Windsor Bicycles

Rick Reas

Yes, indeed Cannondales are made in Pennsylvania, USA. As indicated in a previous message, I've been a big fan of C'dales and owned one til I bought my Windsor. C'dales keep getting better with the CAAD frames and now the new Optimo frame (extremely light and comfortable ride) but they're no longer the great value they used to be; especially compared to the many very high quality Aluminum/Carbon mix bikes on the market. Until I happened upon the Windsor I fully expected to buy a new Cannondale. But for the money the Windsor was a much better value. And with each ride I am increasingly impressed with the quality of the Windsor. They are both great bikes. No regrets that I chose the Windsor!

jimbooffa

For all you lovers of Windsor bicyles, I have a "classic" for sale. I purchased it for $75 dollars off of Craigslist and rode it on weekends for 6 months before shelling out serious bucks for a nice bike. When I bought it, it didn't have a rear brake, the front brake pads were shot, it was missing brake hoods, one brake lever was broken, and the handlebar tape was in bad shape. It cost me $140 to fix that. I added the seat (I know it is goofy looking but I didn't know better at the time) and a Sigma BC1200 cyclocomputer. I am asking $100 and will probably keep it if I don't get that much.

It is a 63cm bike. Wheels-Wheelsmith Mavic MA2 (very good condition), 27 X1 1 1/4 Specialized tires, Shimano 105 deraileurs, shimano 600 shifters and brakes, strap toe clips, saddle bag, comfortable saddle. New rear brake and brake pads recently installed. New handle bar tape. Cyclocomputer included. Want to go wireless on the new bike. I didn't have one problem with the bike in the six months I rode it. Anyway, if anybody is interested shoot me an email.

Thanks,

Jim

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fushman

optimo is caad7

Rick Reas

Yeah, you're right, Optimo is CAAD7. Thx for the correction/clarification.

I'm not sure what the difference is between CAAD5 (as on the R600) and Optimo/CAAD7 (on the R800) but I tested both and the R800 really did seem significantly lighter and delivered a smoother ride than the R600. Nonetheless, I couldn't pass on the Windsor deal.

What do you (or anyone else) know about the new Cannondale six13?
I've read very positive reviews of this Carbon/Alu bike, but I've never seen one or talked to anyone that's ridden one.

mydaddy0

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I am considering a Windsor Kennet. How has yours been? Where did you get it? Thanks for any info.

WKrider

I have only put about 250 miles on mine but I have had zero problems. I bought it at Spectrum Cycle in Gilbert Arizona. The only thing I have added are some aero bars.

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__________________
Ride it like you stole it!!!

2004 Windsor Kennet
Full Ultegra

rockthrowjoe

I have enjoyed my Windsor Trent for the past two months. I was thinking about getting a Kennet but I like the Trent's color scheme better (black on the Trent vs. silver/purple on the Kennet).

The difference between the Trent and the Kennet are the brakes, bottom bracket, and crank. They both use the same frame and other Ultegra components. In the long run it will be more expensive to upgrade, but it is easier to upgrade the comps than to have the bike completely repainted.

I love this bike, it is light, responsive, and smooth. I ride a couple of times a week with a group (we avg about 21mph over 36 miles). I've probably put 200-250 miles on it and have loved it every minute.

I got mine at "bikesdirect.com" for $895 about a week before they raised the price to $995 (which is what I think it still is now). You can't beat free shipping, no sales tax, and an awesome deal. After I assembled the bike myself, I just had a friend of mine who races tune in the rear derailleur and I was set to go.

I can't say enough about how much I love this bike.

rhellmer

4rabbit

I've read what many of you have posted and still am not convinced Windsor is for real. I just purchased a Winston Dover on ebay and had it shipped to Canada.

Does anyone know anything about the winston dover model......is it an entry level bike

WKrider

Here is a link to the Windsor Dover..

http://www.windsorbicycles.com/dover.html

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__________________
Ride it like you stole it!!!

