Parlee has a new SLi frame that’s a Di2-only version of their SL full carbon road frame that removes all shifter cable stops and runs the electronic wires internally. It has a custom battery mount bonded to the carbon chainstay, which puts it out of the way and keeps the center of gravity low. Price is the same as the regular SL, $4,700, and includes a ENVE 1.0 fork, carbon seatpost clamp and carbon front derailleur clamp. Weight between the SL and SLi frames will be within 15-20g – it loses the weight of the cable stops but gains the battery mount.
Lots of closeup detail pics and more info after the break, plus their new solution to running standard Shimano cranks on new PFBB30 frames!
They used Shimano’s short battery mount attached to a mount bonded directly to the frame for a super clean look.
The other difference is the SLi gets a PFBB30, where current models of the Z5 and SL have regular BB30 for now. When making the switch to PFBB30, they needed a solution for running Shimano’s standard cranks. Rather than rely on existing bearings with adapters, they developed a new alloy bearing cup that presses into the frame and fits standard Shimano cranks. What’s really cool is this piece will fit any PFBB30 frame and should be available aftermarket soon.
The SLi is also available through their custom program, which uses non-standard lug and tube construction (as in, the lugs are wrapped together to allow custom angles and geometry), shown above and below and in the pic highlighting the PFBB30 adapter.
They’ll probably be doing an “i” version of the Z5 in the future, especially as Ultegra Di2 comes around.
