Chris King R45 hubs

Gabbo
Gabbo Posts: 864
edited February 2013 in Road buying advice
Seriously, what makes these hubs (both front and rear) worth just under £500?

Am yet to read any reviews on these CK hubs but apparently Chris King make some of the best components in this department. Could anyone confirm this from personal experience?

Thanks

Comments

  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    I can confirm that they apparently make some of the best hubs.

    I can also say that certain wheel builders consider them over priced.

    Dura Ace hubs are considered to be a worthy investment for not such silly money.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,321
    Cost of labour in the USA and high quality. It is a nice company... if you believe jobs should stay in the western world, buy stuff made in the western world, if you don't give a toss, then buy hubs made in the far east.

    They are nice, they are well made, they are extremely well finished... are they worth that much? Depends where your priorities are... per se no, they are not worth that much... but if you have cash to spare, you can give to charity or you can buy CK... it is the same thing, as you are keeping a job going that would otherwise becomes a homeless on some welfare program...
    left the forum March 2023
  • MichaelW
    MichaelW Posts: 2,164
    You are making me feel so philanthropic...
  • cpeachey
    cpeachey Posts: 1,057
    Royce hubs are also worth a look and, as they are British, you would be doing your bit for Britain! Goods from the USA carry a big import duty which bumps up the price.
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Out of interest, does anyone have a picture of the freewheel mechanism of the Royce rear hub? I can find shots of CK, DT Swiss and American Classic but nothing for Royce.
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • cpeachey
    cpeachey Posts: 1,057
    Royce Venus hub has 3 pawls like Hope hubs.
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Oh! That's disappointing, I was hoping for something more innovative for that money.
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,321
    DesWeller wrote:
    Oh! That's disappointing, I was hoping for something more innovative for that money.

    The guy is a precision engineer, not an inventor, doesn't have an R&D department... he does conventional things very well
    left the forum March 2023
  • mjbennett
    mjbennett Posts: 532
    I've had a pair -they were light and reliable. I think the price gives them almost an untouchable/desirable feel. But really, hubs are hubs, and there are some very good ones for much less cash.
    My current favourite are hope pro 3's due to the reliability, serviceability (is that a word?), colour choice and hub sound. Interestingly, when i was in the states, there were a lot of admirers of hope's hubs. Oh, and they're made in the UK.
  • FatTed
    FatTed Posts: 1,205
    I have them, I doubt they are worth the money, I bought them in the US. I enjoy riding on them, I'm sure I can't tell them apart from any other hubs I have ridden.
    http://fairwheelbikes.com/cycling-blog/ ... rload.html
  • charlie_potatoes
    charlie_potatoes Posts: 1,921
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Cost of labour in the USA and high quality. It is a nice company... if you believe jobs should stay in the western world, buy stuff made in the western world, if you don't give a toss, then buy hubs made in the far east.

    Not sure if keeping jobs in the USA is a priority for most people living in Blighty.
    "You really think you can burn off sugar with exercise?" downhill paul
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,321
    Charlie Potatoes wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Cost of labour in the USA and high quality. It is a nice company... if you believe jobs should stay in the western world, buy stuff made in the western world, if you don't give a toss, then buy hubs made in the far east.

    Not sure if keeping jobs in the USA is a priority for most people living in Blighty.

    Could be Royce, it is a concept... It applies to all overpriced bicycle parts made in the western world.
    Yesterday I spotted a Storck frame fitted with 105 and basic wheels in the window of Bikelab... 5400 pounds, is it at least made in Germany? :shock:
    left the forum March 2023
  • TheStone
    TheStone Posts: 2,291
    I can never tell the difference between good and bad hubs.
    My thinking when getting these, was to just buy the best. I'm expecting them to last decades.

    I already had their bottom bracket and headset and they look like they'll last forever.
    exercise.png
  • fluff.
    fluff. Posts: 771
    Goldtec are made in Stoke on Trent if you feel like keeping your money in the UK. Same silly prices though, for a machined bit of aluminium.
  • durianrider
    durianrider Posts: 62
    Ive got a pair. Prefer the Classics over the R45. My rear R45 hub has only a few thousand miles on it. Already notchy as a sora hub. Spend extra and get a powertap g3 hub with a Chris King front.

    btw: Im 4% body fat and a BMI of 19.1. Not exactly a heavyweight rider.
    Over 400 000km cycled as a vegan.

    Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/durianriders
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/durianriders/
  • on-yer-bike
    on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
    durianrider wrote:
    Ive got a pair. Prefer the Classics over the R45. My rear R45 hub has only a few thousand miles on it. Already notchy as a sora hub. Spend extra and get a powertap g3 hub with a Chris King front.

    btw: Im 4% body fat and a BMI of 19.1. Not exactly a heavyweight rider.

    If you can stand the hassle, they have a 5 year warranty but I guess it means taking the wheel apart to send it back. Which kind of makes the warranty worthless.
    Pegoretti
    Colnago
    Cervelo
    Campagnolo
  • racingcondor
    racingcondor Posts: 1,434
    I love mine. Wouldn't spend the money to buy them at full price but they are very nice hubs indeed (I went with DA when I had to pay myself and wanted quality).
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    durianrider wrote:
    btw: Im 4% body fat and a BMI of 19.1. Not exactly a heavyweight rider.

    Perhaps if you eat a few burgers you can beef up a bit :mrgreen:
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • waterford123
    waterford123 Posts: 172
    smidsy wrote:
    durianrider wrote:
    btw: Im 4% body fat and a BMI of 19.1. Not exactly a heavyweight rider.

    Perhaps if you eat a few burgers you can beef up a bit :mrgreen:

    Or increase your horse power.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    waterford123 wrote:
    smidsy wrote:
    durianrider wrote:
    btw: Im 4% body fat and a BMI of 19.1. Not exactly a heavyweight rider.

    Perhaps if you eat a few burgers you can beef up a bit :mrgreen:

    Or increase your horse power.

    Has that affected Australia too. Oh well it is a global economy after all :lol:
    Yellow is the new Black.

Categories