dauphin

Ok, so today I went to the new LBS....Victory Velo (shameless plug) and Dan, the owner readies an 06 Bianchi Giro (Celeste, of course) for a promised "long" test ride. He puts my own pedals on the bike and does a little tweaking on my Specialized Sirrus while I'm heading out on his bike. I managed to ride this Bianchi for over an hour and to experience various types of terrain from flats to hills to some serious downhills. This model features Shimano 105 front and rear deraillers as well as 105 cranks and 105 10 speed shifters. This is no hybrid. Don't get me wrong, I love my Sirrus. This is an honest to goodness "road bike". Anyway, I truly loved this bike after having the chance to spend over an hour with it. It's a shame that most of the time you don't have a chance to take a bike out for an extended period. It's quite a decision to spend over a thousand dollars on a bike and one should have the opportunity to put it through its paces. It was a great ride!

CrossChain

So....is it bring the wife and kiddies-- and your checkbook-- and come on down! Do you plan to ride others or will this be a purchase? Or just having fun? OMG...it's Son of DeeGee.

But you are right. So often for buyers its some quick turns in the parking lot or around the block. Maybe if you look serious, are "known" by the LBS, or simply make a demand......long test rides are more available than is thought.

dauphin

I always heard the old cliche...can't hit a homer unless you swing the bat...

People do that all the time at my business. They ask and I either say yes..or I say no. What I don't do is read minds. Never hurts to ask!

NOS88

Test rides are most often better with some extended time. Sounds like you're getting some GAS for a road machine!