I just ride 'em. I've learned my lesson that I can shop all I want online, but in the end I'll go with what rides the best. Hell, the last time I bought a bike I was dead set on a Redline 9-2-5. I ended up leaving with a Trek 7.3FX, and it was a hard choice between that, a Volpe and a Redline Monocog 29er. Ironically I'm almost regretting not buying the monocog.. that thing was FUN!

Summary, just start riding them. Find a sales person who doesn't care what you ride or for how long you ride it. Go from there. And just enjoy whatever you ride!