do get what you pay for. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano STX, LX, XT, Bontager Superstock, Real Designs, Ringle | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dragon, Marz. X-Fly 80, Race Face Turbine Cranks, Truvative Giga-pipe BB, XO rear der., XTR front der., Chris King Classic Hubs w/Rhyno Lite Rims, Thomson Stem, Monkeylite XC handle bars, Stans no-tubes, and Syncros seat post. | | Bottom Line: | These hubs are great for the desert and various mountain ranges in the area. After a break in period of three weeks I tightened them according to the instructions and they have been great ever since. I have had literally Zero problems or complaints with them. I ride an average of 60 miles a week. I mainly do XC riding with some rock beds and they have done a great job of handling my big butt(250 lbs). I rather like the loud characteristics of the hubs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rico Mundy
a Cross Country Rider
from Angwin, CA
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Palisades | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | They look beautiful. The cartridge bearing seals are the best out there. Easy to disassemble and maintain with standard tools. | | Weaknesses: | I stripped out the ringdrive gear mechanism once and two times had the rear hub start loosening itself. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up to a another review I put in several years ago.
Here are my current riding stats for these hubs:
7100 miles
5 years
That says quite a bit to me. They have proved quite durable over the long run with minimal maintenance. I do want to mention one problem that I did have when they were about 4 years old. BTW I do maintenance on the hubs 2-3 times a year. I was riding up a steep singletrack and at the top I went to do the final power stroke to clear the hill. There was a metallic cracking clinking sound and my pedal swung down hard. At first I thought I had stripped the teeth off my cog but further inspection revealed I had stripped all the teeth off the ring drive mechanism. Luckily I was still under the King 5 year hub warranty and when I sent it in they decently replaced the whole freehub body and ringdrive mechanism with the latest version. It was excellent service and I was glad to see they stood behind their warranty. However, I don't feel like I'm quite so much an advocate of King hubs since the incident. I love their headsets though | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lo-Fi Superfly
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Salida Independence Day Single Speed Ride (88 miles) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | mtnhighcyclery.com | | Strengths: | Amazing durability, light, low-maintence | | Weaknesses: | After 5 years on the same set I haven't found any | | Bike Setup: | Intense Tracer, XTR components, easton carbon post and bars, King hubs and headset, bontrager Mustang rims, Talus fork, etc | | Bottom Line: | The Kings with Mustang OSB rims were the most remarkable wheelset I've ever owned.
Five seasons and the hubs never had to be adjusted or worked on. Ever. Not even during the 100-mile break in period. And I ride hard too: lots of 100-mile and 24-hour races, lots of technical riding. The wheels never had to be trued. (I suppose that speaks more for the wheelbuilder than anything.) The only thing that ever wore out was the freehub body a couple years ago, but that is normal and cheap to fix.
The only reason I gave the wheels up is because the bike got stolen. But I'm damn sure putting Kings on my new ride.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis
a Racer
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Vassa | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$220.00 | | Purchased At: | my secret... | | Strengths: | FAST AND SMOOTH AS BUTTER! Never rode a quicker, smoother hub in my life. The ring drive in the rear hub is amazing, and, although many people dont like the noise...the ring drive's distinct noise is AWESOME. | | Weaknesses: | Not ONE!! The price most people would pay isnt even a drawback, worth every penny. | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, Deore LX, Deore XT, XTR, Hope XC, Powertools, Sun Abbah, other Shimano hubs, Spinergy | | Bike Setup: | Trek 9.8 Carbon, Sid World Cup, X:0 R. Der. XT front der, PC-99HP chain, Race Face Deus XC, Cane Creek ZS 6, Thomson, and Mavic XM819's to Chris King Classics. | | Bottom Line: | If you are A) a very experienced rider or B) You're a poser and just want the best of the best...BUY THESE HUBS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Gainesville, FL
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Looks. Reliability. | | Weaknesses: | Price. | | Similar Products Used: | coda expert, hope XC, XT, | | Bike Setup: | Yeti Kokopelli, XT-XTR, Hope hubs, Hayes mag plus | | Bottom Line: | These hubs seemed great for the 2 years I had them but switched to disc and did not want the expense of a new set of Kings. It didn't seem worth to have CK change the shells over to disc. I decided to go with hope XC hubs. So far they are just as good, but time will tell. King hubs are nice and have the bling factor but I am not sure they are worth the expense. I could buy 3-4 sets of hopes for the price of kings and look at the reviews they are the same. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martijn
a Cross Country Rider
from H.I.Ambacht
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Portes Du Soleil | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikescene Dordrecht | | Strengths: | In use since spring 1999 and still like new, even after lots of hard use.
