Do you actually test ride bikes?
Discussion
A comment in another thread got me thinking. The last bike I test rode before buying was in 1998, when I left my wallet and went for a not particularly illuminating ride around the block (nowhere near mud) on a MTB.
Every bike or frame since I've mail ordered, either because it was via a direct operation (On-One, Dialled, etc), a previous season bargain or just lack of available demo bikes in the right size.
I've gone to a MTB demo day before and rode a few things but there's so much variation in how things feel (shock pressures, tyres, stem/bar length, etc) that are easily changeable, and would get changed after buying, that it all felt a bit pointless really.
Does anyone do the whole test ride thing and how useful do you find it?
Every bike or frame since I've mail ordered, either because it was via a direct operation (On-One, Dialled, etc), a previous season bargain or just lack of available demo bikes in the right size.
I've gone to a MTB demo day before and rode a few things but there's so much variation in how things feel (shock pressures, tyres, stem/bar length, etc) that are easily changeable, and would get changed after buying, that it all felt a bit pointless really.
Does anyone do the whole test ride thing and how useful do you find it?
I took a bike out around the block from from Evans and then said I would buy one. They then tried to sell me the shop soiled one i'd test ridden, no no my man I want one built from the box please! Did I find it useful not sure really it was my first road bike so they could have given camel 
I have 3 bikes... apart from sitting on them instore for a couple of minutes while a pig-ignorant oik says "does that feel alright?" ive never test ridden any... they are all Boardmans, and all size medium. Everything about me is medium usually - clothes... waist... leg length (well, except my wang, which is XXS) so with the bikes medium seems to suit. Any minor adjustment can be made with components.
All these bikes range from £1000 to £1800. One day, it would be nice to get a really posh bike and i think then i'd go the whole hog and get the bike fit, and test ride a shortlist, and get it spot-on at the point of purchase.
All these bikes range from £1000 to £1800. One day, it would be nice to get a really posh bike and i think then i'd go the whole hog and get the bike fit, and test ride a shortlist, and get it spot-on at the point of purchase.
Always found getting a test ride difficult as I'm 6ft3 and they never have the large sizes in stock. Last bike I bought was a Cube hybrid from Leisure Lakes, only test rode it the day I bought it and it was probably all a bit pointless as I'd already had to pay a deposit so that they would get one in. I guess if I really didn't like it of the fit was really wrong then I might have had a case for getting my deposit back or getting them to order in a different size.
I've done a bit recently. Evans are really good, because they can get the bike you want to test, other shops often have demo bikes that start at £2k+, and I was trying to limit the spend to around £1500.
Started with a Giant Propel Advanced Pro 2 retails at £2.5k. Considering my current bike is a £500 Ebay special, it felt out of this world. I wanted to check it wasn't a bone shaker and I could stay in the position for more than 2 minutes, and it was brilliant; smooth and I pushed myself along at a good speed. The wheels were good but susceptible to cross winds and it was an awful blowy trying to rain kind of day. When I rode it, I was thinking of a Propel a couple of notches down the range, that retails for £1650. Anyway, Giant are one of the shops that don't have a demo bike in all price ranges, and if you were cynical, you could say that's how they get you to spend A LOT more than your budget. Because that is what I am going to do, had a bit of luck financially.
The Evans experience was interesting too. I arranged a Cannondale Super Six 105 with the Brighton shop, I wanted to try a "conventional" road bike to see how it fared against the aero bikes that had caught my eye. It came in a few days later and then they call you to arrange a time for a demo ride. All the paperwork makes it look like you are buying the thing, which is worrying but all the conversations with the store were about a demo so I went along anyway. I chose to do it at 6pm on a Thursday, which is a good time for me, but not the best time to be riding an unfamiliar new bike in busy traffic. The Cannondale was brilliant but Brighton's taxi drivers were on a mission to take me out so I didn't ride it as long as I wanted.
I then took a Fuji Transonic out from Evans at Gatwick. This is more of a direct rival to the Propel, but sells for £250 more than my target £1650 Propel. Again, a lovely thing, arguably even more sexy with the down tube curving like an S, but it felt harsher (admittedly on different roads on a different day) and the spec isn't quite what I want.
