Chris King Precision Components
Chris King Precision Components has announced a switch to a new hub system called "Gen 4".
The main change in this new hub system is that it is a completely new system utilizing standardized drivers and axles.
While I wouldn't go so far as to call this an evolution primarily aimed at performance improvement (and I don't want to overstate it, but it is lighter in weight), there have been no changes to Chris King's signature in-house bearings or RingDrive™ system. With this Gen 4, maintenance performance has been significantly improved, and upgrades—as well as drivetrain swaps—are easier and lower-cost. The design consciously aims to reduce the cost of ownership for Chris King hubs, which are built with long-term use in mind, and to further extend the lifespan of the hubs.
Compared to the previous internal system design, the evolution to the Gen 4 system introduced here marks a major shift in overall performance and maintainability. Previous generation hubs were manufactured by combining the patented RingDrive™ system with needle bearings, but this system was discontinued in 2019. While this internal system was very effective, it is an undeniable fact that it was complex and costly to manufacture, had a heavy feel, and had over 20% more frictional resistance compared to Gen 4. The subsequent twin-bearing system significantly reduced this frictional resistance, but as you may know, the design required a wide variety of multiple axles and internal driver bodies.
However, with the introduction of this new Gen 4 system, Chris King has succeeded in making every hub they manufacture extremely rational and simple, making it easier to access the internal structure, while also providing compatibility and efficiency, all while maintaining the precision and durability that Chris King is known for.
Comment from Greg Hudson / Chris King Sales Manager
At Circles, we hold video meetings with Chris King in Portland about twice a month, and we’ve received the following comments from Sales Manager Greg Hudson regarding this evolution:
"In previous versions of our hubs, we always had to carefully balance our own proprietary internal structures and bearings with the ever-evolving third-party technologies like SRAM and Shimano drivetrain systems. However, with our core system now stabilized, we saw an opportunity to rethink our hub's internal system. We realized it was a chance to simplify things for ourselves and streamline our manufacturing for the thoughtful cyclists who are our main supporters."
Specific improvements of Gen 4 include the following:
- An all-new driver and axle system
- Improved compatibility and easier exchange of drive shell types
- Lower-priced conversion kits
- SRAM XDR has become more accessible with the adoption of threaded drive shell end caps
- Simple assembly and disassembly without axle wedges
- Easier preload adjustment (no need to compress spacer springs)
- Support for various hubs via standardized axles and simple internal parts configuration
- Improved compatibility through standardized bearing sizes
- Backward compatibility with previous Chris King hubs
- R45D Gen 4 hubs use an updated adjustment clamp that allows for disc rotor removal without removing the clamp
Additional comment from Greg Hudson:
"For this Gen 4, we conducted the development process with a comprehensive and holistic approach for each of our three hub product lines—Boost CenterLock/6-Bolt, R45D, and R45. We completely redesigned the axles and internal parts to standardize them. In the previous generation, in our pursuit of the world's highest specifications, we ended up in a somewhat abnormal state where bearing sizes and small parts were all different (laughs). The universal parts of Gen 4 have enabled us to streamline manufacturing itself, resulting in lower hub prices, better serviceability for riders using Chris King hubs over the long term, and lower costs for the small parts required for upgrades."
The benefits of owning a Chris King hub
We believe the benefit of introducing a Gen 4 or any Chris King hub is that it further extends the lifespan of the hub—which should be considered the most important part of the bicycle drivetrain, as it is constantly in motion—and by minimizing the cost of long-term ownership (though they have always been designed and manufactured for a very long lifespan), it further strengthens the commitment to a sustainable society that Chris King has upheld for over 40 years.
The Gen 4 series hubs are already shipping, and they are also being used in the complete wheels that Chris King hand-builds in-house.
The new GEN 4 hubs will be arriving at Circles and CWD (our wholesale division; we are currently looking for new dealers, so if there isn't a CWD dealer near you, please ask your local bike shop!), and the new upgradeable conversion kits are already in stock, so please consider them. (*Please feel free to contact us for any drivetrain systems or bearing options not currently in stock.)
Reporting to you from someone who prefers culture over booms, Tanaka.
