Beautiful Bicycle: Parlee Ouray

Parlee has been making carbon road bikes for more than 25 years, and while the brand might not have the same name recognition as some of the bigger players, it has earned a pretty impressive reputation over that time. Founded by Bob Parlee in 2000, the company built its name around carbon fiber craftsmanship and an emphasis on ride quality. That approach is still very much part of what makes Parlee interesting today, even as the bikes themselves have evolved. This Ouray is a great example, bringing together a beautiful frame, SRAM Rival AXS, and a set of deep Zipp carbon wheels.

Frame Detail

The Ouray is Parlee's take on the modern all-road bike, combining the fit and handling of a performance road bike with a little more versatility. It uses a monocoque carbon frame, dropped seatstays, and clearance for wider tires, all while maintaining a relatively traditional road bike silhouette. The finish on this particular bike is especially good, with a deep metallic blue that shifts between teal and almost black depending on the lighting.

Drivetrain

For the drivetrain, this Ouray is built with SRAM's Rival AXS E1 groupset. It uses a 2x configuration with 46/33t chainrings and a 10-36t cassette, giving it plenty of range for long climbs without sacrificing gearing on faster roads.

Wheels & Tires

The Zipp 404 S wheelset is a nice addition, with deep carbon rims that complement the Ouray's frame design. While the frame clears tires up to 40mm, this build uses 32mm Continental Grand Prix 5000 All Season TR tires. The 32mm tires offer a balance of comfort and responsiveness while keeping the bike feeling like a modern road bike. A 40mm setup would push the Ouray closer to the gravel side of the all-road spectrum.

Cockpit & Contact Points

Up front, an FSA SL-K carbon handlebar is paired with a 100mm Easton EA90 stem. It's a more traditional two-piece setup rather than a fully integrated cockpit, which is nice from both an adjustment and serviceability standpoint. The bike also uses Parlee's carbon seatpost with 25mm of offset and an Ergon SR Allroad Comp saddle. Nothing here is particularly flashy, but the components work well together and keep the overall build looking clean.

Closing

There's a lot to like about this Ouray, but the frame is really what makes it interesting. Parlee has spent more than two decades developing carbon bikes with a strong emphasis on ride quality, and the Ouray brings that approach into a more versatile, modern road platform. Paired with the deep Zipp wheels and metallic blue finish, this is a particularly good-looking example of what the brand has to offer.

Interested in building a Parlee of your own? Explore our selection of Parlee bicycles or get in touch with the team at Contender Bicycles to discuss a custom build.