Chris King ventures into internal routing system and carbon wheels.

[XXtwindad]

I just got an update from CK components. Maybe it’s been posted here before, but I couldn’t find it.

I don’t quite get the internal routing bit. It’s only compatible with the ENVE in-line system, which I’m not familiar with. It’s not backwards compatible.

As far as the carbon wheels go… well, why not Chris King? They make damn good hubs.

[Chris(NJ)]

Haven't seen them yet. Are they claiming to do something drastically different w/ their carbon rims than what's already been done and widely available?

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by Chris(NJ)

Haven't seen them yet. Are they claiming to do something drastically different w/ their carbon rims than what's already been done and widely available?

Well, of course.

Why We Make This

We came out with our own wheel because we got the opportunity to participate in the development of a new rim, a rim that is of outstanding quality, is tuned to our performance specs, and is made of a recyclable material that doesn’t add to landfills keeping us in line with our commitment to the environment and being a certified B - corp. Performance, good looks, minimal carbon impact, AND backed up by a lifetime warranty? Yes please.

Edit: Easy on the environment does not translate into being easy on your wallet, however. These wheels will set you back almost $3,000.

[jawnzcapital]

Originally Posted by Chris(NJ)

Haven't seen them yet. Are they claiming to do something drastically different w/ their carbon rims than what's already been done and widely available?

the fully recyclable claim if they happen to crack or come to the end of their life and apparently a less toxic manufacturing process for the wheels.

who knows how much of it is true but i think thats the main differentiator for CK wheels

[AngryScientist]

One thing is for sure: they will be expensive!

[mstateglfr]

It is good to provide options to consumers so they can spend their dollars the best way they see fit. For that, I give a vigorous golf clap to CK.

As for their green claim, I would be very interested to see an outside analysis of how realistic it is and to learn what is different that allows them to recycle. I would also like to see what the rims can be recycled into and how much energy/effort is required to recycle.
Can I recycle them in the recycling bin I roll out to the curb or do I need to pay $40 to send them via combustion truck halfway across the country to a specific recycler at which point a small % can be captured for re-use? <--clearly totally made up scenarios that are not intended to be used as actual reality.

Its all hypothetical to me though since I view $3000 wheels as completely comical. I continue to think various companies have jumped the shark, only to look up and see a proverbial line of people in line with money in hand.

[prototoast]

The rims are made from CSS Composites https://csscomposites.com/ and are have been available from Revel. https://revelbikes.com/product/revel-wheels/

These just have Chris King hubs.

They are only "recyclable" by a sufficiently equipped carbon fiber facility (which I assume means they'd have to be sent back to CSS), and where they would be repurposed to make very other carbon fiber parts. https://csscomposites.com/sustainability/

[mstateglfr]

OK, I think I remember reading about this a year or more ago. Maybe it was anothrr boutique US brand that also tied into CSS?

[dustyrider]

Okay, but are they hookless or not?

[jawnzcapital]

Originally Posted by prototoast

The rims are made from CSS Composites https://csscomposites.com/ and are have been available from Revel. https://revelbikes.com/product/revel-wheels/

These just have Chris King hubs.

They are only "recyclable" by a sufficiently equipped carbon fiber facility (which I assume means they'd have to be sent back to CSS), and where they would be repurposed to make very other carbon fiber parts. https://csscomposites.com/sustainability/

$800 upcharge for hubs that are about the same price as Hydras haha

[AngryScientist]

The value here is the warranty and CK standing behind it. For the person who only has one or two bikes, rides them a lot and keeps equipment for the long haul, a solid wheelset that in theory can last for a lifetime is an attractive proposition.

Still though, there has to be some ceiling on what people will pay for a set of wheels. $3k is really a lot of money, at least to me.

[lookout2015]

It’s sorta odd to target the money-is-no-object end of the bike spectrum when they no longer support Campy…

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

Well, of course.

Why We Make This

We came out with our own wheel because we got the opportunity to participate in the development of a new rim, a rim that is of outstanding quality, is tuned to our performance specs, and is made of a recyclable material that doesn’t add to landfills keeping us in line with our commitment to the environment and being a certified B - corp. Performance, good looks, minimal carbon impact, AND backed up by a lifetime warranty? Yes please.

Edit: Easy on the environment does not translate into being easy on your wallet, however. These wheels will set you back almost $3,000.

And not Campagnolo 11s/12/13 compatible..

[mcteague]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

And not Campagnolo 11s/12/13 compatible..

Hey, I still love Campy but the market is what it is. Shimano/SRAM have over 90% of that market... at least. Just like when Campagnolo dropped Chorus EPS. To stay profitable you need to make what the overwhelming majority or the people are going to buy.

Tim

[BdaGhisallo]

Originally Posted by mcteague

Hey, I still love Campy but the market is what it is. Shimano/SRAM have over 90% of that market... at least. Just like when Campagnolo dropped Chorus EPS. To stay profitable you need to make what the overwhelming majority or the people are going to buy.

Tim

And King had all kinds of issues with their Campy compatible freehubs cracking and fixing that would have necessitated a new design and the demand just wasn’t there to justify the investment, I guess.

You can’t blame them for abandoning Campy freehubs.