Tacfarinas

Hi,

As I lurch to buying my first road bike I seem to be condemned to slightly difficult bike shops. I'm fairly 6'4", and I've never yet been to a shop that carries a bike I'm considering in the largest size available. I understand the difficulties they have, but the fact is that I'd like to try out at least four or five bikes before narrowing it down: at this point I can't even decide between steel, aluminum and carbon, nor do I have much sense for the difference between a 1k bike and a 2k bike.

The only test ride I've actually done was on a bike that was probably one size too small for me. I loved it, but also definitely felt cramped and uncomfortable, with shoulders on their way to getting sore after only about 15 minutes.

So here's my question. Is it stupid to try out a bunch of bikes in slightly smaller sizes than I would actually purchase? Can one make an intelligent decision on that basis, enough to place an order with a bike shop? The shops I like best don't have much inventory and would want me to buy the bike I order. Bottom line, can one leave the perfect fit for later, having ordered a bike from one of those helpful not well stocked shops, and figure out what bike from the undersized models?

Apologies if this is an idiot question, and I suspect that I should probably just take a deep breath and order what I think I want based on reviews, or else what the bike store tells me I want. If the roadie thing takes I'm sure the SECOND road bike will be a more informed decision. But still, I'm curious.

filtersweep

When I purchased my Look, it was only a frameset hanging above the cash register. The shop owner let me ride the Look sales manager's bike- which was a size too large. Many high end bikes need to be built up first--- and you are lucky to even test ride them at all.

urbanknight

I wouldn't bother test riding it if it wasn't the right size. But I know what size I need and what components are good so I take careful measurements before buying it.

55/Rad

I bought a used bike today - I only confirmed the measurements, though I was offerred a test ride.

Sometimes, if you absolutely sure of what you want and need, a test ride isn't necessary.

rodrigaj

I bought a frameset based on high res pictures on ebay and the dimensions.

I knew what I wanted, built it up, and rode it for 1000 miles. The fit wasn't quite what I wanted, so I had a professional fitting done. We changed out the stem and the seat post and tweaked some of the dimensions. I now have a dream bike.

I find test rides to be useless because the bikes are never set up properly. Usually, a seat height change and thats it. Then you ride around the block - this is supposed to mean something? Now, if the LBS lets you take it for a 50 mile ride.... But I would never expect them to do that.

JoeB14

I'm 6'4" also, and had the same problem. No one was willing to special order a bike for me to "try", and in all honesty, I can't say I blame them. I found one place that had a trek 1000 in my size, so that was the only one I rode. When I upgraded I just had to go on the fact (hope?) that the same size frame would work out. It did. On the positive side, being a size that isn't carried frequently by LBS's means I can't make an impulse purchase decision, and end up with too many bikes than I need. Oh, wait, that's right-there is no such thing!

cyclezen

Ideally you'd want to ride the size you're most likely gonna get. But many bike shops being what they are (undercapitalized or accustomed to 'fitting' a customer to their inventory rather than fitting the bike to a customer), you may be limited.
Really, even though bikes each have a different 'feel', most of us can adapt to whatever very quickly. The key to making it work longterm is to have the bike 'fit' adjusted properly when you do get it. Often it will take a few attempts after the purchase and include swappin a part like a stem.
Since its a 1st bike and the differences between bikes and models may not be that apparent, I'd look more to selecting a bike with frame construction and dimensions consistent with your intented use. Which then also will dictate the type and range of gearing you might want/need.
After that, a good bike shop should commit to the proposition that at least 3 decent fitting sessions might be needed to get you within a good ballpark position. You;re experience with the smaller bikes, and your discomfort, illustrate how critical good position and fit are.
Ride as many bikes as you can, within some reasonable range. If the shop can't get it close enough to a decent fit, don;t waste your time.
Use some of the online fit calculators (search BF in prior posts for these calculator URLS) to get some ballpark recommendations which should make it easier for you to know when you're wasting your time.
If and when you decide to buy from a shop, don't hesitate to make them get the proper/most optimum frame size and do the needed work to adjust and make it fit you well.
If you really become a longterm rider, this certainly won;t be your last 'ride'.
BTW, there are lotz of good values out there in 'used' bikes and once you have some good tests under your belt it becomes much easier to know what to look for; even in a 'used' machine.
best of success in your search