Parlee Z Cyclocross

[geordanh]

The backstory on this bike is here: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?p=3020385

It's taken me a while to pull together bits and pieces and get the bike setup right but getting close now.



I love how this bike rides. Most of my gravel riding the past few years has been on a Stigmata with a 15mm front thru axle. This bike is much more compliant, and has a really nice feel under power, similar in pedal feel to a nice steel bike. That said, it's ideally suited to actual gravel riding on gravel roads etc. This bike tracks quite a bit worse than the Stigmata, or my Lynskey (which had a parlee disc fork) through chunk, and does not really inspire confidence ripping down single track. But for fast rides on normal gravel, this thing is a dream. The seat mast is THICC, but there's a nice amount of compliance at the saddle too.

After years of not having cross top levers, I was determined to grab a pair to put on this bike. I'm just so used to riding dirt off the hoods now I'm not sure the cross tops are really that useful.

The mini motos were a bear to get set up properly on the wide Hed rims, especially at the rear. And took a while get them quiet on the extremely loud turbine brake track (took a couple different pads before I got it right) but god damn! Now that they are setup properly, the braking is unreal. Wet weather braking is easily on par with discs, and in some ways the modulation is even nicer. The wheels themselves are low spoke count, so again I think this bike is ideally suited to normal gravel rides that are more roady than gnarly.

The last thing I'll say is that I'm struggling a bit with the fit. It's soooo close, but I could do with 5mm more saddle height (struggling with the mast), and I need more bar drop (might need to find a -17 stem or lower stack HS).

Gonna put some nicer tires on, and waiting on an easton BB to put a set of EC90s on.

[mhespenheide]

That's awesome!

I vaguely remember checking out the original Craigslist add and thinking it was a tiny bit too small for me...

[Coffee Rider]

That's a gorgeous bike.

[charliedid]

That bike is sick...as the kids like to say.

[geordanh]

Thanks guys. It’s a sweet riding bike, and I’ve always wanted a Z1. The raw waxed finish is just so cool and looks incredible in direct daylight.

Originally Posted by mhespenheide

I vaguely remember checking out the original Craigslist add and thinking it was a tiny bit too small for me...

The tt is 59. I’ve got the saddle at 84cm from center of the bb to the top of the saddle, and ideally get another 5mm. Just think I might be pushing my luck already…




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[robt57]

Originally Posted by geordanh

The tt is 59. I’ve got the saddle at 84cm from center of the bb to the top of the saddle, and ideally get another 5mm. Just think I might be pushing my luck already…

Ritchey makes a +2CM topper FYI

[geordanh]

Originally Posted by robt57

Ritchey makes a +2CM topper FYI

This is a great tip, thanks! I haven’t put many miles on at all with it up high like this but probably a good call to get the taller one right away. Thanks!


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[mhespenheide]

Originally Posted by geordanh

The tt is 59. I’ve got the saddle at 84cm from center of the bb to the top of the saddle, and ideally get another 5mm. Just think I might be pushing my luck already…

Hunh! That actually would be a good fit for me. I just have a bias against integrated seatposts, so maybe that was it. Irrelevant now; it's yours and looks awesome.

[robt57]

I had got one for my Addict LTD. The short one worked for me, but I anticipated that a taller person was likely to get it next.

I was right, My 6'5 friend has it now after my 5 season tenure, I am 6'1".

Originally Posted by geordanh

This is a great tip, thanks! I haven’t put many miles on at all with it up high like this but probably a good call to get the taller one right away. Thanks!


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[d_douglas]

I know Chebaccos are supposed to be amazing bikes, but the look of this one is just so much better. Love the raw carbon of a Parlee, though I’ve only seen one or two in real life.

That is one sexy bike!

[54ny77]

that is sweet.

parlee makes such a great frame. don't see many of 'em anymore.

years ago our team/club got z4's for "team deal" frames, as they were new to the market. man, what a frame. wish i still had mine.

[fredd]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: that bike is the bees knees. Probably a top 5 for me on this forum.

[theboucher]

It looks stellar! Glad to hear you're putting it through its paces after the long hibernation in my basement.

[geordanh]

Thanks all.

Originally Posted by theboucher

It looks stellar! Glad to hear you're putting it through its paces after the long hibernation in my basement.

Thanks again my man. Long hibernation would be an understatement. =D

[tuscanyswe]

Thats a super cool bike right there