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Timely topic for me as I just ordered a new bike without a test ride. But this isn't my first bike. I also knew based on my current bikes what I wanted in this new bike. Spent some time online researching possible candidates then went to a local bike shop and spent a lot of time talking with one of the guys about my needs. I've ended up with something that wasn't originally on my radar but should meet my needs. The only thing that needs to be changed out is the rear cassette to give me some lower gears. I'm also getting a full fitting as the last time I bought a new bike was 14 years ago. Time has done nothing positive to affect my flexibility.
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ddeand, that is one of the grimmest sigs I have ever seen.
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Nashville TN undoubtedly has more than 1 bike shop every 100 miles..
OP managed to find ones that sold Giant and Specialized brands.. |
Originally Posted by fietsbob
(Post 20153842)
Nashville TN undoubtedly has more than 1 bike shop every 100 miles..
OP managed to find ones that sold Giant and Specialized brands.. “Within a 100 mile radius, you're lucky to find a LBS that even has one of the several you're considering, much less in your exact size” Regarding the second half of your response... Actually, no. I had to purchase my Roam in Knoxville (200 miles away) as no one here had the one I was looking for, nor could get it. |
I've never had a test-ride on any bike that I've purchased. Nor any that I didn't purchase. For an entry-level bike and a new cyclist, I honestly see no point in it.
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It's still early, Shops restocking is coming for the season, ahead.. dropped by my local, owner and Vendor sales rep working on that.
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Originally Posted by Maelochs
(Post 20153229)
Does this mean Another bike, or your first bike?
It seems you know your general size. Do you have a bike that fits already which you want to replace? Or just N+1? I own a yard-sale bike, a bike which shouldn't fit which was .... well its very complicated but I ended up getting a bike someone else chose for someone else and I like it, luckily .... a Craigslist bike I "test-rode" around a parking lot mostly to see that the levers all worked, a bike which is too big that I bought because ti was almost free, and three bikes I bought online. If you are new to cycling .... then sorry, but your best bet is to drive to a few shops regardless of time and cost, and make sure you know your size at least .... or pay to get a fitting. This online utility works wonders for some and is garbage for others. Roll the dice: https://www.competitivecyclist.com/S...ulatorBike.jsp I used those measurements, and a Dollar Store elementary school drafting kit to make a mechanical drawing of the bike i wanted, and using that, and measurements from existing bikes, figured out what size I needed. Once you know basically what you need in stack, reach, and saddle setback you can work out sizing from published geometry charts. Also ... it helps to know what you like in a bike and what you like a bike to do, and like to do with a bike. If you have No clue, then try thrift stores and yard sales, and very cheap bikes on EBay. Or, for $100, get a seven-speed flatbar bike from Wally's Box. From there you can learn about maintenance (not kidding but sort of) but you can also find how you like to ride, and you can learn where you like your contact points to be. Once you figure out where saddle, pedals, and handlebars need to be for You to be comfortable, you can shop online with confidence. As for the less quantifiable "feel" of a bike, tires are the biggest issue, followed maybe by wheels. .... and in terms of geometry, head-tube angle. If the bike has a 74-degree head-tube angle, every time you sneeze you will switch lanes. If the head tube is at has 67 degrees, every time you push the bars you will turn ... tomorrow (basically.) Longer chain stays and a longer wheelbase tend to mean a bike which corners a bit more slowly ... but if you are not racing ... meh. Just a thing, not a huge thing. Ask about tire clearance. A bike which can handle max 25-mm tires is probably meant for (or fancies itself to be meant for) rapid riders who aren't interested in comfort. 35-45 mm and it is more a gravel/touring bike, with wheels And tires which are probably heavier and a little more sluggish. 28 mm seems to be the happy medium for comfort and speed nowadays. Beyond all that ... we need details. I currently have a Giant Roam and Specialized Roubaix SL4 Been seriously cycling the last 4 years. Of course I know my size. Thanks for the head tube info that I wasn't aware of. The deal is, I want another endurance road bike, and I've narrowed it down (based on specs, reviews, color schemes, etc..) to two bikes. 2018 Trek Domane SL 5 Disc - 105, hydraulic discs (two musts) and front and rear IsoSpeed Decouplers (intriguing). 2018 Specialized Roubaix Sport. Impressed with the Future Shock, but also concerned bugs may need to be worked out for a year or two. 105, but mechanical discs (which I'm not really wanting). But, I really like Specialized bikes. I'm leaning toward the Trek, but I'm wanting/needing to ride both before I come to a final conclusion. I'm 6'3, so needless to say, no LBS within a couple hundred miles have either one of these in my size (Trek - 62cm, Specialized 61cm). Riding each is important to me to determine exactly which one I want to purchase. I don't know about you, but $2500 is a good chunk of change for me, and I want to be confident in my decision. But, no LBS wants to get my size in unless purchased (or there about) first. Hence, my dilemma. |
Originally Posted by rumrunn6
(Post 20153444)
would you really want a bike so rare that it couldn't be found in a store somewhere? meaning, I find it safer to by a bike that is popular (but then, I only buy pre-owned)
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Originally Posted by Machka
(Post 20153022)
I rarely test ride my bicycles before purchasing them.
But I do know what my frame dimensions should be. NOW, I'm hearing something totally different. :bang: |
Originally Posted by GadgetGirlIL
(Post 20153775)
Timely topic for me as I just ordered a new bike without a test ride. But this isn't my first bike. I also knew based on my current bikes what I wanted in this new bike. Spent some time online researching possible candidates then went to a local bike shop and spent a lot of time talking with one of the guys about my needs. I've ended up with something that wasn't originally on my radar but should meet my needs. The only thing that needs to be changed out is the rear cassette to give me some lower gears. I'm also getting a full fitting as the last time I bought a new bike was 14 years ago. Time has done nothing positive to affect my flexibility.
