First, thanks to everyone that helped out in my "do I need a different bike" thread. Really helped calm my mind.

Now for something else. A friend of mine has decided that he might like to tour a little with me when I leave. He has a Wal-Mart bike and can keep up with me on rides, so I threw the idea of joining me on a tour out there and he liked it.

Anyway, he needs a new bike and fast (since I leave in a few weeks). He has $400 he can spend on a bike and I told him I could help out a little, as long as he paid me back. And by "help" I don't mean he can get a new t2000.

So we have been reading over the forums for a few hours and checking out ebay with hopes of finding something used on the cheap. So far no luck in the used dept.

And then I ran across a thread on cyclingforums.com about Windsor bikes. We had found a Windsor Tourist on ebay brand new for $600. I blew it off thinking it was a scam or at least a p.o.s. (I had never heard of windsor).

So I came across some threads here (and other places) talking about Windsor. It seems (correct me if I am wrong, I am going off threads from almost one year ago. There were no really recent threads on them that we found)... it seems that Windsor (the name) was bought by the same guy that owns Bikes Direct. I have heard mixed reviews of BD, but it seems people get what they order (and are happy as long as they no there is basically no warranty.)

Another thing I read a lot was that these bikes were "the same as the Fuji Tourist". I still didn't find a real answer to this, but they do seem that way.

Anyway, it does seem like BD over-hypes the Windsor Tourist... a lot. But if you look past that I really can't see why this wouldn't be a good bike for him. The only downside I really read about the bike was spokes breaking (and as I typed that he said he would get new wheels if need be.)

So, I doubt anyone can really say anything new (I have read a lot about this bike in the past few hours). BUT does anyone have any new information on this thing. Maybe someone who actually owns one? Or has at least SEEN one?