Newbie grumble

[ohsoslow]

Hello all ,

This is my first post although I've been lurking around for a couple of weeks .

I guess like most newbies I'm not really new to cycling but returning after a long time . So a around 8 weeks ago I went to the back of the shed and dug out my old road bike and started putting in some miles and have really been enjoying myself .

Now for the grumble bit .

I've been having so much fun I've decided I'd like to buy a new bike , sounds easy .

I've tried five shops but I'm struggling to find anyone with bikes to try apart from the large chains who will let me ride around the car park ..... not ideal when your looking for a bike that's comfy for a days riding .

The small bike shops seem to be willing to give demos if they have a demo model which they invariably don't , some have tried their suppliers to get a demo bike and can't . I'm getting the impression no one wants my money .

So is there something I don't know about , is it the wrong time of year to be bike shopping ? , are the bike shops giving up to the internet traders and online buying .

Sorry for the rant , but I do feel much better now .

 

[Globalti]

Where are you in Lancashire? Which shops have you tried?

 

[beanzontoast]

Hello all ,

I've tried five shops but I'm struggling to find anyone with bikes to try apart from the large chains who will let me ride around the car park ..... not ideal when your looking for a bike that's comfy for a days riding .

The small bike shops seem to be willing to give demos if they have a demo model which they invariably don't , some have tried their suppliers to get a demo bike and can't . I'm getting the impression no one wants my money .

A new bike is a considerable investment for most people. I wouldn't buy from a shop that refused a try-out. Harsh, maybe, but it's up to the shop to accommodate the buyer, not the other way around IMO.

 

[bonj2]

Personally, I think the requirement to 'try out' a bike before you buy it is overrated.

I've never tried out a bike before I've bought it and I've never had any problems. The only thing I would say from personal experience, is that I had a 20" MTB for 2 years, and I have just got a new frame which is 17.5", and it is so much better handling - although this only really manifests itself on technical sections - the larger frame is just as comfortable for plodding along. The main thing I notice is that it is much easier to do drop offs and jumps.

The far more important aim to satisfy is that of making sure you know what SIZE of road bike you take, and then you can be fairly sure that you will be ok with any bike of that size.
Minor tweaks such as handlebar height, saddle height, saddle fore/aft position, stem length, can then be tweaked if you feel they should be.
Also, it's a good thing to know what type/shape of handlebars you like. For instance I don't like drops that are all curved, I like a straight bit on the drops.

 

[punkypossum]

Sorry, disagree...if your proportions aren't completely standard, a try out is a must. When I got mine, I tried several that were in theory the right size - only one of them felt comfortable!

 

[Downward]

Do many LBS have 3 or 4 bikes they are willing to lend you to test ride then ?

Personally I didn't bother with it all.

 

[swee'pea99]

Personally, I think the requirement to 'try out' a bike before you buy it is overrated.

I've never tried out a bike before I've bought it and I've never had any problems. The only thing I would say from personal experience, is that I had a 20" MTB for 2 years, and I have just got a new frame which is 17.5", and it is so much better handling - although this only really manifests itself on technical sections - the larger frame is just as comfortable for plodding along. The main thing I notice is that it is much easier to do drop offs and jumps.

The far more important aim to satisfy is that of making sure you know what SIZE of road bike you take, and then you can be fairly sure that you will be ok with any bike of that size.
Minor tweaks such as handlebar height, saddle height, saddle fore/aft position, stem length, can then be tweaked if you feel they should be.
Also, it's a good thing to know what type/shape of handlebars you like. For instance I don't like drops that are all curved, I like a straight bit on the drops.

A bonj post I agree with 100%. I have entered the twilight zone. You'll have to excuse me now, I feel a bit woozy and I need to go and have a lie down

 

[jimboalee]

Find your local club. Go on their short, slow club run and let it be known you are looking to replace the bike you are riding.
Someone will recommend a shop. Or even offer to help you size up the correct bike.

 

[ohsoslow]

Thanks for the input ,

I'm in Bury , Lancs . But I'd rather not name shops as I don't want to turn it into a " name and shame " thread .

My problem is I'm not a standard size ( who is ) , and my current bike comes from a bygone age where frame geometries were much different .

