Recently I said to myself, I said: "Self, which bike brings you the most pleasure and best suits your daily needs?" Myself replied: "Duh!...the Crosscheck you idjit!" Hmmmm, can't argue...great fit, comfortable, multi-tasker.

I asked myself this because I have some money burning a hole in my pocket and I would like to purchase a top-tier wheelset for the bike I use the most. Now the debate...Chris King or Phil Wood wheelset?

This bicycle will see lots of 30-40 mile "C" weekend rides and even the occasional supported group tour. Most of my miles, however, are around town just smelling the roses as I ride. No real reason for great wheels, but something I'd like to do to keep me happy.

Opinions?

Aaron

An inefficient use of money. The hubs won't be any more efficient. Lighter wheels might be beneficial if you where riding at higher speeds. I'd suggest using the money for something that will enable you to do something different. Or, just pick the one that is simply more expensive.

Maybe I should have added to the top post that I have a perfectly wonderful set of Easton EA90 SL's....but that's not the wheel for the kind of riding I do on this bike?

Looking primarily for Phil vs. Chris differences (if there are any) and possibly some experiences & opinions.

Thanks!

Aaron

They are both very, very good. Can't say I'd pick one over the other. Can't say that you will be able to notice a difference between their hubs and any others because you probably won't. If it were me on that bike I'd have Open Pros with Ultegra hubs and nice tires.

I have a buddy who used to work for Chris King as a machinist. He always laughs when he sees guys using King hubs on road bikes. Says it's like using a battleship for bass fishing: overkill, ya know? Personally, I'd pass on them just because of the angry bee sound. Don't know anything about Phil Wood hubs. Given the ridiculous price, I'd probably pass on them too.

Chris Kings are loud as hell.

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

is all you'll hear when you coast.

That said, all that Phil Wood will do is get the ire of hipsters who turn up their nose and talk about how 'some people' should stop trying to make a geared bike as cool as their fixies.

Do yourself a favor, get some Ultegra / DTSwiss 1.1 wheels and use the rest to get a Phil Wood bottom bracket and Thomson stem/seatpost. Now THAT would be money better spent.

Or, alternatively, you could ride the relatively theft-free bike you have and put the money into your 401k. The best money is unspent.

did I just see someone recommend a chris king headset?
I did! I did see someone recommend a chris king headset!

I'd recommend shimano or DT swiss hubs over chris king or phil wood, but if I really had to choose between the two, it'd be phil wood hubs.

Battleship for bass fishing....I see the error of my ways. LOL

I was having "ultimate" thoughts when I posted the thread, and I have certainly reconsidered after reading the responses above. Thanks everyone for the open, honest replies.

Ultegra was mentioned at least 3 times....why not Dura-Ace? Same thing only cheaper? There had to be a reason for the Ultegra love.

I have a King headset on this bike....King bottom bracket seems like a good idea. I won't mess with the basic build, tho, as it all works so well together as it sits. The Tiagra/Alex wheelset is the only real hang-up I have.

Aaron

Ultegra won't be better, functionally, than 105 (for example). Ultegra is the best balance of bling and cost. DuraAce is more expensive (and overlly snooty) and not any more functional!!

There is probably nothing wrong with the Tiagra hubs (except they aren't "blingy"). The aren't going to be any slower than any other hub. I don't know anything about the rims. (I have Mavic 319 rims on LX hubs.)

concerning ultegra hubs (and all shimano hubs I believe)... aren't they loose ball bearing hubs? Correct me if I'm wrong here but aren't loose bearing hubs generally not so good if you ride in the rain or damp environments that cause corrosion to the bearings as opposed to sealed bearing hubs?

I agree with the above posters on the Ultegra hubs. I had a wheel that I bought with a King hub and couldn't take the noise. I switched to a set of Mavic open pros with Ultegra hubs and was much, much happier. Still just as smooth as the King hubs, but almost silent in operation. Plus the wheelset alone cost me less than what the one King hub cost. I'd take the rest of the money and put it into something else.

Since this is BF, I'll post my opinion that is completly unrealted to your actual question. Your bike looks too big (judging by the minimal seatpost and stem lengths). Getting a bike that can fit a more aggressive/aero position would help way more than any set of wheels. Could get a new cross check frameset for the amount you are probably thinking of spending on wheels.

no, the 'sealed' bearings can be contaminated just as easily as the cup and cone loose bearings of the shimano.

It all depends on how you want to maintain your bike.
sealed bearings, you use a C-clamp press to push out the old bearings and install new ones.
will wear out faster since there are generally fewer balls in the cartridges
sometimes requires special press to get cartridges out.
if the races get pitted, you can just replace the cartridges.
the hub still does wear out eventually if cartridges are replaced often enough.

loose ball bearings, you just replace the balls, and hopefully a regular maintenance schedule kept your races pitting free.
can use any grease you like in the bearings
easier to replace grease if it gets contaminated
lasts longer as the ball bearings are usually larger and numerous
can get pitted races, at which point the hubs are toast.


the seals on 105 and above hubs are very good. You need a pressure washer to get behind those seals.

It's a lot harder to contaminate the sealed bearings you'll find in the Phils. As for changing them, the Field Serviceable hubs from Phil Wood require two 5mm allen wrenches to completely disassemble. You don't even have to take the cassette off the rear hub to accomplish this. This is a particularly nice feature for a touring hub or if you have to replace a spoke. Bearings are easily slipped back into place.

Even hubs that can't be disassembled as easily, take a very loooong time to wear out. I've had several cassette bearing hubs and only ever had to replace 1 bearing.

All true but then you'd just be riding on the same hubs as the rest of the world.

I have two sets of Phils. I'd like a couple more of them

I have both. I love both.

I put Phil's on my 404 hoops because I wasn't so concerned with weight. I put CK's on my 28 spoke Open Pros because I wanted light weight but durable wheels.

Both spin awesome, both are top tier shtuff. If forced to vote, I'd vote CK.

Only because you can get more colors!

can i ask you what handlebars you have on your bike?

Phil all the way.. I still use a Phil front hub on my current bike.. It is going on 15+ years, never serviced and spins as free as the day it was built..

Bontrager Race VR.

Tried several, these felt the best.

I totally understand what you're saying...

I was going for pure comfort when I purchased this frameset. Consider this CC as a "general purpose" bicycle, bordering on mini-touring bike. It's commonplace to fit to the next-larger frame size in the name of comfort. Some say that a "fist full of seatpost" makes the perfect fit, but only on a bicycle with this style geometry. The stem.....I swap between this short one and a 100mm based on the type of ride I'm doing. Right now I'm prepared for the slower season, so I like to sit a bit more upright.

I'm very pleased with the fit of this bicycle.....it's totally my favorite.

They're tools not jewels. Tons of car mechanics use Craftsman tools and not the overpriced, Snap-On bling that performs the same function.

Yeah the bad ones.

Fancy hubs are pointless especially on that steel tank. Get Tiagra hubs or whatever's on sale.

BTW, your bike is too big.

This.

Love my Phils. I even have an original circa 1978 pair that still roll along just fine. But, again, the modern field serviceable cassette is the ultimate touring hub IMO. I'm a lightweight so just appreciate the ease of cleaning and service, but anyone who breaks spokes should consider these hubs for touring above all else.

wow.