Originally Posted by
bikerjp
You missed the point. I didn't say I wouldn't be interested in your knowledge about the bike. It's your knowledge about how it will ride FOR ME that I'm less interested in. I glad so many of you are such bike experts that you can just eyeball a geo chart and know how it will ride. Before spending my hard earned money I want to check it out.
I believe some of us are experts here...we are self professed bike geeks. Bikes are just a collection of parts. I don't ride off the rack. I build my bikes a part at a time. So a bike to me is just a collection of parts. Same for many here...who want to change their groupset...or gearing...or wheels...or tires...or saddle, seatpost, stem and handlebar. A frame is largely about geometry. Reviews on the web will qualify general road manners which typically comport with geometry. With each bike you own you learn more about the relationship between handling and postion. For example, I know a more upright hta and short chainstay/short wheelbase bike will handle more quickly than my Roubaix as I have owned many road bikes of this type.
Its fine that you want a test ride. But the longer you are involved with the sport, you don't need one really. The web is a great resource.