Bikes direct Windsor Essex Deluxe

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Permalink Reply by Moc Artsy on April 17, 2011 at 6:25pm

It seems most bikes offered through BikesDirect involve trusted names that no longer actually produce bicycles--Motobecane, Dawes, Mercier--but whose names have been licensed in much the way Raleigh was licensed in the US in the late 80's/early 90's, or as Schwinn was licensed shortly after that. Most of the BikesDirect bikes are simple, entry-level road bikes with aluminum frames and entry-level components (Sora, Tiagra), that were produced in Taiwan or China. Still, they may be fine, dependable bikes, especially when one takes into account that higher-end road bikes are mostly made in the same Taiwanese factories. Masi, Bianchi and other once-noble names are today also mostly Masis and Bianchis in name only, as both also moved much of their production to Taiwan in the last decade or so. The advantage of much of the BikesDirect inventory is in their affordability, of course, and I think the bicycles you can buy through BikesDirect don't differ appreciably in quality from other tig-welded aluminum frames with Sora or Tiagra components that may cost twice as much. 

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Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on April 17, 2011 at 7:18pm

Lots of people around town ride their stuff. Its all the same Taiwan product except cheeper. They ship it to you partially assembled and you have to complete it yourself. Which isn't an issue on this bike model since their is not a single cable to instal.

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Permalink Reply by steve rulz on April 17, 2011 at 7:22pm

I have two friends who have ordered Windsor track bikes from bikes direct. Both of them had good things to say about bikes directs service. As Moc mentioned these aren't top of the line bikes but I think they are pretty good for the price.

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Permalink Reply by Moc Artsy on April 17, 2011 at 7:44pm

The Windsor is a nice steel frame and I think with the color-matched fenders and rack it's a good deal. This would also compare to a Schwinn Coffee, which would cost a little more. The Coffee is a single speed with hand-brakes instead of coaster brake. One thing to consider is that Chicago bicycle laws require brakes for both front and rear wheels. Obviously not a law that sees much enforcement. It would be easy enough to add a front brake or even replace the wheelset and change to hand-brakes on both wheels. Handsome cruiser, though.

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Permalink Reply by Ash L. on April 17, 2011 at 8:49pm

I read about these last month on BikeForums. Toward the bottom of the thread there's some comments from people that have ordered them.

 

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/717542-Bikes-Direct-quot-C....

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Permalink Reply by Sol on April 18, 2011 at 2:06am

Personally, for only $70 more, the oxford is a better value due to the three speed hub and the tektro dual pivot brakes. I don't know how tall you are, but the standover height on the 51cm men's frame, according to an email i got from bikes direct, is 30.5". This bike frame is better than the khs green because it has all cromoly as opposed to hi-ten found on the green. Also, i think the dual pivot breaks are much easier to keep adjusted then the linear pull found on the Green.

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on April 18, 2011 at 8:41am

I will say this:

 

Coaster brakes suck.  They are annoying to ride and tend to have a lot of parasitic drag, spend the extra money and get a bike with rim brakes and the 3 spd, you will be much happier.

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 18, 2011 at 9:27am

The one thing you are not getting from bikesdirect is the services that an LBS adds to the bike-buying experience.  Subtract the advice, fitting, assembly, and warranty service from the equation.  Also subtract what those services cost and you get bikesdirect.   If you are knowledgable enough to know what you want and comfortable setting up your bike and doing the break-in and routine maintenance then the bikesdirect bikes are a deal.  

 

You also don't get the opportunity usually to really get to sample the product with an in-person inspection when you buy something sight-unseen out of a webpage catalog -much less a test ride. 

 

I've got nothing against buying something online and bypassing the LBS's if that is what one does -it'll only make the LBS stronger in the end because they are going to need to compete with something and since they can't compete on prices they will have to compete in service.

 

One other thing to think about with the roadsters from bikesdirect is the fact that if you really want to save money and get a real quality bike at the same time there are MANY options for buying quality used roadsters from the 70's and 80's or even before that.  A vintage Nottingham-built Raleigh is going to to be cheaper than even the bikesdirect bikes and be superior after being worked up with workmanship and build quality with the exception of the steel rims which isn't that hard to replace either.  A fairly-knowledgeable home wrench can put a set of CR-18's on for well under $100 and then you have a serious IGH roadster that will outlast anything you can buy at bikesdirect. . 

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