First…comparing a one off, steel frame built by a one man shop to a frame that is carried as a stock item in retailers is not the same as comparing wheelsets. Both of the brands you mentioned are completely different and their differences have nothing to do with performance.

Also, there is nothing that is custom about and Industry Nine wheelset other than maybe the color. They are still built with the same rims…just with Industry Nine spokes and hubs, so that analogy doesn’t apply in this situation.

Now…you are entitled to your own opinion and I thank you for taking the time to submit it to this article. If you read both articles completely, you will see that I still think that Industry Nine makes a fantastic product. I just don’t think they can claim the top spot at this point in time. I also agreed with you that they are much more versatile than the offerings from Chris King. On the maintenance issue…I believe it to be a coin flip…they are both easy to work on, but you could make the argument that parts for the King’s are easier to get a hold of.

The change of opinion has nothing to do with my relationship with either company as it relates to this blog and possible work in the future. I actually considered not even writing this article because I didn’t want readers to think that was swaying my opinion.

Wheelsets from Industry Nine are getting delivered with uneven spoke tension and I do not believe a wheelset in this price bracket should have that issue. I can understand having to re-tension them after several rides, but upon delivery…they should be tensioned properly. At the time of the original article, that did not seem to be an issue.

Chris King does offer fully built wheelsets from the factory at this point in time.

So you can play the devils advocate if you would like…but it sounds more like a blind faith rather than an objective opinion. Just as you said…you had to deal with some CS issues recently as well.

How long did you wait for your last set and what was your issue?

Your comment about lead times being a major customer service issue could be taken outside of the wheel/hub arena and applied to frames. If I had to wait months/years to get a Wolfhound frame built does that make it a lower performer vs. a Ventana I could have in less time?? Should I be afraid that it got rushed and will have defects?

I do think I9 is experiencing growing pains but they are willing to accept responsibility for mistakes and make the needed changes to make things right for the customer. I know – I’ve been there recently.

The flexibility of configurations and ease of maintenance still makes the I9 the clear choice for me when I am looking for high-end wheels for my bikes.

OK Robb, now I have to slip into my devil’s advocate suit.

This entire article reeks of a MBA review where they don’t like something but don’t want to say it in fear that it will cost them an advertiser or limit what mfg’s send them to “review”.

What really promted this about-face change in what was previously written? Actual failure of a I9 hub to perform? Couldn’t get a set from I9 even though you buttered them up with an initial good review? Trying to get some CK product in for review?

I saw this “In this case, my opinion has changed over time due to several business practices and quality issues.” How about providing some supporting details or examples? Are they systemic issues or just flukes of a small mfg process?

Then you say it’s “…completely fact based and dependent upon my views as well as other people’s views in the industry”. So, facts or opinion? Why base it on bike industry folks badmouthing another mfg? If you have soem supporting details – spill it. Then you whip out another 180 and say “It takes a dramatic change in opinion that is not swayed by outside influences for something like this to happen.”

What’s the real dealio?