Parlee Cycles Z-Zero XD Frameset

CUSTOM BUILT FOR ADVENTURE
Picture your perfect gravel, dirt or cyclocross bike. What comes to mind?

Ask ten riders to describe their dream machine, and you’ll get ten different answers. That’s because there are so many variables at play: riding style, terrain, seasonal conditions, your local adventure gravel scene.

Bikes in this emerging category are put to so many different uses—from hardcore ’cross racing to gravel grinding to adventurous road riding—but the truth is most production cyclocross bikes are all quite similar. Higher bottom brackets, traditional geometry, overbuilt frame tubing—features born from the very specific demands of cyclocross.

That’s why we created the all-new Z-Zero XD. Rather than follow the typical blueprint for a cyclocross bike, we set out to create a premium ride experience with nearly unlimited versatility. The name speaks to the DNA of this bike, and also its expanded capabilities. Its sibling, the Z-Zero, is a semi-custom carbon-fiber road bike that blends lightweight performance with made-to-order comfort and ride tuning. We started with that same precision engineering as the Z-Zero, then tweaked the geometry and added some features including disc brakes and extra clearance for tires up to 40mm wide.

The result is this: a 100-percent made-in-the-USA carbon fiber bicycle that lets you expand your riding possibilities with zero compromises in ride quality.

The first step we take before building your Z-Zero XD is gaining an understanding of exactly what you want from your bike. As important as this is for a road bike, it’s even more critical with the Z-Zero XD. Why? Well, think of this bike as a Swiss Army knife. It’s designed to do many things well, but based on your riding style and preferences, we can fine-tune the ride and dial in the performance features that matter most to you.

Everything from the layup schedule of the carbon fiber to the tubing sizes and geometries are customizable for comfort and performance. When you factor in all the different tubing choices, there are essentially 16 effective sizes to give you the perfect fit. There’s no other carbon fiber frame in this category that can offer that level of comfort and performance.

The Z-Zero XD also allows riders to choose details such as fork style, cable routing and ports. The rear brake hose is routed through the downtube and chainstay, allowing the rear disc brake caliper to be mounted inside the triangle. The frame also includes integrated fender mounts for a sleek setup in wet weather conditions.

A gravel bike means different things to different people. Tell us what it means to you, and we’ll build you the perfect bike.