So apart from I've ended up spending £900 more than I budgetted, I would recommend test riding!
Started with a Giant Propel Advanced Pro 2 retails at £2.5k. Considering my current bike is a £500 Ebay special, it felt out of this world. I wanted to check it wasn't a bone shaker and I could stay in the position for more than 2 minutes, and it was brilliant; smooth and I pushed myself along at a good speed. The wheels were good but susceptible to cross winds and it was an awful blowy trying to rain kind of day. When I rode it, I was thinking of a Propel a couple of notches down the range, that retails for £1650. Anyway, Giant are one of the shops that don't have a demo bike in all price ranges, and if you were cynical, you could say that's how they get you to spend A LOT more than your budget. Because that is what I am going to do, had a bit of luck financially.
The Evans experience was interesting too. I arranged a Cannondale Super Six 105 with the Brighton shop, I wanted to try a "conventional" road bike to see how it fared against the aero bikes that had caught my eye. It came in a few days later and then they call you to arrange a time for a demo ride. All the paperwork makes it look like you are buying the thing, which is worrying but all the conversations with the store were about a demo so I went along anyway. I chose to do it at 6pm on a Thursday, which is a good time for me, but not the best time to be riding an unfamiliar new bike in busy traffic. The Cannondale was brilliant but Brighton's taxi drivers were on a mission to take me out so I didn't ride it as long as I wanted.
I then took a Fuji Transonic out from Evans at Gatwick. This is more of a direct rival to the Propel, but sells for £250 more than my target £1650 Propel. Again, a lovely thing, arguably even more sexy with the down tube curving like an S, but it felt harsher (admittedly on different roads on a different day) and the spec isn't quite what I want.
So apart from I've ended up spending £900 more than I budgetted, I would recommend test riding!
C0ffin D0dger said:
Always found getting a test ride difficult as I'm 6ft3 and they never have the large sizes in stock. Last bike I bought was a Cube hybrid from Leisure Lakes, only test rode it the day I bought it and it was probably all a bit pointless as I'd already had to pay a deposit so that they would get one in. I guess if I really didn't like it of the fit was really wrong then I might have had a case for getting my deposit back or getting them to order in a different size.
Similar problem if you're a shorter chap, to be fair. Most shops will hold stock in anything between a 54cm and 58cm frame, as they are 'mid range' and suit the majority. The further from 'average/medium' you are, the lower the likelihood of getting a test ride, in my experience.The Giant store in Guildford has a demo bike fleet in a variety of sizes, but not all models. If it's the bike you are looking to buy, you can have one for a day/weekend. Evans say you can test ride any bike, but obviously only if they are stock items. Fuji's Transonic was an itch I wanted to scratch, but sadly bikes in my size are still a month or more in the future as far as delivery from the manufacturer goes.
I managed some test rides, though. CycleWorks in Guildford got a Cervelo R2 transferred across from Petersfield for me, but that was only because a customer had ordered it and subsequently upped his order to an R3. It was boxed, and built specifically for me to ride. I only had half an hour though, and didn't get on too well with the handling. Then I went to a few Trek dealers, ostensibly looking for a Domane. Only Pedal On had one in my size, but when it was put onto the turbo trainer, I just couldn't get it to fit right. Then I tried an Emonda S, which felt far better. I had to put down a £50 deposit for them to order a 52cm SL 6 in for me to ride, and even then they are strict with the test ride. There's a "round the block" route (generous size block, but still...) they insist you use, and they won't let you out if it's even slightly damp. I bought that bike in the end, and as it was built up specifically for me from the box, it's absolutely my bike and mine only.
I'd say you should try to get a test ride, but it's not essential, especially if you know what size will work by comparing a comfy current bike to the new one's geometry chart. If you are not sure, size wise, get on a bike on a turbo trainer in-shop. Ride it static for a while, and that should tell you if it's size/geometry is right for you. What it won't tell you is how the bike feels on real roads, so try to get at least a 'confirmatory' ride to check that it feels 'right' for you. I'm so glad I rode that Cervelo, because I don't think I'd have enjoyed riding it at all, long term.
