Mars

I am thinking of buying a nice new road bike, maybe spend $3-3.5 K. I have been eyeing Cervelos and found a local dealer. But here is the thing. They say that their technique is to do a long and detailed measurement of my body and assessment of my needs. Then using a computer program they have, recommend the perfect frame for me. But the thing is, they will order the frame, which might be custom made, without me actually riding the bike. I asked how I could decide on a Cervelo, Guru, Serrotta, whatever without taking them out for test rides. They replied that test rides are overrated, that because the bike is unfamiliar, it may feel wrong at first even if it is ideal for you. In contrast, their measurement based technique guaranteed a bike that would be perfectly fitted for me and my needs.

Oh, and the measurement procedure took 3 hours and cost $295. If I buy the bike there, $200 of those dollars would go toward the cost of the bike.

I have never bought a really nice bike before and don't know what to make of all this. What do you guys think?

Pfoot

If you buy the bike, you shouldn't have to pay for the fitting.

I disagree that you can't tell anything from a test ride. I think you need to test ride.

I don't think they're pulling a fast one or anything though; just disagree.

92degrees

My experience with custom (Serotta) was that you can get a pretty good idea of what the bike will feel like, position-wise, from the Fit Cycle. The shop also set up demos (one they had to bring in from another shop) so that I could get a feel for the different models with the demos set up similar to my current ride. Before pulling the trigger, they set up a demo similar to what they recommended. I received similar treatment from Seven, but prefered the ride of the Serotta and liked the shop better.

seely

We do the Serotta fit, and so far its been 100% customer satisfaction, though we do charge $125, which we then apply to the cost of any bike over $2,000. $295 seems a bit rediculous for the Serotta system, and then to only have $200 apply seems more rediculous. We actually only ask our customers to pay what they feel the fit was worth, if they aren't 100% satisfied. So far feedbacks great, and we have had good success sizing custom frames.

gmason

Do you have any road bike now? Does it fit? If so, take the measurements and compare them to those published by the bike manufacturers.

Trogon

I think test rides are a placebo - you cannot tell anything from a poorly fit bike on a short spin around some neighborhood. Despite never having had a test ride and only buying custom or online, I've never ended up with a dog. How does a custom bicycle business provide a test ride? But yet, there are many satisified custom bicycle owners.

I think $295 is a bit steep, but if they do a thorough job and put you on the right bike and it only ends up costing you $95, then it's money well spent. If you decide to shell out the $295, do not allow yourself to get swept alone with the buying process - make them answer your questions about what they're doing and don't get off the Fit Cycle until it feels good for you. I think it's really well spent money if you're not on a bike you enjoy today and do not fully understand what specific geometry parameters mean for you.

In the price range you're shopping, any bike you buy that has been fit properly and built by a talented builder is going to be a fine bicycle.

2Rodies

This depends on what you consider a test ride. When I bought my Cinelli from Bicycle John's in Burbank CA I took it out for a 3 hour ride. The day before I test rode a C40 for the same amount of time. John's lets you try saddles and return them for exchange if they aren't right for you.

DocJ

This thread https://forums.bicycling.com/thread.j...43&tstart=1260 on another site was all about the whole test ride thing. Attn: Those sensitive to elitist roadie mentality beware... I had no idea there were such strong opinions about this. Makes me really thankful for the members here on this forum.

khuon

Same experience here with my FBS and LBSes. I've taken some pretty long demo and test rides. It depends on the shop. Also while a test ride may not give you complete insight into long-term satisfaction and fit, it will probably tell you immediately what doesn't fit or doesn't work.

Hanzo

I'd figure they'd at least have some models you could ride as a reference point. It might fit but maybe the rear end is too stiff for your liking or you prefer a shorter head tube length. I can think of a lot of variables that could come up. Since you're this far into it you may as well finish it out, I'm sure it will be a fine bicycle. I'm just not a person that buys things without physically holding them in my hands first.

slvoid

A test ride can give you insight on how frame geometry might affect the way it FEELS when it pedals, etc. Like the curved seat stays on the litespeeds, you might be able to feel how they dampen vibrations or whatnot.
I didn't rely on fit as much as how my bike felt when I went over potholes, cobble stones, off curbs, and braking in the wet when I bought my commuter. These things, a fit won't be able to tell you. Besides, once you have a frame built specifically for you, you might realize you still have to adjust the stem, stem angle, crank, seat, etc, for fit.