First Look | Chris King MTN30 Wheels

Price: $3800 Available From: SCV Imports Weight: 1760g

Just in from the legends of spinning and rolling are the Chris King MTN 30 29″ wheels, a standout addition to our Flow dream workshop. In a crowded carbon wheel market, these wheels shine. What sets them apart? It all starts with their innovative FusionFiber rims.

1760g and $3800, these wheels are about as lavish as they come.

What’s FusionFibre?

Unlike traditional carbon rims using thermoset epoxy resin, FusionFiber rims employ thermoplastic resin. This alternative resin retains compliance even after cooling, enhancing impact resistance and damping properties. Supplied by CSS in Utah, USA, who also work with Evil, Revel, Atomik and their recently launched FORGE+BOND in-house brand, this new method comes with plenty of claims of improved ride quality and lower environmental impact.

Manufacturing FusionFiber rims involves forging and bonding. Through multiple thermal cycles, carbon panels are compressed using a metal die, individually forming rim components that are then bonded together. This approach allows precise control over the rim’s structure, striking a predetermined balance between stiffness and compliance, aiming for a smoother, controlled ride.

The detail in the rim is quite unique; FusionFiber looks very different to carbon fibre, and we are curious as to how they ride.

FusionFiber technology reduces post-mould finishing, eliminates specialised refrigeration, and improves USA production efficiency. It embodies Chris King’s commitment to sustainable, high-performance components, offering carbon benefits without sacrificing durability.

One significant drawback of traditional thermoset carbon fibre is its challenging recyclability. When a thermoset frame or rim reaches the end of its life cycle, it typically becomes waste, as recycling is often less cost-effective than starting anew. Additionally, the manufacturing process produces hazardous byproducts.

In contrast, Fusion-Fiber, a thermoplastic material, offers easy recyclability. The company behind Fusion-Fiber, CSS, can recycle it by chopping it into smaller pieces and melting it down to create parts that utilise short fibres, such as stems and other small components. This recyclability ensures that everything made from Fusion-Fiber can be readily and infinitely moulded into new forms, benefiting the bike industry and other sectors.

Want more on this? Our man Colin wrote an excellent piece on the recycling topic. Read that here – https://flowmountainbike.com/features/riding-recycling-carbon-fibre-environment/

The other bits

Aside from the manufacturing method, claims of riding compliance and recyclability, nothing else is far from the norm. The rims are 30mm wide, with a traditional rounded profile, 28 spokes and nice tubeless valves with a cap doubling as a valve core removal tool.

The legendary Chris King hubs are at the centre of these wheels, also manufactured in the USA. Renowned for exceptional quality and precision engineering, these hubs are a benchmark in cycling.

Centre lock hubs and many colours are available.

They are fully rebuildable, though they require attention once bedded in for best performance. The distinct Chris King hub sound is produced by the unique 45-tooth RingDrive engagement system, with 72 points of simultaneous engagement. They call the freehub sound ‘Angry Bee’. There are many colours of hubs to choose from, though, at this stage, they are only compatible with centre lock disc rotors; we sourced a set from SRAM to get started.

The wheels carry a lifetime warranty, which could ease the pain on your savings balance if that’s any consolidation.

What next?

Now, it’s time to hit the trails and put the Chris King MTN 30 wheels to the test. I plan to use Specialized 2.3in Butcher and Eliminator tyres and Peaty’s Sealant to fit these to our Canyon Spectral test bike. The Canyon has the Crank Brothers Synthesis E11 wheels (which carry a similarly hefty price tag) with the same tyres, so I can do some back-to-back testing.

Can they surpass the performance of my beloved Synthesis wheels? Stay tuned for a ride report, where I’ll compare and return with my thoughts.

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