Given the high standing of the name Parlee has with carbon fibre bikes my expectations were high, but they were well and truly exceeded.
Boy was that a mistake. The welcome consists of: "what do you want!?" "who told you you could come here!?" Followed by "WHAT shop!? They SHOULDN'T HAVE TOLD YOU THAT!"
Personally, I've never had anything other than absolutely superb customer service from the folk at Parlee. I've found them to be open, warm, welcoming and downright charming people. Yes, they ARE busy, but I've never had anything other than a friendly exchange even when they're clearly pressed for time.
When pressed, turns out in fact, well golly gee willikers, they DO apparently in fact do some tours sometimes, but boy you better call in advance or else the lovely lady inside the door will grill you like she thinks you're a convicted sex offender who is also on the FBI terror watch list.
Appreciate owners reply below. Fully understand this tour situation was a mis-communication/mis-understanding between the shop and Parlee, however that doesn't excuse the nasty attitude of Suzy Grouchypants at the door. A super friendly cycling enthusiast showed up. I'd have been perfectly happy to be turned away in a friendly way - why heck I'd even happily apologize for taking your time in a misunderstanding!
Chapeau team!
But be forewarned! If these mythical "sales guys" turn out to, at the moment you cross the threshold, be out to lunch... Well, then my friend, it will be ALL YOUR FAULT for having the arrogance and temerity to NOT actually KNOW that it was their lunch time and to not realize that YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE.
Apparently it seems that sometimes, there are sales people there who - believe it or not - may or may not actually be reasonable human beings! The mind boggles at such a possibility.
Having recently purchased and begun riding a Parlee Altum R I am extremely impressed by the quality of the bike. The paint, in my case a light grey colour is impeccably applied and is perfectly complemented by new Dura Ace 9100. Moreover, the ride feel of this bike is fantastic, when descending or sprinting out of the saddle it is as responsive as you could possibly like but is still comfortable enough for the longest days in the saddle.
As to their product, I own several - my first was a custom Z1,which I purchased way back in 2010. That bike and I had several years fun together before I went out and purchased a Z Zero (another custom one - I need the custom geometry as I'm 6'6" and the majority of that is legs!). I've always felt that the best compliment I can give to a carbon bike is to say that it rides with the comfort of the finest titanium but has the directness of a well designed carbon frame - and that's what you get with a Parlee - no matter the model, the frame just disappears underneath you, getting out of the way so that there's nothing but the wind, the road and you. You may have heard that Parlee make 'comfortable' bikes, and they do. But don't think for a second that comfort equals a lack of power transfer or stiffness - it most assuredly does not. Super comfortable, incredibly stiff, light, direct, fast and reliable bikes, that's all that Parlee make. They're not cheap, but ride one and you'll see that they're exceptional value for what you're getting.
As I was considering buying one of their bikes, I was told by one of their dealers I could swing by for a tour, and that they were super cool operation of local guys who do neat stuff and would show you their setup... so being in the area, I swing in last week with cheerful hopes.
In fact surprisingly. there is not actually a sign on the door that says "YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE" but perhaps by the time I post this, that will have been fixed to keep out the riff raff such as ourselves.
For example maybe next time try something along the lines of "Well it's great that you, a cycling enthusiast have come by to see us, fellow cycling enthusiasts and biker makers! Unfortunately you've been a bit misled as we're all busy with our day jobs here, and only do this by special arrangement, but if you'd like to call XYZ or ask the shop to arrange something, somebody would be happy to see you another time! Have a nice day!"
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