As we speak, Chris King Precision Parts introduced the discontinuation of its FusionFiber wheels for the foreseeable future, however assured clients that lifetime warranties stay legitimate.
Chris King is the newest model to return ahead with a rider assist answer following the sudden shutdown of Utah-based CSS Composites, the creator of the recyclable FusionFiber carbon rims utilized by manufacturers corresponding to Chris King, Revel, Bontrager, Atomik and Forge+Bond.
“Sadly, we obtained no advance discover of CSS’s struggles or subsequent closure,” Chris King revealed in a press release.
However, “regardless of CSS not having the ability to provide us with FusionFiber rims, all lifetime warranties are nonetheless in impact.”
FusionFiber was CSS Composites’ proprietary thermoplastic carbon rim know-how, designed as a recyclable different to conventional thermoset carbon fibre. As a substitute of utilizing epoxy resins, FusionFiber rims have been produced with long-chain polymers that could possibly be reprocessed or recycled to scale back waste. The know-how was promoted for its sturdiness, affect resistance and sustainable U.S.-based manufacturing.
“FusionFiber was a know-how we have been enthusiastic about,” Chris King’s assertion continues. “And an organization that shared our beliefs for sustainable manufacturing. We’re heartbroken for the individuals who misplaced their jobs and the imaginative and prescient that received’t now be realised. We by no means like seeing a U.S. producer closing their doorways.”
Biking Weekly visited the Forge+Bond facility in 2024 to see the recyclable rim manufacturing course of firsthand, and got here away impressed by the surprisingly clear, environment friendly and speedy course of. We additionally reviewed a number of FusionFiber-based street and gravel wheelsets, all of which carried out properly in testing, making the corporate’s closure an sudden improvement.
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
CSS Composites introduced its closure on September thirtieth, notifying companions that it might stop operations and start liquidating belongings instantly resulting from “enduring financial challenges going through the bike trade.”
Associate manufacturers say they obtained little or no warning earlier than the closure, leaving them scrambling to ascertain their very own rider assist applications.
“Crucial factor for our riders to know is that there’s nothing mistaken with the wheels they’re using, fairly the alternative,” Chris King assured. “We anticipate each wheel we’ve constructed to present [its] rider years and years of using.”
Ought to clients expertise a difficulty, the Portland, Oregon-based firm is now partnering with NOBL Wheels to handle rim replacements. Prospects with proof of authentic buy can contact the corporate and ship in broken wheels for rebuilding.
Likewise, mountain bike model Revel is partnering with Business 9 to offer substitute and rebuild choices for its CSS-made rims, providing to “cut up the prices with clients to be sure you have a transparent path ahead for those who injury a Revel carbon wheel.”
Trek says it is going to present guarantee assist for its affected Bontrager Aeolus Professional 37V and 49V wheelsets by way of its personal Carbon Care Wheel Loyalty Program. And, earlier this month, Reynolds Biking launched a reduction program for riders affected by CSS’s shutdown. Whereas Reynolds doesn’t use CSS’s know-how, the corporate is providing crash-replacement pricing on full Reynolds wheelsets to any proprietor of wheels constructed by CSS or its accomplice manufacturers.
“We didn’t create this drawback, however we may help remedy it,” mentioned Todd Tanner, Director of Wheel Improvement at Reynolds. “Once we noticed the uncertainty going through homeowners of CSS-built wheels, we knew we may provide a good, good-faith answer. Our precedence is to maintain riders rolling on wheels they’ll belief.”
