From my point of view I would go with the manufacturer that is geographically closest to me. That means, for me, to go with Calfee. Anyone on the east coast would likely prefer Parlee.
My reason for going to a small manufacturer is so I can get a custom-fitted frame for myself. If (this is my personal opinion) I am going to spend good money on a custom bike, it had better fit my body, my riding style and sense of asthetics.
I am also influenced by my LBS with whom I've developed a good trusting dealer-customer relationship.
In my pragmatic point of view there is no magic in design. One must know oneself enough to choose the type of bicycle that suits them. I find it humerous reading posts by someone who has bought a high-end bike and is selling it after a short ownership because they found characteristcs that did not suit them.
My background is as a recreational cyclist who was basically clueless most of my life. Only in the past two years or so have I developed a passion for cycling and the motivation to learn all I can about proper fit, excercise and nutrition.
I have nothing against the big manufactureres. Trek is unfairly maligned. They are aware of their image and so offer a lifetime warranty on their OCLV frames. Craig Calfee offers a 25 year warranty. Any warranty incurrs costs because a good vendor leans toward the principal of, "the customer is always right," and ends up eating the costs of some claims. Trek is able to absorb those costs more easily due to scale.
My ideal bike could be based on any number of manufacturer's frames. Be realistic in a choice of machine.
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