Not to mention the biggest mistake of all... he photographed his bike with the chain on the SMALL ring!

The saddle looks pointing down because of the way the picture was taken. It is completely flat when yoou look at it from the side.
Tom, thank you for your concern. We'll be in touch.

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My Parlee Z1

To try and answer your question, there is no way youll be disappointed with a z1, z2 or z3. Just dont get some odd geometry. The ride quality will be similar across the Parlee line but there is a slightly refined touch to the handmade frames. However, the z5sl is the weight weenie choice. z1 with sl tubing and standard chainstays would have my vote. Should come out in the 800 gram range. Money not an issue of course.

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The word "Brifter" should be banned.
Casati Vola SLi- viewtopic.php?f=10&t=108931" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Its probably too high and that's how he's compensating.

My S-Works Tarmac broke in the same place two years ago. I didn't see when it happened on a ride, but it did and they replaced it free of charge. The rep quietly said that they had had quite a few top tubes break in that model range so it can happen, however, my crack was on the top of the tube, not the side.

getting way off topic, but cracks in the middle of the top of the top tube are often related to people sitting on them when at traffic light. you know, one foot clipped in, that thigh across the top tube, other foot down, sipping a latte or whatever

I hope their top tubes are strong enough?

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"It never gets easier, you just go faster..." - Greg Lemond

"Because technology alone is a poor substitute for experience." - Richard Sachs

You should be able to get that frame repaired. I cracked my Z4 in same place as a result of a crash during a crit. Didn't see the impact but the crack lined up perfectly with where the bars would hit the top tube so this appears the most likely cause. In fact I rode the last half of the crit including a full on sprint at the finish with the frame cracked!

Bike was insured however insurance company wouldn't replace frame. They had it assessed by a carbon frame repairer and then repaired as a lot cheaper for them. Disappointing for me as I would have preferred a new frame but the repair job is very good and is hard to see unless looking closely with the right light angle. I don't notice any difference in feel or performance since the repair.

Ah yes, the 'pro start line pose'. To be truely cool, weekenders must always sit like this when stopped at a red light, even it's only for 20 seconds.