freeganval

Got the Windsor Hour, the guy knew his stuff and wasn't a BSer, was fairly representing what he had. The wheels were remarkably true for a used bike, I don't know if I will even bother touching them up. The chain has one link that is frozen kinked. Bolts have surface rust, but nothing is stuck (I definitely had a look at that seatpost!) The guy was very patient with me as I went through and looked at everything and switched it from SS to fixed. In the end I offered him $140 instead of the $120 I had originally planned because of the quality of our conversation.

I will be replacing the chain and tires (it's got 23s, I want the biggest I can fit on here, probably 28s, maybe 32s). I have a rear brake I will probably put on it that's planned for another bike in the future, even though I plan to ride fixed only. I will also probably swap for riser bars, even though I really want bullhorns (and homegirl doesn't flip and clip).

Too bad it wasn't one of the Windsor Hours that came with a 16T track cog (this one's got a 15T, but I'll live) and 28 tires! Oh well, I'm still stoked.

Oh yeah, and check out my "upgraded" Thruster! Haha, no upgrades, just a **** tire replaced with a tire (and tube and thorn guard) worth more than the rest of the bike. Literally. [But was also free to me].

--

Some edits upon further inspection and a little bit of work... The track cog is actually 17T. Miscount.
I replaced the chain with a decent BMX chain I had around. Didn't have the right tires for it, the 23s will be fine for now. Will actually spring for nice [read: cheap] new tires, though I'll swing by my LBS first to see if they have anything that's decent used. I also rebuilt both front and rear wheel hubs. I replaced the drop bars with riser bars. I am still working on adjusting the seat, handlebars, and brake levers to my liking, spacing my grips, etc.

For everyone's info, the seat on the Windsor is the exact same seat that is on the Thruster. I have seen people praise the seat on the Windsor before, so that's kind of amusing to me. I don't disagree though, it's a pretty comfortable saddle. And I was wrong before about not upgrading the Thruster, I also replaced the front brake caliper with one off an old bike instead of the POS one that it came with that was all bent up.

Edit 2:
I'll just leave this right here. Front tire is now a Bontrager Select K sized 700x35C, the rear tire is now a WTB Slickasaurus sized 700x37/32C. The rear tire is slightly larger, despite being labeled smaller. I do not have clearance issues. I didn't think they would fit, and the 32 was the smallest tire I had, so I went to the LBS to get 28s. He only had 25s and 35s, so I figured I would give my 32 and 35 a try. Working great, and the size I like to ride. Added a rear caliper brake and a shelf, wrapped over the logo junk with some old retired bar tape. Swapped out the pedals for some basic platforms, I ride in sneakers so the toe clips pedals are just a pain. Only thing left is to borrow a housing cutter to finish the rear brake.

freeganval

I have been riding the Windsor everyday since I got it 10 miles or more. Today I had to run just a few blocks and took the Thruster, because I don't lock it up which made it very convenient..
It was a blast to ride still, which surprised me - I thought it would drag be and horrible. This cemented the thought that I would keep this bike around as a backup, and that even a Walmart bike can be alright if it is built properly. Kent thruster, would recommend. They're all over craigslist for $50, how can you go wrong for a commuter/beater?

TenSpeedV2

You won't sell me on the Thruster. I am glad that you are enjoying it.

TejanoTrackie 

Every time someone mentions a Thruster, another kitten is killed.

freeganval

How many of you have actually taken a thruster for even a mile ride before? How about a thruster that you've rebuilt everywhere with bearings on?

How about when the whole bike cost less than your seatpost? I'm not saying the thruster is a nice bike - it's not. I'm saying that it's not nearly as bad as it is portrayed on this forum, and that it has its place. For me, that place was a cheap intro to fixed gears, and it will remain a fine guest bike/backup bike/quick run bike. If you know how to work on a bicycle and have more time than money, I think it's a great choice.

Kindaslow

Other than the fact that thruster, thruster, thruster just killed three kittens, you have valid points. But, if you ask bike enthusiasts what they think about an inexpensive bike that arrives very poorly assembled, you should expect strong opinions. And, only 1 of my seat posts costs more than a new thruster (sorry kitten).

TenSpeedV2

Life is too short to ride crappy bikes.

hardboiled718

^ life's also too short to post on a forum about how crappy a bike you don't ride is.

prooftheory

Life is too short.

TejanoTrackie 

Life is

rex615

Life?

Scrodzilla

crazy.

TejanoTrackie 

La vida loca.

Kindaslow

Is your avatar photos.....

Kindaslow

OK, made me smile.

rex615

And speaking of Thrusters, here is its Mexican cousin, the Veloci Amsterdam.
It is freewheel only (single sided hub). All the bikes had the pedals turned in like that. Must be to keep people from riding them around the store.



Also, they sell motorcycles at Wal-Mart in Mexico

freeganval

Just got my Origin 8 Bullhorns ($6.49 shipped on eBay) yeeoooooow! Gonna go set that thing up at the local community bike shop!

veganbikes

Either that or Wally World Mexico is even less able to build a bike properly.

That bike is a hunk of garbage made up of smaller hunks of garbage, but I like that it has linear pull/canti brake mounts meaning one could use it as an SS cross bike (though you would break your shoulder if you had to carry it and it would probably fall apart at the start line)

rex615

It was surprisingly "unheavy" when i picked it up. The other interesting thing is the long wheelbase and the slack geometry. Chainstays are very long.

veganbikes

Odd! I guess it is much thinner cheaper metal? It gets whackier and whackier.