Tag Archives: Parlee

Bike Of The Week: Matt’s Parlee Z5

This week’s Bike of the Week is Matt’s Parlee Z5.  We’ve certainly featured versions of Parlee’s renown Z5 model here before, so we’ll forgo a retelling of the stellar attributes of this frame and focus on this customer’s vision of a great road bike.

Matt directed the paint scheme for his Z5 to be a mix of very specific shades of blue and red, yet retaining Parlee’s Race silver downtube graphics.  Matt outfitted his bike with a mix of old and new: “old” 2012-model-year SRAM Red components and a “new” 2012-model-year SRAM Red Quarq power crank.  If you’re confused about the “old” and “new” 2012 model years, we’re sure that contacting SRAM’s Chicago-based marketing wizards directly would shed some haze on the subject….

Matt chose ENVE’s deep-sectioned carbon clincher hoops, DT Swiss hubs, and Sapim CX-Ray spokes to complete the wheel package.  He finished the project off with 3T cockpit components and a Selle Italia SLR saddle.  By the time this posts, he will have the lion’s share of a season on his Parlee, and the reviews are nothing but spectacular!

Bike Of The Week: Parlee Z5 SLi

New to the NYC Velo stable is the Parlee Z5 SLi. The Z5 SLi is the latest incarnation of Parlee’s lightest production road frameset.  The Z5 SLi is designed to work directly with the electronic shifting systems from both Shimano and Campagnolo. The traditional derailleur cable stops have been removed in favor is specifically designed internal routing of the electronic wiring, the mold holes have been reinforced, and an integrated battery mount has be added to the underside of the frame, out of the rider’s way.

As Parlee puts it: ”The end result is an intelligent, clean implementation of necessary structural change, without the addition of needless clutter or over-engineered excess. Welcome to the electronic age.”

This example of Parlee’s latest comes equipped with Shimano’s Ultegra Di2 electronic group, Reynolds Assault carbon clincher wheelset, and a 3T Team Stealth cockpit. Weighing in at just over 15lbs, this Parlee Z5 SLI goes for a scant $8600.

Bike of the Week: Parlee Z5 SL Limited Edition

As cyclists we are often tempted by the sirens’ song of the latest and greatest lightweight wheel, part or frame and fork combo. The Z5 SL Limited by Parlee is a bike that COULD be marketed solely by its breathtakingly light weight (making it very tempting indeed) but this Z5 SL is much more than just a sub 800 gram frame.



Last year the original Z5 was the lightest frame in the closely watched German Tour magazine frame test, however, light weight is not the defining characteristic of this machine. It’s the ride quality that makes this bike so desirable. Building upon their experience with the very first Z1, the Z5 SL Limited is a bike designed and built for a lifetime of sublime riding without the compromises often found in what others ache to call the “lightest”

With no rider weight limits, no reduction of (lifetime) warranty, no reduction in function or fit, the Parlee Z5 SL Limited is a machine that inspires long rides and fast race days any day of the week.

This one, recently sold to a very happy customer of ours, is spec’d with Reynolds Assault carbon clincher wheels, SRAM Red components, Edge (now Enve) and 3T components.

Available in 12 Flex-Fit sizes to suit all riding styles. The SL in the SL Limited Edition means 100-150 (size dependent) grams of weight savings over Parlee’s (already light weight) Z5.

“We ride many superb bikes. But once in a while, one comes along that shines a little brighter. The Parlee’s Z5 SL ” – Bicycling Magazine

Bike of the Week: Parlee Z4

Tour of California. Fitchburg. Gila. Redlands. Beauce. Herald Sun Tour. Super Week. For those who have ever pinned a number to your back, these names will ring a bell. Haven’t heard of those races? No worry as the Z4, aside from being a race worthy competitor, is simply a brilliant riding bike on any country road, path, city street or race course. No need to be a world-class competitor to appreciate its superior ride qualities . For anyone looking for a bike with proven pedigree, the Z4 is it – Parlee’s vision for a perfect road machine.

