Chris King Coffee Tampers: Love it or Hate it?

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Usually the argument for buying something as high end as a Chris King component goes something like ‘it’ll last much longer than anything else’ – but when was the last time you wore out a coffee tamper? On receiving this press release, Singletrack Towers erupted into a simultaneous chorus of ‘How Much?!’, ‘Ooh, I want it’ and ‘Where’s the cost of living crisis?’.

With that in mind, we bring you key product information along with a selection of pre prepared responses to suit all pockets, socio-political leanings, and levels of lust.

Chris King Precision Components has a rich history of celebrating the union between bicycles and coffee. This is showcased in passion projects like the highly sought-after King espresso drinkware sets and the revered King espresso tamper. The tamper, known for its comfort, balance, and weight, has gained a reputation among professional baristas.

Chris King PR

We had a run of un-anodized handles from the last time we offered tampers, and since we had a little capacity in production, we decided to make bases to match them. It’s a busy summer here, and that requires keeping the team well-caffeinated.

King’s Chief Caffeine Officer Jay Sycip

Chris King Espresso Tampers are available in all colours, though supplies are limited. Available only from chrisking.com at $150.

While you’re here…

Author Profile Picture
Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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  • This topic has 62 replies, 48 voices, and was last updated 9 months ago by Sam.
Viewing 22 posts - 41 through 62 (of 62 total)
  • Chris King Coffee Tampers: Love it or Hate it?
  • ampthill
    Full Member

    I think repurposing say old hubs and 1” head sets is a a great idea. Not so interested in new out of the gate

    nixie
    Full Member

    Be a nice little earner for someone with a lathe. Either making whole items from interesting hubs or seeking the tamping head so people can make their own.

    If I could insert a Venn diagram with Bike **** in one set, Coffee **** in the other, and Chris King Coffee Tampers at the intersect, I would


    @IHN

    IHN
    Full Member

    I *heart* relapsed_mandalorian

    chrismac
    Full Member

    Probably made using the seconds that don’t pass QC

    stevie750
    Full Member

    What is a coffee tamper?

    nixie
    Full Member

    What is a coffee tamper?

    Burn them!

    slowol
    Full Member

    What is a coffee tamper?

    It’s a hipster paperweight.

    drewd
    Full Member

    I wouldn’t personally buy one as I’ve no need for it. Even if I wanted one I wouldn’t be prepared to spend that much.

    For those that are interested in the bike themed tamper but can’t stretch to Chris King money were you aware that Superstar Components make and sell their own version? All UK made.

    https://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/coffee-tamper-headset-style.htm

    https://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/coffee-tamper-hub-style.htm

    chaos
    Full Member

    When only the best will do:

    Handmade Royce Hubshell Coffee Tamper | August Bicycles

    https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a11405_6e2a51aa96344f30afc1a55e33a01d5e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_500,h_500,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/a11405_6e2a51aa96344f30afc1a55e33a01d5e~mv2.png

    nixie
    Full Member

    Tune appear to make one as well.

    RustyNissanPrairie
    Full Member

    @DickBarton

    Had one and it never stayed right, was constantly working loose. Several shops couldn’t work out the issue and it got replaced

    The original CK headsets used an o-ring to centre the top bearing collar onto the steerer tube it was a shit brilliant idea and far superior to any other headset design.

    ……until the Cane creek patent on having a split top bearing collar expired then CK dumped the o-ring collar and went with the previously inferior split design. The CK headset then worked correctly.

    gray
    Full Member

    I have an Espro tamper. It’s like a torque wrench for coffee!

    joshvegas
    Free Member

    It’s like a torque wrench for coffee!

    Used twice for novelty then cast aside because “effort”

    gray
    Full Member

    Effort!?

    DickBarton
    Full Member

    Makes no odds that the CK headset design has been improved, the one I had (this is going back to 2001/2) was utter bobbins and convinced me that it is overpriced junk as I was able to get the same result with a £15 alternative.

    RustyNissanPrairie
    Full Member

    Makes no odds that the CK headset design has been improved, the one I had (this is going back to 2001/2) was utter bobbins and convinced me that it is overpriced junk as I was able to get the same result with a £15 alternative.

    that would have been the o-ring design headset. You could buy the split collar as an ‘upgrade’.

    The bearings were good though and the CK ‘steelset’ saved a frame with a flared headtube thanks to the really deep insertion cups (fnarr fnarr)

    igm
    Full Member

    I hope that’s not a Chris King pepper shaker. 😡

    Pepper should be ground.

    Houns
    Full Member

    +1 for a Hope teapot. *inserts shut up and take my money meme

    noeffsgiven
    Free Member

    Twenty pound of it is just the top cap, can someone explain to me or justify how an alloy stem cap is worth £20.

    chipps
    Full Member

    “is that Jay Sycip of sycip bikes?”


    @LAT
    – No, it’s his brother. Jeremy is the frame builder, Jay works for Chris King.

    core
    Full Member

    Is this a good time/place to confess that I have an old Jaguar wheel spinner on my desk as a paper weight? It’s genuinely useful when I’ve got the window open and/or fan on in the summer, and nice to look at…

Viewing 22 posts - 41 through 62 (of 62 total)

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