Chris King rear hub not really worth the money.

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Chris King rear hub not really worth the money.

47 posts & 28 voices | Started 3 years ago by coolhandluke | Latest reply from ballsofcottonwool

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coolhandluke - Member

Not sure what all the fuss is about really but I got one (seriously discounted) the other day, made my new wheel with it etc, took it for its first ride.

Firstly, it a a lovely bit of engineering, really nice, and I like the noise it makes but I can't see its really worth the RRP to be honest...Pick-up is pretty instant though.

I mean 300.00 notes...I can't help thinking that people who rave about them do so because they just paid RRP so must think they got the best thing ever. Justification if you like.

I paid 212.50 for it (Stiff) but feel it is over-hyped and (a bit) over priced at that.

Hope it lasts a long time though....

Posted 3 years ago #
druidh - Member

What were you expecting it to do that it so disappointed you? Make tea?

Posted 3 years ago #
psychle - Member

bloody hell, how'd you get one for £212.50??? even with 15% off they're currently £306... or did you get yours before the price hike?

Posted 3 years ago #
loddrik - Member

Yes but you are now among the people who are able to look down on people who don't ride CK parts

Posted 3 years ago #
psychle - Member

you've gotta love the instant engagement though right? and the CK buzz is a nice unique noise that screams 'I have expensive wheels'

Posted 3 years ago #
coolhandluke - Member

well that would have been nice if it made tea. (1 sugar please)

It did a great job but the hope XC I had also did a good job too and I can't see the difference was that great between the two. Certainly not 200.00 better though.

Posted 3 years ago #
druidh - Member

Flog it while it's still so new (you'll make a profit) and buy a Hope?

Posted 3 years ago #
ton - Member

i just bought a new xt rear hub £40.
one that died i have used for 5 years.
i like to spend i like bling, but it does put things in perspective.

Posted 3 years ago #
Steve-Austin - Member

but when its still going without a service after 7 years then you will be thinking, what a great hub..

Posted 3 years ago #
nickc - Member

That noise drives me mad

Posted 3 years ago #
RudeBoy - Blocked

Can I have your old Hope XC hub please?

Posted 3 years ago #
coolhandluke - Member

Just hoping you all appreciate honesty of an opinion. Sure its lovely but I'd not be happy if I'd paid RRP for it. Still think I paid abour 30.00 too much for it in fact.

Time will tell though.

XT hub, 4 days in the Alps and needed a new axle.

Posted 3 years ago #
RudeBoy - Blocked

Can I have your old Hope XC hub please?

Posted 3 years ago #
coolhandluke - Member

Rude boy, email me, they are on ebay at the moment

coolhandluke11 AT googlemail DOT com

Posted 3 years ago #
coolhandluke - Member

Oh, Stiff aren't flogging them for 212.50 any more.

Feeling kind of happy ( and a bit smug) now I must say. Blooming glad I bought it last week then.

Posted 3 years ago #
fauxbyfour - Member

Mavic mavic mavic mavic!!!!! That's all I gotta say!

Posted 3 years ago #
uplink - Member

They're ~£230 from Aspire Velotech
Still way over priced but if you've money to burn ......

Posted 3 years ago #
cynic-al - Member

"XT hub, 4 days in the Alps and needed a new axle."

Bad luck or poor maintenance. I've run shimano for 20 years without a ride ending issue.

Have seen Ck hubs die on rides though.

Posted 3 years ago #
Dibbs - Member

I rarely even notice the noise when I'm riding, I've never paid full price for one (the UK RRP's are an absolute rip off), they're very well made and pretty easy to service.
I can afford it so I'll be sticking with CK thank you.

Posted 3 years ago #
MrNutt - Member

they do make a lovely noise, but I run Pro2's, only because they are louder

(I didn't do the pro2 tag btw!)

Posted 3 years ago #
coolhandluke - Member

Good on you Dibbs. Seems the mention of CK gets some peoples backs right up for some reason. (see the tags)

My opinion is that is is lovely, really nice but not worth the RRP, that's it really.

Posted 3 years ago #
coolhandluke - Member

I love Hope stuff but the noise from Pro Hope 2's does my head in. Worst than Hope Mini brake squeal.

Posted 3 years ago #
jamesgarbett - Member

They do need regular servicing

Posted 3 years ago #
twohats - Member

Steve-Austin - Member

but when its still going without a service after 7 years then you will be thinking, what a great hub..

Not likely if you're talking about the Chris King!
They need lots of constant TLC to keep them running sweet...

Posted 3 years ago #
pk-ripper - Member

hmm, mine have never needed TLC and are still working faultlessly. Personally I think that's a myth spread by those who haven't owned them - I have them F&R on 3 bikes - because I can.

Posted 3 years ago #
mij - Member

when was the last time you changed bearings in a King?

Posted 3 years ago #
njee20 - Member

Mine came loose, I had bearings seize, it needed constant adjustment. The pick up is excellent, but they're not light and no way in hell are they worth the money. Sooner have DT 240s or Tune King/Kong.

Posted 3 years ago #
mr frosty - Member

I've got a few, the 1 i most use is about 5 years old shit load of miles and washes done the ring drive service 3 times NEVER changed a bearing or part. had a headset the same time/useage not touched that.Any other brands you can say that of ? that alone makes it worth the money spent. Other brands that dont last no where near as long you got to pay or carry ouy wheel builds or pay labour of pressing headsets into frames

Posted 3 years ago #
mij - Member

At least you can adjust the bearing on a King. Most develop play and then it's hammer and socket time. Dt stainless bearings aren't cheap either.

Posted 3 years ago #
cynic-al - Member

I have them F&R on 3 bikes - because I can.

Wow. Do you have a rolex and sh1t?

Posted 3 years ago #
Dibbs - Member

I have them F&R on 3 bikes - because I can.

Me too! three 24mm fronts, two ISO and a SS disc rears.

Posted 3 years ago #
njee20 - Member

Mij, I'll give you that, when I had bearings seize you popped off the cover, cleaned it out, bit of grease, and you're ready to go again, but still, I had to do that more often than I have to change bearings in my DT or Tune hubs, both of which weigh less too.

Posted 3 years ago #
juan - Member

They always be people that they think they deserved the ~~most expensive~~ the best.

Brits are very lucky to have hope. They make amazing brake and even more amazing hubs. They are priced just right if you ask me, but then you are on a forum where people buy new bits to get better skills.

Posted 3 years ago #
PeterPoddy - Member

I I was going to spend a lot of money on hubs, and believe me I'd like to, It certainly wouldn't be King ones.

Cheaper (£159/£219)
Possibly better
Almost certainly higher quality
Definately better looking
And British

Royce

Posted 3 years ago #
clubber - Member

Ditto PP. As ever there's a diminishing returns aspect to mtb components. I'm sure that it'd be easy to make better quality hubs than CK ones just use even tighter tolerances, more expensive anodising/coatings/etc but it'd be very debateable whether there would actually be any real world advantage. In fact, that's actually my view between Hope and CK - King are beautifully made (though, again, not as nice as Royce) but I don't believe that they actually have any real world advantage over Hope.

YMMV

Posted 3 years ago #