Chris King Bike

Frequently Asked Questions

• What makes Chris King’s sealed angular-contact bearings different from other hub bearings?

  Chris King manufactures sealed angular-contact bearings in-house with a user-serviceable design and 72 points of simultaneous engagement (45 points in R45 road hubs). Those bearings are hand-inspected, built to handle torque loads exceeding 800 ft‑lbs, and are designed to “burnish” and improve with age instead of simply wearing out.
• Why do Chris King hubs produce that distinctive “angry bee” sound?

  The signature “angry bee” buzz comes from Chris King’s fine‑tooth ratchet configuration which provides instantaneous, flawless engagement. That ratchet design plus precision machining creates a high‑frequency engagement tone that riders recognize as a sign of rapid engagement and reliability.
• How does Chris King approach sustainability and materials science in its wheels and rims?

  Chris King’s FusionFiber™ process uses a nylon fiber binding system instead of traditional epoxy resins, enabling fully recyclable carbon rims and a lower environmental footprint. The company also emphasizes zero‑waste rim production, domestic hand‑finishing, and earned early recognition as a bike‑industry B Corp for its broader sustainability commitments.
• What are the standout features of the MTN30 alloy and GRD23 all‑road wheelsets?

  The MTN30 alloy wheels feature a 30 mm internal width with a 19 mm rim profile, available in 29", 27.5" and mixed setups, 32‑hole Sapim Race spoke builds, rim weights of ~595 g (29") and ~565 g (27.5"), and robust hub designs with ~150 g front and ~290 g rear hub weights. The GRD23 is a 700c carbon all‑road wheel built with FusionFiber™ for a recyclable carbon rim and a focus on long‑term durability and serviceability.
• How does the ThreadFit™ T47 30i bottom bracket benefit riders compared with press‑fit options?

  The ThreadFit™ T47 30i uses a threaded shell to eliminate the creaking and tolerance issues common to many press‑fit systems, while accommodating larger‑diameter bearings for lower pedaling resistance. It’s designed for easy serviceability—components are accessible and built to burnish rather than rapidly wear—making long‑term maintenance straightforward.