Originally Posted by
banerjek
No way in hell I'm buying without a test ride any more than I'd buy a car without a test drive. Yes, there are many variables such as proper fit, tires, and the like that make a huge difference. But you can rough fit close enough and make some educated guesses as what you like and what you don't.
I spent most of my junior years buying secondhand frames and components, so I never test rode a bike back then. It wasn't a problem, and now that I know what geometry I need, I'd be comfortable not test riding a bike now. Add that to the fact that I love to tinker, that makes me a perfect candidate for a Bikes Direct bike.