Originally Posted by
Sullalto
I found test rides of dubious use as a brand new rider. Not enough knowledge to make good decisions. Within a few months of daily rides, my taste changed a lot. I would've been better off indulging the up-selling sales people trying to sell me a 'cross/gravel/touring bike instead of the comfort bike with upgraded components.
It's hard to know what kind of rider you'll end up being. The salesperson doesn't know, and the cyclist doesn't know, either. At one point, my rabbi got heavily into cycling after being overweight her whole life. She got an upright bike, hybrid or comfort, I forgot. After a year or so, she needed a harder and narrower saddle. But she had to start somewhere. I think an inexperienced cyclist can't buy one bike that will be the one bike for life.