Testing A New Bike Tomorrow.....how far should I plan??

[Dave7]

In a previous post I was discussing the possibility of getting a gravel bike.
The dealer has just phoned to say I can have the Ridley X Trail from today till the week-end.
So my planned 50 miler tomorrow will be on this bike........which raises some questions.
Bearing in mind my main problem is my sit bones and 43 is my biggest ride this year.........is 50 miles too optimistic ? or should I set my sites lower.
My plan is/was to do 25 on the road then come back via the Trans Penine way.
Any thoughts ?

 

[raleighnut]

Fit a known (comfy) saddle to the bike off one of your other bikes.

 

[jefmcg]

Is a new or used? Will they mind if it comes back scratched? I'd be very nervous taking it on a track where stones might kick up if I'd have to buy the bike if it got damaged.

(most bikes I've tested have been new. One shop kept quite used models from previous years, and would let you take them for hours of testing)

 

[MichaelW2]

Will you set up the points of contact (saddle/bars) the same as your current bike?
I would check out its handling at very low speed on a slalom course, on a steep winding descent, over some typical rough track, and maybe 15 miles of country lane. If you can't detect any issues after that, adding more miles won't help.

 

[Dave7]

Is a new or used? Will they mind if it comes back scratched? I'd be very nervous taking it on a track where stones might kick up if I'd have to buy the bike if it got damaged.

(most bikes I've tested have been new. One shop kept quite used models from previous years, and would let you take them for hours of testing)

This is an actual demo bike supplied by Ridley. The dealer orders it-they deliver asap-and the shops gets it for a week or so. it is clearly used with just a few slight marks on. I told the dealer my planned ride and he is quite happy with it.

 

[Dave7]

Will you set up the points of contact (saddle/bars) the same as your current bike?
I would check out its handling at very low speed on a slalom course, on a steep winding descent, over some typical rough track, and maybe 15 miles of country lane. If you can't detect any issues after that, adding more miles won't help.

I agree that more miles won't help analyse the bike but the planned 50 is part of my build-up to what I am hoping will be my first ever 100 miler. TBH 50 miles on a new/unknown bike may be unrealistic..........I will know soon enough
Re' point of contact. A good idea. The frame geometry is different e.g. the top tube is shorter. However the handlebar stem (the part the handlebar fits into) is noticeably longer than mine.
He set it up for me but I know I will be moving the saddle forward slightly and raising it accordingly to give me the leg extension I (think) I need.

 

[vickster]

Put your own saddle on it. Plan two routes, longer and shorter, and have a public transport bail out option

 

[MichaelW2]

He set it up for me but I know I will be moving the saddle forward slightly and raising it accordingly to give me the leg extension I (think) I need.

Measure your current setup with a tape measure and plumb-line, in [x,y] coordinates using the bottom bracket as [0,0]. This will eliminate any variation in frame angles. Compensate for any difference in crank length in setting up the new bike.

 

[potsy]

I wouldn't want to ride that far on a brand new bike that I don't know if I'm going to get on with.

 

[Dave7]

Put your own saddle on it. Plan two routes, longer and shorter, and have a public transport bail out option

2 routes already planned
Re public transport I have a better option in place.....a good wife

 

[Pale Rider]

Riding yourself into the ground on a long ride will leave you unable to assess the bike.

I would do two or three varied rides of mileage I can handle reasonably well.

 

[Dave7]

I wouldn't want to ride that far on a brand new bike that I don't know if I'm going to get on with.

Riding yourself into the ground on a long ride will leave you unable to assess the bike.
I would do two or three varied rides of mileage I can handle reasonably well.

First ride completed .....a 30 miler which included approx 8 miles of really rough gravel farm roads..........full of pot holes. I was well impressed with the general handling.
Couldn't get the set up spot on as the bar stem was too long and too low for me............being a loan bike I didn't have the time or inclination to alter things too much.........so my shoulders were aching after 10 (us brave cyclists must soldier on )
Glad I didn't go for a 50 mile loop.

 

[2IT]

First ride completed .....a 30 miler which included approx 8 miles of really rough gravel farm roads..........full of pot holes. I was well impressed with the general handling.
Couldn't get the set up spot on as the bar stem was too long and too low for me............being a loan bike I didn't have the time or inclination to alter things too much.........so my shoulders were aching after 10 (us brave cyclists must soldier on )
Glad I didn't go for a 50 mile loop.

On your next ride, "Ride it like you stole it".

 

[boydj]

Riding yourself into the ground on a long ride will leave you unable to assess the bike.

I would do two or three varied rides of mileage I can handle reasonably well.

Or alternatively pick a shorter route with varied conditions and do two or three loops, giving yourself a chance to do some minor tweaks between loops to get your setup right and get a good feel for the bike.