Bespoke Cycles and Parlee frames?

over-the-hill

I saw Parlee on another thread and went looking.
Has any body had a bike fit at Bespoke Cycles?
What kind of prices are Parlee frames?
I notice like Colnago they are not monocoque but made the traditional way using lugs and tubes. What's the advantage of this?

portuguese mike

i've had a bike fit from the previous Parlee dealer in the uk and i believe its very similar to that done at bespoke cycles (based on the serrotta bike fit i think and very thorough).

Parlee frames are v expensive from about £2000 for an off the peg Z4 (f+f) to well over £3000 for a custom Z1.

The lugged construction means that all frames area available in custom sizes and geometries - making a one off mould for a custom frame would be incredibly expensive. And i think the way the tubes are bonded to the lugs is done with the application of layers of carbon fibre weave and resin which means you effectively end up with a completely carbon fibre joint. AFAIK Most of the cheaper lugged frames use an adhesive which isn't meant to be as strong and can debond over time.

Basically if i wanted a carbon frame and i had loads of dosh i'd get one (prob a Z3) with a fancy paint job.

aracer

portuguese mike wrote:

AFAIK Most of the cheaper lugged frames use an adhesive which isn't meant to be as strong and can debond over time.

Most of them undoubtedly use epoxy resin (which is after all what Araldite is) which is the same thing as Parlee will use to lay up their carbon layers. Building carbon joints like that is indeed neat (if expensive), but there's absolutely nothing wrong with conventional bonded joints as the numerous older Look and Time (and Alan for really old) frames prove.

portuguese mike

aracer wrote:

Most of them undoubtedly use epoxy resin (which is after all what Araldite is) which is the same thing as Parlee will use to lay up their carbon layers. Building carbon joints like that is indeed neat (if expensive), but there's absolutely nothing wrong with conventional bonded joints as the numerous older Look and Time (and Alan for really old) frames prove.

You're probably right, but i have read somewhere that bondong with numerous layers of resin impregnated carbon fibre is meant to be stronger - might be marketing bull but it does sound plausible to me. Definately wouldn't say no to a Look or Time frame either BTW

wildmoustache

I have had a Retul fitting session at bespoke.

I would recommend it. Barry who runs the store is a really good guy. A real enthusiast and keen to get the right outcome for the customer. Really nice premises in hoxton square for what it's worth as well.

The on-bike part of the fit works by attaching sensors to the body and then recording your cycling on a turbo. This is then conveyed to a screen which has a (for want of a technical term) matchstick type picture of your cycling in real time with all the various angles calculated.

These are then compared with normal ranges, with obviously some interpretation depending on your physique, riding style, experience etc. etc.

I changed my set-up a bit and have been happier and more comfortable and more aero since.

One thing I liked about their approach was that they didn't seem to have a set outcome they wanted to impose on you ... I've seen an awful lot of people emerge from other professional fitting session with bars up around their ears and giant stacks of spacers under the stem ...

pcd993

I had a fitting with Barry at Bespoke last year. It resulted in some small but effective changes to my set up. He is a good guy to deal with - very enthusiastic.

I have also recently taken delivery of a Z4 from him, which is currently being built up. He was good enough to let me have a thorough test ride on his test bike before I bought it, and he even let me try it with different wheels and tyres.

He is not a pushy salesman, but he is concerned with giving excellent customer service.

I would have no hesitation in recommending him.

Simon