Some brands/distributors have demo fleets, which your supplier can order in for you, but you can wait a long time for access to these. There were a number of other brands I'd have liked to try too, but dealers either couldn't, or wouldn't supply a demo/test bike in the right size, so I concentrated my search with those dealers who had a more "can do" attitude, or luckily happened to have the stock.
One thing I wasn't willing to do was to order off the internet without having seen/touched/ridden an example of their bike. I'm not saying you shouldn't, as there are thousands of very happy customers of these direct sales brands. It just isn't for me, is all.
yellowjack said:
One thing I wasn't willing to do was to order off the internet without having seen/touched/ridden an example of their bike. I'm not saying you shouldn't, as there are thousands of very happy customers of these direct sales brands. It just isn't for me, is all.
It's exactly what I do, and it got me thinking. But then I ordered my current car without driving it either.Just ordered a Planet-X RT58. Geometry looks good, few bits I'll swap out for own preferences, thought I'd try carbon for a change. Was cheap enough that if I don't like I'll strip the frame and use the bits on something else.
i'd say i've got a foot in both camps...
i bought my lovely wilier zero 7 off the internet knowing it would be perfect and it is!!
but last year when i wanted to get a second 'winter' bike i thought i'd try out a few before settling on something! I ended up deciding that a boardman elite CXR was the best model for me in a size small (annoyingly i'm between s and m). however, I was really pleased I tried all three models as I didn't like the aluminium 9.0, and I really hated the SRAM groupset on the 9.2. I also really didn't like the shimano DI2 on the 9.4...I also didn't rate the avid bb7 brakes on the lower spec models...so my local dealer - Hargroves, totton, suggested I buy the frame (a 9.8) and build it up myself! I now have a very rare campag equipped disc braked boardman - might be one of a kind for all i know!
i bought my lovely wilier zero 7 off the internet knowing it would be perfect and it is!!
but last year when i wanted to get a second 'winter' bike i thought i'd try out a few before settling on something! I ended up deciding that a boardman elite CXR was the best model for me in a size small (annoyingly i'm between s and m). however, I was really pleased I tried all three models as I didn't like the aluminium 9.0, and I really hated the SRAM groupset on the 9.2. I also really didn't like the shimano DI2 on the 9.4...I also didn't rate the avid bb7 brakes on the lower spec models...so my local dealer - Hargroves, totton, suggested I buy the frame (a 9.8) and build it up myself! I now have a very rare campag equipped disc braked boardman - might be one of a kind for all i know!
I might be the other thread 
I've wondered about the point of a test ride too. As I (pretty much literally) stumbled across the shop I am test riding with, and they suggested it, I decided it would be worth doing.
In all honesty I probably would consider it worthwhile, as it's my first roadbike in 25 years and I am also keen to compare steel with carbon.
It's a bit like buying a car - I need to drive the right model and engine (me in the case of a bike) but not the exact spec. Therefore, I don't think it's worth test riding myriad similar variations. 105 vs ultegra etc, should be easier to compare on paper. Frames and wheels might be bigger issues that are harder to decide upon, and a test ride or two right before purchase can help make the mind up.
Unless its the same day and location I would imagine it is very hard to make a fair comparison.
Last point, if after my test rides I still can't tell the difference between steel and carbon then I will come back on this thread and explain how pointless test rides are
I've wondered about the point of a test ride too. As I (pretty much literally) stumbled across the shop I am test riding with, and they suggested it, I decided it would be worth doing.
In all honesty I probably would consider it worthwhile, as it's my first roadbike in 25 years and I am also keen to compare steel with carbon.
It's a bit like buying a car - I need to drive the right model and engine (me in the case of a bike) but not the exact spec. Therefore, I don't think it's worth test riding myriad similar variations. 105 vs ultegra etc, should be easier to compare on paper. Frames and wheels might be bigger issues that are harder to decide upon, and a test ride or two right before purchase can help make the mind up.
Unless its the same day and location I would imagine it is very hard to make a fair comparison.
Last point, if after my test rides I still can't tell the difference between steel and carbon then I will come back on this thread and explain how pointless test rides are
Daveyraveygravey said:
I've done a bit recently. Evans are really good, because they can get the bike you want to test, other shops often have demo bikes that start at £2k+, and I was trying to limit the spend to around £1500.
