Windsor Willow bikes?

[Asphaltgirl]

Me and Maverick (MTB) have been happily blazing the rail trails until I decided that I needed speed, so the boys at the LBS (absolutley drooling with excitement) put these skinny little tires on the bike and--whoa--a whole new biking experience! So now I'm thinking of "moving up" but don't want to spend alot of money until I'm sure that this is the direction I want to go. So (to make a long story short) I found at "bikesdirect.com", a women's specific bike for $459 including shipping. However, I've googled, and searched but NO ONE else carries this bike nor can I find any reviews about it. The price is right, the size is right(short) but am I crazy to spend money on a no-namey bike? It's a real pretty bike-purple or pink (hey, when you're over 55 it's okay to wear purple!). Definately not going out for century rides but a few half centuries wouldn't be out of the picture. Any thoughts? Suggestions?

[Irulan]

things to consider...
-does the bike fit?
- what kind of component package
- dealer support, is there any for fit and component adjustments?

IMO, you might want to go to your LBS with your budget and do some comparing

~Irulan

[admiral finch]

I have to agree with Irulan. Regardless of how pretty the bike is, if you can't find any information about it, ask the LBS guys if they know the bike.

I'd think twice before buying something if you're not positive it fits.

Make sure you know what material it's made out of, who made it, what's on it, etc. Some of the women's specific frames are too cramped for me, even though I'm supposedly the ideal body shape/type for them.

Choosing a road bike is a very personal experience and I while I drool over some of the bikes I see on Ebay, I'd never get one unless I'd test ridden that bike a few times, over at least 20 miles--or on a trainer--to know if it fit.

LBS is going to be your best bet and if they can't help you, they should know where to send you.

a.f.

[Asphaltgirl]

Thanks! I did, but the guys were trying to fit me to the bike instead of fitting the bike to me. Tried a few other shops in my area, but they tend to be for serious roadies and they tried not to snicker at my "modest" budget! You know, for the price, I should just get the darn thing and then modify the heck out of it, over the winter.
:D

[Irulan]

first why don't you ask here for a good bike shop in your area.

second... I worry this bike will cost you more in the long run. What if the deraillers need adjusting? What if you need to change out a stem? What if it comes not put together properly? Alll of these things will cost you more in the long run.

just my 2¢ of course - do what you want.

~I

[Asphaltgirl]

We've got some great, top notch LBS in my area but my hope was to get an "intro" road bike without having to spend $800 plus for one. It may be that it's not possible to do that, and if so, then I'll just continue to swap the wheels on the mtb whenever I go on the road. Thanks, all, for the input--evidently I need to consider this purchase further.

Barb (MA)

[fultzie]

Bicycling mag just had a great article in September on "Great Bikes for All Budgets"... you might want to check out the copy at your local library (if you don't subscribe :)) check other back issues too, because they listed some good deals a few months ago (sub $600 for a decent road bike-- can't remember the brand)
you could also ask your LBS or any local bike clubs for postings about used road bikes... that's how i got mine.
but i'd definitely agree with the other posters here... ride it first!!! and then take it to a mechanic before you buy!!!
good luck, and happy riding :)

[Rhonda]

My husband bought a Windsor Knight road bike (his was right around $700 I think) just over a year ago from bikesdirect.com, the only thing he's done is add aero bars, it also was his first road bike and has been a great bike. I've went to several rides with him and have never seen another Windsor, but like I said he really likes it and has no regrets.
I had been riding a 04 Giant Cypress (hybrid/comfort bike) but when I started getting 30+ mile rides in my husband wanted to get me a road bike, like you I didn't want to invest a lot of money up front, we lucked into a new 03 Fuji Sagres at a LBS for $300, great deal for a beginner roadie I think. At that price I won't mind upgrading in a couple of years.
Good luck and have fun riding.

