adrien

Have you ridden one? Yes, a bike absolutely has to look right to make you want to ride it. But then you get on it and it has to feel right, and like it was worth the price, effort, etc.

That aesthetic is very, very popular right now, and you can get many high-end bikes with that finish.

Parlee has a great rep, and I have a few friends with them, but those are the custom, hand-made ones. To brand a molded, chinese, standard-geo bike is a risk they are taking, and it might end up being looked at as something a little less, if you care about such things.

Eyenigma

Point extremely well taken. The plan is to go to the LBS next week and test ride different configurations very thoroughly. I don't want to be that guy who just falls in love with a bike or frame's aesthetics but ultimately is dissatisfied with the way it rides. The local LBS carries some pretty high end brands:

Pinarello, Parlee, Cervelo, Felt, and Time.

Hoping to ride all of them, in aero and regular configurations.
Somewhat hopeful I find something that really speaks to me. Just hoping it's within my budget.
I can imagine the Dogma will feel amazing, but I don't have that kind of scratch to throw at a bike right now.
Hoping to keep the entire build under $7500 USD.

adrien

Dogma rides like a scalpel. I rented one to go up Ventoux last summer. I found it very sharp, very quick, and totally unforgiving.

At that price point, you can get something custom made. Probably not a Parlee (at least not right away, depending on build) but there are several other options. If you're looking beyond Carbon, the options get bigger.

TimothyH

I didn't say there is anything wrong with the OP's taste. Those are your words, not mine.

I said that I find it obnoxious. Those are my words.


-Tim-

tangerineowl

If you end up testing a Time Fluidity, I'd be interested in your review.

sced

Buy the Nashbar frame when it's 20% off - great reviews and warranty. Put some Parlee decals on it and nobody will know the difference - including you.

Nashbar Carbon Road Frame and Fork

Eyenigma

You bet. But for whatever it's worth, I'm only about 6 mos. into road riding having come from MTB with <1000 miles under my belt. Take that for what it's worth on the opinion.

I hear what you're saying. But to purposely imply I'm riding something I'm not? Why not just ride it as an unmarked frame then. *If it's just as good?

C Law

my opinion is buck up for the z1 or buy a specialized. no reason to pay boutique prices for chinese carbon

SpeshulEd 

Apparently your reading comprehension isn't the best. I said you "probably have different tastes in bikes" since you basically told the guy not to buy a carbon and to instead buy a steel bike that will never go out of style.

Which is fine and good, but it sounds like the guy wants a nice carbon bike.

fstshrk

If you are going to spend that kind of money, I would rather get a custom Ti bike from Seven Cycles.

SpeshulEd 

Or Firefly...drool...

spdntrxi

I have one of the cheaper Parlee's... Z5SLi... it's a wonderful bike and comes in just a hair under 14lbs. I've ridden Z0's and ESX's are those are wonderful too... the Z5SLi was the cheapest and hit all checkmarks for me. No regrets. If you need custom.. well you need custom, but I'd wager 95% or more can find something that works great in their normal lineup.

off the rack Parlee don't have the greatest resale value..but the good thing is the frame can be sent to Parlee by the new owner and inspected and you can have the lifetime warranty again. I think they charge $200, but you have to send in the bare frame. My is custom paint and they really excel in the paint dept...but again it's pricy for that.

mawashi

Serious post here not a bs post!

Eyenigma, you sound like a guy who know what he wants and are able to afford some decent stuff so here's my 2 cents. With 7+grand to splurge, you can pretty much afford the best and not have to go the budget route like some of us. I would get a rather get ENVE or Zipp wheels than some unknown Chinese brand just for peace of mind.

If you have the legs and can ride hard, an aero bike like the ESX or ESX-R are great, mind you, aero bikes are known to be uncomfortable so that's where Parlee has designed the ESX series to not only be comfortable but aero and light-ish.

You could also consider bikes like the Scott Foil, Cervelo S5, Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 9.0 Team or a Giant Propel Advanced SL Team or the new De Rosa SK Pininfarina! etc etc.
If however, you are more interested in comfort you budget would allow for a custom Ti frame like some of the guys have mentioned.

Personally, the best functional upgrades for both comfort, weight and speed would be a good carbon wheel set like the ENVE SES 4.5, a Selles MP or Selle Italia SLR Tekno Flow saddle, 25mm conti 4000 GP tyres, a decent carbon stem and handlebar would also help reduce road buzz.

Lastly, don't skimp on great bib shorts and some decent aero jerseys lol!

adrien

Yup. Fantastic company.

adrien

BTW, if I were looking for carbon, I'd get an Argo. amazing bike, nice guys: Argonaut Cycles

gc3

I've got one. Z5 SLi with several thousand miles on it. It's amazing. And yes, it does feel different than other bikes.

mawashi

Oh please elaborate, different in what way and from which bikes ?

lsberrios1 

While I have nothing against other bikes I do encourage you to try something else... Try one of the new Giant TCRs and then go from that. If you can find something better, BUY IT! The new TCR is mind blowing.

PS: Other companies have mindblowing frames too. Trek has the Emonda SLR, Specialized has the Tarmac or Venge Viias and Giant has the Advanced SL. Those are the 3 top frames in the industry. If you can find something better, go for it!

gc3

Ride one and see for yourself. It's different from the Colnago C59 that is my other bike. I may have more money than sense, but am not going to be bothered to answer your question. You obviously know everything about everything, but feel free to use the search function as you peruse th. Interwebs.

mawashi

Oh thanks when a serious question appears you brush it off. Thanks for nothing!

gc3

Youre quite welcome. Actually, I posted my review long ago, and don't feel compelled to regurgitate at this point.

lsberrios1 

With you bro.

gc3 - no question you have good taste in bikes, but could you please elaborate on your answer? I just ate dirt from a guy in a c60 today so I know they are not bad bikes, but I'd like to know some details about what makes them different.

lsberrios1 

You can always copy and paste the link.

mawashi

There are those and there are those. Too snotty for the likes of us.

I ride a Parlee... whooo hooo!

jimblairo

[QUOTE=sced;18152241]Pointless to spend a lot. Check out the current thread on the $2k 15lb Chinese bike.

The cheap resins used in the Chinese bike can burst into flames under the right conditions! Be advised.