Windsor Willow bikes?

[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. 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. 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?

[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

[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...