I think test rides are a placebo - you cannot tell anything from a poorly fit bike on a short spin around some neighborhood. Despite never having had a test ride and only buying custom or online, I've never ended up with a dog. How does a custom bicycle business provide a test ride? But yet, there are many satisified custom bicycle owners.

I think $295 is a bit steep, but if they do a thorough job and put you on the right bike and it only ends up costing you $95, then it's money well spent. If you decide to shell out the $295, do not allow yourself to get swept alone with the buying process - make them answer your questions about what they're doing and don't get off the Fit Cycle until it feels good for you. I think it's really well spent money if you're not on a bike you enjoy today and do not fully understand what specific geometry parameters mean for you.

In the price range you're shopping, any bike you buy that has been fit properly and built by a talented builder is going to be a fine bicycle.