Originally Posted by
darkhand
Do people really expect that much from a 700$ bike either, though?
I bought a $700 Windsor Fens two years ago for the family motor pool. Ours has Shimano wheels and an Ultegra RD, but otherwise looks much the same as the still $700:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/fens_IX.htm
It has lumpy welds and needed a fair bit of tuning and tightening out of the box, but is noticeably lighter than our classic bikes, and rides well. My curb-hopping son that weighs 230 has been riding it at college and so far it has been very reliable.