tjopper

Thanks for everyones comments and advice. The problem hub was sorted by Cycles Africa. See below....they went the extra mile! Johan, I am pleased to hear that your hub issues were addressed locally. I am working with Cycles Africa to retrieve your original internals so we can inspect them for manufacturing flaws or issues, please stay in touch with me and Cycles Africa if you continue to have any problems. But I am hopeful and confident that they have solved your problems. Thank you, Evan Gaspar | Distributor Sales | Chris King Precision Components | 1.800.523.6008 l info@chrisking.com l http://chrisking.com I Twitter: @ChrisKingBuzz On Nov 11, 2011, at 7:15 PM, johan@jhfourie.co.za wrote: Hi Evan, It just so happened that I am currently doing a 3 day XC marathon. Yesterday was the first day and I experienced the hub slipping again when it had to engage after free wheeling. I asked my bike techie to call the agent in Somerset West (they have been dealing with this all along). He came out, took my bike and replaced the inner parts. He asked me to give him feedback after todays 2nd stage. Hopefully it works perfectly. I will keep you posted. I have to say that I was almost surprised at their response and efforts to drive all the way here, picked up the bike, fixed it and brought it back! What a great gesture. Kind regards Johan Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you! ________________________________________ From: Evan Gaspar <info@chrisking.com> Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:19:23 -0800 To: <johan@jhfourie.co.za> Subject: Re: Form submission from: Contact Us Johan, We are going to get you fixed up and running asap, hang tight while I contact cycles Africa and update them on our next move. Thank you, Evan Gaspar | Distributor Sales | Chris King Precision Components | 1.800.523.6008 l info@chrisking.com l http://chrisking.com I Twitter: @ChrisKingBuzz Begin forwarded message: From: "Johan Fourie" <johan@jhfourie.co.za> Date: November 6, 2011 5:45:47 AM PST To: "'jeff menand'" <info@chrisking.com> Subject: RE: Form submission from: Contact Us Hi Jeff, Thank you for your response! It is indeed appreciated. I have spoken to the agents (Cycles Africa, Somerset West, South Africa) since posting this link on a local cycling forum. The link and story was posted after a very frustrating period of communication between my Local Bike Shop and the Agents for CK. According to them (agents) they have been in contact with you guys and they are not replacing anything as it is working in spite of the undue wear in the pictures after only 6 months. As stated in the email it is a new hub and I have been back and forth to them on 3 occasions to get it checked and serviced. Surely that is why you buy CK - not to have to go back and forth and sit on the couch while your new hub is being 'fixed' Anyway I as you can tell it is more frustration in the process and passing the buck than disappointment in the product. Hope we can work something out. https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/109256-chris-not-so-king/ Kind regards Johan

Double your K2C time...that should give you an idea going for my 5th one!

update....entire thread sent to Cycles Africa and CK in US via their website contact pages...let's see response

From their site: LBS followed this procedure...hub was repaired with worn marks on outer cone as per pics...and been back once after that - I say its *** that they don't do a better job... Chris King Chris King has a pretty straight forward warranty policy and we seldom have riders take us up on it! •Headsets – 10 years •Hubs – 5 years •Bottom Brackets – 5 years This warranty covers material and workmanship defects only and is for the original owner. It is mandatory that all Chris King products that may have a possible warranty be returned to Cycles Africa and possibly to Chris King for Inspection. It is also mandatory that a Return Authorization Number (RA#) be obtained by contacting Cycles Africa before any product is returned. Additionally, a dated Proof of Purchase must accompany the product when returned.

Cycles Africa only serviced the hub - no parts replaced. Can't get a clearer picture as it was taken with cellphone by lbs guy at cycles africa after it was opened up. Apparently I am not allowed to contact them directly...the other problem is that CAfrica have not even contacted CK about this - they are trying to 'fix' the problem and in the mean time I am inconvenienced.

thanks to everyone for input...I have contacted CK in US directly. Holding thumbs...

pics attached - on 2nd go... 60K...

I decided to custom build a Niner Air 9 Carbon and spend some money on the best parts available, looking for quality and durability. As for the wheel set, I sourced Chris King hubs with ZTR Arch rims and some fine double butted spokes. The wheels were built by a respectable bicycle shop owner, known for quality custom hand-built wheels. The bike was complete in December 2010. I took it for its regular checks & service, as you would when you spend 60 bar. During this year's Knysna MTB (7 months after 1st ride on new bike) I experienced the free-hub slipping (not engaging) for half a revolution on each pedal stroke. I took it back to the bike shop who referred it to the agents for Chris King (Cycles Africa). They pointed out that it was abnormal since the hub was only 7 months old. They then proceeded to service the hub and it engaged properly again for a while after the service. I had to have it serviced again in September for play on the hub. Attached are pictures that show a new hub drive shell (on the right) and the 7 month old hub drive shell on the left. The wear on the edge of the hub is clearly visible. Cycles Africa are not prepared to replace this hub even though its less than a year old. In the meantime the inconvenience of having to take the hub for regular repairs and having to pay for labor is insane! So my question is why pay R 7000 for a Chris King hub set and have to deal with this? I am sure there are thousands of happy CK hubs users out there with no issues. Hence this has to be a dud set in need of replacement! My previous MTB cheap XT hub set outlasted and outperformed the 10X more expensive set. Also the frustration of not being able to deal directly with Cycles Africa, but to be forced to speak through my LBS is ridiculous and it feels as if they are trying to pass the buck! Hence my conclusion Cycles Africa and/or Chris King do not view each individual customer as important, they rather prefer bulk sales to voiceless distributors.

oh...off course...i did not mention a back-up vehicle

plan was to do the N2...but looking for numbers

nice one...point taken. fitting in cycling / training with other weekend plans hence the reason for the trip..

Anyone keen to join? Planning to ride from S West to George on Thursday and Friday 6 & 7 August... The idea is to get some miles in...and have a halfway overnight stop at say Swellendam. If anyone is interested drop me a line... Distances: Overall: 390 km S/west to Swellendam: 174km Swellendam to George: 213km tjopper2009-07-13 05:45:44