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Pinarello Prince vs. Orbea Orca vs. Cervelo S3 vs. Parlee Z1

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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Pinarello Prince vs. Orbea Orca vs. Cervelo S3 vs. Parlee Z1

Old 09-30-08, 09:31 PM
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Originally Posted by DrPete
And what's wrong with that?
Because "cycling is the new golf."
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Old 09-30-08, 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Vertr
Because "cycling is the new golf."
Wrong... I need new irons only once a year. I could buy 10 or more bikes a year if I could afford it.
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Old 09-30-08, 09:55 PM
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Originally Posted by MadeInItaly
Wrong... I need new irons only once a year. I could buy 10 or more bikes a year if I could afford it.
Wrong interpretation.

Additionally, you do not "need" those things. You could use the same irons or bike for years and years. You *want* those things.
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Old 09-30-08, 10:29 PM
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Very true..
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Old 09-30-08, 11:02 PM
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Originally Posted by MadeInItaly
Some people can't afford nice things and it bothers them.

I agree. Too much negativity around here. It can only be jealousy mate. I have not yet ridden the other bikes but I have an SLC Cervelo...its not as harsh as I thought it would be and if the seat stays ala R3 of the S3 does what they are supposed to do...you will be comfortable with that bike. Try the S3. Cervelos are known for their sheer aerodynamics and an out and out racer bike. Aesthetics is a personal thing....you can judge that aspect yourself.
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Old 10-01-08, 12:55 AM
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If it were me, I would go for either the Pinarello Prince or the Parlee Z1. I think the Cervelo is more of a hard core race bike and may not be as good a choice for non-competitive cyclist.

I know someone that owns a Prince and tells me that it is fast and rides very smooth. The Parlee can have custom geometry if you want it. Parlee have a reputation of being fast and comfortable. A couple of other bikes that you may also consider are Crumpton and Calfee, which would be similar to a Parlee.
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Old 10-01-08, 01:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Carbon Unit
If it were me, I would go for either the Pinarello Prince or the Parlee Z1. I think the Cervelo is more of a hard core race bike and may not be as good a choice for non-competitive cyclist.

I know someone that owns a Prince and tells me that it is fast and rides very smooth. The Parlee can have custom geometry if you want it. Parlee have a reputation of being fast and comfortable. A couple of other bikes that you may also consider are Crumpton and Calfee, which would be similar to a Parlee.
I agree. Both are very special bikes. The Cervelo and Orbea are not as much. IF you want something even more rare, look at the Wilier Cento.
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Old 10-01-08, 01:35 AM
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I would agree with many others here, in that if you are upgrading a madone, you might not want to choose a cervelo or orbea as you're going to get another stiff race frame. I would personally look into a custom bike, which from your options would be suitable with Parlee as you can specify your ride quality.

I would personally go with a custom steel/ti if you're going to upgrade an already awesome ride...but that is me and I have my own aesthetic

Last edited by stansarch; 10-01-08 at 01:39 AM.
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Old 10-01-08, 01:35 AM
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What about IndyFab?

https://ifbikes.com/frames2/953.shtml
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Old 10-01-08, 05:23 AM
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dare I say it: Serotta
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Old 10-01-08, 06:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Vertr
Because "cycling is the new golf."
Why do you care what someone else rides? If someone wants to spend $5K, hell, $10K on a bike, why does that bug you?
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Old 10-01-08, 06:18 AM
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Originally Posted by MadeInItaly
Some people can't afford nice things and it bothers them.
Pretty much sums up the negative reactions to just about every high-end bike thread on here.
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Old 10-01-08, 06:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Vertr
Wrong interpretation.

Additionally, you do not "need" those things. You could use the same irons or bike for years and years. You *want* those things.
So, again, you have a problem with how other people spend their money. Why?
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Old 10-01-08, 06:40 AM
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all premium frame choices. your madone is in the same category. you're looking for a jewel, not a tool. therefore, imo, given your stated intent for use and priorities, you should without question be looking at the Parlee. 100%. others shouldnt even be on your short list, long list, or any other list (not that they arent superb, they just arent what you seem to be looking for).

otherwise, you should be looking at other custom frame builders who work with carbon fiber like serotta, calfee, etc. Working with these custom builders gives you the option of communicating what you're looking for in a frame and having them fit and build it for you. buying a stock frame like cervelo, trek, orbea, pinarello, giant, whatever, doesnt give you these options.

good luck, research is a fun part of the bike buying process so long as you're well informed, then when you get the finished product, it's a reward. do some searching into custom builders, evaluate what you like about each, then start giving them calls to inquire about your dream bike.
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Old 10-01-08, 06:48 AM
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Originally Posted by MDcatV
all premium frame choices. your madone is in the same category. you're looking for a jewel, not a tool. therefore, imo, given your stated intent for use and priorities, you should without question be looking at the Parlee. 100%. others shouldnt even be on your short list, long list, or any other list (not that they arent superb, they just arent what you seem to be looking for).

otherwise, you should be looking at other custom frame builders who work with carbon fiber like serotta, calfee, etc. Working with these custom builders gives you the option of communicating what you're looking for in a frame and having them fit and build it for you. buying a stock frame like cervelo, trek, orbea, pinarello, giant, whatever, doesnt give you these options.

