chris king joins the modern world
- Thread starter frorider
- Start date
Doesn't Dia Comp actually own the patent CC uses?
yea, that was mentioned in the article.
*yawn* People still use Chris King in these parts?
About time. Now they just have to lower the price to normal levels and they are all set.
meh, ive had no issues for 11 years with mine. ive had tons of issues with Hope's though. hopefully my new CC XXc will fix them
So we're being encouraged to jump on the CK bandwagon just because they've finally gotten in step with the rest of the world . . . when there are so many just-as-good-but-less-expensive alternatives out there? Meh.
Well sure, but who else has Sotto Voce Colorways?
What, and King is the first company that you can think of that does this? People are springing for Avy internals/ TLD Helmets/ $400 pedals/ XTR or XO stuff/ Nicolai frames/ blah blah blah...the list goes on of products that cost more but are arguably no better than cheaper competitors. At least with King its a small fraction of money over a competitor.
Fact is King headsets have EARNED the reputation they have by performance, not internet hype. This update is a good and overdue one, unlike so many posted "upgrades" that are mostly fluff.
I have to agree with you, I used a king headset on my home made, chromoly bike with an un-faced headtube (didn't have a lathe yet). sporting a monster T for 5 years. I finally cracked the lower cup during a crash. CK makes good stuff, I have never used a headset for that long otherwise.
Mine never creaked, but I did see some others that did.
I'll buy another, without thinking twice.
I'm using an FSA at the moment but it weighs a ton. Seems to be holding up for now (2nd year)
Oh, the Avy internals Kick ass btw
I think Dia-Comp became Cane Creek. I also think the patent runs out at the end of 2010. This news has been anticipated for a couple years.
Only the unknowledgable would argue about some of the products you mentioned. A gain is a gain no matter how small(ie pedals, mechs). Quality might not always have a gain in performance, but may perform longer. I don't think Avalnache with at least longer service life was a worthy mention. I won't start a sh!t fight saying how superior the Avy cart will make a fork. The service life and durability is enough.
I'd buy a King again. I'm liking my Cane Creek Opiums at present though.
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"The threadless headset is U.S. Patent 5095770, which is owned by Cane Creek Cycling Components, and expires on September 29, 2010"
Source: http://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/cane-creek-110-is-review/
Source: http://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/cane-creek-110-is-review/
That makes things clearer
. Let's examine another patents that are to be expired in the near future and let's tip who will come with what 'revolution' after that. Rohloff Speedhub vs. Shimano/Sram tandem are the my candidates.
Just a comment: Nicolai offers 5 years warranty, no question asked, on their frames. Pretty unusual IMO. And they can build you all their models in custom sizes, not many big bike manufacturers can claim this.
True, they earned the reputation on road and hardtail bikes when the competition offered (nearly) unsealed headsets. But now we have 2010, long travel forks and everybody else's products evolved to the point that they are equal to King in terms of durability but perform without flaws with 8" forks.
I think the main thing is that they actualy still work after 5 years. Easily some of the most well thought out stuff out there. And, no marketing hype around them at all. Just good designs, real engineering, and surreal craftsmanship.
Frankly, I like supporting a made-in-the-USA company with environmentally conscious manufacturing practices who encourage their employees to practice sustainable, healthy lifestyles. Plus they build their products and supply their warehouse to ensure that small parts are always available, order-able, and replaceable.
Of course, they have to make good products or I won't buy them - but I don't mind paying a small premium to support companies whose practices I approve of.
After reading this load of BS from King my hate for CK headsets has reached an all time high, and yes I'm a hater on this one. And no, I don't give a **** if you've been running one for a million years!
Only one of the many stupid things discussed was the example of the wear on the top cap. Wear that is only there due to the poxy design, not regular "wear and tear". When's the last time anyone running a split wedge had to replace the wedge!!
I agree finally they have a decent design in the split ring, it must have been a bitter pill to swallow for their arrogant asses to change their poxy design.
Finally they won't have to write or tell customers with HS issues that it's the installation of the headset, the facing, the allignment of the stars was incorrect, the gods were in a mood, etc.......
Cane Creek is Dia Compe. One and the same. Cane Creek was a branding that occured around the mid-90's to get away from the generic name and develop high end componentry, wheels, etc if I'm not wrong. I seem to remember lots of people thinking "Dia-Compe" was an Asian brand.
If memory serves me correct, the Dia-Compe segment direct supplies OEM componentry to bike manufacturers worldwide from their facilities in Asia and possibly Cane Creek is for the most part speced here and assembled here. By here, I mean Fletcher, NC right down the road from my house.
So what's the rule on a patent when it runs out? Does the owner just have to buy the rights all over or re-file for extending it? Or does the intellectual property just became open source?
If memory serves me correct, the Dia-Compe segment direct supplies OEM componentry to bike manufacturers worldwide from their facilities in Asia and possibly Cane Creek is for the most part speced here and assembled here. By here, I mean Fletcher, NC right down the road from my house.
So what's the rule on a patent when it runs out? Does the owner just have to buy the rights all over or re-file for extending it? Or does the intellectual property just became open source?
i dont believe they can file for a extension on the product after the original timeline runs out.
when my old company invented VHS, it was a free-for-all after our patent rights ran out.
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free for all, Now when are the angle sets hitting shelfs?
And too bad they bet the farm on the higher-quality Beta, eh?
Is the lack of this in old models actually the cause of my head tube creaking?
lol wut?
consumer Beta died and was only backed by 2-3 companies. TV-production Beta was used for years by everyone and made by plenty of mfg's
^^ This I know. We used Beta SP for many years in our field cams at work. (and our broadcast master control was finally able to retire 1" tape for DVC-Pro).
I was just referring to when Sony gave away VHS to JVC.
I was just referring to when Sony gave away VHS to JVC.
These prices rebel my wallet..
amen, i love my King too, had it for just under 11 years, no problems, and several bikes.meh, ive had no issues for 11 years with mine. ive had tons of issues with Hope's though. hopefully my new CC XXc will fix them
I have blown up 3 sets of Chris King head sets on the long travel bikes.They have all ways repaired them for me and told me to service them better next time. I have since switched to the Chinese pig set up with the upper wedge and have yet to have a problem. Its cool to see Chris King changed to a better design.
SC Syndicate and the Athertons seem to be doing fine with them too
^ amen... it just turns into one big bitchfest and things get changed. Owell I can't wait to buy a whole bunch of the older versions headsets which I prefer. It's funny too because the reality is the people that have "blown" kings up probably don't have properly reamed and faced headtubes, and assume that the reason is in the product. Solution prep your bike the right way when building it, and if the shop that you go to doesn't offer that service then they aren't a real shop anyways.
Um, the question with their "traditional" headsets is long term durability. Pointing out that WC teams, who can replace headsets after every weekend, use them is retarded.