RDP
captain
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 245
Loc: Kansas
|
|
Hello,
Any Calfee and Parlee owner/riders out there? If so, any impressions on the ride/racing comparison? I own a Tetra custom and the ride is sublime. A Parlee is on the way but just wanted other riders' impressions. IMHO, these are the two must-have carbon machines, although it seems excessive to have that much carbon in the garage. 
Too bad there isn't a cycling version of 'American Chopper' on the tube, with Craig and Bob working on their new creations. Wouldn't that be interesting....
Richard
|
dbrk
contributor
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 201
Loc: Finger Lakes, New York
|
|
I just took delivery about two weeks back of my custom Z1, though mine is a Hampsten/Parlee (with blue Hampsten decals, including Andy's smiling face on my seat tube). Day before last was my first ride and having been around the block for awhile on carbon bikes, I have to say that this one is different: so vastly superior to my perfectly fine C40 that it's not really close. I've not had anytime aboard a Calfee and 'tis true that Calfee owners have their enthusiasm revved up. It's the gussets I can't get over though the "nude" frames look great.
Isn't it the case that non-clear coated carbon breaks down under UV rays over time, such as leaving the bike in sunlight? Do you know about this? It seems to be a notion advanced by some who build in carbon.
Anyway, I'm in love with this Parlee and think you'll not be disappointed with the incredible care and thoughtfulness that goes into the build. What drew me to Hampsten/Parlee was their willingness to build the bike the way I wanted it and make some great adjustments with their input. They listened, I listened, it worked out right.
dbrk
|
RDP
captain
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 245
Loc: Kansas
|
|
You are probably already aware of '303' otherwise I have no background on the science of UV misadventures and nude carbon.
Congrats on you new Hampsten. I experienced similar great service working with Parlee during the frame design. I read your post on the Serotta forum and you mentioned that you designed your frame with a 2 deg. slope as did I. Doug at Parlee was quite patient with me on what I wanted.
Thanks for the feedback.....pls post photos of your bike.
R
Edited by RDP (12/19/03 05:50 AM)
|
Jeff_Nichols
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 73
Loc: San Jose
|
|
i second the request to see some pics of your hampsten/parlee. regarding the UV effect on nude bikes: Calfee says to take care to prevent it so I've been doing that with my nude Calfee using the 303 mentioned in this thread. two years later and it looks as good as new. i guess we'll see how it's doing in a few more years.
|
ghisallo
new member
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 1
|
|
Yes please please post some good hi-res photos for us to drool over. Those Parlees look awesome and I have only ever heard great feedback on them.
|
dbrk
contributor
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 201
Loc: Finger Lakes, New York
|
|
I've posted some pictures (2) to the Production bikes gallery (they await approval, I believe). I promise to get some with better details soon. These were shot in haste.
The blule decals are now available from Hampsten. I asked nicely, they obliged. I think the bike is a little more laid back this way, though I like the white/red too.
dbrk
|
RDP
captain
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 245
Loc: Kansas
|
|
DBRK,
Saw your ride in the photo gallery. I like it. Well proportioned and minimal. Classic lines yet business-like...it has the look of how you described its ride. Thanks for posting the images.
R
Edited by RDP (12/20/03 07:47 PM)
|
bfd
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 77
|
|
dbrk states:
< It's the gussets I can't get over though the "nude" frames look great.>
What's your thoughts, if any, on the *new* Calfee D'fly lugs:
new seat tube lug
http://www.calfeedesign.com/images/item-dragonflypro-map-seatjoint.jpg
new bb lug
http://www.calfeedesign.com/images/jpg/dragonfly550x491map.jpg
looks like the same headtube lug:
http://www.calfeedesign.com/images/item-dragonflypro-map-headtube.jpg
Personally, I haven't seen these lugs yet, but at least the seat tube and bb lugs look better than the ones on my tetra custom....
|
RDP
captain
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 245
Loc: Kansas
|
|
IMHO - Calfee lugs are beautiful works of art that sets the frame apart in its own category of a what symmetry of form and function can accomplish (I use function loosely as the gussets are a serendipitous result of the manufacturing process). Calfee's lugs are much more pleasing to my eye than the 'rococo' steel lugs that a lot of folks seem infatuated with (yes, pls flame away...)
From the first time I saw one up close...(at the Tour du Pont in 91' when G. Lemond started racing them) I knew I had to have one. It helps too that Calfees ride wonderfully.
BTW - where are all the old Calfee forum folks? Get in there and post!
R
--------------------
It is about the bike.....BikeFanClub Forums
|
Kahuna
Forum Admin
Reged: 12/11/03
Posts: 162
Loc: Maui, Hawaii
|
|
Wow those are simply amazing. Calfee has essentially taken the traditional lugged steel concept and applied it to carbon fiber. It allows for an almost unlimited number of design possibilities.
As for the webbed HT lug, keep in mind there's a method to Craig madness. It's my understanding the webbed look has more to do with adding torsional rigidity to the frame than simply providing a unique look. The fact is, it does both.
