Chris King

Frequently Asked Questions

• What sets Chris King components apart from other premium bicycle parts?

  Chris King is known for in-house bearing production and precision CNC machining in the U.S., with hubs hand-inspected and assembled in Portland, Oregon. Their focus on durable materials, user-serviceable bearings, and technologies like RingDrive yields long-lived components that prioritize reliability and serviceability over just lightweight numbers.
• What is RingDrive and how does it change hub performance?

  RingDrive is Chris King’s machined ring-and-driven engagement system that produces a crisp, audible engagement and high torque capacity; it uses 72 engagement points on MTB hubs and 45 points on the R45 road hubs. That design increases durability and instantaneous engagement for sprinting and technical riding while maintaining predictable service intervals.
• Why does Chris King use thermoplastic carbon (FusionFiber) for some rims?

  Thermoplastic FusionFiber carbon rims offer increased damping and impact resilience compared with traditional thermoset composites, and the thermoplastic matrix can be melted and recycled at end of life. Chris King uses these materials (and partnerships with CSS/FusionFiber) to balance ride quality, durability, and sustainability in wheels like the MTN30 carbon options.
• How serviceable are Chris King bearings and hubs for home maintenance?

  Chris King uses sealed angular-contact bearings that are designed to be user-serviceable without special tools; routine cleaning and regreasing restores performance and the bearings often smooth in with use. Owners can also choose ceramic bearing upgrades and perform straightforward rebuilds, which supports long-term durability and lower lifecycle cost.
• Which Chris King lines are best for road, gravel/all-road, and mountain riding?

  For road riding the R45 hubs and associated road wheel builds focus on stiffness and refined engagement, while the ARD44/ARD wheelsets target all-road and gravel with mid-depth rims and wider internal widths. The MTN30 hubs and wheelsets (available in alloy and FusionFiber carbon) are built for mountain use—available in 27.5" and 29" sizes and compatible with Boost/Super Boost spacings and common freehub bodies—so choose the line that matches your wheel size, axle standard, and intended terrain.