Cielo has partnered with Tanner.
-More photos below-
(Photos: King Cycle Group)

Following our reporting last month, Cielo has now officially announced a new line of bikes that will come with accessories made by Tanner Goods. Both companies are based in Portland and make their products just a few miles from each other.

Cielo, the bike brand created by Chris King and made in the Chris King Precision Components factory in Portland's northwest industrial area, will offer a Cielo Tanner Goods Edition package on two of their frames: the Sportif Classic and the Cross Classic.

Here's more from the official statement: (more...)

Chris King, owner of King Cycle Group,
at his Gourmet Century last year.
(Photo: King Cycle Group)

Similar to the "coffee bike arms race" and the well-known links between beer and bikes here in Portland, now there's a growing bike connection to our vaunted food scene as well. And Chris King, the man behind Chris King Precision Components and Cielo Cycles, is the hub that connects many of its spokes.

Back in February, we showcased the Ned Ludd Market Bike, a collaboration between local bike builder Ira Ryan (Ira Ryan Cycles) and chef/restauranteur Jeremy French. The bike and its trailer are a fitting and functional complement to what French refers to as his "American craft kitchen." And Ryan refers to French as the, "foodie equivalent of handmade bike builders."

The Ned Ludd Market Bike got a lot of attention and it made French a natural fit for a starring role in Portland's overlap of fine food and bikes — an overlap that also comes naturally for Chris King. (more...)

Chris King (far left) gave U.S. Dept. of
Commerce staffers a tour of his
manufacturing facility last year.
(Photo: Dylan Van Weelden)

Chris King, the founder of Portland-based Chris King Precision Components, has been invited the White House next week for a discussion about how American manufacturing can spur job creation.

According to company staff, the invite comes from the White House Business Council, which operates within the Department of Commerce. Back in August 2011, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Nicole Y. Lamb-Hale, visited Chris King's manufacturing facility and apparently the visit left a big impression.

In a blog post after the visit, Asst. Sec. Lamb-Hale wrote that, "I learned how this small business is able to use forward-thinking, innovative and sustainable methods to become a leader in the production of high-end precision aluminum, steel and titanium bicycle components." She also learned that King's success is due in large part because exports to Europe and Asia make up 40 percent of their sales. (more...)

They're big in Europe (and Japan and...).
(Photos © J. Maus)

Continuing their strong growth since moving to Portland in 2003, Chris King Precision Components is set to receive one of the Mayor's International Business Awards at a gala event on May 15th. At the event, the company will joined in recognition by other regional business stalwarts like Intel and Columbia Steel.

The award is another sign that the nearly 96-employee strong company — which makes its headsets, hubs, and other products at a factory in Portland's northwest industrial district — is looking to change its local profile from just another "bike company" to a respected member of the local manufacturing sector. (more...)

Bike parking inside the Chris King factory.
(Photo: King Cycle Group)

In 2011, one local company gave its employees 216 days in paid time off just for riding their bikes to work.

Offering serious incentives for bicycling is part of a tried and true recipe for success at King Cycle Group, the parent company of Chris King Precision Components and Cielo Cycles — a manufacturer of bicycle parts and bike frames based in Portland's northwest industrial district. The company was founded by Chris King in 1976 and moved to Portland in 2003. Today they have 94 employees and show no signs of slowing down. (more...)

That's right. 100% made here in Portland.
(Photos © J. Maus)

President Barack Obama made headlines yesterday as he announced a new effort to re-ignite America's manufacturing base by hiring from within — within the United States that is.

Obama, with Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and CEO of locally based Keen Footwear by his side, talked up "insourcing" (as opposed to outsourcing, get it?) and laid out several measures to help make it happen. The new initiative seems tailor-made to give a much-needed bump to Portland's flourishing bike industry. (more...)

Local bike part maker Chris King Precision Components has developed a ringtone for iPhones and is giving 100% of the sale proceeds to the Northwest Trail Alliance, a non-profit off-road trail advocacy organization.

Hubs made by Chris King are known for their unique RingDrive engagement system that consists of 72 tiny, stainless steel teeth that can handle massive amounts of torque and boast instant, positive engagement when you pedal forward. Those teeth also produce a distinct buzzing sound when you freewheel. (more...)

U.S. Department of Commerce staff members chat with Chris Distefano (white shirt) and company founder Chris King (at left) during a tour of the Chris King Precision Components manufacturing facility last month.
(Photos: Dylan Van Weelden/Chris King)

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Rapha is now in the bike business.

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Beloved's commuter, the "Every Day" as seen at West End Bikes last night, will now be fabricated by Chris King Precision Components in northwest Portland.
(Photos © J. Maus)

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