Aloha,
K.
|
dbrk
contributor
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 201
Loc: Finger Lakes, New York
|
|
I think I like these new D'fly lugs better than previous Calfees and I am _sure_ that Craig has a fine idea and knows what he is doing. For me, because I find the gusset/web look to be not as pleasing to the eye (and, yes, I like fancy steel lugs about up to and including Rivendell but less interest in, say, Bates, Hetchins, or really fancy Columbine-like bikes), I look for other solutions. The question isn't whether Calfee's lugs serve a good purpose, which I am sure they do, it is whether there is another solution to the same issues raised. Clearly Calfee has chosen it's way, and yet Parlee seems to have another viable solution. My Parlee has big, big ROUND tubes. It sort of looks like a Pegoretti in carbon with internal Masi-like lugs, like a 3V. Now all of that suits my tastes. Ride-wise, so far, so good, I could not be happier.
Few enthusiasts are more enthusiastic than Calfee riders and more power to them, I say. These are innovative and creative designs. With internal lugs like Parlee is using, there are not an infinite number of geometries or fits. But there never have been using beautiful steel lugs. Most folks, especially me, dont' need the unlimited options offered by this sort of innovation.
One more thing: Parlee/Hampsten designed my bike to ELIMINATE the headtube extension. I think these things are the dumbest, ugliest things added to bikes since threadless stems. I mean, they are little more than a compromise for lost stack height and threadless smokestacks. But basically they can be done away with if you just re-design the front end of the frame a bit taller and use a tiny bit of slope. I MUCH prefer this solution to ht extensions and the religion of level-only top tubes. I suppose I shan't own a Calfee soon but that's all fine for those who like that look and such solutions.
dbrk
|
RDP
captain
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 245
Loc: Kansas
|
|
dbrk,
You are spot on about the dreaded HT extension...I insisted on the same setup on my forthcoming frame. I never thought of a Parlee as a "Pegoretti in carbon." Makes me feel even better that I took the carbon plunge, again.
Richard
--------------------
It is about the bike.....BikeFanClub Forums
|
nicrump
new member
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 42
|
|
dbrk, Just curious, what do you mean by internal lugs? Seems like the Parlee is externally lugged from the pics. Is there more there than we can see?
|
dbrk
contributor
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 201
Loc: Finger Lakes, New York
|
|
I could be wrong about this but Parlee's lugs look like a Masi3V in carbon. But what I think they have done is wrap each lug around a certain mold which gives them some flexibility in geometry design. Gosh, all of this reveals how little I know about carbon. Ask me about lugged steel, especially lugs before investment casting...
dbrk
|
Fish
new member
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 10
|
|
Hi Guys,
Since we are discussing the new lug design by Calfee. If u really want to see a good photo (mine) Go to the photo gallery and type in; sculptured lugs in the search box. Then sit back and go WOW...Work of art.
Enjoy,
Fish
|
JamesC
new member
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 19
|
|
Quote:
Kahuna wrote:
Calfee has essentially taken the traditional lugged steel concept and applied it to carbon fiber. It allows for an almost unlimited number of design possibilities.
maybe, but not with Lunas. you have to pay for a Tetra to get that. apparently there is a limit, probably financial, to making customized shaped/sized lugs/tubes for us cash-challenged riders.
|
Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
|
|
I own a Luna and it is an awesome bike. I love it and the price is reasonable for a limited production, handmade, USA made bike.
Why do you need a custom frame? Most folks can fit standard sizing when properly fit on the bike. To knock the price leader frame of a company because it doesn't offer custom sizing does not make sense.
|
JamesC
new member
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 19
|
|
ME? I never said I needed a custom frame and I never knocked Calfee. Where did I say that? wth.
|
Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
|
|
Quote:
maybe, but not with Lunas. you have to pay for a Tetra to get that. apparently there is a limit, probably financial, to making customized shaped/sized lugs/tubes for us cash-challenged riders.
The assumption I made was based on the above statement by you..."probably financial, to making customized shaped/sized lugs/tubes for us cash-challenged riders."
Why bring up custom shapes, lugs and tubes if you don't want a custom bike? You intimated you were a "cash-challenged" rider who for some reason wanted a custom bike...and Calfee could not provide it in the Luna their price leader frame.
My point was why make a statement that Calfee could not do custom work on the Luna as a reason not to buy it...if you did not need a custom bike? What carbon bikes in that price range offer all that custom work?
Sorry if I misread your post.
|
Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
|
|
I've been thinking and I wonder, if I were to give my measurements to Parlee to build a frame to the same dimensions of my Calfee, and put the same components on both, would I feel a ride difference? hmmm?????
|
vaxn8r
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 222
|
|
I've wondered the same thing. Try it out and let me know.
|
Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
|
|
I was lucky enough to get a windfall from a class action settlement that allowed me to buy my custom Calfee. I am not lucky enough to have that happen again. It would be a long time before I could spend as much money on a bike to be able to try that out.
|
flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
|
|
Take the Pepsi challenge!
|
Previous
Thread Index
Next
Threaded
Parlee & Calfee
Edit
Reply
Quote
Re: Parlee & Calfee
Re: Custom