Chris King Factory Tour
Entering the Chris King factory is a bit like visiting Willy Wonka. The Portland, Oregon-based plant seldom gives tours and the lunch, thanks to a gourmet cafeteria, is one of the most coveted in town. The heart of the operation, however, is medical device machinist-turned-component guru Chris King, who with 96 employees (and two cats) machines and builds some of the most revered components in the cycling world. Take a look inside. —Matt Allyn
Metal Stock
The Chris King factory builds and assembles all of its components in house, even sourcing all the metal. Titanium, steel, and aluminum arrive in 12-foot solid bars, which are cut into 4-foot sections for machining. About 10 tons of metal go through the factory every month.