#!markdown
I can only speak to my experience. I run a bit of copper anti-seize on the
threads of the lock-rings/bearing pre-loaders.
The rear hub needed to be tightened after my first ride (common) and needs to
be tightened after the first ride when I swap the axle (bolt-on vs. thru) or
do a service. Other than that I've had no issues with the hub coming loose. It
also isn't an issue I've heard of with TP or Onyx (I don't have enough hours
on Onyx to comment personally but everyone I know with NOBL/Onyx is very
happy).
I've never had a King up seize up (multiple hubs over many years) but on my
single speed I definitely have to tighten my hub quite regularly even with the
anti-seize compound on the lockring. I don't find it to be a big deal - part
of my regular bolt check - but you're not the first person I know who finds it
an annoying aspect of King ownership.
The fact is the True Precision hubs run a small amount of ATF for lube and are
not aggressively sealed (spin with so little drag). I certainly wouldn't
expect to ride one regularly for six months without a basic lube (never mind a
year) in terms of getting optimum performance but in terms of reliability of
the product it's a beefy industrial INA roller clutch bearing and heat treated
stainless freehub (both with 5 year warranty) so it's hard to imagine the
system not being bomb proof.
I only have a couple months on the hub so I'll have more to say once I've
thoroughly thrashed them.
I've seen Jeff fix one that was raced DH and absolutely abused at Whistler for
a full season. The outside bearings were toast and the clutch barely turned
but the driver was fine.
Jeff flushed the roller clutch out with WD40, lubed it, and replaced the
bearing and the hub was as new. Pretty good testament to reliability.
That said, it's a pretty limited sampling to say if something is reliable or
not. I've known lots of bmx racers in the hubs with only positive feedback but
it's an entirely different application.
Thanks for reading!
Jan. 5, 2017, 12:23 p.m. - DrewM
#!markdown I can only speak to my experience. I run a bit of copper anti-seize on the threads of the lock-rings/bearing pre-loaders. The rear hub needed to be tightened after my first ride (common) and needs to be tightened after the first ride when I swap the axle (bolt-on vs. thru) or do a service. Other than that I've had no issues with the hub coming loose. It also isn't an issue I've heard of with TP or Onyx (I don't have enough hours on Onyx to comment personally but everyone I know with NOBL/Onyx is very happy). I've never had a King up seize up (multiple hubs over many years) but on my single speed I definitely have to tighten my hub quite regularly even with the anti-seize compound on the lockring. I don't find it to be a big deal - part of my regular bolt check - but you're not the first person I know who finds it an annoying aspect of King ownership. The fact is the True Precision hubs run a small amount of ATF for lube and are not aggressively sealed (spin with so little drag). I certainly wouldn't expect to ride one regularly for six months without a basic lube (never mind a year) in terms of getting optimum performance but in terms of reliability of the product it's a beefy industrial INA roller clutch bearing and heat treated stainless freehub (both with 5 year warranty) so it's hard to imagine the system not being bomb proof. I only have a couple months on the hub so I'll have more to say once I've thoroughly thrashed them. I've seen Jeff fix one that was raced DH and absolutely abused at Whistler for a full season. The outside bearings were toast and the clutch barely turned but the driver was fine. Jeff flushed the roller clutch out with WD40, lubed it, and replaced the bearing and the hub was as new. Pretty good testament to reliability. That said, it's a pretty limited sampling to say if something is reliable or not. I've known lots of bmx racers in the hubs with only positive feedback but it's an entirely different application. Thanks for reading!