The Frame Builders: Parlee Cycles

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In 2006 the Parlee Z3 won the prestigious Race Bike of the Year award from the UK magazine Cycling Weekly, and in 2007 the Z1 was named Bicycling magazine’s Editors’ Choice for Dream Road Bike. When I say an idiot can go fast on these bikes, I’m speaking from experience.


If trouncing your friends at club rides is your personal god, you’ll want to look at Parlee.


You would be hard pressed to find any bike company, big or small, more committed to building carbon-fiber frames on its own terms than Parlee Cycles. They actually build their own carbon-fiber tubing. And carbon fiber is the only material that these frames are made from. Parlee’s frames, like those of other focused builders (e.g., Bingham Built, which specializes in titanium frames), are known for their ride quality, durability, and performance. And not only do they offer their own tubing for their US bikes, but they also design and build their own forks, handlebars, stems, and seat posts.


You’ll find it hard to restrain an exuberance for these frames. 


Parlee was one of the first carbon builders to allow for customization, as well as, being the first to offer top-grade high-modulus carbon fiber, the first to use titanium instead of aluminum on the structural metal work, and the first to build a disc-brake-equipped triathlon frame. Parlee’s focus never strays. They constantly engineer, test, and refine every tube shape to meet specific goals. From ultra-light, super-stiff race bikes to silky smooth endurance, gravel and cyclocross machines, each one is purpose-built for a specific type of ride and rider. 


Carbon-fiber bikes from Parlee are not just a pretty face. 


These are frames that are insanely responsive in terms of handling and feel. Because they are molded, with minimum overlap of materials and because carbon fiber is extremely lightweight, and has terrific strength and stiffness, damps vibration better due to the viscoelastic nature of resin matrices. Parlee uses specific molds for each frame. Considering how Parlee offers multiple sizes—and multiple geometries for each size—it’s easy to see how it takes a relatively long time to produce a frame. With Parlee you have unmatched customization ability. 

  • A rocket sled that’s fast and lovely with extreme agility and stability.

    Everyone wants a performance bike, even if their fit or flexibility is in a more recreational place. Parlee bikes are fast and racy but also allow riders to get comfortable on them. Instantly comfortable with on-the-rail handling. But better than that, they just ride really well. Parlee is an innovator, often pushing the big companies to keep up. Here’s a frame that will match your body and riding style to the millimeter. If, that sounds good, then Parlee definitely should be on your radar.