CastleDerosa

Is this a good buy for the price ...1999 Schwinn Peleton with 853 frame , full ultegra - DA rear derailer ...well basically all original and in excellent condition , blue and white in color . Seller is asking $600 but may take $550 ???

RubberBandit

Ha! I was looking at that bike too it was $1600ish new in '99 so I guess $550 isn't horribley unreasonable if it really is in excellent shape, but a bit high I think. I'd try to get it for $450 if I were after it. It's a nice bike, but it is 15 years old and you can't discount that.

CastleDerosa

I know , its not new 15 year old bike especially the frame that worries me ..stress really gets its stroll on alloy !

Scooper

The frame is TIG-welded Reynolds 853 air-hardening steel, and appears to be in great shape. It will last as long as you do if you don't crash it or allow it to rust.

These bikes do have aluminum alloy forks that are overbuilt to minimize fatigue from stress cycles, and that makes them very stiff. Many owners have replaced the OEM alloy forks with steel or carbon fiber forks to reduce road buzz/vibration.

gramphighgate

i paid $650 for mine in sf a couple months ago. it was in excellent shape in a hot market though. for what it is worth i've been very happy with it.

CastleDerosa

Ok thanks ..but it still gets me worried knowing the frame is welded and not joined like a lugged frame ..how would it compare to lets say a high quality steel lugged frame like SLX or ???

headloss 

I'd rather pay less and just buy the frame... but all in all, the price is reasonable assuming nothing needs immediate replacement.

FWIW, I own a 98 Paramount and intend to pick up a Peloton from that period at some point. $600 is the absolute most I'd pay, expecting new chain/cables/housing/tape/brakepads and absolutely no rust. How much wear and tear is on the rims and tires would be a major consideration too. I'd start around $600, deduct everything that is close to needing replacement, and make that as an offer.

headloss 

I think it's a fine frame and hard to beat... a rare gem. You're over thinking it. Hold out for lugged if you want the look of a lugged frame.

Scooper

Reynolds 853 is a generation later than Cyclex, the steel used in Columbus SL, SLX, SP, SPX, TSX, etc.

The tensile strength and yield strength of 853 are significantly higher than for Cyclex, and because 853 is air-hardening the tubing actually gets stronger at the TIG'd joints. There is nothing wrong with TIG welded frames using the new air-hardening steels. Because 853 is stronger than SLX, it can be drawn with thinner walls making it lighter. SLX tubing is standard diameter while 853 used in the 1999 Schwinn Peloton is oversized, giving the frame essentially the same stiffness as a similar SLX frame, but the 853 frame will be lighter.

853 has an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 1250 MPa and a yield strength (YS) of 1,000 MPa.



SLX has a UTS of 900 MPa and a YS of 830 MPa. 1 MPa = 1N/square millimeter.

Scooper

CastleDerosa

Thanks for the info ..i should have mentioned high-end columbus steel like tsx for comparaison but anyhow i'm a dire fan of lightweight lugged steel frame and have a hard time looking at a frame such as the 853 and not be concerned of sometin' breaking along the weld or close to seeing that most common failure rarely occur in the middle section of tubes !!

Scooper

TSX is Cyclex alloy just like SLX with the same UTS and YS. TSX has the helical reinforcements along the entire length of the tubes instead of just in the butts like SLX.

You needn't worry about the welds failing in the Peloton anymore than you should worry about a brazed lugged joint failing. Aesthetically, I also prefer lugged steel, but I have a TIG welded 853 Sprint that I have zero concerns about weld failures.

Here's the TSX data sheet.