[Asphaltgirl]

Thanks everyone! Made a few additional phone calls and found a Fuji Ace that seems about the right price, but the size might be an issue-I'm stopping after work to check it out. Rhonda-thank you for the comments about your husband's purchase of a Windsor and bikesdirect. It's good to know that he has had a positive experience with the brand. I checked the specs, on the Willow, and it doesn't seem that bad and if I have to upgrade a part or two, heck, I do that all the time on the mtb!
Barb (MA)

[dogbooty]

I just ordered a windsor willow for my girlfriend. The bike that I bought cost 465, shipping included. I did quite a bit of research on the willow before I bought it. As far as I can tell, I'm getting a bike that would cost about 700 in a lbs for 465. I even went so far as to look up most of the components online to determine how much they would cost individually. This is what I came up with for comparable quality or identical parts:

$60 cromoly fork
100 kinesis frame
140 sora shifters
40 crankset
15 sora front derailleur
25 sora rear derailleur
25 sora cassette freewheel
12 chain
90 wheels
25 tires
15 brakes
15 saddle
10 seat post
15 hubs

total: $590 (w/o lbs markup)
+100 lbs markup (local bike store)
690 + 8% tax = $745

Even if I'm off by 150, I've still saved about 140 dollars. Any thoughts?

[dogbooty]

I should also say that the customer service where I bought the windsor willow is garbage. I emailed them with a question and they never responded. I guess I'm taking a risk in that department, but I'm taking the bike back to europe for my girlfriend, so I wouldn't have the advantage of an lbs anyway. I've chosen not to buy in europe at an lbs because the dollar is so weak right now. way too expensive.

[lyca]

Another thing to consider is how the bike will be shipped. Will it come assembled already, or will you need to assemble it yourself? Maybe you're super savvy and can put a bike together. (I know I'm not. :D )

[dogbooty]

Thanks for your response. Yeah, I thought about that. I really don't have much choice since I'm going to check it on the airplane out of NYC. It has to be broken down for the trip. I do have a lbs over there that I use to work on my cannondale r800 and my specialized langster. they are not snobby and are really cool about working on bikes that they didn't sell. I live in belgium, and about half of the city bikes over there are older than the guys who own the lbs, so they can't be too picky about whose bikes they service. I think I'll take it up to them and ask them to assemble and adjust.

[Asphaltgirl]

Wow, I forgot how long the Windsor Willow (loving known as the Purple Peaple Eater) and I have been together. She is still going great and is a terrific basic bike for the value. My DH and LBS have tweeked her to match my riding style/size and LBS guys even went out and found purple Candies pedals for her. I ride every day, usually 20 to 25 miles and longer on the weekends and the bike is extremely reliable. At the time that I purchased her, there were very few budget choices available for the small size that I needed, but that has changed alot over the the past years. If the guilt doesn't get me, I'll probably upgrade next year and retire the PPE to a quiet corner of the attic. Maybe........
Asphaltgirl

[mimitabby]

well, Asphaltgirl, thanks for the info. Where's the picture? you have a bike that none of us have seen, and we'd like to see what it looks like!

please please?

[Asphaltgirl]

mimitabby-
Did you ever finally realize that you are, always, the one behind the camera taking the pictures?? I just went through all my the biking photos and I've got pics of everyone else (even some peopele that I don't rememeber who they are anymore!) but none of me and the PPE. If you wander over to bikesdirect.com and click on their tab for women's bikes, you'll see the Willow. It was really neat to look back 3 years ago, when I originially started this message and realize how much road cycling I've done since that time.

Now I need to out and take some photos.....

!~~AG~~

[sandra]

Did you check to see if they even carried your size? The sizes seem to be limited.

[Asphaltgirl]

Sandra-
My originial posted message was from October 2004--3 years ago. I was surprised to see someone posting to the old message, and bumping it up, but it did bring back some great early bike shopping memories. At the time BikesDirect sure did have the size that I was looking for which was a 44.
~~AG~~

[sandra]

I didn't notice the date of the original post. :D I may have missed this too, but did you end up ordering your bike from bikesdirect.com and was it a good experience?

[Asphaltgirl]

Sandra-
I sure did and she's been a great bike. My LBS guys are the best and work on her whenever I need it. My bike budget was very limited as I wasn't completely sure that I was going to enjoy the transition from mountain biking to road biking. So I figured that I would find something inexpensive, and in my size, and if it didn't work out then I had no guilt putting a "free" sign on it and leaving it in the front yard! Luckily it worked out great and I now do both types of riding. My next bike will be purchased locally since choices and budget are much better than in the past-but for a starter roadbike, I have no regrets.

~~AG~~

[dogbooty]

I didn't notice the date of the original post. :D I may have missed this too, but did you end up ordering your bike from bikesdirect.com and was it a good experience?