Since its introduction, the Z4 has been ridden and raced millions of miles. With classic, race proven geometry and handling, the Z4 is at home on any ride, regardless of rider ambition. With real-world weights rivaling bikes twice the price, the Z4 offers a lifetime of real world durability all-day cruising comfort and the crisp power transfer needed from a race bike without the typical bone-jarring stiffness. Forget the disposable, one-season-wonder bikes (this bike has a lifetime warranty), Z4 owners fully enjoy and appreciate the precision and attention to detail in each iteration of this bike. This very Z4 (see photos) came to us recently from Parlee for a customer who I’m sure (at his moment) is enjoying every penny spent.

THE FIRST MODERN CARBON CROSS BIKE – PARLEE BRINGS IT LIGHT, SMOOTH AND FAST

Bringing the performance and durability of PARLEE’s road bikes to the dirt, the CX is the perfect cyclocross machine (handmade in Beverly Mass with a lifetime warranty). The CX is feathery light, sucks up the terrain and dives into tight corners with the flick of a wrist.

Like its road counterparts, the CX’s carbon fiber construction make it the perfect blend of forgiveness and rigidity, making it adept at racing or linking together miles of back country roads. The wishbone mono-stay eliminates seat stay flex under braking. Ample tire clearance makes it perfect in all conditions from the dry hardpack of September to the muddy slop of November. With its light weight and top mounted cable stays, shouldering is almost literally a breeze.

Press-Fit 30 bottom bracket now available as a no-charge option! Semi-Custom frame and fork = $5900 : Full Custom frame and fork = $6900 (all made to order.) The CX is available in 5 FLEX-FIT options as well as complete custom bikes.

Bob Parlee Twofer!

We’re so excited about our awesome duo of events with Bob Parlee This week that we decided to do a second post about it.

Tomorrow (Friday) evening, we’ll be hosting a Q&A with legendary frame builder Bob Parlee at the shop from 7-9PM.  Details can be found here.

Saturday Bob will be joining us on our shop ride, meeting at 8am at the shop, then taking off around 830.  Details can be found here.

On top of that, We’ve got a little bonus for you Parlee-philes out there:

Parlee is extending a promotion to anyone who comes out to the Parlee events at NYC Velo: Get 10% off any new orders on white Z5′s, Z4′s, and TT’s frames and complete bikes to any customers who visit the q&a and/or the ride for orders placed up until the end of the day Tuesday the 21st.

If you’re a fan of Bob’s gorgeous bikes, we’re guessing we might be seeing you in the next 48 hours!

BOTW: Parlee Z5

The Z5, a 5th generation frameset for Parlee is one of the lightest framesets ever built, yet still possesses the famous quick-acceleration-tendencies, lively road feel, and comfort that are the hallmarks of Parlee frames. The Z5 combines the best qualities of the custom Z1 and stock Z4 by using the latest mold techniques and carbon layup processes. Without sacrificing performance, comfort or durability, Parlee is able to mold the whole main frame section in a single contiguous piece. This bike was ordered for a (current Landshark owner) customer who wants to move from steel to a carbon bike that according to him “has some life in it.” His opinion is that most production carbon bikes are dull in character and he’s looking for a carbon bike with real spirit. Well sir, no dull carbon ride here and plenty of spirit!

STAY TUNED for info on our upcoming shop ride and Q&A night with Mr. Bob Parlee himself !! That’s right !!

Now serving: Parlee

Hailing from Beverly Massachusetts (USA), PARLEE is a bike company doing it right and for the right reasons, and is the latest domestic brand to become a part of the NYC Velo family.

