Any thoughts on the Windsor 1.0?

[beelnite]

I've been shopping for a good ride to use in events like Reach the Beach. Just a simple road bike, no frills. Recently I came across an offer for a 2007 Windsor 1.0 - still in the box for $200.00.

Just curious if anyone has experience with these. Would you recommend it for a road event over 50 miles? Commuting? Training?

Thanx!


http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ellington1.htm

[lynnef]

did you get a good look at the drivetrain? Stem shifters? 14 speeds, and they don't even tell what sizes the chainrings and cogs are...

Run. Get a nice used bike from the Community Cycling Center or Craigslist.

It isn't even fully assembled. You'd have to do it yourself or pay someone to do it.

[wsbob]

Beelnite, did you happen to find the manufacturers website? :

windsorbicycles.com

I also saw the offer you're referring to. It seemed like a really interesting deal. The web page you provided the link for has a statement saying the bike is 90% assembled. The manufacturers website informs that the Wellington is a triple, 48/38/28T, freewheel SR 11-28TÂ, Alex rims, 22.3 lb bike. Kind of weird that it would have those stem shifters, but what do I know?

Sounds like a good deal to me if you could get your size.

[peacepeddler]

Originally Posted by wsbob

Kind of weird that it would have those stem shifters, but what do I know?

I agree those stem shifters are not very friendly. To me that would be a deal breaker, but everyone has different needs. seems to me having to remove one hand from your handlebar to shift is a little unsafe. God forbid you have to shift front, and back to climb that hill ahead of you. Then repeat when you get to the top. May want to think about that aspect more before you purchase.

[beelnite]

Excellent advice folks - much appreciated. If others have thoughts please way in, we might help some others. I passed on it.

The poor guy stuck with this thing. Deal breakers:

Stem shifters - yep - it's old school and intriguing, but really...
Poorly crafted mfg website with no real info about the company.
Replacement warranty is bogus - you have to pick up your parts in Texas.
Overhyped on some dealer sites
14 speed
New roof before new ride. Sigh.

[wsbob]

The reason for stem shifters is probably self explanatory if you think about it. That marketing concept is probably directed to people that bike manufacturers imagine would generally prefer riding with their hands on the top of the bars. Stem shifters make perfect sense in that riding position.

The bike I'm using now has the shifters in the brake levers, so you shift while you're on the drops. I like that, but I'd still be very happy with shifters on the down tube. That still seems to me to be a very elegant arrangement for shifting. In hands on the drops position, when you want to shift, you just let your hand naturally fall to the shifters on the down tube. I liked them a lot on my original bike. Seems like they could easily be mounted on that Windsor.