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On test: Schwinn Peloton LTD, May 22, 2007
High performance on a shoestring
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Schwinn's top road machine boasts an impressive set of components, a decidedly moderate price tag and is surprisingly lightweight to boot. So where's the catch? Cyclingnews' Ben Abrahams searched high and low for one but came back largely empty-handed after several months of testing.
The Schwinn Bicycle Company has endured a somewhat chequered history since its original inception in Chicago way back in 1895. For much of the 20th century Schwinn was a dominant force in the US bicycle industry, but strong competition from other manufacturers and the Asian markets during the '80s led to the company declaring bankruptcy in 1993 and again in 2001 under the Schwinn/GT banner. After being bought at auction by major manufacturer Pacific Cycle, the Schwinn name rose from the ashes once more and now adorns a wide range of both road and MTB frames. While the company is arguably now better known for its family cruisers and juvenile bikes, Schwinn still churns out a number of full-blown race machines.
Tricked out to the max
The first thing you notice about the Peloton LTD (apart from the lime green paint job - I'll get to that in a minute) is that Schwinn has really gone to town in the componentry department. Shimano's tried and tested Dura-Ace 10-speed group forms the basis, taking care of shifting and braking, but some neat touches from Truvativ's Rouleur Carbon crankset, fi'zi:k's titanium-railed Arione saddle, and matching handlebars, stem and seatpost from Ritchey certainly do the bike's styling no harm whatsoever.
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Another top-notch component choice that really elevates the Peloton LTD's racing potential is the Mavic Ksyrium ES wheelset. Created to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Mavic's original Helium wheel, the ES combines titanium, aluminium and carbon fibre to form a lighter version of the ever-popular Ksyrium SL.
All of this is bolted to Schwinn's chunky-looking 'Black Label' monocoque carbon fibre frame and fork. According to Schwinn, the frame's cross-layered blend of two different grades of carbon fibre yields better acceleration whilst also eliminating road chatter, and both the bottom bracket and head tube areas are awash with extra material. Unfortunately, Schwinn currently offers the Peloton LTD frame in just three sizes within the US (small, medium and large), although other worldwide markets also have the option of an extra-large.
Our large-framed test bike weighed in at just over 7.1kg (15.7lb), and while professional level racing machines may have been bashing at the door of the UCI's 6.8kg limit for several years, it is no small feat for a bike costing only USD$4000 dollars to so closely skim that figure. Looks-wise, though, some may argue that the Peloton LTD isn't exactly a two-wheeled Cindy Crawford with its multiple colour schemes and lime-green seat cluster, but Schwinn has clearly opted for form and function over aesthetics. If nothing else, however, a company with such a conservative reputation as Schwinn should at least receive a little bit credit for covering its flagship with a bold 'look at me' graphics package.
Ready to race…straight out the box
Having spent three years racing on compact frames, I've always found them to have one slight drawback: they don't generally fit as well compared with more traditional geometry. I must have sailed under a lucky star with Schwinn's compact frameset, however, because after a few minutes grappling with a tape measure and Allen keys, everything felt pretty well dialed in and I was ready to tear up Sydney's eastern suburbs (OK, ride four laps of the park then stop for a well-earned coffee).
Inner city riding might not be everyone's idea of bicycling nirvana (it's certainly not mine), but the challenges posed by poor road surfaces, short, sharp climbs and encounters with the occasional Lycra-hating motorist can make for an excellent all-purpose testing ground. In spite of its relatively humble price tag, first impressions of the Peloton LTD and its 'round-town manners were largely positive. Ride quality isn't at all harsh despite Schwinn's marketing assertions that this frame is its stiffest ever, and general lumps and bumps were handled with aplomb. This is where the wheelset really seems to bring the bike up a level; I'm a firm believer in spending a sizeable chunk of your budget on a solid set of hoops and the Ksyriums performed admirably, remaining totally true throughout the four months of riding despite some impromptu off-road forays along MTB singletrack in the Gold Coast hinterland.
Braking is another area where the component choices really shine. Admittedly, a brand new bike with clean rims and its full quota of brake rubber ought to be capable of stopping on a sixpence, but even really slamming on the anchors couldn't produce any telltale signs of frame wobble or instability.
This was also my first experience of using Schwalbe tires. The Stelvio Evolutions are actually front and rear specific - indicated by clear white lettering on the tire wall - despite looking identical to the naked eye with their tread-free design. In fact, two different rubber compounds are used, which supposedly provide better grip and stopping power at the front, plus minimal energy loss at the rear. Whether this makes any difference I can't be sure, but what I can say is that the grip rivals any clinchers I've tested before, both in wet and dry, and punctures were non-existent throughout the entire testing period.
