Sinn

Which would you get if you were in the market for a good all-around road racing frame, and could get them each at a *killer* price (i.e., much less than the MSRP), and why?

BH G4:
https://www.bhbikes-us.com/bikes.php#

Addict R2:
https://scottusa.com/us_en/product/1672/11853/addict_r2

Parlee Z4 (to be built with DA and other components comparable to the other two bikes):
https://www.parleecycles.com/model_Z4.html

Discuss.

supersport

I'd take which ever one had the lowest price.

Once you get to that price level, what's to discuss? What bike wouldn't you take at a *killer* price?

Namenda

Of those three, I'd take the Parlee. Great frame, suitable for any kind of riding. Builds up light. Plus, they look good. Understated, unlike the others.

McTufferton

I'd ride the Addict because it's my dream bike. Pure performance. And I like flashy, not understated**




**Full Disclosure: I'm a Scott owner (although nothing remotely close to the addict), and a total shill when given the opportunity

wolfpack 

Parlee. i'm also considering this one as well as a Lynsky. or a Ridley something or other. or another fuji (SL1)....too many choices. but that Parlee is a sweet looking ride.

kimconyc

At this level of bikes, I think it really just comes down to how it looks. People will argue on the internet about this and that but how many of them are professionals. It's not like either of the three will limit a BF weenie...

That being said, there is a G4 (red) at my LBS and it looks sweet in person. The G4 would be my pick. If you want less flash, I think the Parlee is really classy looking.

SushiJoe

Parlee.

MDcatV

oh, the problems I have, I'm wringing my hands over what should I buy, a new lexus or a new porshe, or a new mercedes, I guess I'll poll the internet

seriously, if you're considering this level of bicycling equipment, why would you be polling the internet on which one to get without asking specific questions?

kimconyc

This is BF; Zipps or Reynolds; Dura Ace or Campy.

dmb2786

i vote parlee

wfrogge

Cervelo

Sinn

Shill.

Sinn

You want specificity? You got it:

As it seems to me, I am weighing three options that have three different strengths and three different weaknesses.

The Addict is LIGHT and very STIFF (notice I said stiff here -- i.e., it can resist rotational force better than any other frame I am considering here -- I do acknowledge that!) but it is more prone to failure than the other two, since the tube walls are so thin. Now, it is the case that most wrecks that will blow up a carbon frame will critically damage any carbon frame whatsoever at this weight range. But the Addict is just that much MORE LIKELY to fail than either the BH or the Parlee, which are both a little heavier and a little more beefy. The Addict also comes with ONLY a three year warranty against mfg defects. So if my bottom bracket begins to creak and unwrap during my third season on this bike, tough luck! Also, the handling of the Addict is very lively, but not so much that you feel unstable. The shorter headtube and steeper seattube provide for snappy handling, but the well constructed carbon frame keeps you connected to the road.

The Parlee is beautiful, comfortable, meticulously designed and constructed, and PROBABLY the most durable of the three bikes I am considering. This frame set also comes with a full lifetime warranty against mfg defect. Due to the longer headtube, it also provides less snappy, but more stable handling. The downside of this frame is that it is the heaviest of the three -- though not a heavy-weight by any means! -- at around 900g for the frame and 370g for the fork, and it is probably not as stiff as the BH (I haven't ridden the BH yet), and certainly not as stiff as the Addict. Now, this issue about stiffness is a tricky one. It seems stiff enough to me. But the ride quality is otherwise so plush, that it drowns out the rigid ride quality of a super stiff frame like an Addict. So, in saying that it is not as stiff, it is hard to say whether this is merely a subjective quality (but, don't get me wrong, the psychological side of a bike's ride, the way it FEELS, is VERY important) and there is a fairly comparable amount of stiffness between each bike, or there really is a dramatic loss in power transfer with the Parlee.

The BH, however, it seems to me, will be somewhere between the Parlee and the Scott in terms of stiffness, but I don't know, since I have not yet ridden one (I probably will have to wait a few months to try one out). It is certainly between the two in terms of weight (870g medium frame, and so, since I ride a small, mine would be a few grams under that, and a 330g fork). The BH comes with a lifetime warranty that covers mfg defects, like the Parlee. Th downsides are: I suspect that the BH will have the harshest ride quality out of the three, since it has very short chainstays (400mm) that increase the efficiency of the drive train, but decreases the bike's ability to soak up road vibration. The BH does not look as cool as either the Scott or the Parlee. I suspect that it will handle much like the Addict, perhaps, again, a little less snappy than the Addict but more responsive than the Parlee. But, as I said, I have not yet ridden this bike, so I don't know for sure.

So there's the situation. Each fits me well. I will, of course, consult with my coach on which he thinks provides the best fit. But it seems that the differences between each in terms of fit will be minimal.

In short (for those that don't care to read the details like MDCatV), the Addict is ueber light, ueber responsive, but weak on the warranty and (RELATIVELY!) weaker on durability. The Parlee is comfortable and the most durable of the three (IMO) with a lifetime warranty, but is (it seems) not as stiff and the heaviest of the three. The BH is between each in terms of weight and probably also in terms of ride quality and stiffness, but it also comes with a lifetime warranty (and it is the least cool-looking one of the bunch IMO).

shapelike

None. All have ugly logos.

MDcatV

^much, much better

yours is a good problem to have, I doubt you could make an incorrect decision when comparing these frames + the research you've done. my only comment is dont base much on test rides, they can be very deceiving depending on lots of factors, in fact, I'd place your evaluation of geometries and its correlation to ride characteristics over test rides 100x/100.

then I'd go and buy the Parlee because I just think they're cooler.

Lazyrider

Namenda, couldn't agree more. I'd take the understated, sophisticated look of the Parlee. That was one of my top choices but I got an Isaac. Go Parlee without a doubt.

Sinn

I just ran across this review of the BH G4 that puts it even lower in my book. The reviewer has a body type that is like mine (except that I am a little shorter and lighter), and he reports that it is not a good stable descender, something that is essential to a bike at this price range, in my view.

https://www.epictrain.com/Product_BH_G4.html

supersport

Oh, Man. I hear ya.

Like I'd never buy a Ferrari because this reviewer I read said it has a tad too much oversteer at real high speeds. Fail.

Pi}{ie

How mant can you fit on the short bus?

Sinn

Oh my god, enough with the heavy-handed sarcasm ...

Leave it to Pcad. At least his is funny.

Vireo

Scott Addict without reservation!

rollin

"Quick Vireo, if we hurry we can stop him buying a jet black CAAD 9"

patentcad

No Cervelo for you.

Sinn

I bought the caad9, yes. But it still hasn't come in yet. And the cannondale rep is no help in finding out when Cannondale will get them in.

I put this thread up MONTHS ago. I would not worry with getting anything other than a caad9, if BH weren't selling 09 G4's at closeout prices and if the Cannondale order had come in (I ordered this thing over a month ago and the STILL don't know when they are coming in!).

Vireo, did you ride one of these? I think that I posted your review of the bike above. Was it really that bad?

fa63

I have read multiple reviews of the BH G4 (and the Global Connect before that) having a soft front end. I wouldn't buy one without riding it first.