Choice is good! We have been so spoiled by having nearly unlimited finish options on our Z1, Z2 and Z3’s that we were desperate to bring the same options to the Z4 as well. It took a little while but we a happy to announce that there are three new color options this spring for the Z4. The first is a red and white panel scheme just like the blue and white panel scheme that is currently shipping, with red substituting for the blue. The price is the same for this, however we have only produced a limited number of these so get in touch with your local dealer to reserve one. The second option is a decal finish option using any of our 13 standard standard decal sets from the Z1, Z2 and Z3 family of bikes. The third option is to have a custom paint finish on a Z4. Panels, fades, solids, true fire…just about anything can be done.

We recently went to the 4th annual NAHBS show in Portland and we had a great time. Thanks to the gracious staff at the Bike Gallery for putting up with us and our late night wrenching. Anyway, we had the pleasure of meeting Dennis and Carl from fixedgeargallery.com. (Warning: Do not go to this site if you are supposed to be somewhere soon.) They were kind enough to take some pics of our Z1 track bike that was on display, and we were really pleased to get a little love from the readers there. Click the link to see:
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/reports/handmade2008/vote.html

Thanks to Rich at wheelbuilder.com and the guys at edgecomposites.com for the help getting this bike together.

David Arthur from Roadcycling.co.uk has weighed in on the Z4…click here for the full article.

“For sheer ride enjoyment, involvement and excitement, the Z4 is a match for any bikes I’ve previously tested. It’s one of the few bikes that, since its departure from the RCUK offices, I’ve been thinking about a lot. I’m not sure anyone’s life is complete unless they’ve ridden a Parlee. Alas, my honeymoon with one of the most engaging, enjoyable and thrilling bikes this year has come to an end. There’s a lot to love about the Z4.”

“Bikes come and go here in the RCUK office but, just occasionally, one will turn up that stops us in our tracks. A small handful of bikes have had this effect on us, but with the Parlee Z4 (pronounced ‘Zee Four’), the latest to be wheeled into the office, the benchmark has just been raised several notches higher. ”

From roadcyclinguk.com, a first look (click here to open review in a new window) at our Z4.

We are excited to announce that our integrated bearing option for Z1, Z2 and Z3 framesets is now available for the Zipp VumaQuad crankset. Originally developed in 2006 for the (EU released only) THM Clavicula crankset, our integrated bearing design removes 60-70 grams from the frame/bottom bracket combination and allows for the use of the new 30mm axle cranksets. The ZIPP VumaQuad is interesting not just from a weight and stiffness perspective (…it is both quite light and stiff) but that it can use either compact (34/50) or standard (39/53) chain rings on the same spider/crankarm. Pics coming soon!

Bicycling Magazine recently took a Z4 for an extended test and has just included the Z4 as one of four machines deemed to be “The New Look of Value”.

“The ride is phenomenal. At first, it’s so subtle you realize only that it’s exceptionally light and beautifully responsive to pedal inputs. But the more you ride the Z4, the more you recognize the small, smart touches.”

Click here to open the review in a new window.

Due to the incredible popularity of our 7 gram, tube and paint-friendly Front Derailleur clamp in 34.9mm (1.375″) we have decided to release a version of our clamp for both the 31.8mm (1.250″) and 28.6mm (1.125″) sizes. The clamps are now available to fit the three most common seat tube sizes for road and cyclocross frames.

Cycling Weekly (UK) was kind enough to take a Z4 for a ride and just published their review. Their first impression…10/10…and “…the ride is simply superb.”
Read the entire review here. (opens PDF link in a new window or tab)

We are excited to introduce our first standalone component and the first front derailleur clamp specifically designed for carbon fiber frames. The clamp has no moving parts or pivots that can damage lightweight carbon fiber, titanium or aluminum seat tubes. The part has an ultra slim profile and weighs just 7 grams. This is 1/3 to 1/4 the weight of traditional aluminum clamps.
The clamp is hand built from the same carbon as the PARLEE frames and is compatible with all PARLEE frames as well as any road frame that has a 34.9mm/35.0mm (1.375″) seat tube. 31.8mm (1.250″) and 28.6mm (1.125″) are also available now.

“High-end pedals to the metal”

USATODAY recently highlighted PARLEE as one of the 5 “coolest” framebuilding companies in a feature article about the changing nature of the high-end road bike market. The article (click here to open in a new window) featured two of our great dealers and their clients to illustrate how the increased level of knowledge and interest in fine road bicycles has led to a resurgence among small frame builders and specialty shops.

“Dream Rides”

Condé Nast Portfolio.com (click here to open article in a new window) highlights PARLEE and our NYC partner Signature Cycles in recent article about custom bicycle fit, design and construction.

“Nothing but the best.” The Editors of Bicycling magazine have spoken. Each Spring they announce their favorite products of the year. “The concept is basic: Assemble a bunch of bikes, clothing and accessories, hand it over to about 20 testers, ride the stuff, in some cases for months, and at the end vote and declare victors.”
We were happy to be invited this year for the first time as one of three finalists in the Dream Road category. Now, we are even more excited to announce that the Z1 is their selection for Editors’ Choice Dream Road Bike for 2007. According to the editors, [the Z1] is “masterfully crafted,” and “achieves a balance of speed, quickness, refined road feel–and grace”. “The Z1 is equally adept at all kinds of riding. It’s as comfy in a tight pack as it is on a gentle cruise with your spouse,” said one tester. We are glad they liked their Z1 as much as we like ours.

Click THIS LINK to see the write up on the Bicycling.com website.

See this month’s Bicycling (April 2007) 2007 Buyer’s Guide for a review of what Test Director Matt Phillips calls “…the finest road machine I’ve ever ridden.” Click HERE for the complete article.

New Review! Custom Z1 SL reviewed by Pezcyclingnews.com!

Click this link to open Pez in a new window.

Chris Davidson - cyclingnews.com
Hailing from Peabody, Massachusetts, this handbuilt carbon bike offers some fine craftsmanship and a unique ride quality, as Chris Davidson discovered. …more

Every year Cycling Weekly (the U.K.’s best selling cycling magazine, http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/) pits the best of the best race bikes against each other in a week-long test (this year it was held in the Alps) to pick the single best race bike of the year. This year we are thrilled to announce that the magazine selected the Z3 as RACE BIKE of the YEAR!! Click here to open the article as a PDF in a new window.

“The end result is simply astounding. This is a superbly light frame with spectacular ride quality and electric acceleration. What sets this frame further apart from the competition is is the refinement over rough surfaces. Put plainly, the road feels smoother when riding the Parlee…”

Click here to read the complete review.

By Guy Andrews - RoadCyclingUK  (click to open actual test in new window)
There are horses and there are courses. Before we go anywhere we have to say that any of these bikes would be a good buy. Carbon technology has improved massively over the past three years and the manufacturing processes are now reliable and suitably advanced. Quality materials allow builders plenty of scope for frame design. They are all expensive, sure, but that’s what you’d expect for the level of carbon ‘R&D’ required to get to the required result. …more

By Guy Andrews - RoadCyclingUK (click to open review in new window)
So what next in the Carbon Super-test? It’s a completely hand built frame from part scientist, part artisan and part bike designer Bob Parlee. He is at the forefront of custom carbon frame design and has, in a pretty short time, established an impressive reputation in the USA. We had a Z3 and this is what we thought… …more