Embrace Adventure with Parlee

With Parlee, every ride is more than just a ride; it’s a journey. It’s about discovering new places, pushing personal limits, and experiencing the thrill of adventure. Whether you're exploring unfamiliar roads, seeking new challenges, or setting your sights on KOMs/QOMs, Parlee builds bikes designed to do it all. Built for those who crave both speed and versatility, find your ultimate companion for every ride, from epic adventures to ambitious climbs.

Customization: The Heart of Parlee

The name of the game with Parlee has always been customization, something we can really appreciate here at Contender. Parlee’s lineup falls into two categories: Built to Order and Custom, each offering both road and gravel options.

Built to Order: The Ouray and Taos

Built to Order models are crafted in a new state-of-the-art facility in Portugal, where they are 98% ready to go, awaiting decals and a final wax finish stateside. While these are "production" framesets, Parlee still allows for some customization.

The Parlee Ouray

• Why the Parlee Ouray Stands Out

• The Parlee Ouray redefines all-road performance with a lightweight monocoque carbon frame designed for speed, comfort, and versatility. Offering 700x38mm tire clearance, it handles both tarmac and gravel with ease. Features like internal cable routing, electronic shifting compatibility, and a T47 bottom bracket ensure seamless integration and durability. Fully customizable through Parlee’s build-to-order process, each bike is crafted in the US, providing riders with a tailored fit and exceptional ride quality for any adventure.

• Who Should Ride the Parlee Ouray

• The Parlee Ouray is ideal for riders who crave both adventure and performance. Whether you’re exploring gravel roads, taking on new routes, or chasing KOMs, the Ouray offers the perfect balance of stability and agility. If you're a road rider seeking versatility or an endurance rider ready to explore beyond the pavement, this bike has you covered.

The Parlee Taos

• Why the Parlee Taos Stands Out

• The Parlee Taos T1 is a game-changing gravel bike, blending precision carbon construction, progressive geometry, and unparalleled versatility for tackling any terrain. Its lightweight monocoque carbon frame (~980g) offers both durability and performance, with a flawless finish that requires no paint or fillers. Designed for adaptability, the Taos features 700x50mm tire clearance, a suspension-ready design, and a front axle flip-chip for adjustable handling. With fender mounts, internal storage, and dropper post routing, it’s built for exploration and racing.

• Who Should Ride the Parlee Taos

• The Parlee Taos T1 is perfect for riders who crave adventure and versatility on mixed terrain. Whether you're tackling gravel roads, exploring singletrack, or racing, the Taos offers the performance and comfort needed for long days in the saddle. Ideal for endurance cyclists and gravel enthusiasts, it’s designed for those who demand a high-performance bike that excels in both rugged conditions and fast descents.

Custom: The Z-Zero RD and Z-Zero XD

The Z-Zero comes in two models—RD for road and XD for gravel—both exemplifying what made Parlee famous. Unlike standard bikes, these models aren’t confined to a set geometry chart; they are fully custom and made to measure. Need a lower or higher stack height? No problem. Prefer longer chainstays or an extended reach? It’s all possible. With endless customization options, the Z-Zero is the ultimate choice for riders who know exactly what they want in a bike.To top off the customization of the Z-Zero RD and XD, Parlee offers custom paint through the Parlee Paint Lab. Whether you want something mild or wild, Parlee provides four distinct Paint Packages to suit your aesthetic vision.

The  Parlee Z-Zero RD

• Why the Z-Zero RD Stands Out

• The Parlee Z-Zero RD is a masterclass in custom road bike design, offering a fully bespoke geometry and unparalleled ride quality. As one of the first road bikes to embrace 32c tire clearance, it set the standard for modern endurance road bikes. Handcrafted in Beverly, Massachusetts, the Parlee Tube Joining Process ensures a seamless blend of strength, stiffness, and compliance, delivering an ultra-smooth ride with precision handling. Whether you're chasing performance or long-distance comfort, the Z-Zero RD is built to meet your exact needs.

• Who Should Ride the Z-Zero RD

• The Z-Zero RD is perfect for discerning road cyclists who demand a custom fit, exceptional ride quality, and modern performance features. Ideal for riders who value comfort on long rides, precision handling, and the ability to run wider 32c tires for enhanced stability and control. Whether you're tackling endurance events, fast-paced group rides, or solo epics, the Z-Zero RD delivers a tailored, smooth, and responsive ride unlike any other.

The Z-Zero XD

• Why the Z-Zero XD Stands Out

• The Z-Zero XD stands out for its blend of custom geometry, top-tier craftsmanship, and exceptional versatility. With 40mm tire clearance and fender mounts, it’s built to conquer a wide range of terrains, from gravel roads to rough backcountry trails. Its design prioritizes comfort and performance, offering a smooth, stable ride for both endurance races and adventurous rides. The Z-Zero XD is engineered to provide a precise fit and inspire confidence, making it the go-to choice for riders who demand the best from their gravel bike.

• Who Should Ride the Z-Zero XD

• The Z-Zero XD is built for gravel enthusiasts and endurance riders who demand custom geometry, top-tier craftsmanship, and unmatched versatility. With 40mm tire clearance and fender mounts, it’s ideal for those tackling mixed surfaces, long-distance races, and rugged adventure rides. Whether you're exploring backroads, pushing limits in gravel races, or enjoying all-day sportifs and granfondos, the Z-Zero XD offers a precise, comfortable, and confidence-inspiring ride tailored to your needs.

What Contender Bicycles Likes About Parlee

• Stunning Finish – The meticulous carbon fiber frame construction and nude finish set the Ouray apart from the rest, showcasing Parlee’s dedication to precision and craftsmanship.
• Versatile Handling – The clearance for wider tires and updated geometry provides stability and confidence on various terrains.
• Balanced Performance – The progressive geometry, with a slacker head tube angle and longer reach, ensures stability and control for all sizes, allowing riders to confidently tackle both climbs and descents.

Contender Bicycles is proud to offer Parlee Cycles in our collection. With over 25 years of experience in carbon bike fabrication, Parlee has been refining frame solutions almost as long as we have! As one of the few American brands still crafting carbon frames in the USA, their legacy and expertise are unmatched. We’re excited to carry Parlee bikes in our shop. While each model is made to order, we have some available for you to check out in person. If you’re looking for a different model, size, custom build, or custom paint, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

Frame Material

Each piece of UD carbon fiber ply is meticulously placed to create a frame that requires no cosmetic layers, filler, bonding agents, or paint. This level of finish quality is rare and extremely difficult to achieve, but the result is a flawless finish straight out of the mold. To showcase the ultimate in precision carbon manufacturing, the Parlee Ouray is offered with a bare nude waxed finish, a testament to Parlee's engineering excellence.

The Bottom Line

Parlee bikes offer an exceptional combination of innovation, craftsmanship, and versatility, making them perfect for riders who seek performance, comfort, and customization. Whether you're exploring gravel roads on the Taos T1 or chasing endurance goals on the Z-Zero RD, Parlee ensures each bike is crafted to meet your unique needs. With both Built to Order and fully custom options, Parlee delivers a tailored fit, precision engineering, and the durability to take on any adventure. Discover the perfect companion for your ride with Parlee’s unrivaled attention to detail.