We've all heard it before,...location, location, location!!! Yes there is something to be said for location, and being located only 20 minutes from Parlee Cycles in Peabody, Mass,...also has it's perks.That and the fact that we are one of their better dealers, and part sponsors of their two flagship Track Racers, namely Eric Barlevav and Jackie Simes IV. So shortly after the annual Las Vegas Interbike trade show finished, we were lucky to receive one of Parlees show bikes to put on display.
For those of you who have followed the cyclingnews.com posts regarding the new Parlee Z5 road frame, many of you will have seen the photos of these bikes already. The Z5 has some pretty cool differences from it's predecessor, namely the Z4. It has a traditional rear end versus a wishbone rear end, an over-sized lower headset bearing (1 1/8 & 1 1/4,) and the new BB30 bottom bracket configuration. These three changes add up (ironically) to a weight reduction of approximately 100 grams, to produce a sub 800 gram frame set. Ergonomically every size frame is offered with two head tube lengths to facilitate more options, fit wise. That's pretty friggin' cool from a bike fitters point of view and will really play into the favor of female cyclists!
The show bike had some pretty cool aesthetic details to it that won't come with the stock Z5's, but as always will be offered as add ons for anyone who wants to give their ride it's own personal flavor. Visually, at first, the white frame and fork don't seem to be out of the ordinary at all. (Lets face it,...white bikes have been in vogue now for a few seasons, even if the conservative New England market has not caught on yet.) But it's only at a closer look that there are some fresh new details on offer. The new font has a modern flavor to it, and gone are the traditional panels. The pin-striped lettering allows for the addition of another color, and in this case it's Lamborghini Orange. That's five layers of metallic color on those 3mm pin stripes to be exact.
Taking it a step further, the guys at Parlee decided that the red accents on the Sram Red gruppo, would conflict with the orange writing, and promptly changed all the accents on the levers, crank arms and rear derailleur to match. They went a step further and used orange ferrules to support the cable housing,...and then to top it off,...added a pair of custom orange TRP R960 brakes. These, like the frame set,...are truly a pair of unique brakes. Well almost...as there is reportedly only one other pair in existence. Talk about having something different to everyone else! It used to be that paint schemes were the way to differentiate yourself from other riders. Now it seems,...that the options are endless.
Chances are that this bike will go pretty quickly, as the fact that it was an industry show bike, usually has something to do with it. Cyclists who want the latest and greatest certainly have it in this package.
Also on our display floor is a new 2010, stock colored Z4. Also with the new lettering like the Z5, but this time in red. Gone is the traditional panel as seen on the 2009 model (at left). But like anything with Parlee,...if you want it a certain way,...they are happy to do it for you. So if you like the old font over the new, the traditional panels,...floro colors from the '80's or even a matte black finish,....all you need to do is ask.
Like the old Harley Davidson T-shirt used to say,...."If I wanted to fit in, I'd take the bus!"
If you want something different...ride a Parlee.
*Kurt "Chopper" Begemann
