New Windsor Tourist bikes on eBay - Page 4

01-11-2005, 08:03 AM

maxo wrote:
> On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 14:36:11 +0000, Denver C. Fox wrote:
>
> > I bought a brand new Windsor Leeds on EBay (from the then
manufacturer - I
> > don't know if Winsdor is still in business)
> >
>
> I'm assuming the branding name has been bought by somebody much like
> Motobecane: Windsor is out of business, but bikes are still getting
the
> decals in Taiwan.

>
> > I knew my size from past bikes, and felt I was not taking much of a
> > chance at $290.
>
> Nice deal.
>
> >
> > It has been great general use bike, a nice looking bike, and has
served
> > its intended purpose well, which was to be an after-work riding
bike
> > that I could throw in my hatchback and hit the trails for about
1-1.5
> > hours, and also for a winter trainer.
>
> How did the fit and finish seem? Have the wheels stayed reasonably
true?
> Does the paint and welds on the frame seem solid?
>
> Thanks,
> Max

I am replying on Google, as my &^%^&^% AOL newsreader misses about 3
posts out of 4. So this is DnvrFox replying as Bicycle Rider.

Well, I have had folks come to me out of the blue and compliment me on
the bike. The finish is adequate, to say the least. I weighed 240
pounds at the time with no structural problems, welds look solid. They
are noticeable but not terrible.

The front wheel was out of true, and I have not yet had it trued (need
to do that, but it makes no difference on the trainer), but it has not
gone any further out of true while I was doing trail riding on it.

I used it as a loaner bike for a friend recently moved here without
his bike who used to race, etc. He loved the bike. We went on several
rides together, and he sure beat me up. Of course, he had 25 years
advantage on me, as I am 65!
I also have a Lemond BA and a Specialized HR.

01-11-2005, 08:03 AM

maxo wrote:
> On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 14:36:11 +0000, Denver C. Fox wrote:
>
> > I bought a brand new Windsor Leeds on EBay (from the then
manufacturer - I
> > don't know if Winsdor is still in business)
> >
>
> I'm assuming the branding name has been bought by somebody much like
> Motobecane: Windsor is out of business, but bikes are still getting
the
> decals in Taiwan.

>
> > I knew my size from past bikes, and felt I was not taking much of a
> > chance at $290.
>
> Nice deal.
>
> >
> > It has been great general use bike, a nice looking bike, and has
served
> > its intended purpose well, which was to be an after-work riding
bike
> > that I could throw in my hatchback and hit the trails for about
1-1.5
> > hours, and also for a winter trainer.
>
> How did the fit and finish seem? Have the wheels stayed reasonably
true?
> Does the paint and welds on the frame seem solid?
>
> Thanks,
> Max

I am replying on Google, as my &^%^&^% AOL newsreader misses about 3
posts out of 4. So this is DnvrFox replying as Bicycle Rider.

Well, I have had folks come to me out of the blue and compliment me on
the bike. The finish is adequate, to say the least. I weighed 240
pounds at the time with no structural problems, welds look solid. They
are noticeable but not terrible.

The front wheel was out of true, and I have not yet had it trued (need
to do that, but it makes no difference on the trainer), but it has not
gone any further out of true while I was doing trail riding on it.

I used it as a loaner bike for a friend recently moved here without
his bike who used to race, etc. He loved the bike. We went on several
rides together, and he sure beat me up. Of course, he had 25 years
advantage on me, as I am 65!
I also have a Lemond BA and a Specialized HR.

01-11-2005, 08:03 AM

maxo wrote:
> On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 14:36:11 +0000, Denver C. Fox wrote:
>
> > I bought a brand new Windsor Leeds on EBay (from the then
manufacturer - I
> > don't know if Winsdor is still in business)
> >
>
> I'm assuming the branding name has been bought by somebody much like
> Motobecane: Windsor is out of business, but bikes are still getting
the
> decals in Taiwan.

>
> > I knew my size from past bikes, and felt I was not taking much of a
> > chance at $290.
>
> Nice deal.
>
> >
> > It has been great general use bike, a nice looking bike, and has
served
> > its intended purpose well, which was to be an after-work riding
bike
> > that I could throw in my hatchback and hit the trails for about
1-1.5
> > hours, and also for a winter trainer.
>
> How did the fit and finish seem? Have the wheels stayed reasonably
true?
> Does the paint and welds on the frame seem solid?
>
> Thanks,
> Max

I am replying on Google, as my &^%^&^% AOL newsreader misses about 3
posts out of 4. So this is DnvrFox replying as Bicycle Rider.

