Chris King Wheels
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I didn't follow your link (
) but visited CK's site where I discovered they don't offer wheels with more than 28 spokes. Interesting. Is 28 now considered the standard for mountain wheels?Personally I'm not afraid of the extra heft of 32 spokes over 28 and I like the idea of the stronger wheel. Or do wheelbuilders generally believe that 28 is as strong as 32 these days?
=sParty
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Noticed that as well. Speculation on my part but my guess is with how stiff carbon/fusion products are 28 spokes introduce some compliance back into the system. Personally, I'm still a little leery of anything less than 32 on the rear. A riding buddy of mine has been on their prototype for 2 years and they run perfect for him.I didn't follow your link (
Personally I'm not afraid of the extra heft of 32 spokes over 28 and I like the idea of the stronger wheel. Or do wheelbuilders generally believe that 28 is as strong as 32 these days?
=sParty
*Didn't provide the link because it didn't really seem to go anywhere just yet.
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I've had a set of Chris King wheels with 28 spokes since 2014 and they have been rock solid. A few years ago, my wife's bike fell on mine and broke one of my spokes, and despite the fact that this could in no way shape or form be at all the fault of Chris King, they fixed my wheel for free, including shipping (i.e., they went well above and beyond the call of duty).
They are an exceptional company and have certainly earned my money and loyalty.
FWIW, I have essentially the same wheel with 32 spokes (built by a different wheel-builder) instead of 28, and the 32 spoker hasn't held true nearly as well. Build quality >> # spokes. (I'm almost 200 lbs and like lots of spokes, fwiw.)
They are an exceptional company and have certainly earned my money and loyalty.
FWIW, I have essentially the same wheel with 32 spokes (built by a different wheel-builder) instead of 28, and the 32 spoker hasn't held true nearly as well. Build quality >> # spokes. (I'm almost 200 lbs and like lots of spokes, fwiw.)
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I didn't follow your link (
Personally I'm not afraid of the extra heft of 32 spokes over 28 and I like the idea of the stronger wheel. Or do wheelbuilders generally believe that 28 is as strong as 32 these days?
=sParty
I think most of the higher end wheels these days are much stronger than older ones even though they use less spokes due to better materials and engineering.
28 can be more than enough imo.
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While I expected a high price for the high quality, I am having a bit of trouble getting over the sticker shock ($2550). I'm sure they are fully awesome. My experience with their hubs and headsets has been stellar.
And, yeah, I'm sure the 28 spoke / 2 cross pattern would be sufficient for my usage. Not sure about others...
And, yeah, I'm sure the 28 spoke / 2 cross pattern would be sufficient for my usage. Not sure about others...
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Yes. I was a 6-bolt guy back in the day. I worried about CK hubs being center-lock when I bought a wheel set, but in the end it didn't matter much. I had the tool and everything fit perfectly.
I like how thin they are. Always looks sick, especially with tan walls IMO ... Little disappointed with the aesthetics. Like DT they're kinda boring.
That said, aesthetics is at the bottom of my list when it comes to wheels. A little leery of the 28 instead of 32 spokes, but for a trail bike they're interesting.
Tough to recommend anything besides NOBL and Reserves these days. The price and quality, as well as customer service and warranty is phenomenal. Not that CK isn't, but $2550 a bit outta my price range.
That said, aesthetics is at the bottom of my list when it comes to wheels. A little leery of the 28 instead of 32 spokes, but for a trail bike they're interesting.
Tough to recommend anything besides NOBL and Reserves these days. The price and quality, as well as customer service and warranty is phenomenal. Not that CK isn't, but $2550 a bit outta my price range.
They certainly aren’t light. 2500 bucks for 1700 gram set? My aluminum dt wheels are less and about 600 bucks. I get the cost of carbon for weight, my Stan’s podiums were 1300 per set.
Guessing this Fusion Fiber is heavier than what's typical in carbon rims.
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Perhaps the fusion is heavier but much like frames getting heavier I wager to offer legit lifetime warranties the sheit has to be robust.
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Their hubs were never all that light either, their mech weighs more than say, a DT swiss or Hope mech. You generally chose CK for the bearing quality and especially the engagement, which engages in 2 dimensions and locks harder the harder you pedal. That's why they were so good for mega-torquers over the years and tandem bikes. That said, the simplicity of DT swiss wins me over most of the time, it's also pretty strong.
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My King hubs on my rigid singlespeed were built in 1996 and have never been serviced and are as smooth as the day they were built. In fact, the wheelset has never needed trueing. They were Gucci for the day. Union Ti spokes laced to Bontrager Assym ceramic rims.
Ah ceramic rims. I still have 3 sets of ceramic cross max wheels. I know king is quality, but if I’m dumping 2500$ on wheels, they better be crazy light and reliable. I’m an xc only guy, and never torqued a wheel in 30 years. Weight first for me.
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