Gallery: Bike parts maker Chris King a cornerstone of Portland's bike economy

Chris King head sets are the product that launched the company back in 1976.

Chris Scuglia works on a Cielo bike frame at Chris King Precision Components. 

Much of the polishing work on Chris King frames and components is done by hand. 

Bike frames sold through Chris King's Cielo brand account for about 5 percent of revenue.

Christopher Igelheart builds a Cielo brand bike frame.

Aluminum scrap pucks are collected to be recycled. 

About 98 percent of the soy-based oil used in the manufacturing process is squeezed out of the aluminum scrap pucks. 

Metal scraps are stored in aluminum drums so that the soy-based oil can leach out. 

Having an in-house maintenance shop and crew and using higher-grade, non-petrol-based oil help keep Chris King machines running for 15 to 20 years.

Some Chris King employees, including Fred Mitchell, have been with the company through more than 30 years and relocations from Santa Barbara, Redding, Calif., and finally Portland. 

Chris King's patented hubs are the bearing systems that bike wheels spin on.

The unique manufacturing process Chris King employs for its bearing races couples precision with durability.  

Laser etching the Chris King name on components is one of the final steps in the manufacturing process.

Chris King components are stored in egg crates before being shipped.