PARLEE bikes were born over a decade ago with one goal in mind, to build the best performing race bikes in the world. At that time, carbon fiber was overlooked in the road bike market despite all the success in motorsports and aerospace. In the late 1990′s, most race bikes were aluminum or titanium. However, based on what Bob PARLEE learned about materials while building racing boats for 20 years, says Bob, ” I knew that with the right sized tubes, and the right fiber lay-up, and proper molding techniques, carbon fiber would be the best choice for creating fast, light and comfortable racing bikes. Ten years on, it is plain to see, my instincts were right. Carbon is now the material of choice for professional and recreational riders. No major bike manufacturer is without carbon fiber in their road lineup. The question now, for the rider, is not what material to choose, but which carbon fiber bike to choose and why?”

Bob says, “PARLEE designs and builds fast, light, durable and comfortable bikes — qualities that were once considered mutually exclusive in bike building. Because of this, you will not see unnecessary shapes in the designs. The guiding principle for PARLEE is efficiency. The key to pushing performance is to use carbon fiber strategically to maximize its characteristics. Carbon fiber is perfect for building bikes because it has
such a high strength to weight ratio. This is why the styling makes no sense. All it does is add weight and take away from ride quality. It is akin to putting fins on a car — they may look cool, but they are not going to make it perform better”

In the last ten years, PARLEE has pioneered many industry firsts; from the first customizable carbon fiber racing frames to FLEX-FIT semi-custom geometry to the industry’s first sub-800 gram carbon fiber frames. But unlike other manufacturers, the development of PARLEE’s line of bikes has been organic. “I’ve always loved scribbling out an idea and then moving to the Bridgeport to create complicated molds,” says Bob. “By constantly thinking how can we make our bikes better, it has allowed our bikes to evolve, with each model building on the success of its predecessor.”

In addition to producing some of the best custom carbon frames available, all PARLEE models are offered in stock sizes. PARLEE stock bikes are built using the same process as their custom bikes. Each is built with uncompromising care and attention to detail. The PARLEE ownership process begins at NYC VELO, where we take precise measurements and gather the pertinent information about what (you) the customer wants in his or her bike’s performance. All of this information is passed on to the bike designers at PARLEE who use their internally developed CAD system to ensure that the frame matches the rider’s preferences perfectly.

5ive Points: Jared Porter

Introduced by Justin King…

I first met Jared while working at Serotta Custom Bicycles in Saratoga Springs NY, a few hours north of NYC, some time in 2002.  He was working in production and as part of the R&D team responsible for the design of what would come to be Serotta’s legendary Ottrott (a carbon tubed titanium-lugged frame.) Jared says ” We built the first frames and were shocked at the wonderful ride quality they had. From the prototypes, I developed the manufacturing processes for the Ottrott.” He was already a well-seasoned custom bike builder, and well on his way to becoming one of the most knowledgeable people in the business. Originally from Massachusetts, Jared graduated from art school at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. While studying art & photography, he worked at bike shops in Boston and then Merlin Metalworks.  He has since been the production manager at Serotta Custom Bicycles and worked for Vicious Cycles and Willits Brand Bicycles.  He’s now back in his home state, steering the production ship at Parlee Cycles as Operations Manager (in Beverly, MA.)  He’s also a contributing writer for Embrocation Cycling Journal. I feel fortunate to know Jared and we are grateful for his participation in our Q&A series, “5points.”

- Justin

NYC Velo: What bike do you ride?

Jared Porter: I ride my Willits Trail King as much as possible.
On road I ride my Serotta fixie or PARLEE Z1.  The one I’m most excited
about right now is a steel dirt road bike (looks like a cross bike but
with road bike geometry)that I just finished up.

NYCV: What’s your favorite ride?

JP:I really like D2R2, I grew up in Western Mass.
and have been on those back roads since I started riding bikes.

NYCV: What’s your favorite post-ride food?

JP: Beer and pickles

NYCV: What is one thing you always carry on a ride?

JP: First aid equipment, you
never know when you will need to have a safety break.

NYCV: What’s next?

JP: Well, winter is upon us, and I’m really looking forward to
teaching my son how to snowboard this year.