Started with a Giant Propel Advanced Pro 2 retails at £2.5k. Considering my current bike is a £500 Ebay special, it felt out of this world. I wanted to check it wasn't a bone shaker and I could stay in the position for more than 2 minutes, and it was brilliant; smooth and I pushed myself along at a good speed. The wheels were good but susceptible to cross winds and it was an awful blowy trying to rain kind of day. When I rode it, I was thinking of a Propel a couple of notches down the range, that retails for £1650. Anyway, Giant are one of the shops that don't have a demo bike in all price ranges, and if you were cynical, you could say that's how they get you to spend A LOT more than your budget. Because that is what I am going to do, had a bit of luck financially.
The Evans experience was interesting too. I arranged a Cannondale Super Six 105 with the Brighton shop, I wanted to try a "conventional" road bike to see how it fared against the aero bikes that had caught my eye. It came in a few days later and then they call you to arrange a time for a demo ride. All the paperwork makes it look like you are buying the thing, which is worrying but all the conversations with the store were about a demo so I went along anyway. I chose to do it at 6pm on a Thursday, which is a good time for me, but not the best time to be riding an unfamiliar new bike in busy traffic. The Cannondale was brilliant but Brighton's taxi drivers were on a mission to take me out so I didn't ride it as long as I wanted.
I then took a Fuji Transonic out from Evans at Gatwick. This is more of a direct rival to the Propel, but sells for £250 more than my target £1650 Propel. Again, a lovely thing, arguably even more sexy with the down tube curving like an S, but it felt harsher (admittedly on different roads on a different day) and the spec isn't quite what I want.
So apart from I've ended up spending £900 more than I budgetted, I would recommend test riding!
Bit unfair to judge ride quality when the bikes are running standard tyres. The tyres on the SuperSix and the Giant will probabaly retail at about £15 each and could well be a bit stiff. Something like a Conti 4 Seasons would smooth out the ride due to softer side walls. Started with a Giant Propel Advanced Pro 2 retails at £2.5k. Considering my current bike is a £500 Ebay special, it felt out of this world. I wanted to check it wasn't a bone shaker and I could stay in the position for more than 2 minutes, and it was brilliant; smooth and I pushed myself along at a good speed. The wheels were good but susceptible to cross winds and it was an awful blowy trying to rain kind of day. When I rode it, I was thinking of a Propel a couple of notches down the range, that retails for £1650. Anyway, Giant are one of the shops that don't have a demo bike in all price ranges, and if you were cynical, you could say that's how they get you to spend A LOT more than your budget. Because that is what I am going to do, had a bit of luck financially.
The Evans experience was interesting too. I arranged a Cannondale Super Six 105 with the Brighton shop, I wanted to try a "conventional" road bike to see how it fared against the aero bikes that had caught my eye. It came in a few days later and then they call you to arrange a time for a demo ride. All the paperwork makes it look like you are buying the thing, which is worrying but all the conversations with the store were about a demo so I went along anyway. I chose to do it at 6pm on a Thursday, which is a good time for me, but not the best time to be riding an unfamiliar new bike in busy traffic. The Cannondale was brilliant but Brighton's taxi drivers were on a mission to take me out so I didn't ride it as long as I wanted.
I then took a Fuji Transonic out from Evans at Gatwick. This is more of a direct rival to the Propel, but sells for £250 more than my target £1650 Propel. Again, a lovely thing, arguably even more sexy with the down tube curving like an S, but it felt harsher (admittedly on different roads on a different day) and the spec isn't quite what I want.
So apart from I've ended up spending £900 more than I budgetted, I would recommend test riding!
I have only done one test ride and that was a Scott Foil 30. Great looking machine, but I didn't buy it. I decided to upgrade my Defy instead. In hindsight, I should have bought the Scott! At the time I remember being put off by the saddle and general quality of the finishing kit.
The service from Evans was pretty good though. No hard sell and it was all very efficient.
