This FAQ is intended to answer questions both for people wishing to purchase Chris King componants and for those that already have them and wish to know more about the products they have purchased.
Section One: Buying Information
As many of you know Chris King componants retail for huge sums of money in the UK which many riders cannot afford. Here is an example of the savings you are making by purchasing from abroad:
For example the cheapest prices one is going to find Chris King products from a shop in the UK is at the following shops:
1) www.chainreactioncycles.com.
2) www.wadescycles.co.uk
However there are several aternative options now avaliable.
1) Fromm of a guy named Michael at Aspire Velotech, which is a registrared Ebay shop. His prices are low at nearly half price of that in the UK and he offers free shipping worldwide, which includes the UK. How he operates is by sending you an invoice via email which acts as your recipt, by doing this he is able to send goods as gifts with a fixed priceing value marked on the parcels that are not subject to import tax. I have used Michael atleast 10 times now over the course of 6 months and like the many others that use his services he is extremely trusting, professional and contactable. Just check out his feedback here.
Aspire Velotech Contact Details:
Website (direct link to Chris King page) - Aspire Velotech
Email address - michael@aspirevelotech.com
2) Adam Reid (Tartridge) on this forum. He offers some very good prices and even has a no skip garentee on all rear Chris King hubs ordered. Great guy to deal with from personal experiance and Im sure a lot of others on here will agree.
Heres his references:
i) Tarty Bikes References Adams joint business venture with Dave.
ii) Adam Reid (Tartridge) References
3) Fatmike on this forum. He is a trusted member and like Tartridge is as safe as houses to deal with.
4) Theres a guy on here, cant remeber name but Ill find it and edit his that imports Chris King products from America and he offers some of the lowest prices around (since the price increases mentioned above came into effect).
5) The classifieds section on Trials-Forum is an great source for finding Chris King products at reasonable prices.
Note: If you would like me to explain the way things work in more detail, as there is quite a bit I have left out for legal reasons, then add me to on - msn: miha95038@hotmail.com
Note: Prices for 2005 have gone up so expect to pay that little extra for Chris King products, although its still a hell of a lot cheaper than the UK prices.
If after reading this you still prefer to buy Chris King products from the UK then here is a small selection of places inwhich one can purchase said products:
1) www.chainreactioncycles.com.
2) www.wadescycles.co.uk
3) www.bikedock.com
4) www.bromleybike.co.uk
Section Two: Headsets
Products: Part One - Headsets
This is the blurb from Chris Kings site:
"When Chris designed his first headset back in the mid 70's, his idea was simply to create a headset that would last more than a season or two. No one could have known that his efforts would revolutionize the bicycle industry the way they did. The Chris King headset has been considered a benchmark of quality for almost a quarter of a century. No other bicycle component can boast the longevity, performance and absolute reliability of the Chris King headset. We manufacture each Chris King headset from materials and components hand picked and evaluated precisely for use in our headsets. Each headset was developed with every attention to detail and each part of every headset is made by us. We even go so far as to make our own sealed, cartridge style bearings - a practice unheard of in the bike industry. Our bearings are made from surgical grade stainless steel and are fully serviceable. The constant contact seals are easily removed to allow for user servicing, yet provide an impervious barrier to the worst grit and grime of riding. Our seals protect the bearings so well that we often see headsets 10, and even 15 years old, that have never been serviced and still run like new. Though our offer still stands, few people ever have to take us up on our 10 year warranty."
Chris King offer a wide range of headsets:
NoThreadset
GripNut
2Nut
Perdido
SteelSet
Titanium
Devolution
Chris King headsets come in a multitude of different colours that span the rainbow (Steelstet and Titanium have no colour options) and the headset colour chart can be found here. Also worth noting is the new multi-coloured Chris King headsets hitting the market, as far as I know there are the following being put into production and are avalible as usual:
Rasta and Reversed Rasta
Patriotic
Italian
Specifications for all Chris King headsets can be found here.
Products: Part Two - Headset Tools
Firstly you will need to purchase a set of Chris King headset tools and they are worth what for what you pay for them straight up as in the long term they will pay for themselves many times.
Heres the links to the tools:
Headset Tools
Facing Tool
Frame Reaming Tool
Servicing Information
There is an instruction booklet that gives a step by step guide to servicing your Chris King headset.
Heres the link for the instruction booklet:
Instruction Booklet
Section Three: Hubs
Products: Part One - Hubs
This is the blurb from Chris Kings site:
"The Chris King hubs, some of the most highly sought after components in the bicycle industry, are both engineering masterpieces and examples of meticulous craftsmanship. Those who have taken them apart and seen how they work often compare the precision and detail to that of the inner workings of a watch. Yet they're light, strong and easy to service. It's been over 5 years since the first production run and still the demand continues to increase. All of our rear hubs utilize our patented RingDrive™ engagement mechanism. RingDrive™ uses 72 engagement teeth on each drive ring. That means the hub engages over 3 times quicker than the standard 24 tooth pawl-type freehub. Trying to get started again in the middle of a steep uphill section? Going for the surprise jump to drop your buddies? This unique design offers instant and positive engagement that's capable of handling a torque load of over 800ft/lbs, or over three times more than most other high end hubs we've tested. It is the heart of our hub and all rest is built around it. Other unique features include our ultra stiff 19.5mm constant diameter axle (through the bearings to the dropouts), our time tested and proven bearings, and a 5 year warranty. All of our hubs are easily adjustable and simple to work on, requiring only two hex wrenches and a pen knife for regular maintenance."
Chris King offer a wide range of hubs:
Classic
ISO
BMX
SingleSpeed
SingleSpeedDisc
20mmFront
Chris King hubs come in a multitude of diffeent colours that span the rainbow and the hub colour chart can be found here.
Specifications for all Chris King hubs can be found here.
Products: Part Two - Hub Tools
Firstly you will need to purchase a set of Chris King hub tools and they are worth what for what you pay for them straight up as in the long term they will pay for themselves many times.
Heres the link to the tool:
Chris King Hub Tools
Servicing Information
There is an instruction booklet and step by step videos that both give a step by step guide to servicing your Chris King hubs but in very different ways.
Heres the link for the instruction booklet:
Instruction Booklet
Heres the video demonstrations:
Front hub disassembly/reassembly
Small hub bearing removal
Front hub disassembly/reassembly
Driveshell disassembly
Driveshell reassembly
Snap ring and Seal removal
Rear Hub Internal Assembly
Rear Hub Final Assembly and Adjustment
Note: If you want I know Tartridge will service you Chris King hubs for a small fee, Ill get the details from him and post them up here very soon. My brother will also service Chris King hubs I check with him about this first.
Section Four: Extras
Right few little bits of informatin that dont quite fit anywere else.
Note: If I remember correctly you can get custom drillings for your hubs, so if you want a 48 hole rear Classic then you can but it costs a little extra on top of the standard prices.
Previuosly mentioned Chris King headsets come in some funky designs now but I reckon if you oder from King direct they will make you a custom coloured headset like the ones above but with your choice of colours from there existing range.
Section Five: Copyright
All Information is Copyright of 'www.chrisking.com'.
Feel free to email or PM me if you have any further questions regarding any of the above.
Hope this all helps.