Need I say more??? | | Weaknesses: | None aside from the fact I can't buying a new set of wheel without being stupid. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, Bici | | Bike Setup: | Cube Airwing Blackline, full of XTR, Thomson, Tune, Syntace, Fox Forx, DT Swiss SSD210L, Race Face and lots more. | | Bottom Line: | Still the perfect hubset!
In use since spring 1999 and still going strong!
Used them hard and long but they still ride like the day they where new.
I service then once or twice a year depending on the weather and the millage I did.
Servicing is verry easy and quick to do yourself, no special tools required for normal service.
I use them with Sapim CX-ray bladed spokes and Mavic X618 Ceramic rims.
Verry stiff and strong wheelset!
Got myself a pair of Chris King Disc hubs for my other bike, also verry good and hopefully just as durable! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from East Bay, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Dave's Speed Dream | | Strengths: | Light. Durable - or so I've read | | Weaknesses: | Loud ratchet. Drag. | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bottom Line: | First off, KING is a wonderful company with great customer service and unusually high respect for the environment. This review is for the classic hubs, although my comments apply to the disc hubs as well. King hubs beautiful and lightweight. The black is actually a very dark purple, but that seems somewhat common with black anodizing. I understand the hubs are durable, but I haven't had a set long enough to prove it. The ratchet is so annoyingly loud there is no need for a bike bell (but please use one anyway if you ride multi-use trails). The hub bearings have noticeable drag but improve somewhat once they break in (100 hours or so) as long as you get the adjustment just right which is a fun guessing game when you realize that you have to consider the hubs tighten up a bit further under QR tension as well. At least the hub bearing adjustments are relatively easy with a pair of allens. (I never felt the need to remove any plastic washers as indicated in a previous post - I would definitely contact King before removing anything). The freehub has so much drag that if I back pedal too fast I can cause reverse chain suck. Now, I realize that backpedalling is not a critical function, but it gives you some idea of how much drag the freewheel is creating - ie: it won't even spin backwards under the weight of the chain. I guess the energy to create that nasty buzzing noise has to come from somewhere. Bottom line: if they shut up that buzz and made them spin better, these hubs would be worth every penny. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
R PERKINS
a Racer
from BRAMPTON ONT CANADA
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything built by Sean Rupple | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | DAVES SPEED DREAM | | Strengths: | Hope to find out | | Weaknesses: | would not spin without excessive drag | | Similar Products Used: | XTR | | Bike Setup: | TITUS RACER-x,Set up by old man with little boy I want it mentality | | Bottom Line: | Felt I should post a comment just in case some one else with Hubs is experiencing same problem. First off had wheel set built by Dave at speed dream and frankly he is the best person in industry I have delt with.
The problem with hubs was they just would not spin without drag.Called Chris King and they were very easy to talk to with lots of time but the bottom line was there was no problem as "there product has no design flaw"
Suggested the maintaince cleaning which I did plus had three bike shops service them.As stated by King it is simple but problem persisted.
All shops agreed hubs did not spin free(duh spin them and they just stopped soon.Finally had someone decide to not put the thin plastic washer,they call it a seal found behind bearings. Hubs spin Fantastic.
