Designed in collaboration with CSS Composites, Chris King has launched its latest wheelset called the ARD44, which features thermoplastic carbon fiber spokes centered around its R45D hub and 44mm deep FusionFiber rim.
“The ARD44’s rim produces a stable, responsive, and nimble ride while reducing bodily fatigue and strain on the rider due to the superior damping attributes of Fusion Fiber’s thermoplastic technology. It effectively minimizes unnecessary road feedback and vibrations, resulting in better traction and a smooth, comfortable ride that will keep riders fresher, longer, and make the next day’s ride easier too,” boasts Chris King.
“While we were fine-tuning the GRD23 and MTN30 rims, I knew developing our own road rim was the next step. To design a high-performance wheel that’s worthy of the King name is no small feat, but the moment I rode the first prototype, I knew we were on to something special/unique,” adds Greg Hudson, Wheel Product Manager at Chris King.
The ARD44 wheelset is aerodynamically tailored for 28mm-32mm tires, while its 25mm internal width and 30.5mm external width accommodate a broad range of tire sizes, up to 47mm. Moreover, the TSS hookless, tubeless rim design simplifies installation and maintenance – optimizing the interface between the tire and rim bed. Also, Chris King’s R45D hub flanges have been optimized for lateral stiffness and durability, while its RingDrive system maximizes engagement throughout the pedal stroke by providing 45 points of simultaneous engagement.
“We all used to think that 19-21mm wide tires inflated to incredibly high pressure produced the fastest ride. We mistook the harsh ride that setup produced for speed, when in reality it caused a loss of speed, through lost traction and body fatigue. These ARD44 wheels represent everything we’ve come to understand about what makes riders faster. We already had a hub we knew outperformed the competition, but getting this rim completed the picture. That the rim could also be made in a more sustainable way, and that, ultimately, is the cherry on top,” Hudson explains.
Lastly, for the environmentally conscious, the rims can be recycled, allowing expired material to be remolded into a new product. This is due to the lack of epoxy resin found in traditional carbon products.
The ARD44 Wheelset comes with a lifetime warranty that’s available now through authorized Chris King dealers and on the company’s website.
Additionally, alongside the all-new ARD44 wheelset, Chris King unveiled its new unified logo mark on all FusionFiber wheels. The GRD23, MTN30, and New ARD44 now come subtly embellished with a new “KING” logo that’s standard on all new wheels.
The new decal design is a minimalistic interpretation of the iconic Chris King logo that compliments the unique gloss finish and construction of the King FusionFiber wheels without taking away from the wheel as a synergetic unit.
“The hubs, rims, and unbeatable ride characteristics do the talking, and the label serves as a refined and inconspicuous reminder of the heritage behind the final product,” says Hudson.
ARD44 Specs:
Chris King
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