Stock Parlee Z5 – another theme
Perhaps an alternative is to take the red highlights and run with it. Ritchey Wet Red post/stem/bar…? Deda 35 with red highlights..? a set of Campy or Fulcrum wheels with red accents…. saddle and tape…your choice.
“Tonite’s the nite we’ve waited for” — DDCX is go!
Racing, laughing, eating, racing, drinking, laughing, racing etc. etc.
2.5 hours to go and the guys who started supporting a bunch ride at 5.00am are ready to roll.
Mitch was last seen levitating above the studio floor whilst channeling Lars Boom and patting his bike which is finally in full racing trim.
Paul will switch to a Moots PsychloX for the Prologue and customer Chris Mason jumped at the chance to race the Parlee CX tonight. Simon “knees” Carey will probably throw stuff at him from the sidelines…
Hopefully the 2N’s will return to fight for the coveted “N1″ designation with the corresponding skinsuit.
Drop by and say hello as if we all huddle together it will be warmer!
Oh yes, here is IF Steel Planet X before he hits the sandpit…
Off The Planet X
DDCX is nearly here and the activity is furious below as one man sweats over his new toy. Here are few snippets of details of the build before the final reveal.
I am told he will be out testing the new “low drag anti-cling” finish in the morning as he has been muttering something about “its just like a Belgian summer” all day!
All that glitters…IF SSR
The devil is in the detail! A work in progress with a vexing decision around the “right” wheel choice being the final step to completion.
Mitch’s just reward!
The crucial moment came about 35 kms out from Falls Creek. As we drove past Nick he looked the worse for wear but responded he was fine and then shouted “I’ll have the red one!” The deal was done.
Mitch’s incentive for the 2012 3 Peaks was that if he was first home he could have his choice of any bike in the shop. Over the preceding weeks he had done a few road tests and was torn for choice across various Moots, IF and Parlee models but in the end it was the SunGraphics finish on this Parlee Z3 that swayed him.
Now with the new SRAM red, Thomson post and stem and fast set of custom built wheels it will be hard to get it off him!
Time to do another design.
Next stop for both is Italy next week on a Cadence Tours Giro adventure.
Smooth Chocolate IF
Well it is easter and this IF Steel Crown Jewel features the new chocolate brown with two tone purple and white accents. We used IF’s custom geometry to build a frame that will enable a wide range of riders to test and enjoy this butter smooth gem.
The build features a “cleaned up” Campy Athena alloy group set, Paul Components seatpost and Ritchey Classic alloy cockpit and some purple anodised highlights including the TUNE skewers . The King Brown headset will soon be joined by matching BB and R45 hubs wrapped in HED C2 rims with Challenge Roubaix tyres. The cages are anodised King Ti.
Drop by and take it for a ride.
Crankstar does “individual” in style
Our Brisbane retail partner, Steve at Crankstar in Camp Hill, continues to shine in consistently delivering outstanding individual bikes to his clients.
Here are three teasers from his Blog which can be found here at www.crankstar.com.au Enjoy!
Moots Vamoots RSL owner response
This is the unedited first ride reaction from the owner of this bike. Developed as an everyday day commuter in the Adelaide environs, it features Super Record with Rotor 3D cranks and a set of custom wheels built around the HED C2 rims, TUNE skewers and MOOTS “tuned” King cages:
“After reading glowing reviews, talking with friends and yourself about the Moots RSL I had built within my mind an expectation that was impossible to match.
Well ,I just got of the bike and it is going to be a long time before this smile goes.
This bike is so beyond expectation to suspect it is other-worldly. It is an enigma. Razor sharp yet butter soft, rigid yet compliant, light yet so planted. In essence it is everything you wish it to be without any of the compromises one would expect.
Truly amazing.“
With sustained feedback like this it is no wonder the RSL has a rapidly expanding fan club across Australia and New Zealand and around the globe.
A Compressed Parlee experience!
So you spend time rationalising the purchase of your first Parlee – a recently discontinued Z4 in the classic blue.
You build it with a tasty, balanced spec with a few bits of bling.
You take it for 3 rides and you love it, “just love it – the best bike by far I have ridden” – bliss.
Then “some devil” presents you with the opportunity to upgrade to an internally routed naked/etched Z1.
What would you do?
You would jump, and he did – upgrade in progress!
Parlee “Veyron SS”
Finally finished with the Busyman bar tape, Campy Super Record, Clavicula Cranks, 3T Stealth bar and Stem (and ultimately seat post) and custom painted rims (if you hadn’t noticed!). Light and distinctive.
IF Steel Crown Jewel
The first of several on their way this “lil red wagon” was a great hit at the display at “The Alpine Classic” over the weekend. Steel, carbon and sterling silver mark this remarkably priced custom gem from Indy Fab.
The Ritchey “wet red” cockpit which will be finished with a matching post is an exact match for the frame colour, the wheels are a custom build and come in at 1245gms.
On display at Cycling Edge now.
All I want for Christmas is a Z1
What a rush to get this into the owner’s hands before “the big day” but well worth the effort and a beautiful build by Crankstar our retail partner in Brisbane.
Di2, ENVE cockpit, custom alloy “speed wheels”, TUNE skewers….To see the full detail go to: crankstar.blogspot.com
Finally, Andrew “give it hell” you won’t wear it out!
Coming along Nicely
Saddle done and the detail corrected on the otherwise delightful finish on the 3T Team “Black” bar.
Now to pick a groupset while waiting for the matching 3T post and then finish off with some custom leather from Busyman.
Moots LT – perfect for the wandering cyclist?
Gladstone is home and the 3 Peaks and The Alps are on the agenda. A custom build for long distance comfort and the flexibility to mount racks as required.
