Originally Posted by
m_yates
The bottom bracket that comes with the Windsor Tourist is a "Chin Haur" model. I've discovered a lot of bike manufacturers use Chin Haur headsets and bottom brackets. My guess is that they are probably put in at the same Taiwanese factory that builds the frames. In any event, I think a bottom bracket should last more than 600 km. That is unacceptable.
FWIW: On the three WTs that we bought the bottom brackets are still fine with well over 5000 miles on each bike. I am not sure if we have the same BB as you or not. Our's were purchased in early 2007 so maybe BD has changed what they are spec'ing or maybe you were just unlucky.
Originally Posted by
m_yates
Lastly, my own ignorance caused be to break my left brake/shift lever. It's a long story, but a mistake made adjusting my front derailleur caused the cable to bind and the high cable tension broke something internally in the shifter. THAT sucks! I was so frustrated that I pulled the front derailleur off and sold it. I've been riding stuck in the middle front ring for about 200 miles.
Ouch! A good argument for having a shop set up the bike if you don't have the mechanical skills to do it properly. Alternately learning the ropes with someone more experienced or at least more mechanically inclined looking over your shoulder. Why on earth would you sell the front derailleur? The model that came with the bike would be my first choice if spec'ing new.
Originally Posted by
m_yates
I decided to switch to bar end shifters for simplicity and lower cost. I've collected the parts off of ebay and now have a new Campagnolo front derailleur, Dura-Ace bar end shifters, nitto noodle handlebar, tektro brake levers, and a nitto technomic stem. I plan on installing all that stuff over the weekend.
Bummer I hope you got the parts cheap and they work out well for you. Personally I consider bar ends a big step backwards, but many prefer them. Perhaps I am just weird, but I like down tube or even stem shifters better than bar ends and think STI is a big notch above all of it.
Originally Posted by
m_yates
I'm still overall pleased with my bike and I have learned a good bit about bicycle mechanics. However, if I was to buy again, I might think more carefully about similar models like Jamis Aurora or Surly Long Haul Trucker that have name brand hubs, rims, headsets, and (of course) bottom brackets.
Given the results I wouldn't be happy at all, but it does sound like much of it was your fault. The LHT is a nice bike and if you have a local dealer that sells them you would have been better off, since it sounds like you would have been better to have had them set up and maintain it.