Description Chris King Classic hubs are the ultimate
lightweight, high performance hubs. And, at only 268g for the rear and 112g for the front, it's hard to believe that they are also the toughest hubs out the...
Bike Setup: 2009 Specialized tarmac pro sl, sram force, Chris king hubs with dt swiss r 1.1 and 14/15 gauge spokes
Summary: These hubs are great! I am 190 pounds and I seem to be able to break anything, but can't seem to damage these. It does take a little time for the hubs to break in, but when they do they are awesome. They are super easy to adjust and make a the cool "buzzzzz" noise. They are so good I bought a second set for my other bike, need I say more?
Strengths: perfect, light weight, color choice, easy adjust, everything is perfect.
Weaknesses: that there is no weakness
Similar Products Used: D/A open pro, all mavic wheels, bontrager race, race lites, x lites, xxx lites, reynolds dv 46, mv 32, and kom
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: Motobecane Century Pro frame shimano and mavic components
Summary: Being an engineer, I'm always skeptical when a product comes along that everyone says its the greatest ever. I must say this time my I'm proven wrong. These Chris King hubs are really nice. Two things really strike me at first sight - 1. these hubs are really light given their complexity. 2. the quality of the product. When I first heard about these hubs everyone was talking about how much they needed to be broke in because they're so tight. When I first started them I thought it was going to be like towing a boat anchor - it wasn't. The only perceivable drag I've noticed is when coasting on a level surface. This will deminish once the hubs are btoken in (like all hubs do). Overall I'm very pleased with them and the buzz they make is incredible.
Strengths: Build quality, readily available parts, really cool sound
Weaknesses: None that I have found so far including price - they're an excellent value for the money.
Similar Products Used: Mavic
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: I picked the rear hub up at a sale in December (a little Christmas present to myself) and bought the front at Aspire Velotech (GREAT SERVICE!). Laced them up to a set of Open Pro's and with DT revolution spokes. This was my first handbuilt wheelset. The initial drag on the rear hub was awful - chain flop when back-pedalling was ridiculous. These were my summer wheels and I adjusted the rear a handful of times between April and October. All to no avail. This week I had the rear rebuilt and it feels amazing. Spins forever. Problems solved. I honestly don't know what the deal was - whether the rear was low on CK's proprietary grease or what. All I know is that they roll unbelievably smoothly and coast forever.
To be honest I'd only recommend these hubs for someone looking for the absolute best indestructible hub. For racers there are lighter for less money that roll faster (DT) and for amateurs it's probably cheaper to just replace your hubs every few years. For century and touring riders with the means these are your hubs.
Strengths: Pretty light, super strong and beautiful to look at.
Weaknesses: Problems fitting with Campy, initial drag was unbelievable. Freewheel noise is an acquired taste.
Similar Products Used: Campy Eurus
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: Merlin Cyrene with Ultegra - another bombroof set up - 15K miles of silky rides. 32 hole Open Pro CDs with King Classics & DT swiss spokes.
Summary: Merry Christmas to me. Trashed my rear Mavic Cosmos and wanted a bomb proof set of wheels that could take my (and the local roads) abuse. Lots of research into hubs (and rims). Chris Kings were universally revered. Went with Open Pro CDs and King Classics. More than I intended to spend but I like quality and have no regrets. 4500 miles on them and they are smooth as silk with nary an issue. They are slow rollers for a good while (the other reviews are spot on). Frankly, not convinced they roll as quickly as my old Cosmos hubs even now which seems odd given the cost. Per others, awesome engagement and cool buzz (swarm of angry bees)- every century someone with a set pulls beside me and comments on them - the brotherhood of the angry bees. If you have the jack, you'll be plenty happy.
Gotta plug Colorado Cyclist - awesome hand built wheels and they hit my door very quickly after the order was placed. First rate and helpful in every respect.
Strengths: bombroof - immediate engagement - sound cool - instantly bonds you to strangers who ride them
Weaknesses: They ain't cheap
Similar Products Used: Mavic Cosmos
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: I had a set of custom wheels built using 32 hole King hubs, DT spokes, and Sun rims. The wheels were built to replace a set of problematic Ksyrium Elites.
The wheels were built by my LBS and have been great. I wanted an indestructible wheel set for all purpose usage, and these are perfect for that.
I completely broke a spoke on my rear wheel and was able to finish my ride (15 miles to go) with minimal notice. On my Ksyriums, I bent a couple of rear spokes and could barely make it home (after 50 miles on the wheels).
For heavier (190+) custom, high spokes are definitely the way to go. Have a set built from a reputable wheel builder and you can’t wrong.
Strengths: Great customer service, earth friendly company, great reputation.
Price is worth every penny, the cool "BUZZZ"
Weaknesses: None, you get what you pay for.
Similar Products Used: Bontrager Selects (Good), Ksyriums Elites (Crap).
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
5 of 5
5 of 5
3 of 5
