Windsor Tourist *Parts* Review
#1
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Windsor Tourist *Parts* Review
Hi,
So I found out that BikeIsland is selling the Windsor Tourist (a clone of the Fuji Tourer) for $349. See BikeIsland.com - Bicycle Parts, Accessories and Clothing at Affordable Prices with Free Shipping
They only have 43cm ones but I bought a 54cm one I'll review later, but this review is answer the question, "Is it worth buying the bike just for the parts". The short answer is yes.
For $349 you get:
Tiagra 9 speed STIs (worth about $120)
FSA Vero 9 speed 30/39/50 ST crankset (worth about $55)
SHIMANO DEORE M591 worth about $30
Sora 3500 FD ($20)
SRAM PG-950 9 cassette ($25)
solid but heavy 36 spoke 2200 gram wheelset (say $100). Note these needs to be pretensioned.
So there you already have your $350 worth.
Of the remaining bits, the saddle is actually really comfortable but other things (i.e. pedals) are crap.
The tires are Kenda Eurotrek tires aren't too bad (a bit heavy at 400 grams each).
The bars are non-name but decent.
So I found out that BikeIsland is selling the Windsor Tourist (a clone of the Fuji Tourer) for $349. See BikeIsland.com - Bicycle Parts, Accessories and Clothing at Affordable Prices with Free Shipping
They only have 43cm ones but I bought a 54cm one I'll review later, but this review is answer the question, "Is it worth buying the bike just for the parts". The short answer is yes.
For $349 you get:
Tiagra 9 speed STIs (worth about $120)
FSA Vero 9 speed 30/39/50 ST crankset (worth about $55)
SHIMANO DEORE M591 worth about $30
Sora 3500 FD ($20)
SRAM PG-950 9 cassette ($25)
solid but heavy 36 spoke 2200 gram wheelset (say $100). Note these needs to be pretensioned.
So there you already have your $350 worth.
Of the remaining bits, the saddle is actually really comfortable but other things (i.e. pedals) are crap.
The tires are Kenda Eurotrek tires aren't too bad (a bit heavy at 400 grams each).
The bars are non-name but decent.
#2
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I did a detailed calculation ...
The bits and pieces you get (except the frames) add up to $519 if you were to buy them from a cheap source like the UK distributors.
Not sure how and why bikes direct does it. I'm guessing its just old stock they can't sell which is taking up space.
Not sure how and why bikes direct does it. I'm guessing its just old stock they can't sell which is taking up space.
Hi,
So I found out that BikeIsland is selling the Windsor Tourist (a clone of the Fuji Tourer) for $349. See BikeIsland.com - Bicycle Parts, Accessories and Clothing at Affordable Prices with Free Shipping
They only have 43cm ones but I bought a 54cm one I'll review later, but this review is answer the question, "Is it worth buying the bike just for the parts". The short answer is yes.
For $349 you get:
Tiagra 9 speed STIs (worth about $120)
FSA Vero 9 speed 30/39/50 ST crankset (worth about $55)
SHIMANO DEORE M591 worth about $30
Sora 3500 FD ($20)
SRAM PG-950 9 cassette ($25)
solid but heavy 36 spoke 2200 gram wheelset (say $100). Note these needs to be pretensioned.
So there you already have your $350 worth.
Of the remaining bits, the saddle is actually really comfortable but other things (i.e. pedals) are crap.
The tires are Kenda Eurotrek tires aren't too bad (a bit heavy at 400 grams each).
The bars are non-name but decent.
So I found out that BikeIsland is selling the Windsor Tourist (a clone of the Fuji Tourer) for $349. See BikeIsland.com - Bicycle Parts, Accessories and Clothing at Affordable Prices with Free Shipping
They only have 43cm ones but I bought a 54cm one I'll review later, but this review is answer the question, "Is it worth buying the bike just for the parts". The short answer is yes.
For $349 you get:
Tiagra 9 speed STIs (worth about $120)
FSA Vero 9 speed 30/39/50 ST crankset (worth about $55)
SHIMANO DEORE M591 worth about $30
Sora 3500 FD ($20)
SRAM PG-950 9 cassette ($25)
solid but heavy 36 spoke 2200 gram wheelset (say $100). Note these needs to be pretensioned.
So there you already have your $350 worth.
Of the remaining bits, the saddle is actually really comfortable but other things (i.e. pedals) are crap.
The tires are Kenda Eurotrek tires aren't too bad (a bit heavy at 400 grams each).
The bars are non-name but decent.
#3
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Bikes Direct is just another Importer with a OEM Contract Company shipping Boxed bikes in a Container on a ship across the Pacific,
they do not own any factories ..
OEM factory prices when bought by the truckload from another company also close to their factory,
is so much lower..
I , in the US when I was close to a Guy who was a Bike manufacturer,
Bought Tires at OEM, US Prices , 25 years ago got 10 tires at $4 a piece and they sold in shops for $20
each
On Taiwan, company to company prices are bound to be even Lower.
./.
they do not own any factories ..
OEM factory prices when bought by the truckload from another company also close to their factory,
is so much lower..
I , in the US when I was close to a Guy who was a Bike manufacturer,
Bought Tires at OEM, US Prices , 25 years ago got 10 tires at $4 a piece and they sold in shops for $20
each
On Taiwan, company to company prices are bound to be even Lower.
./.
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-02-16 at 11:46 AM.
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The moral of the story is that you can almost always buy a complete bike cheaper than the sum of its parts. I have friends and employees that have asked that I build up a bike for them so as to save them money, and I always tell them that I can build it up to their exact specifications but I likely won't save them much if any money unless they're willing to use previously used parts.
I'm always amazed at how inexpensive decent higher end wheelsets cost. By the time I add up my cost for rims, hubs, spokes, nipples, rim tape, and baseball cards to make them go clackity clack, you can buy them pre-built for far less and that's not considering my time. I would love to get those wholesale prices.
Maybe we in this forum can do a group buy,....nah probably not, because we couldn't even agree as to what tube to stick in what tire : )
I'm always amazed at how inexpensive decent higher end wheelsets cost. By the time I add up my cost for rims, hubs, spokes, nipples, rim tape, and baseball cards to make them go clackity clack, you can buy them pre-built for far less and that's not considering my time. I would love to get those wholesale prices.
Maybe we in this forum can do a group buy,....nah probably not, because we couldn't even agree as to what tube to stick in what tire : )