Hi Sandra,

I just ordered the willow on thursday. Bikedirect shipped it on friday. I did send them an email early last week asking them a couple of questions about the bike and the shipping, but I still haven't heard back. I thought I'd chance going ahead with getting the bike, but it has been a very solipsistic and anonymous experience, which of course gives anyone who is buying something as personal as a bike a bit of anxiety. Nevertheless, hearing the comments from asphaltgirl has made me feel better about my decision. I would prefer to support local businesses but I just don't have the money right now, and I needed to have it boxed and ready for shipping when I received it, since I'm heading back to Belgium from NYC in a couple weeks. Everything seems to be working out well. I hope the bike fits my girlfriend and she is happy with it.

Asphaltgirl: Would you buy another windsor if your lbs sold them?

[dogbooty]

Are the stickers on this bike covered with clear coat? I'm wondering abour removing them.

D

[sandra]

Sorry, I don't know, but does this mean you got the bike? :D

[Asphaltgirl]

dogbooty-
the stickers on my bike are under clear coat. and I would certainly purchase another Windsor, for an intro road bike, if my LBS carried them. like any purchase that's done on-line or via catalog, there are always concerns about returns, size, missing parts...I lucked out and had no problems. the bike cost was so low that it was worth taking a chance.

~AG~

[Roadie]

Hey I have a Windsor Willow for the same reasons as the other post. i saw it online and it looked like a legit bike for a fraction of the cost of the major brands. I went ahead and ordered it to begin cycling and i have had it now for a couple years. It is a great bike. I do want to eventually upgrade but for now it is great. I am in a riding group and everyone else has the more expensive bikes - but me and my willow are always near the front of the pack.

I changed the seat just because I didnt like the look of it, and I put on different pedals for my shoes but other than that, I have had NO problems at all with it. Very reliable and apparently pretty well made. It was a risk but it has paid off for me. I have done a few triathalons with it as well and although it feels a little like showing up to play a college basketball game with walmart tennis shoes on, Im not exactly in contention for the win, so until that time or I find a thousand + dollars in my pocket, it does a great job.

My LBS asked me questions about where I got it and all, and did not laugh at me, so i thought that was a good sign too!

[Asphaltgirl]

I (regretably) sold my Willow (loving known as the Purple People Eater) so I could upgrade my bike and I wish I never had. She was the best bike and maybe because she was my first road bike my rides haven't quite ever been the same! Yes I'm faster and lighter but there was something so cool about pulling out in this beautiful bike....guess you never forget your first love!

[Roadie]

Well I got mine the year they were made in pearl mint green. But its not so bad, Ive had a couple people say they liked the pretty color...haha! but Im happy with it for now anyway.....what kind did you upgrade to?

[Asphaltgirl]

i tried out an ironhorse roadbike and hated it...though i love my ironhorse mountain bike...so i went for a women's specific Specialized--my Dolce is a beauty and just perfect for the type of riding that i do.

[QueenZephi]

I'm ordering a Windsor Willow this week (most likely) and I'm very excited! I've been riding a heavy Diamondback hybrid for 6 ish years now and I'm ready to actually be able to ride up some hills!! Last year I road my first century so I think I've finally earned the step up to the "big girl bike" as my daughter calls it. Glad to see the willow has gotten good reviews. I'm just sad bikesdirect.com is out of purple in my frame size ;) It's sunny yellow for me :cool:

[Asphaltgirl]

I loved that bike--maybe because it was my first road bike and no one had a purple bike and it was fun to get comments about her. my biggest regret was selling her so i could upgrade it. you know, i'm still on facebook with the lady that bought her...wonder if i could buy the Purple People Eater back...

[eofelis]

I just ordered my first Bikesdirect bike: a Motobecane Fantom CXX cyclocross bike. The frame is a clone of the Surly Crosscheck and it's got SRAM Apex. I haven't gotten it yet, it's due to arrive tomorrow! I'll post about it later.

[Tri Girl]

So did you get it eofelis???

[eofelis]

I did get the CXX bike! It looks sharp in white! All the parts on it are black.

But the build has been delayed. I did order (from elsewhere) a SRAM Apex crankset in 165mm to swap out the 170s, and cross top levers. I got those.

But when we tried to put the front wheel on the bike we discovered that the fork was damaged or defective and the space between the dropouts was 2cm too narrow. So we got to see what their customer service was like. They emailed us back right away and had a fork off another CXX bike (that had a damaged frame) to send us. Should get that next week. The new fork is from a larger frame size and will have a bit taller head tube, which I am happy about.

I'll post pics in a new thread eventually.