Well, I have had folks come to me out of the blue and compliment me on
the bike. The finish is adequate, to say the least. I weighed 240
pounds at the time with no structural problems, welds look solid. They
are noticeable but not terrible.

The front wheel was out of true, and I have not yet had it trued (need
to do that, but it makes no difference on the trainer), but it has not
gone any further out of true while I was doing trail riding on it.

I used it as a loaner bike for a friend recently moved here without
his bike who used to race, etc. He loved the bike. We went on several
rides together, and he sure beat me up. Of course, he had 25 years
advantage on me, as I am 65!
I also have a Lemond BA and a Specialized HR.

01-11-2005, 10:15 AM

On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 17:42:16 +0000, maxo wrote:

> I've been wanting a new cx/tour type drop bar do-anything bike for a
> while

The more I look at the Novara Fusion, the more I realize that nothing's
going to stir my soul other than an internally geared bike with a dynohub.
The $700 seems pretty cheap considering it's got everything built in. I
can probably fit some drop bars if I find an 8 speed thumb shifter, but
the stock bars actually have some sweep back.

The more I looked at the Windsors fancy drivetrain, the more I could
visualise cleaning it. I could also visualize, with the amount of nasty
weather riding I do--spending a hundred bucks a year replacing drive train
bits. With my old Nexus, it just got a fresh KMC chain anually for a
tenner. The roller brake got a flush and Phil Wood grease bianually.

I'm saving for a Fusion, unless anybody can think of a similarly spec'ed
bike available in the US. Gotta be 700c--I just don't like 26" wheels in
my fleet. :P

I'm thinking if I tried to build the same bike myself:

250 rear wheel with Nexus
150 front w/dynohub
50 lighting
50 cranks
30 front brake and levers
15 chain
100 random Ebay frame
10 post
15 stem
20 bars
30 saddle
20 pedals
20 BB
20 Headset
30 tires
10 tubes
20 fenders
25 rack
10 grips

Way over 800--and that's anticipating getting good deals. Probably would
cost realistically over a grand.

01-11-2005, 10:15 AM

On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 17:42:16 +0000, maxo wrote:

> I've been wanting a new cx/tour type drop bar do-anything bike for a
> while

The more I look at the Novara Fusion, the more I realize that nothing's
going to stir my soul other than an internally geared bike with a dynohub.
The $700 seems pretty cheap considering it's got everything built in. I
can probably fit some drop bars if I find an 8 speed thumb shifter, but
the stock bars actually have some sweep back.

The more I looked at the Windsors fancy drivetrain, the more I could
visualise cleaning it. I could also visualize, with the amount of nasty
weather riding I do--spending a hundred bucks a year replacing drive train
bits. With my old Nexus, it just got a fresh KMC chain anually for a
tenner. The roller brake got a flush and Phil Wood grease bianually.

I'm saving for a Fusion, unless anybody can think of a similarly spec'ed
bike available in the US. Gotta be 700c--I just don't like 26" wheels in
my fleet. :P

I'm thinking if I tried to build the same bike myself:

250 rear wheel with Nexus
150 front w/dynohub
50 lighting
50 cranks
30 front brake and levers
15 chain
100 random Ebay frame
10 post
15 stem
20 bars
30 saddle
20 pedals
20 BB
20 Headset
30 tires
10 tubes
20 fenders
25 rack
10 grips

Way over 800--and that's anticipating getting good deals. Probably would
cost realistically over a grand.

01-11-2005, 10:15 AM

On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 17:42:16 +0000, maxo wrote:

> I've been wanting a new cx/tour type drop bar do-anything bike for a
> while

The more I look at the Novara Fusion, the more I realize that nothing's
going to stir my soul other than an internally geared bike with a dynohub.
The $700 seems pretty cheap considering it's got everything built in. I
can probably fit some drop bars if I find an 8 speed thumb shifter, but
the stock bars actually have some sweep back.

The more I looked at the Windsors fancy drivetrain, the more I could
visualise cleaning it. I could also visualize, with the amount of nasty
weather riding I do--spending a hundred bucks a year replacing drive train
bits. With my old Nexus, it just got a fresh KMC chain anually for a
tenner. The roller brake got a flush and Phil Wood grease bianually.

I'm saving for a Fusion, unless anybody can think of a similarly spec'ed
bike available in the US. Gotta be 700c--I just don't like 26" wheels in
my fleet. :P

I'm thinking if I tried to build the same bike myself:

250 rear wheel with Nexus
150 front w/dynohub
50 lighting
50 cranks
30 front brake and levers
15 chain
100 random Ebay frame
10 post
15 stem
20 bars
30 saddle
20 pedals
20 BB
20 Headset
30 tires
10 tubes
20 fenders
25 rack
10 grips

Way over 800--and that's anticipating getting good deals. Probably would
cost realistically over a grand.

