Chris King MTB BB - worth it?

[MintSauce]

 

The BB's are $129 delivered (about the same at CRC' date=' provided you get free shipping).

Scuzzy, I bought my bike a year ago, hubs included, so it wasn't by choice. I love the sound, but I can't honestly say that they feel "out of this world". I'd love to service them myself, but I don't see myself buying a tool at $160.

However, I've been through a couple of BB's, so replacing the grease on a regular basis sounds like the answer. No BB seals 100%, so bearings just won't last with mud and water forcing its way in over time. We'll see.

[/quote']

 

What gives Chris King bearings their reliability has to be the fact they are servicable. I can't see that they could have the expertise to make bearings that outlast the specialists who've been doing it for decades. It's just that for the vast amount of users(generally....not bike specific) the time saved just replacing cartridges far outways the servicability aspect.

 

You correctly state that dirt and water ingress cause BBs to pack up. So, if you can remove that dirt after every wet ride or every week or two of normal riding, there's no reason the bearings shouldn't last as long as the hub bearings do.

 

As for the hubs, few people can justify the cost. What sealed it for me is the fact that in my opinion they really are the best hubset made and I appreciate the thought that went into it, the attention to detail and the second-to-none quality finish.

 

It's kind of like choosing between a BMW M3 and a Porsche 911. The 911 Carrera S costs nearly double the cost of an M3. It's not twice as good or that much better or faster but it is the best in the class. If you really want the better car then you pay the price of admission....or not

 

 

 

 

[Dynamix]

Very true, their craftmanship is awesome, even on their tools. It's very clear that they take pride in what they do.

[Mr Toad]

 

I think it is worth it

 

I am not lying when I say I was going replacing BB's 3 times a year... I decided to try the Chris King BB and it was not cheap ... so far I have had had it for just under a year and no problems... Infact i have forgotton that it is there. (the way a BB should be) , I will take it my LBS in a few weeks and get them to inject some new grease , but I am 100% happy with it.

 

 

Now the next thing i need to decided is, do I need new wheels to go with my BB.

 

Mr Toad2009-09-08 03:02:53

[Hairy]

I think it is worth it

 

 

I am not lying when I say I was going replacing BB's 3 times a year... I decided to try the Chris King BB and it was not cheap ... so far I have had had it for just under a year and no problems... Infact i have forgotton that it is there. (the way a BB should be) ' date=' I will take it my LBS in a few weeks and get them to inject some new grease , but I am 100% happy with it.

 

Now the next thing i need to decided is, do I need new wheels to go with my BB.

 

[/quote']

 

 

 

Come on Mr Toad ... you know you want a set of blue CK hubs on that Mojo of yours

[CAAD4]

Do it, you know you want to.

[Mr Toad]

Hairy ....... You have no idea.... Hopes will have to do for now though....

[William]

There seems to be a little misconception going around about Chris King products and their various warrantee periods. The headsets are 10yrs, hubs 5 yrs and BB's 3yrs. This is for the bearings only AND on the proviso that they have been serviced regualrly by an Authorised Chris King dealer. Like any high tech product that is manufactured to extremely tight tolerances, if you look after the product it will look after you. My first set of King hubs are almost 12 years old now and still on the original bearings. Not too bad is it?

[NinjaManiak]

My Giant Yukon (1996) is still going well on the origional hubs and bearings (I think they are Cheng hubs, not sure, probably with loose bearings, again not sure, noone's ever looked).

They are absolutely horrible hubs, but still going strong...

[Thug]

 

........ Like any high tech product that is manufactured to extremely tight tolerances' date=' if you look after the product it will look after you. My first set of King hubs are almost 12 years old now and still on the original bearings. Not too bad is it?[/quote']

 

That's why my next purchase will be a Phil Wood BB.