good luck, research is a fun part of the bike buying process so long as you're well informed, then when you get the finished product, it's a reward. do some searching into custom builders, evaluate what you like about each, then start giving them calls to inquire about your dream bike.
This is probably the correct way of looking at it. I don't know if I'd go so far as to eliminate the others from consideration automatically (I mean, that Prince is sweet!), but the Parlee would appeal to me most of the ones you mentioned. If you're looking at Parlee, you owe it to yourself also to consider some of the other equally great custom builders MDcatV and others have mentioned -- Calfee, Crumpton, Serotta, IF and so on. The end bike will doubtless be fantastic, but enjoy the process, too. You'll meet some really cool bike people and get to put together your dream machine!
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Old 10-01-08, 06:56 AM
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Personally, I think custom carbon pretty much starts an ends with Parlee, Crumpton, Ruegamer, Cyfac and Guru.
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Old 10-01-08, 07:04 AM
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Originally Posted by celerystalksme
Personally, I think custom carbon pretty much starts an ends with Parlee, Crumpton, Ruegamer, Cyfac and Guru.
DEFINITELY NOT GURU! Not even in the same class.
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Old 10-01-08, 07:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Vireo
DEFINITELY NOT GURU! Not even in the same class.
The Geneo? I disagree...full custom...Canadian...aero frame. The thing rides like a Ferarri. And you can usually get the frame for under $5000...unlike a Parlee Z1 which can be over $7000 for frame. The Parlee Z1 can easily become a over $10,000 build.
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Old 10-01-08, 07:27 AM
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Gurus are just fugly IMHO. If this is a more aesthetic purchase, they are off the list for me.
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Old 10-01-08, 07:38 AM
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Originally Posted by DrPete
Gurus are just fugly IMHO. If this is a more aesthetic purchase, they are off the list for me.
your credibility as a judge of the aesthetic disappeared when you put on the sleeveless jersey and started entering transition zones.

Last edited by MDcatV; 10-01-08 at 07:45 AM. Reason: to add emoticon to my vicious insult
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Old 10-01-08, 07:42 AM
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Originally Posted by pharding
I am just not feeling the love.

The beautiful thing about cycling is that there are many good ways to enjoy it. Does everyone that buys one of those bikes race bicycles? Of course not. This is a wonderful time for bicycle technology. If I choose to take advantage of it, why the negativity on the part of some posters?
Likely because a couple of the bikes on the OP's list are ridiculously stiff. The good news is the posers that ride wannabee race bikes pay for it on every ride in terms of unnecessary harshness when they don't create enough power to flex a frame that is built for 1000 watts.
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Old 10-01-08, 07:45 AM
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Originally Posted by MDcatV
your credibility as a judge of the aesthetic disappeared when you put on the sleeveless jersey and started entering transition zones.
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Old 10-01-08, 07:45 AM
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Prince!
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Old 10-01-08, 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Campag4life
Likely because a couple of the bikes on the OP's list are ridiculously stiff. The good news is the posers that ride wannabee race bikes pay for it on every ride in terms of unnecessary harshness when they don't create enough power to flex a frame that is built for 1000 watts.
I am sure that the vast majority of high quality bikes, some of which are used for racing, are actually ridden by riders who never race them and just enjoy cycling. That is the whole point of professional standards for bicycles used in racing. If the amateur is so inclined he/she can ride that same bicycle that is ridden in the Tour de France. That is certainly good for cycling.

I don't understand the above post's reference to "posers". In the amateur golf world if one sees a golfer out on the course with Titleist of Mizuno golf clubs, one doesn't think there is a "poser". Golfers just look at that person as a "fellow golfer". Think about BMW M3's or M5's that one sees. Those cars are designed to go in excess of 200 mph. One doesn't think of those owners as a "poser".

Rather than belittling a legitimate post. Perhaps a better way to look at it is this. The more cycling enthusiasts there are, the better it is for all cyclists. It will gradually force changes on our transportation network. If someone buys one of the bikes in the original post that is good for all cyclists because it encourages cycling innovation and helps to reduce manufacturing unit costs. Great ideas on high end bicycles filter down to bicycles of all price ranges.

The S2 may have been stiff. According to Cervelo the S3 will have the seat stays similar to the R3. From their web site.
Vertically compliant – Seatstays as thin as on the R3, but rotated 90 degrees and reshaped for aerodynamics. Light, comfortable and aero, the best in aero road bike engineering.

Perfect balance – Aero, light, stiff and comfortable, the S3 works. Several companies make aero road bikes, but only the Cervélo aero road bikes were used extensively at the hilly Olympic road race, a testament to their balanced approach.
According to Competitive Cyclist the S3 has not shipped yet so one cannot know exactly what the new changes in the S3 really mean. However it is my understanding that the R3 has a comfortable ride.

Get a Grip Cycles in Chicago has a 2009 Orca. It is a small frame so it is not going to work for a test ride. Has anyone here done a test ride on the 2009 Orca?

Last edited by pharding; 10-01-08 at 11:21 AM.
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Old 10-01-08, 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by MadeInItaly
And how do you think they can justify selling them for 2k more. Because they are 2 grams less??
Different layup.
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