[*BCM*] Windsor bikes from Bikes Direct

[rinonvan at gmail.com]

I would LOVE it if I could buy a kit to assemble myself!
If you hear of one, Erik, or anyone, please do tell.

Bikes Direct mentions that some assembly will be required and with
their low prices it's expected that it won't be in riding condition
out of the box. I'm still baffled that I can't find any info on
Windsor besides this guy, who I think is based in Texas due to the
sales tax for resident there. There was a Windsor from the 70s or 80s
made in Mexico... maybe he bought the name and has some factory make
them for local and online sales? I did see a message board, which I
cannot recall now, where the guy from BD actually replied to comments
and asked for feedback and opinions. Lovely Bike blogged about budget
bikes almost a year ago, although she hadn't had personal experience
with the company in question there are some insightful comments there.

Thanks for the feedback, Chris. Nice to know someone has actually had
experience with them.
I may give them a try, still shopping around. I'm being picky and fickle.

-R



On Wed, Oct 5, 2011 at 3:18 PM, Erik <esw at alum.mit.edu> wrote:
>
> I haven't bought from bikesdirect, but I did once buy a bike from a
> different low-price online bike store.  I was shocked at the state the
> bike came basically direct from the manufacturer.  _Everything_ needed
> tightened / adjusted.  And I mean everything... brake bolts, bottom
> bracket, pedals, headset, stem.  Basically the mfr just attached
> everything so that it holds together in one piece in the box, but
> apparently it's really your lbs that does proper assembly.
>
> In my case I didn't think to check the bottom bracket torque so I
> ended up screwing up my bb threads by riding it for a week before I
> realized why the drivetrain felt "gritty."
>
> I'd probably do it again, because I like doing my own maintenance and
> it was a good deal.  I just wish I'd been more thorough initially.
> Actually what I'd prefer is to buy the bike from the mfr as a "kit"
> all in separate pieces to remind me I really am building it from
> scratch.
>
> -erik
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