DerekU2

I got into cycling this year through commuting. My only bike is a 1997 GT Timberline which I've got rigged up for commuting. My favorite rides were my longer weekend rides, but I'm hurting for a road bike so that I can extend the rides and be more comfortable. My fiance has informed me she is buying me a bicycle as an engagment gift (Yeah, she's a keeper). I've got a few bikes in mind and I'm not even here to ask your opinion on what I should get - I know it's going to come down to how it rides.

And therein lies the problem - I'm a new cyclist and I'll be taking my test rides in the New England cold. I don't really know quite what to look for while I'm riding the bike other than a basic level of comfort (although the different riding position will likely lead to SOME discomfort, no?). So I turn to you - what should I do to put my test bikes through their paces?

EventServices

Size and fit can be tweeked to fit you. You can still feel the bike's qualities even if you're not dialed in on the fit.

For example...
How does the bike feel when you put power into the pedals?
How does it feel on the bumpy pavement?
How does it track when you're going around a corner?
Take it up a hill and note how much it fights you going up.
Get up to a decent speed on a downhill and see how stable it is.

Ask the bike shop to give you two very different bikes to ride so you can feel the contrast. That will give you a better frame of reference.

Avalanche325

You are right. If you come from a MTB and get a road bike that "feels right", it will be very wrong. Go here to see what ballpark you are in for a bike fit. https://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...LCULATOR_INTRO A good LBS can do a full professional fitting. Most do not do anything close to one.

You have a lot of things to decide on. Frame material - they all have different ride characteristics. And it is even more confusing mow that there are mixed material frames. Test ride.

Components - level and manufacturer. I would decide on my "minimum standards" and only look at bikes that meet or exceed this. For manufacturer, please don't listen to all of the Shimano / Campy religious zealots here. TRY THEM BOTH. I liked the way the Shimano shifters felt in my hands. You may like the way Campy fits you. One brand does not work any better than the other, no matter what the preachers say. Test ride.

Wheels - get the best that you can afford for your riding style. You don't want super lightweight raceday only wheels, well, unless you are racing. You want light, but strong. Test ride.

Double / Triple / or Compact - These are gears, the transmission of your bike. You want what fits the terrain where you live combined with your own abilities. If you don't live in the mountains, you probably want a double. If you are in the mountains, your choices just got a lot harder. Again, lots of religion here. If you haven't decided, look up one of my posts on "speed ranges". I have a triple because I bought my bike when I lived in the mountains. I am now in a flat area, so I only need a double. (but the triple is still fine) I am the same, but my terrain changed, so the gearing that I need changed. I move a lot, so I am sure it will get used again.

The bottom line is test ride, test ride, test ride. The first couple times a road bike will feel really weird. After that you will be able to feel the differances. Don't rush. Do lots of research so you get the bike you want / need.

Two more tips.
1. At the time of purchase is the cheapest time to get upgrades if needed.
2. ALWAYS ask for a discount.

neil0502

https://www.chainreactionbicycles.com...etestrides.htm

rjtokyo

+1. - RJ

DerekU2

Thanks for the input everyone. The links were very helpful. When it comes to negotiating prices, would I have better luck asking for a discount or for throw-ins (Speedplay Pedals, Flight Deck Computer, etc)?

webist

Neil, that was a great link.

Don't expect some of those things to be "thown in." Discounts offered, if your LBS charges fair prices, may not appear dramatic. You should expect more in the way of discounts on maintenance. In that regard, make certain you visit frequently, so as to remind them that you made a substantial purchase.

Avalanche325

They will almost always throw in bottle cages and bottles. The other accessories you will usually get a discount on. You can usually get a discount off of the price of the bike, just for asking. It depends on the bike and the shop. But, if you don't ask, you get to pay full MSRP for everything.

marqueemoon

Ask about swapping parts at the time of purchase. If there are specific parts you want to get to replace what's on the bike (stem, saddle, seatpost, etc...), see if they'll give you credit towards the purchase. Many shops will.

As far as test riding goes, make sure you get it adjusted to fit you correctly. Don't be afraid to stop back in and ask for the saddle to be raised, stem repositioned, etc...

Ride bikes you can afford. Ride bikes you could never afford. Ride bikes cheaper than your budget. Ride the "right" size. Ride the "wrong" size, and so on...

christo87

To really find contrasts in bikes, you need to be fitted perfectly to each one. If they are subtley differently set up i.e. different saddle, different stem length, you might as well not bother