Another convert! I want to add my name to the long list of rave reviews already here. I've been riding aluminum bikes for some time (mid-90s Cannondale R400, GT ZR4.0, Felt F65, Specialized Allez, all of my mountain bikes, etc.) and thought aluminum and CF were the best materials for a road bike.
Of course, I'd heard people talk about how great a quality steel frame rides, but never thought the difference would be great enough to offset the increase in weight, and steel's propensity to rust (I live in rainy Seattle) also scared me away.
I was wrong.
This is the smoothest bike I have ever ridden it may also be the best handling as well. And the difference in feel is not just a slight or vague one - it's really big! I like it so much that I've put my other road bikes up for sale.
Between my wife and I, we've purchased 27 (!) bikes over the past 4 years (and 8 are still in my garage - mostly mountain bikes), so we go through them pretty quick. I believe I'll be keeping this one a long time. I'd like to add a cyclocross bike as a commuter / everyday bike, but this will be my long-distance century ride.
Weaknesses: Harsh, straight-blade aluminum OEM fork spoils the ride. OEM Mavic CXP-21s are solid but heavy.
Bottom Line:
I have the 1999 model that I picked up in 2000 on closeout. The Reynolds 853 frame has a wonderful ride - stiff enough when out of the saddle, but with all-day comfort. I like the longish 56.5cm top tube on the 56cm frame. Although I'm typically not a fan of steep steering angles, the 74 deg. head tube and the long front-center on the Peleton gives the bike telepathic handling (without being skittish). The required upgrades for this bike are the fork and wheels....as mentioned numerous times on this site. Seats are a personal preference (my OEM San Marco Strada was actually a decent seat) and I'm using a Selle Italia Era Gel. The OEM aluminum fork handles well, but is overly harsh with the OEM stem and is a poor match for the comfort of the rest of the frame (Schwinn got it right in 2000 with the Time Club carbon fork). I have upgraded the fork with a Performance Forte Axis Pro (rebranded Kinesis RF20 "Saber" with stem, carbon fiber spacers and Cane Creek S2 headset) for less than $200, picked up a set of super-light Ksyrium SSL tubulars for another $450, and replaced the stock bars with ergonomic ITM Pro 260's. The fork/stem/bar upgrade took at least a lb. off the bike and the Ksyriums dropped another 1.5+ lbs., which means that I now have a super-comfy, telepathic-handling, sub-18 lb. bike for about $1600.
Similar Products Used: Fuji Team Issue (DuraAce, Tange Prestige)
Maranoni Corsa SLX (DuraAce, Columbus SLX)
Trek 1100 (105, Bonded alum.)
Bike Setup: Ultegra/DuraAce (stock), Kinesis carbon fork, ITM Pro 260 bar, Ksyrium wheels, TUFO Elite tubulars, Forte Team pedals and carbon seatpost, Selle Italia Era Gel saddle.
Strengths: No kidding, but it *does* feel like the roads have been resurfaced. You sort of "float/dip" through wide cracks in the road instead of getting jarred, and the 853 steel doesn't transmit the high frequency vibrations from rough asphalt nearly as much as (cheaper) aluminum.
Although the frame itself may be a tad heavier than the aluminum one, with the stem on it, the steel is 3/4 lb lighter (quill stem is much heavier than clamp on type: apples-to-oranges comparison).
Carving turns is smoother and more solid than my aluminum bike. Again, the steel deadens the vibrations and the smoother ride encourages you to lean more. The Schwinn (58cm c-c seat tube and 58cm c-c top tube) actually has a .5 cm shorter chainstay than my next smaller sized Trek, so it should be quicker in turns.
Tested a Lemond Buenos Aires 853 bike and the Schwinn seems a tad stiffer even in a much larger size. Tested Litespeeds too. Why pay for titanium when it doesn't seem to add anything?
Hopefully this will be the end to back spasms from rough pavement.
Weaknesses: For now this is a weakness, but I could see myself liking it eventually: When I stomp out of saddle, the rear doesn't track like my aluminum bike. I'm used to a stiffer rear triangle and the Schwinn has a bit of flex. I used to like the feeling that you and the bike are one, on a previous steel frame, but it feels different after 6 years of aluminum. I haven't had any chain rub and in fact, there doesn't seem to be any bottom bracket flex (at least no more than the aluminum). I weigh 210 lbs. A perfect world may be 853 main triangle and carbon fiber rear triangle, although I have never tested a bike like this (2003-04 Jamis Eclipse). At least with the Schwinn there's no chance of carbon fiber debonding 'cause it is all steel.
Bottom Line:
Just bought the frame, Kestral EMS fork, stem, and Chris King headset on Ebay, but have tested it in a variety of situations except mountain descents. Coming off of a 1998 aluminum Trek 1220 boneshaker, this bike has renewed my appreciation of steel.
This frame comes up regularly on Ebay in new condition from a liquidation of Schwinn's inventory when they went bankrupt (the second time) and is quite a good value.
Strengths: lightweight, steel, comes with great components, not flashy, it's a Schwinn
Weaknesses: color choices (ofcourse I couldn't be picky
Bottom Line:
I love this Bike! It shifts smoothly, tracks perfectly, is lightweight and durable. The steel frame is very rigid and it is great for long rides. I must confess that I inherited this bicycle, for a small investment, from a man who died on it while riding a century. The cycle deserved a good home and I think I have provided one. This bike has already rewarded me with lots of good long rides. I am impressed with the attention to detail Schwinn puts into their bicycles.
I bought a road bike this year to supplement my mtn bike riding. A friend of mine convinced me to look at this bike. Mine is a left over '99. I got a terrific deal on it. I just finished my first century on it and it was an awesome ride. I replaced the stock saddle right off and then the front fork. It still is a _WAY_ awesome deal!
So I found tons of reviews of this frame, but nothing about the actual frame weight. I'm trying to decide between this frame & a new Gunnar Roadie frame which weighs in at 3.5lbs, Read More »
