Chris King Classic Hub

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
The Great American Hood Ride

Bike Setup:
Orbea Opal, DA Group, Continental Attack Force Tires

Summary:
I became tired of breaking wheel sets so I discussed with my LBS about building a wheel set. They recommended Chris King Hubs. Being an engineer, I wanted to research and look at the details. I had the set built with 32 hole, Mavic CPX33 Rims, Wheelsmith Spokes and Brass Nipples in Black.
From most of the other reviews, the "Breakin Period" was the major complaint. I can attest to this as after about 20 hours of riding, the hubs loosened up. While not fully broke in, it will be a matter of time.
I found similar breaking periods, although not as long with Dura Ace WH-7850 wheels.
For a reference, I always rode low count spoke wheels. The rides were stiff and you feel non-smooth road vibration. However, the 32 spoke and Mavic rim made a remarkable difference in smoothing the ride.
I would recommend the King Classic hubs to anyone who wants a custom built wheel set. Just be prepared for the drag to last several hundred miles as they did for me.
And the really cool feature is the BUZZZZZ!

Strengths:
Durability, warranty, exceptional machining and easy maintenence.

Weaknesses:
Other than the break in period, none.

Similar Products Used:
Dura Ace, Other Shimano wheelsets

Price Paid:  $600.00 at bike shop

Favorite Ride:
Shoot Out

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

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Price Paid:  $205.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Any place flat and smooth

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

Price Paid:  $600.00 at LBS/ Interweb

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

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Favorite Ride:
Six Gap - North Georgia

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