Hope this helps some one as I expect the hubs to work as well as my headset now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff M.
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmond, OK, USA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | any and all | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | King design and customer service, weight, looks, oh and that buzz!!! | | Weaknesses: | Price. Other than that, not a one. But you get what you pay for... | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, Bontrager | | Bike Setup: | Klein attitude comp, XTR, Mavic XC717 rims | | Bottom Line: | WOW!!!!!! After previously buying a set of these hubs which I never got around to getting built up, I finally took the plunge and had my LBS lace me up a set with the new Mavic XC 717s and black DT Revolution spokes. I never really figured that a wheelset could make so much a difference in not only the way the bike feels and handles, but also in the confidence that you get from a top notch set of hoops under you. Simply, the King's are the best upgrade that I have ever done for my bike. The engagement is psychic which means you can get up to speed so much faster than with other hubs. The King design and attention to detail is just amazing. As for the buzz, I hated it on my first ride, but like so many others, I am now really fond of it, although my rear seems to only make really loud buzzing intermittently--I have not re-adjusted the bearing preload yet. All in all, if you can afford these, do not hesitate for a second to pick up a set. You will absolutely not regret it. Four Chilis only because of the initial investment to get them but I'd give 'em 10 overall if I could. Just an outstanding product! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
peter
a Cross Country Rider
from yarmouth, maine USA
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | whatever i'm on | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR.com classifieds | | Strengths: | stiffness, instant engagement, durability, manufacturer support | | Weaknesses: | 1. maybe the wasp's nest bzzzzzzzzzzz......... (while coasting) my riding buddy chides me that we're not going to see any wildlife due to the noise. but i think he might secretly be jealous. it is pretty loud, though, compared to shimano hubs.
2. the price of these things is not for everyone. if you only ride weekends or have other habits, shimano hubs will work fine. i'd like to think that thes hubs are for those who are really truly into the sport.
then again, you probably have a lot more dough than me, so go ahead and buy them. support chris' company. they're pretty progressive in the grand scheme of things. | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 XTR, 2002 XT, assorted shimano back in the day | | Bike Setup: | full-slut moots YBB.
(OK, so you want specifics: fox vanilla RLC 100, '02 XTR shiftpods, levers, Vbrakes, F&R der., and cables. RF turbine LPISIS cranks, king HS & hubs, Mavic 618ceramic rims, moots post, thomson stem, monkey lite risers, ti fly saddle, etc....) i maintain my bike like a freak in my own garage and she is beauuuuuuuu-tiful. | | Bottom Line: | my bike and my wife are my favorite things in the world (on mostly alternating days). my lifestyle allows me to ride most every day that it is not below freezing. on those days my moots is on my 1-up USA trainer (for those of you who live in parts of the world that experience winter, BUY ONE) and i get to spin anyway.
bottom line? CHRIS KING HUBS ARE LIKE 4WD FOR YOUR MOUNTAIN BIKE.
repeat: CHRIS KING HUBS ARE LIKE 4WD FOR YOUR MOUNTAIN BIKE.
period. like i said, i ride pretty much every day, on dirt, 7 months a year. i know the difference between XT and XTR. i rode XTR hubs on the same rims for 3 years, and loved them. great hubs. thought they were a strong improvement over the XT wheelset i rode for the 3 years before that, and the the suns before that, etc....but i always dreamed about a king wheelset based on what i had read and heard.
then i found a pair of used classic hubs laced to some schwag rims on the classifieds last winter for $325. bought 'em for the hubs, clipped the rims and they sat for 6 months until i could track down and afford new (no longer made) 618 ceramic (double wall, double eyelet) rims. great for 200-lb hammerheads like me.
finally got 'em built by my buddy muzz, the zen master of all things mountain bike. if you don't know it yet, MUZZY IS THE MAN. go to the mt washington valley, ride the echo lake area, and stop in and see muzz and carl. (please go to the red jersey cycles in intervale, NH. it is hands down the best bike shop in northern new england.)
