When Chris King isn’t overseeing the Portland industrial concern that manufactures our favourite headsets, he, along with a select crew, can be found brazing together the frames that bear his beloved Cielo brand. They’re named after the Camino Cielo ridge that runs along a mountain range in Santa Barbara and are familiar to Chris — riding those mountains taught him what makes up a great bike.

Chris was an established frame builder long before he began producing his famous headsets, building frames for individual clients and numerous racing teams. A few frames designed for a new sport called mountain biking inspired the bearing sets and Cielo was put on hold for 28 years. Today, the engraved brass head badge remembers the mountain range, bearing the image of the La Cumbre Peak.

Cielo is represented in Japan by Blue Lug, who never fail to dress up their imported frames with the most impeccable style. Each component is considered and complementary, like the Thomson hardware on this model that highlights the polished bands around the head tube and seat stay caps.

Ritchey Logic’s silver “Classic” Curve handlebars is a modern platform, but still retains traditional geometry, so it doesn’t detract form the overall scheme. Cielo frames are a visual treat from beginning to end, starting with the handmade fork, topped with a starry crown machined in-house in Portland.

Campagnolo’s reliable Athena group set was installed, coupled with Ambrosio Nemesis rims and, naturally, silver Chris King R45 hubs. Handmade French Dugast tyres are a top-shelf choice. See more on the Blue Lug flickr stream, along with more of their classy builds, parts and accessories.