PSA - Replica 1-1/8" Chris King headsets

[Mr. Zero]

Replica 1-1/8" Chris King headsets are being manufactured in China and sold on well-known Chinese online marketplaces. These counterfeits are nearly indistinguishable from the genuine article at first glance, making them a potential hazard for unsuspecting buyers.

While I have confidence that no member of our trusted RetroBike community would knowingly attempt to pass off one of these replicas as genuine in the forum marketplace, I urge everyone to exercise caution. Be especially vigilant with new users or unfamiliar sellers offering Chris King headsets at prices that seem too good to be true.

Mods, I was unsure of the best place to post this. Please move/copy as appropriate.

 

[thom04]

Haha I saw these on AliExpress this morning as I'm in the market for a new headset

They're obviously fake, but would love to see someone do a proper review

 

[d8mok]

Chris Ching headsets have been around ages.

You can tell they aren’t genuine by the text being off and the bearing are just a normal sealed unit.

 

[Mr. Zero]

I'll see about getting some pics and posting back here. A buddy of mine recently purchased and installed one and it was indistinguishable from any of the genuine units on my bikes. Just worth being aware that these are out there.

 

[d8mok]

I'll see about getting some pics and posting back here. A buddy of mine recently purchased and installed one and it was indistinguishable from any of the genuine units on my bikes. Just worth being aware that these are out there.

If that’s the case. Are yours real?


Pic of the cup showing the bearing race? And close up of the text and ill tell you.

 

[Mr. Zero]

They're obviously fake, but would love to see someone do a proper review

A review is a great idea. I may have to do that.

 

[Mr. Zero]

If that’s the case. Are yours real?

Yes, I'm quite confident. They were purchased directly from CK while I was still running a bike shop in the late 90s.

 

[ishaw]

I'm assuming that the one your friend got looked nothing like the ones pictured, as they don't resemble a CK much at all.

Would be good to see a pic of the one received rather than the stock photo.

As mentioned, the lettering I'd all wrong, cups race and top cap. Lower bearing race is wrong and I'd assume the bearings are just removable rather than the pressed in ones on a genuine king, along with the top c-clip.

The latter is the one thing I don't like about Chris kings, when the bearings do go, you can't easily replace them.

That and the rubber ring eats through steerer tubes.

 

[bikeworkshop]

The real thing...
Overcomplicated, difficult to service, expensive, heavily branded
- what's not to love!

I do have a couple, currently not outperforming some cane creeks...

 

[Yaldie]

I have them on some of my bikes, in every colour in fact .

They are as good as any generic headset at the price point, anodising looks good, I was buying low end headsets to put on bikes and thought why not put a fake low end headset instead.

The most unconvincing are two black ones I have, the paint and print is poor. Like others said easily distinguishable as not Chris king to someone who has a good eye for the real thing. One of the headsets I have the text is backwards.
I have had mates who aren’t in the know complement them.

Pretty sure I have a couple unfitted in a box and can take pictures