the manufacturers should at a minimum be doing test ride events a few strategic times per yr.

Op, I would think there would be some demo events in your area in a couple months or so. i sat on a venge at the prompting of a bike shop employee and immediately felt faster so I turned down the test ride. it was long and low, nice contrast to my cr-1. If I had your budget it'd be in my garage now.

Test rides are important, much more to how a bike rides than just geometry. there's this phenomenon called tube shaping and different materials even, simpy amazing.