i noticed the differences the first ride out my back door. sure, the hornet's nest sound while coasting takes a little getting used to. but if you ride alot and know how your bike handles and what you need to do to get through the most challenging sections of your favorite trail, king hubs will
improve your riding and boost your personal satisfaction level. these hubs engage IMMEDIATELY. i heard about this, and thought shiite, my XTR hubs are pretty damn instantaneous too. guess what? not even close.
i ride tight, twisty, rocky, rooty, slick new england singletrack. sometimes you go fast and sometimes you don't. when you can't, and you're balancing your bike and body for optimal tire position and just trying to break inertia and trying to stay on your pedals and you just shift your body weight a little tiny bit onto your non-drive side pedal HOLY SHIiTe! i just moved a little bit and i'm over that damn root going straight uphill in granny 3 and it's all melting away. tough climbs? easier. need to accelerate fast? i feel like it's faster. i am lance armstong....oh wait, no i'm not. i'm happily married to deb, and i don't even know cheryl crow.
yeah so maybe that's it and maybe i should go to bed. but they really do work - stiff, bombproof, and like 4WD. you just go as soon as you hit the pedal. it's crazy.
muscle twitch = forward movement.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Smart
a
from Dayton, Oh
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Ceasers Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$340.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World | | Strengths: | Already been said on here time and time again.
| | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano crap | | Bottom Line: | Here is what I would like to try to get across to all the people out there that keep saying that price is a weekness...
On 31 July 1998 there is a posting on here saying that King hubs cost $350 and tonight Cambria has them for $378. That is $28 price increase in 6 years.
I bought mine a complete wheel build with mavic 517s for under $500
On 10 Aug 1998 someone posted on the XTR review that they paid $150 and again tonight Cambria has the XTR 960 for $262. That is a $112 price increase in the same time period.
Hell in the past 6 years a gallon of gas has doubled in price.
CK has a 5 year warrenty compaired to XTR's 3 year.
All I am saying is that for a company that builds the best hub out there and could raise the price and would still have buyers, they haven't done so.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Turner
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt Snow Vermont expert loop/Flume Trail Tahoe | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Ardvark | | Strengths: | Bullet proof -- never have to rebuild, ride through water, mud (all types) and these things come back for more. Quality you get! | | Weaknesses: | price | | Similar Products Used: | bontrager (pos), rolf, mavic, xtr | | Bike Setup: | Klein Adroit Pro, XTR, King/Mavic, easton - 21.5 lbs | | Bottom Line: | Bullet proof! These hubs are the best. I can't say enough about these. Everyone said 4 years ago that you would have to rebuild and they were a pain in the ass -- BS! These things have never failed me and I have POUNDED them into the dirt and rocks. I have bent several sets of rims in all types of spoke configurations. I ride aggressive throuigh some of the toughest trails in the world and these hubs have never even whimpered! WTF | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hardtailforever
a Racer
from Roseville, MN. USA
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Lebanon | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | King EPP | | Strengths: | Light
Instant engagement when pedaling
Beautiful candy-red finish
Smooth rolling
Minimal maintenence
Easy spoke installation
That beautiful, unmistakable King BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZ | | Weaknesses: | They've spoiled me, and I can't afford to buy more at retail for all my other bikes. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Shimano, Mavic XMax and Ksyriums, Paul SS, AC | | Bike Setup: | '01 Homegrown, XTR shifters and Derailleurs (02), LX crank, Thomson stem, Titec Flat-tracker bar, Answer Carbolite with Aliante ti, | | Bottom Line: | I know there isn't much that hasn't been said about King's nearly perfect hubs, but I'll do my best.
