Chris King R45 hubs

[Clancy]

Originally Posted by zzy

If true: HAHAHAHAHHAH. Go look at the retail price of a new set of CK bearings, front and rear, to understand how truly absurd this is. You also need proprietary tools to do the work.

Service every 3 months in rain.

Replace bearings when needed.

Two separate sentences. Bearings will last years if kept in adjustment and serviced as needed.

[parallelfish]

Originally Posted by bentaco

I rode a set of CK classics on my cross bike for 3 seasons of racing plus a good amount of commuting through wintry slush/snow in Chicago. While I never had to replace the bearings, the freehub pawls were sticking significantly and just needing a cleaning/regrease.

There are no pawls - King hubs utilize a ring drive system. Cleaning and lubricating the rings are part of normal maintenance. Easily done and requiring no special tools.

[moobikes]

Originally Posted by tuscanyswe

3 month in the wet, requires new bearings?
Thats a major pita.

It's a mystery to me why the topic of CK R45 hubs crop up so often with the same questions being asked over and over.

How did the reputation of the hubs come to be?

[mecse]

Originally Posted by dbnm

How often do the hubs need to be rebuild and/or have the bearings replaced?

I have my used R45s. Sold to me as having ~5000 miles. I've since put 6500 miles on them.

I service once a year, don't ride in disgusting weather. The bearings and seals and everything are perfect.