2004 Windsor Kennet
Full Ultegra

Rick Reas

I continue to be very pleased with my Kennet. I've got about 450 miles on mine now and it continues to perform flawlessly. The full Ultegra components were never really a question. I expected those to perform well. But the quality of the frame etc. was unknown til I actually started riding. And I have truly been impressed with every aspect of the bike. The X-Fusion frame coupled with a very high quality Kinesis Carbon Fork and the curved carbon seat stays deliver a responsive, smooth, comfortable ride. It is fast, responsive yet stable, floats over smooth roads, soaks up road chatter and handles hills beautifully (light enough for fast climbs; stable enough for exhilirating descents.) I am logging significantly faster times on the Kennet than I did on my Cannondale and I don't feel beat up after a long ride. All the Ritchey stuff (bars, wheels, stem, seatpost) complements the Ultegra components very nicely. I am especially impressed with the Ergo handlebars which provide a very comfortable array of hand positions.

For the kind of riding I do - lots of moderate to fast paced recreational rides and occassional racing - this bike suits me perfectly. I still marvel at what a fantastic value it is.

I bought the bike from BikesDirect.com. I discovered BikesDirect while on vacation in Arizona. They had a retail store across the street from my hotel. Although they didn't have any Windsors at that particular store at the time, I tested a few other bikes, talked about what I was looking for in a new bike with guys at the shop and they suggested I check out their website for info on Windsors. I did so and became interested in the Kennet. With the unbeatable price (at that time it was $1095), free shipping, no sales tax, Windsor's warranty and the store's 30 day return policy, I figured I had nothing to lose. I've been riding with a big smile on my face ever since.

The Windsor Kennet is a great bike.

Rick Reas

I will admit to some initial scepticism, when I first began researching Windsors. But after buying a Windsor Kennet and riding it for the better part of 2 months now, I can assure you that Windsor is for real. I could not be more pleased with my Kennet. I don't have direct experience with the Dover (it looks sharp) but if my and other's experience with the Kennet and other testimonials about the Bristol, Trent and Knight are any indication, I think it's a good bet that the Dover will be a quality bike and a great value.

It does appear to be an "entry level" road bike. But if the specs outlined on the Windsor website are correct it's got some nice features; double butted 7005 Alu frame, 11-28 cogset, Alex wheels, Michelin tires and a listed weight under 20lbs.

I'd be interested in your impressions after you've had a few rides on it.

I hope you enjoy it and join the growing legion of Windsor fans.

ccrider

In the 1970's Windsor (of Mexico) did make some decent frames with Columbus tubing and decent lugwork, they were basically Cinelli copies. Some of these frames are collectable, but the rest of their bikes were pretty mainstream/junky lowend stuff. They were Mexico's 'Huffy' throught the 70's probably. I think they went out of biz back in the late 80's, and the Windsors now might be a new English company, or maybe they started making bikes down south again, who knows.

As for Eddy Merckx riding a Windor in '72?? No, ofcourse he wasn't. It was indeed a Colnago. When Eddy arrived in Mexico City they (his Mexican hosts) placed the Windsor stickers on his frame before his record attempts on the track. Eddy didn't think much of this at the time, he thought it was the least he could do for his hosts as I guess they really pulled out all the stops to allow him to attempt the record there. Anyway, back in Italy Ernesto Colnago was furious to say the least. The story goes that he severed his relationship with Eddy, and so Eddy turned to Ugo de Rosa to build his bikes from then on. De Rosa has a special 'Molteni' model today to commemorate the fact that Ugo built the orange 'Eddy Merckx' Molteni bikes from the mid '70's on. I feel sorry for Ernesto. Sure, he is a very successful builder today, but still he never was able to show any photos of 'his' bike that Eddy used in that legendary hour record, because all the photos show the Windsor decals. Windsor ofcourse capitalized on the publicity and probably made 1000's of orange 'look like Eddy' bikes. They aren't anywhere near as nice as a real Colnago or Cinelli ofcourse, but if I ever came across one of them for cheap I'd buy it and build it up as a fixed gear for kicks.

rhellmer

I ordered an Windsor Kennet a few days ago and expect to get it by the end of the upcoming week. I will keep you all posted on my experiences, from bikesdirect.com and the bike itself.