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Submitted by
Bruce
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: April 23, 2010
Strengths: Silky ride but never numb. Fast. Classical looks, lovely quality.Weaknesses: Cost-but you knew that anyway. Subtle style too 'quiet' for some?Bottom Line: A custom built bike starts from an advantage already; nothing beats a perfectly tuned fit even on a cheap still hack bike but the Parlee has a special magic. I describe it as a 'silken stilletto'. It has a lovely almost fluid ride quality, supressing buzz but always making you feel connected to the bike and the surface. I've ridden other carbon frames that insulate well but none with this special character. It also has no loss of real 'snap' when stomping hard on the pedals, or flogging up your favourite climb. Top that off with fabulous build and paint quality plus the exclusivity. It costs a shed load but it is truly, genuinely worth it.
Favorite Ride: Trough of Bowland
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At: Bespoke cylcles, Lon
Similar Products Used: Colnago CT-2 and C40
Pinarello prince
Custom steel
Bike Setup: Camapg Record, Neutron Ultra wheelset, Easton EC90 post/stem, Ritchey WCS bars
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Submitted by
EllisO
a Road Racer
from Date Reviewed: February 3, 2008
Strengths: Stiff, light, balanced and telepathic handling. Amazing ride qualityWeaknesses: None, apart from the priceBottom Line: I first spoke with Barry of Bespoke Cycling in the spring of 2006 and ordered a full custom Z1SL. Unfortunately, the first batch of SL tubing wasn't up to scratch, so Parlee built me a standard Z1, which was delivered in time (just) to build up for the Etape du Tour (the Gap - Alpe D'Huez stage), so my first real ride was the Etape. The bike performed flawlessly (unlike me, as the Lauteret cooked me, then Alpe D'Huez with the temperature guage on my HRM showing 41 deg centigrade!). As its pretty light, it climbs brilliantly, with the Lightweight wheels being real easy to spin up to speed out of the hairpins. Descending is sure footed - a Parlee trait. All in all, just what I wanted.
At the end of the summer I spoke to Barry about getting the Z1SL sorted, so we tweeked the geometry slightly and in Jan 07 the new frame landed - 874 gms! Built up the same as the Z1 (which I got to keep for a great price), except full size chain rings (the Z1 has compact, so is my choice for european sportives with their longer climbs). Its so sweet. Plenty stiff, but great all day ride. Its also amazing well made - great attention to detail etc. Thoroughly recommended. So good, that I'm just ordering the TT frame (have a fitting tomorrow with Barry's new Retul kit).
Favorite Ride: Col D'Aubisque/Soulour
Price Paid:
$3600.00
Purchased At: Bespoke Cycling
Similar Products Used: Parlee Z1, Cannondale Black Lightning
Bike Setup: Full record ultra-torque, with full Ti 12-25 cassette. ZG Ti brakes with Lightweight (Swissstop) pads. Ritchey 4Axis stem and carbon WCS bars. Fizik carbon railed Arione saddle on Record carbon pin. Wheels - Lightweight Obermayers/Ventouxs or Campy Shamal Ultras, all shod with Continental GP4000s tubs. Campy Record Pro Fit pedals.
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