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review

Traitor Luggernaut 3 Speed

7
£749.95

VERDICT:

7
10
Classy and likeable steel all-rounder that's decent value and different alternative to a standard commuting iron
Weight: 
10,800g
Contact: 
www.windwave.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Traitor Luggernaut 3spd is on-trend on two fronts, with its lugged steel frame and Sturmey Archer hub for clean retro looks with gearing options. It's a good all-rounder too, happy to be pressed into service as a sturdy do-it-all machine, and it doesn't shy away from winter-ravaged roads and unsurfaced excursions. The bike's let down a bit by the savage drop bars and average brakes and saddle, but those are quick fixes and overall it's an enjoyable urban runaround that'll handle the longer haul too.

The frame and fork are the same as the singlespeed version of the bike: you get a lugged Columbus Thron (more or less the equivalent to Reynolds 520) mainframe, and the fork is Traitor's Katana lugged affair, fashioned from Cromoly steel. The build quality is good and the finish tough (white and baby blue and black are available); there's some nice detailing around the bottle bosses and on the rear dropouts. You get mudguard and rack mounts too, though you'll need to double up on the single eyelet at the back if you're running both.

Sturmey Archer supply not only the rear hub and classy bar-end shifter, but also a very pretty FCT chainset and front track hub. The wheels are built up with semi-deep Alex rims; on the Traitor website they're shown without decals and removing them would certainly add to the aesthetic appeal of the bike, with otherwise is very clean and classy. Silver alloy stem, brakes, seatpost and bars with black bar tape and a quilted black saddle complete the monochrome effect.

Hopping onto the bike for the first time in lumpy Bath and the first thing I noticed is that the gears are a bit long. With the supplied 42/16 transmission you get 53", 70" and 94" gears, probably just about right for London duties but on the high side for puffing up the sides of the valley, especially if you're loaded up. I swapped the 16T sprocket for an 18T and the 47", 62" and 83" gears that gave were a much better match for the terrain.

Because of the name I was expecting the Luggernaut to feel a bit heavy duty but at 10.8kg (23.9lb) for a 59cm bike it's hardly busting the scales. A lot of weight is in the wheelset so it's a bit harder than some to get up to speed, but once you're cruising along it's a very enjoyable ride. The bike feels nice and roomy without being overstretched, and the steering is firmly neutral: a bit slow in tight traffic but just right for rumbling along at no great pace. The three speed hub never once slipped or missed a shift - though you have to back off the power when changing down on the hills - and it doesn't feel lossy or vague. It also makes all the right clicky and whirry noises. Ah, nostalgia.

Blasts to work on my 6-mile commute were despatched in style, and the Luggernaut was happy to take the unsurfaced shortcuts through the woods and along the canal. The 29mm Halo tyres are excellent all-rounders, fast enough for road excursions and hardy enough for anything short of proper off-road. They also add a good deal of comfort which is a bonus as the saddle is a bit of a plank. Set out on a longer ride and you'll soon revert to touring pace. You can ride the Luggernaut fast but it doesn't feel that rewarding, and it's much happier rolling along at an easy clip. Point it downhill and there's plenty of stiffness in the chassis and wheels, although above 30mph the big air chambers can make the handling feel a little vague.

What's not so good? Well, the brakes. They're average at best, although since they're the same callipers that I have on my Genesis Equilibrium I can attest that a change of pads is all that's really needed: the stock Tektro ones are pretty low-rent and it's that which affects stopping power rather than any mechanical deficiency. And then there's the bars. How deep are those drops? Honestly, it's the best part of a foot down to race position. The bike is long enough that the position on the tops isn't that upright - I'd swap the stem for a shorter one in time, I'm sure - but you need a stepladder to get down to the drops. They're much too low and I never used them. They look a bit odd too, in my opinion. I'd be much happier with a standard drop bar.

These are fairly minor quibbles though. Swapping out the bars, saddle and brake blocks for something better wouldn't cost you much, and at £749.95 the Traitor represents decent value for something that's low volume and a bit esoteric. Okay you'll get more for your money if you buy a standard Alu hybrid, but this is a machine that'll outlast an off-the-shelf commuter and it makes much more of a statement. And it's a very likeable and usable bike, that'll handle day-in-day-out commuting duties with no fuss and very little maintenance.

Verdict

Classy and likeable steel all-rounder that's decent value and different alternative to a standard commuting iron

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Traitor Luggernaut 3 Speed

Size tested: White

About the bike

State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.

