BEST FOR LONG HAULS
Comfortable without being sluggish. Fast without being unstable. The Peloton Pro, Schwinn’s first full-carbon race frame, is just right. Testers found the frame, which incorporates two different weaves of the company’s house-brand Black Label carbon, the most forgiving (or vertically compliant) of the bikes we tested, but still hyper-responsive to pedal input, thanks to a bottom bracket that Schwinn says is its stiffest ever. The neutral geometry makes for solid, predictable handling on climbs, descents, and flats—and an ideal choice for club and century riders in search of comfort and performance. 17.6 lbs (L); schwinnbike.com
Bonus: The compact Truvativ Rouleur Carbon crankset offered the perfect gear range for highly variable grades.
Bummer: A firmer, lighter set of wheels would make this bike truly shine.