The Cielo shop (based inside the Chris King Precision Components factory in northwest Portland), is pumping out some fantastic bikes these days. They’re on their way to Denver right now for the big North American Handmade Bike Show (NAHBS) this weekend. At the show, they plan to unveil three new bikes. We already shared their collaboration with Tanner Goods; and now we’ve just heard about the Overlander.
The 29-inch wheeled Overlander is Cielo’s entry into the booming adventure biking and gravel riding market. Here’s more about the bike from Cielo:
“… Informed by our love of gravel adventures, backcountry exploration, bike-packing, long road tours and urban commuting the Overlander is constructed with the same attention to detail and elegance that is the hallmark of every Chris King product… With frame features that include adjustable rear dropouts for a variety of drivetrains, disc-specific braking, rear rack and fender braze-ons, and three watter bottle cage mounts, the Overlander can be outfitted to carry anything you could possibly need…”
They’ve also developed a new Overlander fork. Price is $1995 for frame, fork and Chris King headset.
The Overlander brings the current Cielo offerings up to 10 models. Not only are all the bikes made in northwest Portland, they are also painted there in a state-of-the-art bike painting facility. Chris King Precision Components, Cielo’s parent company, employs over 100 people and is located in the northwest industrial district. Below is a photo of their workshop:
Learn more at the Cielo website.
When (and why) did the habit of photographing (new) bikes without pedals start? I’m trying to imagine a new car photographed without a steering wheel.
Or is this a balance bike for adults?
Started about 20 years ago 9watts; when due to the proliferation of clipless pedal systems, bikes started to be sold w/o pedals to allow buyers to pick their own. Silly to picture a bike with a random set of pedals that weren’t included, no? Makers learned that if bikes came with pedals many wanted them to be taken off/traded anyway, resulting in stocking issues etc. for sellers. Impossible for any one pedal/cleat system now to satisfy a sizable portion of buyers. Hopefully you can see why this is an eminently sane solution for suppliers of bikes destined for “enthusiasts”. Made sense too because most bikes are shipped w/o pedals anyway.
Nice bike Cielo – look forward to seeing it at Handmade Show this weekend.
Even on my latest city bike, the first thing I did was swap the pedals it came with – and the saddle too.
“…this a balance bike for adults?”
Even without adults, it is able to stand upright demonstrating uncanny balance!!
In this age of easily offended people, maybe it avoids stirring up the bike pedal fanboys.
Glad to see all these new bikes coming out even though I can’t afford ’em.
Totally agree about the pedals – it’s even more silly than the faux license plates you now see on car advertisements. If you’re worried about consumer confusion about which pedals come with the bike, maybe just add the automaker disclaimers: “Shown with options” and my favorite, “Closed course professional driver”
Yes. Disc brakes!
This looks like a hot ticket! Hat tip to the Cielo team.
I’m in the market for a bike like this. I just checked out their website and am highly disappointed in the “5 year craftsmanship warranty”. Seams dubious to me. Why can’t Chris King stand by their framesets? I’ll be picking another custom builder.
5 years is pretty damn good if you ask me. Best of luck with other small custom builders ‘lifetime’ warranties… Kinda like the new hip restaurant down the street, most of the time they are out of the biz after a few years anyways.