Parlee is back with the Ouray

By George Scott

Published: Friday, 19 April 2024 at 02:34 AM


Parlee has a new all-road bike, the Ouray, with a monocoque frame, nude carbon finish and clearance for 38mm tyres.

Launched at the Sea Otter Classic in California, the Ouray marks Parlee’s return to form, after the company, best known for its custom carbon frames, was rescued from bankruptcy in 2023.

The Ouray, named after a town in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, is Parlee’s first all-road bike, sitting between the Z-Zero RS and RZ7 road bikes, and Z-Zero XD and Chebacco XD gravel bikes.

“The idea was to build an all-road bike that combined high-performance road with a little bit of gravel,” says Parlee CEO John Harrison. “Something that you’re not afraid to get a little bit dirty.”

A monocoque carbon fibre frameset lies at the heart of the bike. This is made by a new manufacturing partner in Europe, rather than being a fully custom chassis.

Parlee has returned to the headlines with the new Ouray all-road bike. – Scott Windsor / Our Media

Parlee says the monocoque construction allows for a finely-tuned ride quality, by eliminating the bonded joints found on a frame made from multiple pieces.

Handlebar on the Parlee Ouray all-road bike at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic
The frame has clearance for 38mm tyres. – Scott Windsor / Our Media

“The monocoque construction means we no longer have a ‘dead spot’ around the stays,” says Harrison. Parlee’s press material for the Ouray explains how the construction enables “control [over] how each piece of carbon fibre interacts with the next, allowing us ultimate control over how the finished product rides”. 

Seat tube on the Parlee Ouray all-road bike at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic
The frame shape is characterised by a sloping top tube and dropped seatstays. – Scott Windsor / Our Media

According to Parlee, every carbon layer is ‘perfectly aligned’, and the result is left on show thanks to the nude wax-coated finish.

Down tube on the Parlee Ouray all-road bike at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic
The frame is finished with a wax coating. – Scott Windsor / Our Media

This is also Parlee’s first bike with a significantly sloping top tube, leaving more seatpost on show – a move, coupled with the dropped seatstays, to further enhance comfort.

Parlee has also remained loyal to the traditional round seatpost, though it has specced a 31.6mm-diameter post, rather than a slimmer option.

Dropped stays on the Parlee Ouray all-road bike at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic
A round 31.6mm seatpost slots into the frame. – Scott Windsor / Our Media

Elsewhere, you’ll find SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger and a T47 bottom bracket. The Ouray will also ship with a range of headset adapter kits, for use with PRO, ENVE and FSA cockpit setups, with more to follow. “We really focussed on open standards on this bike,” adds Harrison.

Integrated handlebar on the Parlee Ouray all-road bike at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic
The Ouray ships with a number of headset adapters. – Scott Windsor / Our Media

In terms of geometry, Parlee says it has honed the shape of the bike to fit a wider range of riders, with the sloping top tube also coming into play here.

The Ouray will be available in five stock sizes, with ‘fit points’, such as seatpost setback, handlebar width, stem length and crank length customisable via a Parlee dealer.

SRAM Force drivetrain on the Parlee Ouray all-road bike at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic
The bike on show at Sea Otter was equipped with a SRAM Force AXS drivetrain. – Scott Windsor / Our Media
Goodyear Eagle F1 tyre on the Parlee Ouray all-road bike at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic
Zipp 303 Firecrest wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres for the rolling stock. – Scott Windsor / Our Media
SRAM Force shifter on the Parlee Ouray all-road bike at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic
Parlee will offer the bike as a frameset or in a range of complete builds with Shimano and SRAM groupsets. – Scott Windsor / Our Media
Zipp hub on the Parlee Ouray all-road bike at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic
Parlee will fit complete bikes with 160mm rotors. – Scott Windsor / Our Media