Originally Posted by
shelbyfv
I'm not convinced test rides are particularly useful for most folks. It requires a certain amount of knowledge to understand what you are experiencing as you ride. That same knowledge will allow someone to look at bike specs and a geometry chart and have a pretty good idea how a bike will feel. An experienced cyclist doesn't need a test ride. An inexperienced cyclist doesn't know enough to benefit, outside of egregious fit errors.
I think there's something to be said for having inexperienced riders test ride a variety of bikes, it at least helps eliminate things they find completely unsuitable.