Hi everyone,

I'm fairly new here, but I love this place! I recently returned to cycling (used to ride mtb, now road) after about 9 years away, and I'm completely addicted. As I get back into it, I fear I'm going to fast outgrow my flatbar road bike. I love the bike, but I think I'll soon be ready for a more "serious" road bike (with drop bars, to begin with).

Anyhow, my question is mainly for those of you who have purchased some of of the less common bikes--like Colnago, Guerciotti, and the many, many others that aren't necessarily in every LBS. I'd like to test ride a wide array, besides the more "typical" (though great, I'm sure) Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, etc. How do you guys do that? I wouldn't want to plunk the money down for something I couldn't test, and I wouldn't want to buy something if I know there is a world I haven't tested, so I'm wondering how you guys do it? I have loads of LBS nearby here in NYC, but there are tons of brands I'd like to try out that don't seem to be here.

Just curious. Thanks so much!