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

[fossyant]

A CX bike on the road will be as dead as a dodo. Same with MTB's - they are for off road.

 

[bladesman73]

never heard of anyone being allowed to test ride a bike for a few days! u may be spending 3k between you, but in the bike world thats sod all...i know a chap who spent 6k on his bianchi then bought some wheels for 1500 quid. didnt test neither

 

[Accy cyclist]

People say you should test ride a bike before buying it,but can you really get a good idea if the bike's right for you or not just by going around the block, like most shops will let you do? I reckon you need a good 30 mile ride at least,before you can find out if it's worth buying or not.

 

[Milkfloat]

Evans let me test ride a bike for an hour and a half in the pouring rain, there did not seem to be a problem at all.

 

[BalkanExpress]

Have you tried to contact the suppliers/ manufacturers directly and ask where the nearest test bike to you can be found?

 

[Oldbloke]

I have an LBS who want a 50% deposit for test ride plus a charge of Eur50 which is deducted IF you buy the bike. Jokers!

The Specialized Concept and LBS I use in the UK always offer me a test ride on anything for 2 days when I'm in UK, so no prizes for guessing my preferred supplier!

 

[Dogtrousers]

Yes, I'm going to drone on about Spa Cycles again.

They let me ride various bikes around local lanes on a circuit of about 10k. I was there for several hours. I left my wife there as a deposit, drinking tea.

 

[vickster]

People say you should test ride a bike before buying it,but can you really get a good idea if the bike's right for you or not just by going around the block, like most shops will let you do? I reckon you need a good 30 mile ride at least,before you can find out if it's worth buying or not.

Worked for me with the Genesis even though I didn't buy the stock bike I test rode. It confirmed the size I needed and also that steel is lovely on the roads (which were very rough around the Evans I used). It also confirmed that 105 brifters (10 speed at that time) were a no no for me as I failed to stop rapidly as wanted as I simply couldn't get the required power through the brakes from the hoods! I acquired the same frame and all the parts and got the bike built to my spec

In my experience, Evans are pretty much happy for you to take the bike for as long as needed, I can't imagine they'd have an issue with an hour, you'd get a good idea

I didn't test ride my Pave (first roadbike) but I was properly measured as it was built from the frame

Didn't ride the second hand SS but being a Pearson I knew which size I needed. I did need to get a new fork as a previous owner had chopped the steerer and slammed it

Didn't ride the PX58, but that was a bargain and essentially a donor bike for its groupset. I did confirm the size against the geometry against that of the Genesis. With hindsight, now it's a flatbar, I probably should have gone a size up but it's still rideable...or sellable

IMO A test ride is useful if you really don't know what you want, what size you needed or if you have a long short list...or if you are new to roadbikes. If buying N+1 comparing geometry to current works fine for me

I've had a couple of bike fits too, so know what cranks, stem length and bar width is right...which match few bikes suitable for my height and inside leg, hence no more stock bikes for me

 

[vickster]

Evans let me test ride a bike for an hour and a half in the pouring rain, there did not seem to be a problem at all.

That's pretty good, in my experience, they'll only let you do so on a dry day

 

[Milkfloat]

That's pretty good, in my experience, they'll only let you do so on a dry day

I even called to question it as I was travelling a reasonable distance, they were adamant it was fine and when I turned up there seemed no hesitation on their part. I had always been snooty about Evans equating them as a 'slightly better Halfords', but they changed my opinion right around. So much so, I bought a bike from them.

 

[vickster]

They wouldn't be my first choice from which to buy a bike as I'd prefer to use an independent all things being equal. However, I'd rather buy from Evans than the web, and usefully they price match I think their flexible test ride policy is their USP

 

[Dave7]

A CX bike on the road will be as dead as a dodo. Same with MTB's - they are for off road.

Well that raises a few more questions.
I have a Giant Defy 1 Advanced carbon.
One dealer stated (and this is truthful)......."this £800 Whyte gravel bike will out perform your Defy on the road.
Another dealer said pretty much what you say............"if you are planning your 100 miler you will not do it on a gravel bike"
MTBs.............yes.......from experience I can agree with you 100%.

 

[Dave7]

People say you should test ride a bike before buying it,but can you really get a good idea if the bike's right for you or not just by going around the block, like most shops will let you do? I reckon you need a good 30 mile ride at least,before you can find out if it's worth buying or not.

That is the point I am (failing) to make.........it just cant be done, can it.

 

[Dave7]

Have you tried to contact the suppliers/ manufacturers directly and ask where the nearest test bike to you can be found?

Yes........contacted Specialized and they passed it to Evans to reply.
I am not really interested in the Whyte
Ridley have arranged for a trial
I am waiting on a response re' Genesis.

 

[Dave7]

I have an LBS who want a 50% deposit for test ride plus a charge of Eur50 which is deducted IF you buy the bike. Jokers!

The Specialized Concept and LBS I use in the UK always offer me a test ride on anything for 2 days when I'm in UK, so no prizes for guessing my preferred supplier!

Interesting..............I will try the Specialized concept store.