Originally Posted by
prathmann
Agreed. And if the primary function is to be as a loaded touring bike then the test rides should include loading it down with the expected amount of weight.
Might be tough for someone with Agrophobia... though Im not agrophobioc I have other social anxiety issues and would have great difficulty asking the shop to let me load a bike up.. just testing the bike I feel embarrased. But then again the only real "cure" for anxiety/OCD disorders is to make yourself do the thing you are scared of (which it looks like is the OP's goal).