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Originally Posted by one4smoke
(Post 20154821)
N+1
I currently have a Giant Roam and Specialized Roubaix SL4 Been seriously cycling the last 4 years. Of course I know my size. Thanks for the head tube info that I wasn't aware of. The deal is, I want another endurance road bike, and I've narrowed it down (based on specs, reviews, color schemes, etc..) to two bikes. 2018 Trek Domane SL 5 Disc - 105, hydraulic discs (two musts) and front and rear IsoSpeed Decouplers (intriguing). 2018 Specialized Roubaix Sport. Impressed with the Future Shock, but also concerned bugs may need to be worked out for a year or two. 105, but mechanical discs (which I'm not really wanting). But, I really like Specialized bikes. I'm leaning toward the Trek, but I'm wanting/needing to ride both before I come to a final conclusion. I'm 6'3, so needless to say, no LBS within a couple hundred miles have either one of these in my size (Trek - 62cm, Specialized 61cm). Riding each is important to me to determine exactly which one I want to purchase. I don't know about you, but $2500 is a good chunk of change for me, and I want to be confident in my decision. But, no LBS wants to get my size in unless purchased (or there about) first. Hence, my dilemma. For instance ... mech discs are lame. I have Spyres, supposedly the gold standard, with 105 levers. I think my Ultegra rim brakes are better. I have a set of 105 hydro discs but I am not sure if they are to good for my disc frame. I Know how good hydro discs are from MTB riding. I have heard various things about future shock ... not sold on the decouplers but haven't heard anything not good .... But I will never again pay money for mech disc brakes,.. just not worth it. |
Originally Posted by one4smoke
(Post 20154861)
I wish I had a dollar for every time I've read on this forum "ride all that you like and choose the one that feels the best to you" and I could probably buy either of the $2,500 bikes I'm looking at.
NOW, I'm hearing something totally different. :bang: https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...surements.html https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...e-you-try.html Measure all your current bicycles ... especially the ones the feel good on long rides. Put the data into a spreadsheet so you can compare. Buy a frame within that range. Adjust as necessary with things like saddle and handlebar height, fork, crankarm length, etc. If do not have a bicycle, and you're in the market to buy one ... then you might want to try riding several and make some determination on which feels best. You might get some idea of size that way and one thing you'll check is reach: with the saddle in the optimum fore/aft position, can you comfortably ride on the hoods. But the one that actually feels best to you will likely be the one with the best tyre pressure ... not too hard, not too soft. :) |
Originally Posted by one4smoke
(Post 20154839)
The two bikes I'm interested in are VERY popular. Unfortunately, it's my size that isn't. THAT's why no LBS' have them.
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It's easy to get picky, based on what you're used to, and how it feels at any given time. But fact is, your body adapts. Any new bike will take a little getting used to, no two are the same, and so it's more a case of getting one you know you're gonna adapt to well, as opposed to getting one that'll fit just-so straight out the box.
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Marlo has said:
ddeand, that is one of the grimmest sigs I have ever seen. |
Buy the bike that doesn't fit you and is most uncomfortable to ride , that way you always have a reason and room to improve!
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I've only test-ridden one of my bikes prior to purchase. Most I tend to buy 'unseen' online. I always change all the 'touch points' on all of them anyway: the grips, saddle, pedals and sometimes the seat tube, and adjust them to suit. I've even gone as far as having the entire braking system replaced on a brand new bike to the one that I wanted because I liked the bike itself, just not the brakes.
The only decision for me is how the bike looks and whether it's available in approximately the right frame size for me. I have to agree with [MENTION=381754]MikeyMK[/MENTION] - your body will adapt to the bike unless the frame size is way out for your body measurements. My hybrid is a medium and the cruiser and fattie are small frames. All of them fit fine and are very comfortable. |
I think you're doing this whole bike purchase process backward.
Shop for a bike shop first. There are much greater differences among bike shops than there are differences among bicycle brands. Audition the local bike shops in your area. When you stumble on the one with people whom you can identify with - that's it. Pick a style and brand of bike that you like at a price point that you can manage and you'll never go wrong. |
Shop for a bike shop first. |
Originally Posted by one4smoke
(Post 20152982)
So, when buying a new bike, one will obviously debate all the pros and cons of the two or three one has narrowed it down to. When asking for advice on them, "ride all that you like and choose the one that feels the best to you" will invariably follow. Great advice, but therein lies the problem...
Any logical solutions to this dilemma that won't put either at a disadvantage? |
Go custom with a frame builder who knows his/her stuff.
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Originally Posted by BBassett
(Post 20167630)
Pretend you are choosing an adult escort, get the one that looks best to you and that you feel will fit the situation and put your money down.
Originally Posted by indyfabz
(Post 20167641)
Go custom with a frame builder who knows his/her stuff.
Anyway ... back to bikes .... |
Originally Posted by Maelochs
(Post 20167685)
not that I could afford the service anyway .....
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I agree that test rides are overrated. By the time someone has cycled enough miles to tell what perceived differences are significant, they should be able to look at a spec sheet and geometry chart and decide what they want.
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Originally Posted by McBTC
(Post 20153401)
Giant bikes come in sizes like XL but most don't...
:lol: |
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