Bicycle Mechanics - Windsor Oxford Deluxe assembly problem.

Hello,

I just got this bike from Bike Direct. I brought it to a local bike shop for assembly. They said the saddle I was sent was a size 26 (which is too big) and that I needed a size 25.6. I took the bike home and emailed BD. They replied and said it was the correct size, if they send me a smaller it would damage the frame, they said to try to make the hole bigger till it fit. I tried doing this but the frame opening is scratched and also becoming an oval shape instead of round. It also scratched the saddle pretty bad when I tried to squish it in. I don't see how I can accomplish this without damaging this brand new bike. Need some inputs please! Did I and the local bike shop missed something? Or should I try to deal with BD for an exchange or return. I'm really afraid of this because from some reviews... They are pretty horrible.

Stop...........take a few breaths........................remain calm.

there is no one on the internet who can figure this out for you, because
you need the bike and seat post in front of you to determine the issue.

There are several possibilities, and to me the most likely is that your particular
frame either did not get the seat tube reamed properly after welding or that
it has somehow been deformed in the process of manufacture and shipping.

You cannot fix this, but you can damage the bike to the point where it
will be impossible to obtain a refund..........therefor, do nothing more.

Best bet is to start the return process with Bikes Direct and do everything
in writing. Keep copies of correspondence and e-mails....do nothing over the
phone.

It is remotely possible that your local bike shop is correct, and you have
been sent the wrong post, but unlikely.There is a tool called a reamer
that is used to enlarge the seat tube, which they may or may not have,
or even know about. LBS expertise levels vary considerably...some of them
do not like to do assembly of bikes bought elsewhere. Some are happy
for the business.

If you paid for this with your credit card, you should immediately initiate
a charge dispute with your credit card company, but they will want you to
attempt to work it out with Bikes Direct first.

Good luck, welcome to the world of buying a bicycle online.

I have this bike, and my seatpost fits properly. I noticed that the edge of the seat tube opening was a little rough on mine, but it didn't interfere with installing the seatpost. I venture to guess that your bike shipped with the proper seatpost, but has a less than perfect opening at the top of the seat tube. I wouldn't try forcing the seatpost. I would either have the seat tube opening reamed, or initiate the return process with Bikes Direct.

It's a shame you've hit this roadblock, as the Windsor Oxford is a great riding bike.

Does anyone know the stand-over height for the Windsor Oxford 51cm and 56cm? The bike is sold at Bikes Direct. I'm trying to figure out which size to order. I'm 5'10", so I assume the 56. But i read they run "big" and have a high stand-over height.

Also the tire size is 700x32C. But can you put a smaller tire, like a 700x28? Just curious.

Does anyone know the stand-over height for the Windsor Oxford 51cm and 56cm? The bike is sold at Bikes Direct. I'm trying to figure out which size to order. I'm 5'10", so I assume the 56. But i read they run "big" and have a high stand-over height.

Also the tire size is 700x32C. But can you put a smaller tire, like a 700x28? Just curious.

These are questions for the sales staff at the place you intend to buy the bike. You may be able to find it on the BD web site.

Does anyone know the stand-over height for the Windsor Oxford 51cm and 56cm? The bike is sold at Bikes Direct. I'm trying to figure out which size to order. I'm 5'10", so I assume the 56. But i read they run "big" and have a high stand-over height.

Also the tire size is 700x32C. But can you put a smaller tire, like a 700x28? Just curious.
Your height isn't important, your leg length is. I am old and have shrunk, but my height used to be about 5-10.5 and my leg length measured from my crotch to the ground in my bare feet is 33and 3/4". I ride a 58 or 59 depending on the geometry.

Your height isn't important, your leg length is. I am old and have shrunk, but my height used to be about 5-10.5 and my leg length measured from my crotch to the ground in my bare feet is 33and 3/4". I ride a 58 or 59 depending on the geometry.

Of all the fit dimensions, leg length is one of the least important to frame sizing.

I am brought plenty of internet bikes for assembly. Whenever a possible warranty issue arises, I stop work and advise the customer contact the seller. I do not wish to blamed for a bike not being returnable.

I am 6' 1", and the 56 cm frame barely fits me. My 58 cm road bike is a perfect fit for me. I can't promise that the 56 cm will fit you, but I venture to guess that it will be the better fit for you over the 51 cm size. I haven't measured standover height on my bikes, and don't know exactly how to do so.

I have put over 2,000 miles on my Windsor Oxford since I got it in February. It gets part time service, with my road bike filling my commuting needs on nice weather days.

I have put over 2,000 miles on my Windsor Oxford since I got it in February.
Dang. That's not bad for a $350 bike.

Dang. That's not bad for a $350 bike.

I love the Oxford. I'm considering getting the ladies' mixte version for my daughter.

Does anyone know the stand-over height for the Windsor Oxford 51cm and 56cm?

Stand-over height isn't the most useful value.
While riding it's a non-issue entirely, and if your chain would slip/break the "window of opportunity" where you would otherwise be able to catch yourself with arms and feet before your crotch hits the top tube is narrow indeed.
As you're in all probability already moving forward when chain failure occurs, the moment your feet hits the ground they will be swept away from under you anyhow.

But you're in luck, insofar that this bike has a traditional, basically horizontal top tube, where the value does make some sense from a bike sizing perspective. Most bikes with a more modern design use sloping top tubes, which makes stand-over height next to useless for sizing purposes.

And being able to straddle the bike while stationary does have its uses.


Also the tire size is 700x32C. But can you put a smaller tire, like a 700x28? Just curious.

Sure.
As long as you get the diameter right, you can always go narrower. The size description with least room for interpretation is the ETRTO size, 622 mm. Sheldon Brown has a page with recommendations on how wide/narrow it's sensible to go on a particular rim width.
The question is whether there's anything to gain from it.
At a fairly upright riding position, there's no aero gain from going to a narrower tire. And a narrower tire will need a higher pressure to avoid pinch flats. You will lose comfort by going to a higher pressure, and it may not reduce rolling resistance. For a bike with utility value, I'd look fo a tire with a real supple sidewall rather than specifically narrower if I wanted more speed.