In search of higher climbs
Eager to test the Peloton LTD on more demanding terrain - and seeking any excuse for a holiday - I headed to New Zealand's South Island for a week on the long climbs in and around the Southern Alps. Apart from totally falling in love with the area (an awesome playground for all kinds of riding) I got the chance for some longer rides which can often reveal more about a bike than your average two-hour bashing session.
With the frame's beefy bottom bracket area, slogging uphill does at least suggest that most of your effort is propelling the bike skyward. Up front, however, stiffness can be a little lacking when really wrenching on the bars in spite of the fat head tube section and oversized bar/stem combination. I puzzled over this for a while, trying to figure out whether the bars, stem, headset or frame was to blame.
The carbon bars do have a somewhat narrow circumference throughout, and while I can't be certain that this affects front end stiffness, it can feel like putting your life in the hands of a piece of copper piping which is not the most reassuring thought when flying down an unknown descent at high speed. That said, their anatomic profile coupled with Schwinn's super-squidgy gel tape makes resting in the drops for long periods perfectly comfortable.
While I'm in complaining mode, one other slight gripe is the unusually high positioning of the bottle cage bosses on both the down tube and seat tube. Alright, so you don't have to reach as far down for a drink, but I'd have thought keeping the center of gravity as low as possible would be beneficial for overall handling purposes. Presumably the bosses are lower down on both the small and medium versions, since otherwise you'd be hard pressed to fit in a 750ml bottle.
Schwing?
As an overall package, the Peloton LTD offers an almost perfect compromise between top-level branded componentry, lightweight performance and value for money. Handlebar issues aside, there's nothing really crying out for an upgrade here, which is not something you can say about many others in this price bracket. Moreover, the frame's overall comfort and reasonably crisp handling make it suitable for both long hours in the saddle and short blasts round the local criterium track. The bike's styling won't appeal to everyone, and Schwinn may lack the kudos of more revered brands, but if those factors don't bother you then it's certainly worth considering.
Price: USD$3999.99
Weight: 7.15 kg (15.7lb) (large frame, without pedals)
Pros: Great component package, comfy for a compact, cheap as chips
Cons: Front end feels a little flexy, bottle cage bosses too high, that
lime-green bit
Cyclingnews rating: 
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Paul Henderson-Kelly/Cyclingnews
- Despite its narrow profile, the Peloton LTD was happy to stand up by itself during an arduous modeling session.
- Ritchey WCS Carbon bars help keep the overall weight within shouting distance of the UCI limit.
- Dura-Ace calipers combined with Schwalbe's Stelvio Evolution tires make for reliable stopping power.
- It's a Dura-Ace STI lever, what else can I say?
- More carbon fibre at the rear courtesy of Ritchey's WCS seat post. The American company also supplies Team HealthNet/Maxxis among others.
- The lime green seat cluster might not satisfy all tastes but certainly makes the frame more eye-catching.
- Our test machine was a large size but still weighed in at just over 7.1kg minus pedals and bottle cages.
- Mavic's Ksyrium ES (Edition Spéciale) wheelset was created to mark the ten year anniversary of the French manufacturer's signature Helium wheelset.
- Luminous logos across the Ksyrium rims will look great in all those twilight post-Tour criteriums, or just riding down the shops after dark.
- Even the valve dust caps have been chosen to match, or maybe it's just coincidence.
- The Ksyrium ES front hub body uses a chunky carbon fibre centre section.
- Plenty of beef around the headtube area but front-end stiffness could be slightly improved.
- Eh? No carbon? The Ritchey 4-Axis 3D stem is one of few aluminium components on the Peloton LTD.
- Schwinn's squidgy gel tape wrapped round the anatomically shaped bars made the drops a comfy place to be.
- Gear cable tension can be adjusted on the downtube. Just be careful not to catch your fingers in the wheel; it can hurt!
- Presumably named after the legendary switchback climb in the Italian Dolomites, the Schwalbe tires proved spot on in both wet and dry weather.
- Truvativ's Rouleur carbon crankset provides a stylish alternative to the standard Dura-Ace design.
- Peekaboo! Daylight can be seen through the Truvativ Giga X-Pipe bottom bracket.
- Schwinn opted for a Wipperman 10 speed chain combined with a Dura-Ace rear derailleur.
- You get a standard 12-23T rear cluster to go with a 53/39T up front.
- Mavic's aluminium rims allow for powerful and progressive braking.
- Both front and rear quick release skewers have a nifty snap-shut mechanism in the quick release.
- A firm favourite of many pros, and plenty of average punters too. This is the titanium railed version of fi'zi:k's Arione saddle.
- Perhaps not a classic synergy of colours, but still likely to turn heads.
- Happy Birthday Helium - Mavic's original lightweight prebuilt racing wheel.
- The chunky bottom bracket area aids overall stiffness and power transfer.
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Frame: Schwinn 'N'Litened' monocoque Black Label carbon fiber,
IS standard integrated head tube, forged dropouts w/ replaceable hanger |
Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace STI ST-7800 |