So I've no experience of riding anything that was made in the last 20 years
sloping tubes and compact frames are all new to me .

I'd really like to support a local shop but I can't afford to blow £1000 on a bike I won't want to ride .

 

[bonj2]

Sorry, disagree...if your proportions aren't completely standard, a try out is a must. When I got mine, I tried several that were in theory the right size - only one of them felt comfortable!

the ones that weren't: yes, STOCK they might not have been comfortable, but probably could have been made comfortable without changing the frame - is what i'm saying.
Are you saying that you are SO disporportionate that you NEED a frame that is significantly different from the average shape, and that the frame being significantly different is the ONLY way you will be comfortable with your bike?

 

[Rockus]

im fairly new to riding -a racing bike anyway. and i had the same issues with bike shops not being overly keen to let me test. Came away feeling a little fustrated like you. eevntually after plenty of internet reaserch i ordered on online.

Ive not had any problems settling into the bike and when i needed a faulty part replaced, they really inpressed me (BIkedock) > Currently v happy with the internet approach.

Incidently, i took my new bike into the shops to guage reaction. Some were suprised (quess they thought i wasn't seroius) others showed no remorse (quess they didnt care).

 

[therams]

Take a trip to Hall Halls in Manchester. They will let you test ride any bike, as long as the weather is OK.

I spent one Saturday afternoon riding many different bikes around the block

I would not buy without testing first.

 

[Randochap]

This discussion has come up several times on CC and I'm gobsmacked there are any shops that refuse test rides. It appears there are many in the UK.

Test rides are an important part of any sales pitch and shops that can't appreciate this basic concept shouldn't be in business. I simply can't understand how you can run a bike shop and not know this. It's sales 101. Car lots know this and so should bike shops.

It goes beyond frame sizing -- though this is of prime importance due to the fact you cannot extrapolate one frame style/size to another these days -- because there is a certain "feel" or look that a customer will gravitate towards on a test ride. The salesperson can then better ascertain what the customer's needs and wants are and narrow selection accordingly, during the sales process.

Any decent bike salesperson should know this.

Here, the public expectation is that you can walk into a shop and test any bike you are interested in (and rightly so).

A shop that doesn't allow testing, IMO, just wants to get you out the door with the first thing they can sell you.

With the deposit of a drivers' license or credit card, I have allowed day-long tests of more complex or unusual machines, such as recumbent trikes, etc.

My advice would be to only shop where you can test ride. Allowing test rides is also an indication of overall competence at a shop for the reasons I've stated above.

Here's how a sale should go:

• Salesperson inquires about the kind of riding you have done, the kinds of bikes you've owned before and the use you are going to put a new bike to. From this info she will offer a selection ... and if they can't meet your needs, recommend a shop that might.
• Salesperson readies bike your size and price point, sets up bike and sends you on test ride.
• When you return, the salesperson asks for feedback and, depending on response, offer another option or makes adjustments (change stem, etc.) to the present bike and off you go again.
• Unless you are thrilled and eager to buy, a good salesperson will give you other bikes to compare, until you have found your ideal bike.

There's some preliminary sizing and fitting info here.

 

[punkypossum]

Take a trip to Hall Halls in Manchester. They will let you test ride any bike, as long as the weather is OK.

I spent one Saturday afternoon riding many different bikes around the block

I would not buy without testing first.

+ 1, that's where I got my road bike from. The Edge Cycleworks in Lancaster are also very good, but might be a bit far...

 

[punkypossum]

the ones that weren't: yes, STOCK they might not have been comfortable, but probably could have been made comfortable without changing the frame - is what i'm saying.
Are you saying that you are SO disporportionate that you NEED a frame that is significantly different from the average shape, and that the frame being significantly different is the ONLY way you will be comfortable with your bike?

No, what I'm saying is that - all other factors being pretty much equal, i.e. spec, price, etc - surely it makes more sense to buy the bike that feels comfortable from the off, with only minor adjustments, than to try to make one fit that doesn't feel comfortable to start off with and that might never feel right despite adjustments and, on paper, being the right size. And that is exactly what a test ride can help you determine!