S&S Couplers and case make it happen for a build that features Campy Chorus Compact, Moots post and stem, Wound Up fork, Ergonova bar, King Cages and a set of our custom built alloy clinchers.
A lovely Christmas present.
Call us or Steve at Crankstar in Brisbane to discuss your particular LT.
Mitch throws down gauntlet – we introduce the PARLEE ante!
Nick Mitchell has tweeted a sub 7 hour challenge for the “3 Peaks” so we thought we would encourage him by introducing a “Pink Slip” deal to add a little further spice to the equation.
People think the photo above is his race face, no he just heard our proposal!
When drag racing commenced they were racing for the deed to each other’s car – The Pink Slip. So given that Mitch is 2 from 2 in this event and was 41 minutes up on second last year, the first person to beat him home this year gets to take his Parlee home right then and there as is (personal items excepted ofcourse)!!
Here it is in training guise – it will have something “just a little quicker” in the wheel department on the day!
Now there is an upside/downside to this opportunity. To get the PARLEE, you must have a confirmed and receipted donation of $100 to the Amy Gillett Foundation made between February 1, 2012 and the day prior to the 2012 event.
Simply be first to finish the full 3 Peaks Challenge, produce proof of the donation to the Amy Gillett Foundation in your name, and Mitch will hand over the bike!
You may think that this puts pressure on Mitch and it does. However, you can rest assured that Mitch has an even better incentive to be first home……..be warned (no not Shane!) that he is out there and working very hard indeed.
Show and tell at Crankstar now!
We arrived today at Crankstar in Brisbane with a selection of IF, Moots and Parlee bikes and frames. So come and see Steve what some options for your next bike – key word is “your”. Built for you just the way you want it.
Nick Mitchell’s “new” Parlee
Nick is back and needed a steed so we pulled “this ol’ thing” from the rack -
First ride Message yesterday reads :
“In sorrento. Where is the off switch for the motor you put in it??” – under the saddle of course Nick!
Z1 for the taller Gentleman
At around 6′ 8″ in the old currency and with a build and power to match, we anticipate that the “travelling” owner will enjoy the revised fit and the qualities of this bespoke build when he returns to Melbourne shortly.
The bike is light, lively and robust and we feel quietly confident it will meet its owners expectations both here and in France!
Big,Black, and Precisely Tailored Z1
This frame has been built for a tall (6’5″+), strong(very) rider of err….not insignificant mass who loves to climb…is that an oxymoron?
The build will include Super Record and a custom wheel build featuring HED’s C2 rims, red hubs and details and a total weight of 1605gms the pair.
The owner is truly excited by the prospect of a custom bike that fits, looks just as he envisioned it and does exactly what he asks of it!
Ready when you are GSC.
Parlee Z5 SL Owner review 2.
Not wanting to steal the limelight Joel waited until the Tour was over before hitting the Alps. He wanted to enjoy a few of the iconic stages including have a tilt at Alpe Duez, on his lonesome. He purchased his Z5 SL a few weeks ago with this trip in mind and he is more than satisfied with his choice.
His initial reaction to the bike was “What can I say, this thing is unbelievable. More like a magic carpet than a bicycle. Effortless speed combined with sublime comfort.”
Upon his return he sent us these shots and note below.
“My wife, Natalie and I spent a couple of weeks in early August in the French Alps enjoying the scenery, summer weather, food and cycling (me on the bike and Natalie in the team support car).
We took in some of the more well known climbs often included in the TdF such as col du Telegraphe, col du Galibier and col du Colombiere. As well as some of the lesser known but equally as difficult ones like le Semnoz (a daunting 18km 7.5% brute shadowing Lake Annecy) and col du Forclaz. But one mountain above all others stood out as the target for an all out assault, the storied Alp D’Huez.
The town at the foot of the Alp, Bourg d’Oisans, is about 140kms from where we were staying. The 280 km round trip on the bike through the mountains was far beyond me so it was decided that we’d tackle the Alp fresh after driving to the base. I’ve often heard cyclists say that there are longer and steeper climbs and that Alp D’Huez, at 14kms and 7.8%, is by comparison “not that hard”.
After rounding the first 2 or 3 corners I soon realised that nothing could be further from the truth. The publicised 7.8% average gradient rides much steeper because the hairpin corners are flattish platforms and the straights are ramps up at around the 10% level. The day we chose to attack the climb was hot and still. The steepness of the straights, heat and lack of shade on the road put me into the pain locker almost immediately. The hairpins make it difficult to maintain a comfortable rhythm. Constantly making you push into the red to maintain your speed and momentum.
Whilst scenic in its own way, Alp D’Huez does not offer awe inspiring views. Distraction from the pain must be found within on this climb. Luckily for me we listened to French pop songs on the radio in the car on the drive over. Many of these replayed over and again in my mind keeping me entertained and partially distracted from the pain as I ticked off the 21 bends one by one.
The top section of the climb has 3 different “finish lines” (Vieil Alpe at 12.2 kms – complete with banner) Bourg d’Oisans time trial course at 13.9kms, and the TdF finish at the summit 14.4 kms). After a very difficult hour or so in the saddle I completed the time tral section of the climb in 58:53 and the TdF finish in 1 hour 15 seconds. I’ve already suggested to Natalie a return mission next year!”
No rim heat issues for Joel on the long descents as he took a set of our 1300gram custom wheels on his trip and, as he said to a prospective Parlee customer during the week, “they give very little away to my XXXX carbon clinchers”.
Congratulations it’s a….
Moots Vamoots CR with blue detail on frame, post and stem and featuring Moots’ own new road fork! As Status Quo would say this one is “goin’ up the country” to Shepparton.
Ghisallo Adelaide bound
A mix of Strada and Pista tubular profiles in the lightest shade already allocated to projects.
