Maelochs

I agree here ... but it seemed this guy was not comfortable. I went through a ton of agonizing, measuring, sketching (I now realize, more than I needed) before getting my Workswell frame ... but as a result, it is absolutely perfect. I now know I could do that same again. But the OP ... didn't seem so sure.

I can see this. For a new rider, if they couldn't make a choice in 15 minutes, they probably couldn't in 15 hours, because they lacked the criteria anyway ... they wouldn't even know what to look for---and who would want a first-time buyer gone for longer than that?

For a more experienced rider, s/he should know the criteria and be able to tell ... on the other hand, if a stem was too long or something., it might be reasonable for the shop to swap that for the ride (about any bike shop will have a bunch of spare parts out back.)

Just around the parking lot seems wrong, though. I'd want some room to build some speed, and to stay in one posture for more than a few seconds.

As for wear .... unless the bikes are scratched ... the dealer shouldn't find it too hard to wash a bike after a test ride. If it were my store and I were worried, I might get some automotive tire treatment and shine up the tires, if I had ever had a complaint. If a customer complained that a biker had been test-ridden, I would offer new tires ... or suggest that I would take one out of stock or order one ..... but then, no test ride. cash up front, and if you don't like it, too bad.

That's just customer ignorance---"I want a test ride, but I refuse to buy a bike which anyone else has tested." Later, dude.

MinnMan

I've seen and participated in these kinds of threads before, but let me add my $0.02 once again.

The test ride is probably most important for a rider of intermediate experience. Someone who really knows bikes and how they fit doesn't need a test ride - as previously said by others, they can look up the size and geometry and after that it's just the fit. A beginner doesn't know how to judge the ride very well in the first place and may not learn as much on a test ride as they might imagine.

After riding my first true (alloy) road bike for a few years (the trek), a few years ago I was in the market for an upgrade to carbon. I had heard great things from others about endurance road bikes such as the Roubaix, but had never ridden one. I test rode a few - a Roubaix, a Felt Z series bike, etc. But despite the fact that they were "better" bikes, they felt unresponsive to me as compared to my alloy Trek. My test rides were about 10-15 miles, which is what i needed to get a range of experiences - accelerating in the flats, climbing a hill or two, cornering at speed, etc. So then I rode a more aggressive geometry (Felt F series), and I knew what I wanted. Sold.

For me, at that time, the test ride was essential and it needed to be more than 15 minutes.

mercator

I agree that test rides are overrated and for inexperienced riders, little value is gained from them. On the other hand, manufacturer demo days can be a real eye opener. Getting to ride the same size frame at different price points allows you to contrast mechanical with electronic shifting, carbon vs aluminum, integrated seatpost, etc...

As for the OP, those bikes are all good quality options, you really just need to understand your fit requirements and pick a colour and price point that suits you.

Anti404

I guess I was just hoping that maybe someone had some suggestions or things to look for on these short rides, but I wasn't really sure. Honestly all the bikes felt "pretty good" but without really dialing in the fit and throwing on a good saddle and cruising for a good hour or so, I found it a little bit hard to nitpick between them. Personally I think I'd be happy with any (except for the Synapse on which I seemed to be either stretched or cramped on).

I've also looked into the Ribble Gran Fondo series, which from a geometry and component inspection seems to do the trick but I've heard iffy things about their after-sales service and considering it'd be an overseas purchase that may cause some other issues...

MinnMan

It's funny about how different LBS have such different policies about test rides.

A couple of weeks ago I was shopping for (and then bought) my first cx/gravel bike. I was in the shop preparing for a test ride and I said, half in jest, that it was a pity that there were no unpaved trails nearby, as riding on pavement would not tell me as much about a bike that I intended to ride on gravel roads.

The sales guy said, "Actually, there's a street a few blocks from here that's all torn up because they just put in new sewer lines. They're done with the sewers, but there's no pavement yet - you can ride on rough gravel there for maybe 8 blocks straight."

So they were fine with me taking their bike onto a horrible rough road. In fact, I bought that bike, but if I hadn't, they were definitely risking some scratching of the finish.

Anti404

Well, of the 3 shops I've visited only the Scott dealer allowed me anything longer than a couple laps around the parking lot. I was not able to try the 58cm Scott, as it was not in-stock, but I did try both 56 and 58cm Giant Defy, Trek Domane, and Cannondale Synapse and found the 58 to fit a little better. Looking at the specs, the 58cm Scott seems more in-line with the 58s in other brands so I figure I should order that - I just hate to do so blindly. I'm going mostly by Stack and Reach measurements as they seem to be most important.