Parlee Z4 or Look 585

jonehall
jonehall Posts: 24
edited April 2010 in Road buying advice
I have a dilemma:

- Look 585 Optimum 2010 frameset
- Parlee Z4 2009 frameset in black with white graphics (looks awesome).

Same price.

Both geos are good. (Head tube a little different but i can work with either).

I can only get a test ride on a Z3 and 595, so I'm looking for advice from you guys if you have bought either of these before?

Ride quality? Liveliness? etc

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    I don't think you'll pick the wrong one whichever you get!!
  • Squillinossett
    Squillinossett Posts: 1,678
    For me, and I know nothing of high end bikes, but would be Parlee for looks and the name!
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    Neither. Get a Viner Maxima.
    Expertly coached by http://www.vitessecyclecoaching.co.uk/

    http://vineristi.wordpress.com - the blog for Viner owners and lovers!
  • ynyswen24
    ynyswen24 Posts: 703
    Parlee, no disrespect to Look but...
  • rjsmith
    rjsmith Posts: 1,924
    Both are lovely, but if you ever get a chance to own a Parlee then i'd go for it.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    Look 595 is probably my fave frame but there's something about a Parlee...
  • dcj
    dcj Posts: 395
    I think the Z4 is built with Parlee's standard UD tubing.
    If you can only get a ride on a Z3, I guess you are probably already aware it can have any combination of the CL, SL, UD, XL tubesets - which allow Parlee to build each Z3 to suit anyone from a small light rider to a heavy rider.
    Find out what tubes are on the Z3 test bike to help calculate how a Z4 will ride.
  • jonehall
    jonehall Posts: 24
    Thanks everyone.

    I rode the Z3 today (the tubing was standard UD same as Z4 - thanks for suggesting dcj) and it was amazing. Such a silky smooth ride, yet extremely responsive and punchy too. Absolutely perfect.

    I then rode the Look 595 Origin with Fulcrum Racing Zeros, which was way more hardcore. Very, very nice but too aggressive for me and the fit didn't feel as natural. That said, it leapt up the climbs (but i guess that's because it was 14lbs). Overall, the 595 felt a little punchier out of the saddle than the Z3 and a little bit snappier, but not in a good way. For me, just a little too much. For a bigger rider (I'm 72kg and 5'7) maybe would be more suited.

    Overall, the ride quality of the Parlee made it an easy decision. I just hope my new Z4 is gonna ride as nice as the Z3. It'll be ready in a few weeks. Black on black (i changed my mind on the white graphics) with campy chorus 11.

    Thanks everyone for commenting too. The 90 vs.10 in favor of the Parlee, absolutely backs up what I experienced on the test rides.
  • APIII
    APIII Posts: 2,010
    Sounds like you made the right decision, I'm sure it will be awesome. Just make sure you post some pics when you get it. We all love a bit of bike porn 8)
  • jonehall
    jonehall Posts: 24
    I will do - waiting a few weeks for the frame, so it might be closer to Xmas.

    Can't wait!
  • Squillinossett
    Squillinossett Posts: 1,678
    Congratz, your as lucky man!

    may I ask how much its set you back in total?
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,692
    You lucky, lucky b***ard :wink: I'm sure I don't need to say it but enjoy!
  • Mccaria
    Mccaria Posts: 869
    Can I ask why you went with the Z4 rather than the Z5 ?
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Mccaria wrote:
    Can I ask why you went with the Z4 rather than the Z5 ?

    good point!
  • dcj
    dcj Posts: 395
    Z4 £600 cheaper in the UK, not sure in other countries.
  • Mccaria
    Mccaria Posts: 869
    Yep - I think it is £2.2k vs £2.8k, which is a pretty good reason in itself, but I was just wondering if there were any other considerations.
  • jonehall
    jonehall Posts: 24
    I'm the OP and just came across this old thread, so i thought i'd take a moment to say that I ended up getting the Parlee Z5 (not Z4). I've had it since January and it is AMAZING.

    Just thought i'd share that.
  • RC21
    RC21 Posts: 166
    Pics? :D
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Yes pics please!
  • Hibbs
    Hibbs Posts: 291
    Another cry for Pics please! I was this close to ordering a Z5 before going down the titanium route, the Z5 certainly was my choice of carbon frames.

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