Unfortunately, Not. - Chris King Bearings are some of the most durable and resilient bearings on the market. However, a bearing upgrade is not the same as purchasing an entire CK headset with their patented Griplock systems. Their Griplock retention device prevents slippage from jarring impacts, that can cause loosening and premature wear on the bearing.
This is accomplished by isolating the thrust force that passes through the steerer tube from the bearing race that provides the radial force that preloads the headset bearing adjustment. In standard headset systems this preloading wedge is affected by each impact that runs through the steerer tube making the headset more susceptible to coming out of adjustment.
This is why a non-Griplock equipped headset will come out of adjustment in rough terrain or over a long ride; the wedge has been essentially hammered out of position. At the same time this hammering effect causes the wedge to clamp down repeatedly on your steerer tube. This repeated clamping could have an adverse affect on steerer tubes in particular those made out of advanced materials like carbon fiber where it could potential score and fatigue the steerer tube.
Chris King's Griplock system is a true point of distinction, and it has been put to the test by the Santa Cruz Syndicate DH Team who have been running these headsets for years.
Does changing my headset bearings to Chris King make it a Chris King headset?
Posted by Elite Custom on
