ghostzapper
friend
Reged: 01/23/05
Posts: 29
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I know this is the Calfee owners forum, but I was curious what people who have tried both think of Calfee build quality and ride quality versus Parlee. I'm looking at the Tetra Pro from Calfee and the Parlee Z3 and Z2 models.
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bwj75
new member
Reged: 12/08/04
Posts: 21
Loc: Manchester, Ma
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Hi, although I have not ridden a Parlee, I have been to the workshop. Bob Parlee is a great guy, gave me a tour of the shop and his building process. Those bikes are beautiful, I find them much nicer to look at then the Calfees. Sorry I do not have more for you. E mail Bob directly through the Parlee cycles web site.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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I made a post in another thread that in my search for a custom carbon frame builder I chose Calfee because I live on the west coast and I think if I were to live on the east coast I'd choose Parley. My reasoning is that I would prefer a shop that is geographically close to me.
Now when it gets down to it, what ride quality you get is due to geometry and design of the bike as a whole rather than of the frame/fork alone. I believe you can get the ride quality you want from any high-quality frame builder. I do not think one builder has a qualitative superiority over another one.
What I would like to discuss at lenght is those qualities of a BICYCLE that one likes and determine to what length frame geometry and component choice influence those qualities. I would propose that if multiple designers were given the specifications of a bike that would have specific ride qualites every one of them could deliver successfully.
I do not mean to discount frames geometry at all. Certainly whether a bike is twitchy or stable is heavily dependant upon fork rake, for example. Everyone has their own style of riding, so some folks prefer a more low-stretched position on a bike versus a more compact upright one. A high or low bottom bracket has an effect on stability. Wheels have a very great effect on the sense of acceleration of a bike, irrespective of the weight of the overall bike.
What ride qualities are you looking for that has you wondering about the differences between a Calfee and a Parlee? Asthetics are one of the intangible things that influence our desire for one bike over another. Is it a look that you prefer?
Just so you know I have a fondness for carbon. This influenced the builder of my ride. If I was interested in titanium I wouldn't have ordered my custom Calfee.
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ghostzapper
friend
Reged: 01/23/05
Posts: 29
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I threw those two out because they seem to have loyal followings. I'm looking for a bike that I would describe a stage race type. Long rides, training, climbing, no crits. It seems that both are capable. I wanted to know what owners in here thought of both if they had tried both. The stock Calfee 58 fits me very nicely, though I do not know how it rides. When I started researching these two bike makers I was surprised that Parlees cost what they did, even more than a Tetra Pro for example and I'm trying to figure out why.
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skagwayroadie
contributor
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 141
Loc: Alaska
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It seems like everything is getting expensive these days! Seriously though, these 2 bike companies represent the creme of the crop when it comes to top-end CF bikes. IMHO, there are lots of options and big company offerings are not much better price wise and you are not getting anywhere near the exclusivity that Calfee and Parlee offer. I honestly think you will be happy with either one...I know I would. If only Calfee would make a CF hardtail  then I could have a Road, mountain and crossbike made by Calfee!
Ciao...Mark
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ghostzapper
friend
Reged: 01/23/05
Posts: 29
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Thanks skag. Which models of Calfee do you own.
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skagwayroadie
contributor
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 141
Loc: Alaska
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G...
I'm currently a non-owner, but after taxes are done, I'm gonna finally order that Lunacross I have been putting off and either a Tetra Pro or a Fly, not sure which yet! But, so far I am strongly leaning towards a Tetra. Next year I am very seriously thinking of picking up a Parlee...no reason in particular except they are sweet. Actually, I like the fat tubed CF frames Parlee makes. Skinny tube frames...steel...look a little anemic to me after owning a Klein for so long.
Parle vs Calfee...It is kinda like chooseing between a Ferarri and a Porsche. Both are awesome, but which one is better?! They are equal, but different. I figure if I can swing it, both would do nicely for me in my garage...the Parlee and Calfee, that is!!!
Ciao...Mark
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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I like the way you put it: equal but different.
When it gets down to it, the choice between Parlee and Calfee has nothing to do with ride quality whatsoever. You get the ride quality you want by communicating that with the builder. The differences are intangibles like the color and finsh, the shape of joints and joinery, etc.
Of course, when putting a big chunk of cash down for a high-end bicyle, in my way of thinking, one should do one's research in enough depth to KNOW that the choice one makes is the preferred one. I am aware that others approach life differently. There is no one correct approach.
On another tack, asking in general others to make a choice between two equally good bikes does nothing to help one to make a personal choice, per se. One may be lucky enough to read someone else's personal opinion that resonates with their own sense of values. Bling bling all they are, Calfee and Parlee are on equal footing. Choices are between brands at this point.
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bfd
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 77
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Another new upcoming carbon builder that you may want to look at, especially if you're in Texas, is Nick Crumpton. He was discussed on the Serotta board and recently won the "best carbon" builder at the recent hand-made bicycle show:
http://www.crumptoncycles.com/
Craig was also there and won the "People's Choice" award for his bamboo bike.
Face it, some people don't like the look of the webbing. If that's the case, then both Parlee and Crumpton, although I never seen the latter, have excellent reputations and would appear to be equivalent to or better than a Calfee.
I agree with the other person that one factor you may want to look at is depending on where you live, you may want to consider getting the one closer to you as warranty concerns would be easier to resolve.
Of course, you could just get a Colnago C-40/50 or whatever and be done with it....
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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Get a Colnago. It is worth riding a bike that is a pound heavier, just so you can say, "I have a Colnago. And I sent my dollars to Europe!"
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BikerDoug
friend
Reged: 12/29/03
Posts: 88
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There isn't much on the Crumpton website yet, but I sure do like the looks of the closeup pics! Anyone know the pricing?
I suppose I could sell my truck and get a Parlee and Crumpton to got with my Tetra. I'll just have to figure out how to haul 200 bf of lumber on one of them 
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bike_boy
new member
Reged: 03/09/05
Posts: 10
Loc: East Texas
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Since most everyone seems to be primarily mentioning their appearance preferences, I would have to say that Calfee has it in the bag. Nice webby gussets and I'm sort of surprised that no has mentioned the repairable aspect of the bikes.
Of course I am biased. I'm waiting for my Calfee to arrive.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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When did you order yours? I ordered mine January 19th and I'm in pins and needles waiting for it to come in. It's scheduled to arrive around the end of March. I'm not so much biased, it's just that Craig Calfee builds his bikes only a few hours away from me and I have a passion for carbon composite machines. I'm tickled because I'm getting a full-custom geometry Tetra Pro. I'm getting her clear-coated, too. 
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