I first used a Chris King HS in 1978 on our Santana Road Tandem. I have regreased it once since then. Another CK HS from 1989 on my Ti BG RNR was just serviced by CK after 21 years for the first time. I think the Divide Ride pounding finally made that necessary.

I calculate cost amortized over the long run and CK HSs are cheap by that measure. I also use fenders on all of the bikes -single and tandem- from new that also protect the HS from debris thus extending service life and service interval.