Parlee Cycles is without doubt one of the longtime innovators of carbon fibre in bicycles. Firm founder Bob Parlee, who sadly handed away earlier this yr, realised the potential of composites early on and helped to create the marketplace for customized carbon bikes, paving the way in which for manufacturers like Argonaut and Enve. A few of Parlee’s early bikes even made it to the higher echelons of the game within the type of one-off light-weight climbing frames ridden by choose skilled riders within the late 90s and early 2000s. The corporate almost went bankrupt in 2023, however is now underneath new possession and again to constructing bicycles. Parlee’s newest mannequin, the Ouray (pronounced Your-ay), is billed as a contemporary all-road bicycle with clearance for 38mm tyres, steady geometry and a body constructed with consolation in thoughts.
Design and Development
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
Visually, the Ouray units itself aside with a dramatically sloping prime tube, which, when paired with a tall head tube, makes one thing of a press release. The silhouette is a far cry from the extent prime tubes of yore, however the design has intent: it’s made for consolation. The Ouray was created as a “able to experience” all-arounder, equally at dwelling on quick group rides or exploring off the crushed path.
The entrance finish is built-in, as is now the default setting for many producers, and the body is designed for digital groupsets solely. The Ouray is bought as a frameset or in configurations with totally wi-fi SRAM drivetrains or semi-wireless Shimano ones. Different particulars are user-friendly, just like the UDH derailleur hanger and T47 threaded backside bracket. The bike is out there in 5 sizes, from XS to XL, with attain figures from 363 on the low finish to 393 on the higher (approximate prime tube lengths: 50 to 59 cm).
Parlee positions the Ouray as an all-road bike, however it’s rather more a street bike than a gravel rig (i.e. the emphasis is extra on “street” than “all”). Aside from a low backside bracket to compensate for the peak of wider tyres, the geometry suits into the tried and true “endurance street” class.
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
Frames are made in small batches in Portugal and are constructed as much as order by Parlee within the U.S., permitting for a commendable diploma of customisation. Which means that issues like stem size, handlebar width and seatpost setback are distinctive for every buyer.
The inventory end possibility is a spray-on wax over nude carbon, which is made doable by the extraordinarily excessive manufacturing high quality. Every body is made as a single-piece monocoque. Customized paint is out there, although this provides just a few weeks to the ordering course of.
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
Body weights are spectacular: ~810g for the smaller sizes to ~915g for the bigger sizes, based on Manufacturing Supervisor Tom Rodi. Early prototypes have been apparently lighter, however Parlee opted to prioritise “actual world sturdiness and value” which meant sure particulars, just like the threaded BB and normal seat clamp, whereas barely heavier than different alternate options, have been price the additional grams.
Specs
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
- Body: Parlee Ouray, measurement L
- Cockpit: FSA SL-Ok
- Drivetrain: SRAM Crimson AXS E1
- Wheels: Zipp 303 Firecrest
- Tires: Pirelli Eagle F1
- Value: Frameset $5290; Take a look at construct $12,990
- Weight, as examined: 17.31 lbs (with cages and pedals)
- Max tire clearance: 38 mm
On the street
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
Initially, I used to be shocked to be taught that the tyre clearance on the Ouray was restricted to 38 mm tyres. As soon as the bike confirmed up, nevertheless, it made sense: the Ouray is a street bike. We are actually so accustomed to seeing gravel bikes with considerably wider tyres that it’s straightforward to overlook that 38 mm was once a typical gravel measurement. How occasions—and tyres—have modified.
A part of my testing course of included a motorcycle match at Cascade Bicycle Studio (CBS) in Seattle, as Parlee has a longstanding relationship with the store. CBS makes use of a becoming system known as IDMatch, which utilises scanners and software program to evaluate your physique, then observes your pedalling movement and makes adjustments on the fly. My session took about 90 minutes and IDMatch made some options for my match, which Parlee then used to arrange the take a look at Ouray.
Aside from positioning my saddle a full two centimetres increased than the place I feel it needs to be, IDMatch was capable of get moderately near my typical driving place, which is lengthy and low resulting from my proportionally lengthy arms and torso. This place didn’t translate all that nicely to the Ouray, nevertheless, which is designed with a better stack determine for a extra upright driving place. In the long run, Parlee was capable of make a big body go well with me with the addition of a really lengthy, 140mm stem.
I examined the Ouray throughout one of many wetter stretches of climate we’ve had within the PNW this yr, and, seems to be apart, the very first thing I observed in regards to the bike is its lack of mudguard/fender mounts. Whereas fenders could also be a regional requirement (important in some locations, laughable in others), I might have preferred to see provisions for them included within the design transient.
On drier days, this qualm was nullified. For a motorcycle designed with consolation in thoughts, I used to be very impressed with the Ouray’s energy switch. It responds very nicely to pedalling inputs and customarily behaves like a fat-tyred street bike ought to. And, true to type, I discovered it to be certainly very comfy. I used to be shocked that Parlee specified such a big diameter seatpost (31.6 mm), since a smaller publish would assist filter out a few of the noise coming by means of the saddle, however after a number of rides on the bike, I discovered it to be exceptionally easy, even with ‘simply’ 32mm tyres. One thing in regards to the rear triangle geometry and seatpost cluster does an exceptional job of lowering affect. I did discover that I might really feel extra of the street’s suggestions within the pedals, which isn’t a foul factor; it is simply fascinating to notice.
The Ouray’s geometry may be very a lot geared in the direction of somebody who’s searching for a cushty match and steady, predictable dealing with on easy combined surfaces. This units it aside from a race-oriented bike with a extra aggressive entrance finish, which can enchantment to many riders however usually, is not really the best match for his or her our bodies. Most of us aren’t within the WorldTour in spite of everything.
I feel street bikes that may match large tyres are an ideal possibility for lots of riders, and I’m glad to see one other good possibility available on the market.
Lastly, the end is top-notch, with each element of the carbon on show by means of the waxed end.
Worth and conclusion
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
The endurance street bike was once a staple of producers’ catalogues. Nowadays, they’re rarer as riders gravitate towards gravel-friendly designs. This development really supplied the impetus for the Ouray, based on Rodi. In his phrases, “We noticed lots of shoppers utilizing our earlier technology gravel bike (the Chebacco) as all-road bikes with tyres within the 32-35mm vary, and we needed to make a brand new platform to exchange our earlier all-round street bike (the Altum).”
As for worth, the Parlee will not be low-cost. A frameset over 5k USD places it into the higher echelon of bikes at present available on the market. For the cash, although, you get Parlee’s suite of becoming customisation, which isn’t accessible from the massive manufacturers, to not point out the truth that it’s made in Portugal. With the specter of U.S.-imposed tariffs looming over Asian-made merchandise, European manufacturing might quickly develop into a aggressive benefit.
Although the tall entrance finish of the Ouray didn’t jive very nicely with the form of my physique, I discovered myself very impressed by the bike’s consolation and the way in which it responded to exhausting efforts. For those who’re searching for a motorcycle that goes zoom however doesn’t match like a race bike, the Ouray could also be simply the ticket. I nonetheless want it had mudguard/fender mounts, although.
