Parlee Z5 SL Frameset
LIGHTER, FASTER — JUST AS STRONG
Addition by subtraction is not as simple as it sounds. In the bike
building business you can’t simply shave away grams without considering
the ramifications to ride quality, comfort and control. Parlee is deeply
aware of this delicate balance, and understands that ultra-light should
never be a euphemism for decreased performance or reduced frame
warranty.
Instead the Parlee Z5 SL is a fine-tuned version of our wildly popular
Z5. Both bikes trace genealogy to the top-shelf custom Z1, and utilize
more than a decade’s worth of customer data, which has yielded critical
information about the relationships of various tube lengths. This data
was parsed into Parlee’s industry leading Flex Fit system, giving riders
12 distinct Z5 SL frame sizes to choose from.
The Z5 SL’s weight savings (100-150 grams depending on frame size)
comes from an enhanced carbon lay-up schedule, lighter fork upgrade,
carbon fiber seat and front derailleur clamps, full titanium hardware
kit, and a minimalist paint finish that further reduces weight, while
giving the Parlee Z5 SL a look of refined and elegant stealth.
Indeed, the Parlee Z5 SL rests comfortably atop the narrow balance
point between ultra-light and ultimate performance. It is addition by
subtraction as it should be, thoughtful, artistic, accurate.