01-11-2005, 09:18 PM

maxo wrote:

> On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 17:42:16 +0000, maxo wrote:
>
>
>>I've been wanting a new cx/tour type drop bar do-anything bike for a
>>while
>
>
> The more I look at the Novara Fusion, the more I realize that nothing's
> going to stir my soul other than an internally geared bike with a dynohub.
> The $700 seems pretty cheap considering it's got everything built in. I
> can probably fit some drop bars if I find an 8 speed thumb shifter, but
> the stock bars actually have some sweep back.

Check out [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

There is one drawback with the Fusion that would make me opt for
something else--it lacks a chain guard. And unlike lights or fenders,
adding a chain guard is extremely difficult. If you want a bike that you
can jump on and ride, even in regular clothes, a chain guard is essential.

Personally, I'd forego the internal hub and get the Specialized Globe,
but this is because I would want the wider gearing range. If you want
the internal gearing, look at a Breezer.

Trek has some suitable models, but they are very difficult to buy, as
virtually no Trek dealers actually carry them, see:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] . At
least a few shops in my area actually stock the Specialized Globe.

01-11-2005, 09:18 PM

maxo wrote:

> On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 17:42:16 +0000, maxo wrote:
>
>
>>I've been wanting a new cx/tour type drop bar do-anything bike for a
>>while
>
>
> The more I look at the Novara Fusion, the more I realize that nothing's
> going to stir my soul other than an internally geared bike with a dynohub.
> The $700 seems pretty cheap considering it's got everything built in. I
> can probably fit some drop bars if I find an 8 speed thumb shifter, but
> the stock bars actually have some sweep back.

Check out [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

There is one drawback with the Fusion that would make me opt for
something else--it lacks a chain guard. And unlike lights or fenders,
adding a chain guard is extremely difficult. If you want a bike that you
can jump on and ride, even in regular clothes, a chain guard is essential.

Personally, I'd forego the internal hub and get the Specialized Globe,
but this is because I would want the wider gearing range. If you want
the internal gearing, look at a Breezer.

Trek has some suitable models, but they are very difficult to buy, as
virtually no Trek dealers actually carry them, see:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] . At
least a few shops in my area actually stock the Specialized Globe.

01-11-2005, 09:18 PM

maxo wrote:

> On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 17:42:16 +0000, maxo wrote:
>
>
>>I've been wanting a new cx/tour type drop bar do-anything bike for a
>>while
>
>
> The more I look at the Novara Fusion, the more I realize that nothing's
> going to stir my soul other than an internally geared bike with a dynohub.
> The $700 seems pretty cheap considering it's got everything built in. I
> can probably fit some drop bars if I find an 8 speed thumb shifter, but
> the stock bars actually have some sweep back.

Check out [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

There is one drawback with the Fusion that would make me opt for
something else--it lacks a chain guard. And unlike lights or fenders,
adding a chain guard is extremely difficult. If you want a bike that you
can jump on and ride, even in regular clothes, a chain guard is essential.

Personally, I'd forego the internal hub and get the Specialized Globe,
but this is because I would want the wider gearing range. If you want
the internal gearing, look at a Breezer.

Trek has some suitable models, but they are very difficult to buy, as
virtually no Trek dealers actually carry them, see:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] . At
least a few shops in my area actually stock the Specialized Globe.

01-12-2005, 08:33 AM

On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 06:18:40 +0000, Steven M. Scharf wrote:

> And unlike lights or fenders,
> adding a chain guard is extremely difficult. If you want a bike that you
> can jump on and ride, even in regular clothes, a chain guard is essential.

The Fusion has the same type of chain guard my old Nexus bike had--an
extra guard ring on the cranks, sorta like a bash ring for a CX bike.
Works great for me, but I don't wear very baggy trousers.

If I want a full coverage chain guard, I can just get an easily available
acrylic one at any bike shop in Sweden when I'm visiting home.

> Personally, I'd forego the internal hub and get the Specialized Globe,
> but this is because I would want the wider gearing range.

The gearing on the Fusion is like riding a bike with a standard 52/40
front and 13-32 in back. Plenty for me.

Derailleurs don't satisfy my jump on and ride philosophy.

>If you want
> the internal gearing, look at a Breezer.

Nice bikes, nice company--I've corresponded with them. Bikes are a little
too dowdy and have 26" wheels which I dislike. I'd certainly recommend
them to other folks though.