Parlee Z1 Custom Paint - Red Panels
Parlee Z1 Custom Paint - Red Panels
We had a custom bike project this summer, and this is the result. Kevin Saunders ordered a custom Parlee Z1 to showcase the best we could offer regarding a custom frame, custom paint and "best of the best" equipment. We specified Dave Sem of Sem Custom Paint to execute a $2,100 custom paintjob, and he delivered an exquisite example of his ability. Parlee built the frame to support Kevin's 208 lb weight and 1500 watt sprint power, and the frame still weighed only 1050 grams. We specified an Alpha Q fork to carry the load, and supplied Parlee with the exact dimensions of the bike as we had Precision Laser Fitting data.
A Custom Parlee Bicycle Showcase
While the bike is designed to be a lightweight "hill bike" for a 208 lb rider, we were asked by Parlee to loan the bike to them for display in the Interbike convention in Las Vegas. This is a huge trade show for bicycle manufacturers and buyers, and while we won't have customers seeing the bike, we are honored to be able to showcase our bike building ability in their display. This meant that we substituted two components on the bike to give a little more drama. The bike is shown here with an AX Lightness Phoenix saddle and their setback seatpost. The weight limit on their components is 185 lbs, and we would like to limit it to 165 lbs, just in case.
After the show, this bike will be fitted with a Thomson Masterpiece Setback seatpost and a Fizik Arione Carbon saddle with braided carbon rails. Everything else on the bike is specified to work with a large rider, and thus this showbike is a "real" rider, as opposed to a lightweight piece of bicycle art which could never be ridden. We know that our bikes are works of art, but they need to be ridden to be fully appreciated!