Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Parlee Z1 Lion Rampant

Parlee Z1

While carbon fiber frames fail to stir within me the desire and admiration that classic steel Italian will, I will brake for a great paint job. This Parlee Z1 by KGS Bikes has been given one of the most intricate licks of color that I think I’ve ever seen.

Commissioned by a Scottish customer, Kevin Saunders and his team at KGS Bikes in Texas built up this Parlee Z1 utilizing their Balance Point™ system, with a special request. The customer required minimal hand pressure to eliminate numbness. KGS Bikes sent the measurements to Parlee and back came a frame crafted with such perfection it needed no adjustment. The work that Parlee put into each frame is phenomenal, this is no faceless foreign factory, each tube is mitered to a sub 1mm tolerance.

KGS Bikes master painter, David Sem, then took to the frame with around 11 coats of airbrushed paint. Scottish heraldry abounds: Fleur de Lys, crowns, Celtic knot work, the Saltire and other decorative motifs have been tastefully placed wherever possible. A real tribute to a Scot’s heritage, it’s also a testament to the ability of David Sem, who has demonstrated incredible confidence to elaborately decorate a dream frame.

This is the sort of bike you own when you know you actually deserve it. KGS Bikes has the experience, facilities and Kevin has the experience to ensure your worthwhile investment is absolutely perfect. And, evidently, they’re not afraid of a challenge when it comes to the final accessory: personalized decoration. PS: More images on the KGS Bikes on their flickr stream

Parlee Z1
Parlee Z1
Parlee Z1
Parlee Z1
Parlee Z1
Parlee Z1
Parlee Z1
Parlee Z1
Parlee Z1