New Bike.........Test Rides.......not as simple as it sounds :)

[Dave7]

After my last post I will be careful not to say anything controversial...........see, you've got me scared
Myself and a mate are looking for new "comfortable" bikes. Together we are looking to spend perhaps £3,000.00. We have narrowed it down to 4 possible models.
1) Twelve-Fifty bikes in Frodsham suggested a Ridley X Trail. They phoned Ridley and got 2 bikes for extended trials. We can pick up on Friday and return on Tuesday. Can't get fairer than that.
2) Evans-Manchester or Liverpool. We are interested in the Specialized Roubaix. Bearing in mind they are based in a) Trafford Park b) Manchester city centre or c) Liverpool city centre...........I asked could we (with sufficient deposits) have trials for a couple of days. NO CHANCE. We can take them for a spin around the block. Who wants to have a spin around the block in the middle of Manchester of Liverpool?
3) Cyclehouse suggest either Cannondale Synapse or Genesis Datum..........they are contacting suppliers to see if we can get one for a day's loan.
4) A LBS who suggest a Whyte but will only let us ride up the road and back. He explained that he owns all "these bikes" and if we borrowed one for a day it would be 2nd hand.

Now........I have to agree that there is a problem to extended trials. But we are going to be spending up to £3K and some dealers expect us to do so on the basis of a 10 minute trial (in the middle of Manchester).
I'm just interested in how other CCrs get around this problem.

 

[ColinJ]

After my last post I will be careful not to say anything controversial...........see, you've got me scared
...
Now........I have to agree that there is a problem to extended trials. But we are going to be spending up to £3K and some dealers expect us to do so on the basis of a 10 minute trial (in the middle of Manchester).
I'm just interested in how other CCrs get around this problem.

Well, @Accy cyclist threw a 25 page thread at the problem!

 

[fossyant]

You might be better at Trafford, at least you can have a spin up and down a road !

I haven't actually test ridden any of the 4 bikes I have.

 

[ColinJ]

Well, @Accy cyclist threw a 25 page thread at the problem!

Or should that be 'issue' ...

 

[Kajjal]

The only real solution is drive to a bike shop in an area you would want to test ride in. That way you get the most out of it if you only get limited time.

 

[Crackle]

Anything is better than nothing. The Twelve Fifty trial is pretty excellent.

 

[sidevalve]

To be fair would you buy a bike if it had been used for several days by someone who eventually decided not to buy ? At full price ?
Some car dealerships might have a 'demo' car [which they sell off cheap and are often part funded by the manufacturers anyhow - and even this is usually on the slightly more expensive models + stolen cars are at least a little easier to trace than bikes].
They give you new - you return second hand - are you happy to lose your deposit ? Further £3000 for two bikes just aint all that much to make it worth the risk after all how much are you leaving in deposit ? If it's less than full price then they are just taking a BIG risk

 

[ianrauk]

Agree with the second hand comment. Borrowed for the whole day may mean a fair old mileage for some people. Through water, mud and god knows what and no amount of cleaning will get it back to pristine show room condition. It may also get dinked and/or scratched.

If you want to try out a bike, find a friend who has one or similar and ask for a loan. It's what I did for my Van Nick. My Spesh Roubaix it was a case of a quick blast around the block.

 

[Spiderweb]

It may be a bit far to travel but if you can get to a Specialized Concept store they should have Roubaix test bikes in various sizes to take for an extended try out, maybe a day or two. These bikes are test bikes and will only ever be sold as second hand at season end so no issue as described in previous posts.
I have a Roubaix and it is the smoothest most comfortable bike I have ridden.

They have Concept stores in both Chester and Stafford which look to be the closest to your location.

 

[fossyant]

One bike I hadn't even seen it !! I even penned the colour scheme on a piece of paper with coloured pencils. And it came in bits.

It was a hand built bike. I designed a two tone paint scheme, and I went up to Ribble to get the groupset (26 years ago). I then built it with great care as the paint smelt brand new !!!

 

[Andrew_P]

a lot of manufacturers have test bikes that the area rep can request. Doubt Evans stores see reps. So punt around local bike shops, cannot see the Datum having a test bike. I wouldn't expect a bike shop to give me a bike to ride, or in your case two? But if they are keen they will contact the rep. I know giant and Merida run test bikes.

My Cannondale I rode one on a turbo, my first bike a Roubaix 10 mins from Evans, my second bike a Boardman - nothing nada zilch and regretted that the moment I rode it the first time the GT Grade a 10 minute ride. For me I just want to know the fit and how the bike feels and try and be subjective about it. I am guessing you want an extended time to see if it makes your back hurt?

 

[Dave7]

a lot of manufacturers have test bikes that the area rep can request. Doubt Evans stores see reps. So punt around local bike shops, cannot see the Datum having a test bike. I wouldn't expect a bike shop to give me a bike to ride, or in your case two? But if they are keen they will contact the rep. I know giant and Merida run test bikes.

My Cannondale I rode one on a turbo, my first bike a Roubaix 10 mins from Evans, my second bike a Boardman - nothing nada zilch and regretted that the moment I rode it the first time the GT Grade a 10 minute ride. For me I just want to know the fit and how the bike feels and try and be subjective about it. I am guessing you want an extended time to see if it makes your back hurt?

For me its "once bitten".......my Giant felt good on the turbo but subsequently not quite right for me at my age and (as you say) with my back.

 

[potsy]

Of my four current bikes I only rode one of them before buying, the others were bought from researching size/spec and being the ones I liked the look of the most.
Whilst all different in their own way they fit just fine, and I am happy with them all.

 

[Andrew_P]

For me its "once bitten".......my Giant felt good on the turbo but subsequently not quite right for me at my age and (as you say) with my back.

That was me and the Boardman CX, it was as dead a Dodo and I knew the minute I got it on the road. Something like the Supersix I knew it would do most things as advertised and from forums so I just need to know what size. What's up with the Defy? I had a Specialized Roubaix 2010 and the Cannondale Supersix Evo 2014 is just as smooth on the road, just racier position.

The Grade running 30mm tyre at 55psi is another level though!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

You could go to a cycle show, where one can test ride the bikes all day on a purpose build track.
Or you could try to rent one you fancy for a day from a rental outlet.