I've tried a number of hubs and none enguages as instantaneously as my King Classics. In technical XC riding, there is no substitute. Also, of all the lightweight hubs my team mates and I have used (including Hugi, AC/WTB, Paul, White, etc), the Kings are the only ones never to fail under ANY circumstances. They also have the prettiest finish of any hubs I've worked with, and are super easy to maintain and adjust. They are not the very lightest, but for 20 or 30 grams, I'll take knowing that my wheels will never fail.
These are absolutely the best hubs money can buy, hands down, and I'd be willing to pay any money for such a quality product from such a progressive company. Support Chris King components, improve your riding experience, and buy some King Classics. If I could I'd rate them 6 out of 5. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vince
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Auburn/Forest Hill | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Ease of maintaince, modular design, great customer service, long lasting products. | | Weaknesses: | Not one weakness, many say price but then I say don't buy Chris King if you really can't afford it. Like everything else in this world buy a product at your price point. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, older XTR, Bullseye | | Bike Setup: | Sugar 2, King wheelset, King Headset, XTR/XT mix, Thompson post, flite saddle. | | Bottom Line: | I had my wheels built by a certified Mavic wheel builder which is why they have lasted for six years. I expect my rim braking surface to wear out first. Yes, at first they need to be adjusted but if you follow King's instructions then the bearing/seal drag goes away. I can't say enough about Kings customer service....in my humble opinion they set the standard in the bike industry. They let the consumer order small parts directly which is another big plus because it saves time and usually the LBS doesn't want to deal with small parts orders.
I have Chris King hubs, and head sets on all my bikes: two mtn bikes, road bike, and BMX. I guess I've found a product that realy works....just like XTR shifters....gotta love 'em. Peace | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Chico
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Bidwell Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Cycle Shop | | Strengths: | Light, strong, reputable product, rebuildable, not likely to become outdated or unusable. Smooth rolling and gliding. Keeps overall weight of a wheel to a minimum. Overall top notch performance, very durable. After servicing and re-lube and adjustment, they are as good as new. | | Weaknesses: | These hubs are expensive, and are often out of the build kit budget for many riders. Generally are not specified as OEM equipment, so many riders will not get to experience these fine hubs during new bike test rides. They generally require aftermarket locating and custom wheel buildup - which can carry a hefty price tag. But these are not PRODUCT weaknesses, just situational complicationis | | Similar Products Used: | Gawd awful and usually inconsistently made and assembled Shimano hubs. XT, STX, STX-RC and LX. Shimano grouppos are made in diffent places, and sometimes the inexpensive parts work quite well. Sometimes the upper-end parts are not assemble or lubed well and fail. A one time expense of these hubs - they will last and can be rebuilt. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Heckler , with XTR cranks, XT remaining drivetrain. Fox Float R, Rock Shox SID. King/Mavic wheels. Carbon fiber bar and seat stem. RaceFace stem | | Bottom Line: | These hubs roll and glide along very well. The rear hub has a noisy coast, but is otherwise virtually silent. The instant engagement of the rear hub makes for very responsive riding. The serviceability of these hubs comes as a welcome change to the planned product deletions and performance declines of hard to service or un-repairable hubs. Mine are the shiny silver and I keep them proudly polished. They give years of years of service, even if you thrash on them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shank
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Walton Beach, FL
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Hard Time in Ashville N.C. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World.com | | Strengths: | So many colors to choose from, I got the blue and it turns heads. King quality is top notch. That cool buzz. Easy to adjust,
Ok, I would have bought the hubs anyway but that fact that Chris King is doing so much to prevent his company from impacting the world in a negative way is a huge bonus. I wish I could get paid to ride to work. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | LX, XT, Bontrager | | Bike Setup: | 03 Dean Colonel x-lite, King classic hubs on Mavic 618's, King headset, XT cranks,BB, shifters, FR and Rear derailers, cassette, Avid 7 brakes, Avid TI levers, Skareb Super Shock, Salsa QR's, Race Face prodigy seat post and stem, Easton handlebar, Egg Beater |
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$ 455.00
