Hey all:

Been shopping at my various local bike shops for a road bike. The problem? I find that shops only seem to sell two or three brands. One is all Trek. Another has Felt, Giant, and Orbea. Another has Scott, Klein, and Raleigh. A certain shop may carry the brand I like, but may not have the model I want to try, e.g., it'll have the Giant OCR 3 but not the OCR 2. Or they have the model I want, but not in my size. What do I do? Do I ride a different bike in the same size? Do I ride the same model in a different size? How can I know if I like the bike if I'm not riding the precise model I want in the proper size? Also, I've had shops offer to put together a bike for me out of the box for me to do a test ride. Awfully nice of them, but I felt guilty making someone do that just for a test ride.

As you can tell, I'm new to this process. Any advice would be appreciated.

Yea seems alot like buying a car right? No Mazda's at the Ford dealership.

Essentially that is the way it works. Bike shops make deals with various manufacturers so you have to shop around (literally). Often certain manufacturers don't have much of a presence in certain areas. I think the nearest Orbea dealer to me is about 90min away.

As for the test rides. It can vary. In some cases, such as your OCR example, ride the correct size in the different model. For basic fit and feel, an OCR3 and OCR2 are going to be pretty close. I have an OCR3 and my buddy has an OCR1. As far as fit/feel honestly they are pretty close. This is probably a common problem. I had that just about everywhere. But riding the correct size in a similar model is "close enough" to start out with IMO.

If you get serious about buying a bike. Say you decide you really want the OCR2. Then you can go back to the shop and talk to them about it. Some shops will order the size, with a small security deposit, but ultimately if you don't like it they won't charge you. Some are not as nice and you are just plain screwed etc.

Basically it is ALOT like buying a car. On that initial test drive you may often try something "close" but not exactly what you want. But once you get to the point of wanting to buy the dealer will find the exact model you want and let you test ride it before you sign on the dotted line.

-D

Thanks for the advice. If I'm spending close to $1000 on something, I want to do what I can to make sure I'm buying something that I'll be happy with. Like the other day, I test rode the Felt f-80 but in a 58, not in a 56 (which is my size). Then I rode the Felt SRD 92 (more of a comfort bike) in the proper size. The 2nd bike felt much better, but is it because of the bike or because it was the right size? Hard to tell. I understand the shops' problem. Space is limited and they can't have every size in every model on the floor ready to go. But it does make it harder on the consumer. I'm about to just spin a roulette wheel and buy one of the five that I've been reading up on a lot.

Here's why I think test rides are overrated for a $1000+ bike:

- Stem length and height are individual things that make a huge difference in comfort and handling. Unless the shop is willing to fit you and configure the stem to meet your fit before you do the test ride, you're wasting your time during the test ride.

- The typical test ride lasts 5 minutes. My typical bike ride is 2 hours. What seems comfortable after 5 minutes might not be after 2 hours (and vice versa).

- Seat height, fore-aft position, and style are all individual things that make a huge difference in comfort and bike feel. You shouldn't decide whether or not you like a particular bike based on the seat it comes with, especially if the shop hasn't taken the time to match the height and fore-aft position to your particular anatomy. Even so, if the seat doesn't fit your "sit bones" then you're getting a negative view of the bike based on the seat. Also, a padded seat might seem comfortable for 5 minutes but might be unbearable during a 5 hour ride.

I will say that one benefit of a test ride is that you get a feel for the component group used on that bike.

--Steve

Don't feel bad about them putting the bike together. They bought the bike, they're intending to put it together eventually.

Where do you live? Is it a smaller town? Try traveling to a larger city and test ridding your bike there. Then come back and have your local shop special-order the bike you want.

Steve: Thanks for the tips. Also, I checked out your blog. Very impressive before and after pics. I have to admit I'm a lot closer to the former than the latter, being 39 years old, 6'0 and about 190 pounds. Two kids and a busy job take their toll if you're not careful.

I need to quit this *****-footing around in bike shopping and buy a damned bike. Giant, Felt, Cannondale - what ever. Just buy one, have it properly fitted, and hit the road.

Thanks again.

I agree with this to a point...for example if one bike is stiffer than another you can tell this in a 5min ride, but then again with all the bikes I have I think I've done a test ride maybe once

yep - pretty much.

the frames aren't going to be that much different and the components are probably similar if not identical across the brands at your price level. i say you'll be happy with something that a) fits and b) meets your price range and c) is tuned up and maintained properly.

Ya, how'd you like to have a LBS tell you that you can't test ride that $1000, $2000, $3000 bike other than on a rim trainer in the store? Our local Trek dealer has lost sales to 2 of my friends both upgrading from MTBs to roadies. Both bought bikes, spent nearly $2500 between them, but both bought bikes from another shop simply due to the fact that they weren't allowed to test ride. The other shop pretty much required them to test ride..oh well...

Actually Mazda is part of Ford Motor Company. As is Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin.

Sorry, off topic, I know.

Never taken a test ride. No one is going to let me have a bike for a week so I can really get to know it and I just don't see the value in a spin around the block.

Never had a problem either. Spend a lot of time researching the bikes I'm interested in and I know what I like in terms of stiffness, weight, and components. Also make sure the bike fits well and spend a lot of time on that with the LBS.

My test rides lasted at least thirty minutes and I rode whatever I wanted. But these guys knew me and this isn't a big city.

Test ride some bikes, find the one that fits you best, then have the shop take the time to really fit you to the bike. Take that for a spin. If the LBS knows what it is doing; you should be in good shape.

Once you buy your bike, take pictures of it and post them here. The bike should be leaning against a white garage door with the chain in the large ring/small cog configuration with the crankside showing. Go ahead and flip the stem for that racer look. For best results, pose next to your bike in full team kit, Team Discovery is always a good choice.

Thanks for the sarcasm. Much appreciated.

My LBS offered to let me test a bike overnight or for a weekend.