In the early 1970s, before the term "mountain bike" even existed, Chris King, a machinist and frame builder based in Santa Barbara, California, created a high-quality, durable headset—a groundbreaking innovation at a time when most headsets were flimsy and prone to failure. His work earned a reputation among real cyclists, eventually leading him to launch a business manufacturing high-performance headsets in 1976, marking the birth of Chris King Precision Components.
This year, which marks the company's 40th anniversary, we are releasing a limited run of special frames. These were created to commemorate our 40-year milestone and to express our gratitude to the cyclists of Japan, the biggest supporters of Cielo By Chris King.
The lineup features three models that capture the history of Cielo from its past to the present: the Cross Racer, Sportif Classic, and Cross Classic.
All models are a one-time, strictly limited production run, available exclusively in Japan. Furthermore, Chris King himself, deeply grateful for the support from Japanese Cielo users over the years, has allowed us to set the prices significantly lower than those of current models.
A beam of blue light cutting through the mud.
Cross Racer – Teal Blue –
¥270,000 (excl. tax) Frame / ENVE CX Fork / Inset7
Size: Small, Medium, Large
Dressed in Teal Blue—a blue-green shade reminiscent of a mallard's wing—this racer bike will stand out vividly even on muddy courses, exuding an air of dignity. Choosing the components is where the owner's creativity can truly shine; which of the nine Chris King headset colors will you pick? We have prepared both cantilever and disc brake versions. Please note that the cantilever brake model will be discontinued after this season, so this is your last chance to get your hands on one. We also welcome consultations regarding component transfers from existing bikes. The season isn't over yet, but we hope you'll consider this frameset for the upcoming CX season.
The perfect bike for women cyclists.
The next two models we would like to introduce are sized specifically to target women and smaller riders. First, we would like you to understand that these frames utilize Cielo’s original geometry, precisely designed to allow riders as short as 150cm to ride 700C bikes comfortably. This approach reflects the vision of Chris King himself: the desire to support all cyclists and ensure that everyone, regardless of age or gender, can enjoy cycling as equals.
Sportif Classic – Cielo Blue –
¥230,000 (excl. tax) Frame / Sportif Fork
Size: W43, W47, W49, 50, 51
"Cielo" means "sky" in Italian, symbolizing the bright, sun-drenched blue skies of Southern California. The name was inspired by the blue skies of Santa Barbara, the birthplace of the Chris King company. Since the restart of the Cielo brand in Portland eight years ago, the most popular color at the time, Cielo Blue, has been revived for this limited edition. We dared to bring back the Sportif Classic—a model that had already been discontinued—believing that now, more than ever, its true value will be appreciated. Beyond its generous tire clearance, it features horizontal dropouts that differ from current Sportif models, allowing for chain tension adjustment and making it compatible for single-speed setups.
Why not fit it with slightly wider slick tires and pedal a little further than usual, or equip it with fenders to become your reliable partner for daily life? We invite you to bring your own free ideas to life.
Cross Classic – Night Blue –
¥230,000 (excl. tax) Frame / Canti Fork
Size: W43, W47, W49
What kind of frame would we want a wonderful woman to ride? And what color should it be? The answer led to a special request from SimWorks for a "blue that is almost black." The Cielo paint team responded brilliantly. This Night Blue, like light glowing in the darkness, has a finish of extreme elegance. The concept, as mentioned, is the "lady." We produced this in limited women's sizes because we believe that if a discerning, sophisticated woman chooses a Cielo and truly rides it, then the world isn't such a bad place after all. We also chose the Cross Classic, a model that was sadly discontinued last year. Any cyclist who has spent time with a Cielo will surely understand why we selected this model.
With even more tire clearance than the Sportif, horizontal dropouts, and eyelets, it is perfect for everything from daily commuting to light touring. Because we know how much this bike can teach you the joy of cycling, we highly recommend this one to the ladies.
Winter is the season where you can truly experience the joy of cycling firsthand. We want as many women as possible to discover this world—a world where those who start cycling in this season often go on to lead wonderful lives. Don't worry too much about the technicalities of component selection or assembly; let's talk about where you want to ride, or what kind of scenery you hope to see when you get on this bike. We look forward to helping you lead the best cycling life possible.