Originally Posted by
roadwarrior
It comes from many years of being given a bike that we would ride that season, getting ti set up and racing it. They really did not care what I thought. I recognize that does not work for most people, but I truly think that there is too much based on that test ride.
Anyway, a buddy of mine bought a car. He drove it three miles. That was his test drive.
I test drove my Outback about 10 miles. Took it on the freeway for 2-3 miles and got it up to speed then the roads around the dealer. Was enough for me but it was also my 5th Subaru. I more or less know how they drive and was mainly making sure nothing obvious was wrong. Also test drove a CVT version and realized I didn't like it. Would have been bad to say it's a Subaru so I'll like it and buy without a test drive. I don't think it's a question of distance. It's more about some piece of mind. If you didn't test ride/drive and ended up not liking it or finding out it had issues you would only be mad at yourself. If you at least did the test ride/drive then you can say well, I did test it. Small consolation but for large investments it's prudent to at least check things out. I also watch several TVs to check out the picture and see what I like and demo various speakers. No guarantee they'll look or sound the same in the home but most people would still demo them in the store. I also sat on dozens of sofas before buying one, and I checked out numerous homes before choosing one. Why is it so hard to understand that some people would want a bit of saddle time when buying a bike.
Originally Posted by
Campag4life
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.
And some of us aren't. We need more info. No one can be an expert at everything.