I bought my Planet X CX and Giant Defy with out test rides and both were fine
A while back when I had 2k+ to waste on a race bike I test rode a couple from the shop on a short loop (Epic cycles). Deffo worth it if you can try several different ones. I narrowed it down to a Scott (cant remember model) and a Bianchi B4P- went for the Bianchi as I liked the really smooth ride it had.
Nope - anyway I'm 6' 4" so just buy the biggest size of the bike I like.
Plus a pootle round the car park isn't going to give me much indication of how it will handle hammering down a black run. MY LBS does do lenders - but it you bend it you bought it. I'd hate to find out a bike doesn't do an 8ft drop very well - chuck me off and them I'm forced to buy it.
Plus a pootle round the car park isn't going to give me much indication of how it will handle hammering down a black run. MY LBS does do lenders - but it you bend it you bought it. I'd hate to find out a bike doesn't do an 8ft drop very well - chuck me off and them I'm forced to buy it.
I've never bothered, always just gone for something that I like the look of and has a decent spec for the price. I've had a road bike that supposedly had 'sportive' geometry and my current one is apparently full on 'race' geometry, but to be honest unless I rode them back to back I couldn't really tell the difference. A bit of marketing guff there I reckon.
Mr Gearchange said:
Nope - anyway I'm 6' 4" so just buy the biggest size of the bike I like.
Plus a pootle round the car park isn't going to give me much indication of how it will handle hammering down a black run. MY LBS does do lenders - but it you bend it you bought it. I'd hate to find out a bike doesn't do an 8ft drop very well - chuck me off and them I'm forced to buy it.
I really wanted to like a Kinesis Aithein, it's not mainstream it's design ethos appealed to me, the show special with very expensive wheels absolutely looked the bPlus a pootle round the car park isn't going to give me much indication of how it will handle hammering down a black run. MY LBS does do lenders - but it you bend it you bought it. I'd hate to find out a bike doesn't do an 8ft drop very well - chuck me off and them I'm forced to buy it.
ks. I rode it (carefully) round the car park - and decided it wasn't different enough from my current 90's ally bike for me. Maybe if I had a stable of 5 or 6 bikes it would have a place but as an almost only one bike household it didn't give me anything new or special. My point is don't dismiss a casual pootle round the car park. But if you can, have a proper ride in s
t weather of at least 30 mins. It just HAS to be better than not. And if I win the lottery I may well spend the first month of not having to work, out test riding mega expensive bikes, and being a bit of a tt with bike shops (!)Edited by Daveyraveygravey on Wednesday 18th March 21:30
sjg said:
... but there's so much variation in how things feel (shock pressures, tyres, stem/bar length, etc) that are easily changeable, and would get changed after buying, that it all felt a bit pointless really.
I acknowledge and agree with this. I know what a bike is like to ride. I also know the riding position I find comfortable. If I'm close to that comfortable riding position when sitting on it in the shop, then I know I can adjust things here and there, or even swap-out the odd component (shorter stem usually) to suit myself after I've bought it. No bike will be 100% for me off the shelf so I buy based on the general size and shape, and the collection of parts that are hung off it.I only ride flat-bar bikes. Maybe it's easier to find a comfortable riding position than on a drop-bar bike?
Anyway, I tend to change components from time to time just to see how they feel - sometimes significantly altering the riding position. I usually keep the old components and use them for building up other bikes to lend people or simply build a bike just because I've enough components to do so. My latest "trend" is "Mary" type handlebars - I've put 3 different types of swept-bars onto 3 of my bikes recently to see which type I prefer. At £20 a pop, it's a fun experiment (I prefer the On One Og bar out of them all - so far).
I've bought 2 brand new bikes for myself in the past 5 years, one was £700 and the other £1300, so nothing like as expensive as others here. I expect to buy a new bike every 3 years, just as something interesting grabs me. The next one will be a CF flat-bar cyclocross bike but this one will be bought one component at a time and built-up as I buy them. The frame and forks will be bought on-line - so no chance of doing any "fit" comparisons until it turns up.
You cant test some bikes, they either lack sufficient UK distributors or arent available as a complete bike. You just have to do plenty of research and talk to people who own one or a knowledgeable shop who can advise but not necessarily put you off and steer you on to something they stock.
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