FRAME: Columbus Thron Tubing

FORK: Traitor Katana Lugged Fork

1 1/8" Threadless w/Race Dropouts

HEADSET Neco H886 (Polished Silver)

STEM Traitor Poser Stem (100mm, Polished Silver)

HANDLEBAR Traitor Drop Bar (Polished Silver)

GRIP/TAPE Rivet Perforated Black

SEATPOST Uno Seatpost (27.2mm, Polished Silver)

SADDLE Traitor Rivet Commuter

CRANK Sturmey Archer FCT 42t Crankset 170mm (Polished Silver)

BOTTOM BRACKET Tange Sealed Bearing Alloy 107mm

WHEELS Traitor Hoopla Singlespeed Wheelset (Black Rims w/Sturmey Archer Hubs)

TIRES Halo Twin Rail Courier 700x29C

TUBES CST Presta

CHAIN Yaban MK-747

CASSETTE/COG 16t

FRONT BRAKE Tektro R538

BRAKE LEVER Tektro

SHIFTER Sturmey Archer 3spd Bar End Shifter

Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

What better way to accent a classic lugged frame than with one of the original 3 speed hubs invented. We combined our Luggernaut singlespeed with a Sturmey Archer internal 3 speed hub to create a versatile around town commuter that is perfect for just about any city. With plenty of room for fenders, rack and large tires, the Luggernaut 3 speed gives you the simplicity and efficiency of a singlespeed but with the added gear options when you need it.

Frame and fork

Overall rating for frame and fork
 
8/10

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

Nicely made with classic looks. Paint finish is nice and sturdy

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

Columbus Thron frame, 4130 fork

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

73/73 head tube/seat tube, 595mm effective top tube (59cm frame)

How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?

Fine, I'd probably swap the stem for a slightly shorter one long-term

Riding the bike

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

Comfy and stable, not the juggernaut the name suggests but not too lively either

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

The bike felt very solid throughout

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?

Very well, the 3-spd never felt vague

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so, was it a problem?

no issues

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive? Neutral

Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?

It's a bike built for cruising speeds. Lots of stability with a longish wheelbase.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?

I didn't get on with the saddle but it's easily swapped. The tyres are excellent.

Rate the bike for efficiency of power transfer:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for acceleration:
 
6/10

Not the quickest off the blocks, there's plenty of weight in the wheels

Rate the bike for sprinting:
 
4/10

Hardly an issue though

Rate the bike for high speed stability:
 
8/10

Good at speed, although the average brakes meant I kept a handle on things

Rate the bike for cruising speed stability:
 
9/10

Great for cruising around

Rate the bike for low speed stability:
 
8/10

Easy to manouevre, steering is neutral

Rate the bike for flat cornering:
 
7/10

Doesn't feel particularly agile but goes where you point it

Rate the bike for cornering on descents:
 
6/10

Can feel a bit vague at speed

Rate the bike for climbing:
 
6/10

Overgeared for the steep stuff as specced

The drivetrain

Rate the drivetrain for performance:
 
9/10

Sturmey's latest three speed hubs are excellent

Rate the drivetrain for durability:
 
9/10

Should be super-low maintenance

Rate the drivetrain for weight:
 
6/10

Not the biggest concern here

Rate the drivetrain for value:
 
8/10

Good value

Wheels and tyres

Rate the wheels and tyres for performance:
 
7/10

Wheels are heavy but strong, tyres good all-rounders

Rate the wheels and tyres for durability:
 
9/10

Should last for ages

Rate the wheels and tyres for weight:
 
6/10

Not light but it's not a big issue

Rate the wheels and tyres for comfort:
 
9/10

lots of air in those 29mm tyres

Rate the wheels and tyres for value:
 
7/10

Pretty good for the money

Controls

Rate the controls for performance:
 
5/10

Brakes average, drops much too deep

Rate the controls for durability:
 
7/10

No complaints there

Rate the controls for weight:
 
6/10

Not over-heavy

Rate the controls for comfort:
 
6/10

too-deep drops means I'm one hand position short

Rate the controls for value:
 
7/10

Not bad at all

Your summary

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes

Would you consider buying the bike? Yes, with some component changes

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Yes

Rate the bike overall for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the bike overall for value:
 
7/10

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 38  Height: 190cm  Weight: 98kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing...  My best bike is: Genesis Equilibrium with SRAM Apex

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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