Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19,344
Likes: 5,461
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Quality is an odd word. Hard to discribe or explain but we all know it when we see it. Pertaining to a bike frame it might be how the frame was made. Is the joining process done in a manor that is to an industry standard, or is the push for low cost/high volume being done at the expense of a joining method which stands up to inustry practices. Are the tubes of a high strength, high elasticity, are consistant in their wall thickness, have minimual (none) surface blems, are round and straight within accepted tolerances. Have the tubes been handled, mitered (not just the tightness of the miter but the placement WRT the butting, if any) well. Are the dimensions of the frame, it's geometry, a good collection for the frame's claimed purposes. Are the "braze ons" in locations and placed as to do their jobs with out mechanical compromises and the right ones to do the job that the frame's claimed purposes require. Are the frame's after joining finishing steps done well (chasing, facing, reaming, painting, plating, decaling). And there more aspects to many peoples' considerations of 'quality".
All of these aspects are held in compairison to other frames that came before the one you have. And the next one will be placed against yours in this continum.
The current brand, Windsor, is not thought of as a high quality one. High value (another over used word) perhaps. As a LBS guy all my life i always wonder at the motivations to distribute one's product in a mannor that eliminates person to person contact, in person. Not saying that all internet (or mail order, BITD) stuff is poorly made but choosing a distribution method that makes the feedback loop incomplete does make me wonder if the sellers really want a good name, happy customers and return business. The willingness to give up the LBS's mainstay of repair/maintainance/service and make warranty work not in the hands of the seller is another concern. But these "qualities" are not what many would call quality.
Your mileage may vary, Andy.