obie

After a short visit to big-name 'Specialty' store I decide I like the staff and the shop. They carry the bike I've been shopping and, basically want to make the connection and get things rolling. I call them up, let them know what I'm looking for and, ask for a 2 hour test ride.

The LBS staffer calls the big-name bike company who, apparently, do not have a demo model in that size and would actually not want to furnish a new bike for same. LBS guys says he'll get back to me tomm. with more about what they can/can't do here.

Now what?

I can probably find the size I need at another shop in the area but, this shop I started working with is cool and the location is good and they support a club I'm interested in, etc. etc.

The bike is >$1300.00 so I think somebody, the LBS or the manufacturer, should get me on the bike before I make the final decision.

Have I overestimated what a $1300.00 bike is these days to a big LBS? Two-hour test ride too much to ask for if you're a new customer?

Should I have asked for a fitting at the LBS before I called them requesting a frame size I decided on, w/o any input from the LBS?

Trying not to blunder about too much with the LBS, just anxious to get my first good bike AND to have the satisfaction of knowing that I did my homework on the frame/components etc. and got a good long ride on it before I made the decision.

twahl

I think if they have one in stock, your request is perfectly reasonable, even if they don't have one built up on the floor. When I was building for a "big bike company" I did this once in a while.

If they don't have one in stock, then no, I would not expect them to have one shipped to your store for the purpose of a test ride. It costs money to ship a bike, and the profit margin on a bike is pretty low. At $1300 they may be making $300 on it, and you want them to ship it and pay a builder to set it up for you so you can test ride it. I would strongly consider it if the size was one that I was likely to sell, but if it's a particularly small or large frame that you require, probably not.

mkadam68

Test ride the closest equivalent in the line that fits you. Ask about the differences/similarities and what those do to the handle & feel of the bike. Go from there.

Cyclist01012 

I dont understand why you would need a 2 hour test ride. If buying a new car do you take that long of a test ride?

fogrider

I think a 2 hour test ride is not out of the question. it should not really be a big deal. if they need to ship the bike, it might have to wait until the next normal shipment, but they should ship it. the wear on a 2 hour ride is not really much, if they are really worried, they can swap out the wheels to an older pair that are the same. and every bike shop has to stock some small frames and some large frames, can you image if they only stocked 54, 56 and 58? they might as well just sell the most popular bikes from the most pouplar manufacturer.

obie

The LBS is going to work with me on a bike with similar components etc. in my price range. I went up there tonite to look at an Allez Elite and refocus on the Specialized line. (The more buzz the Slipstream guys generate the more of a fanboy for Felt I was starting to sound like anyways....)

I started out with a 2 hr. ride request and they'll give me 30 min. I can go with that - they know a lot more than I do, so I'll swing with the LBS. They'll give me a fitting and make it happen. I'm getting tired of walking and talking bikes - just want a new ride.

Pugsly

Just get on the bike and ride it, don't worry about their arbitrary time limit.

Whenever I've taken a bike for a ride from the LBS, I've never had a stopwatch on me...

obie

Well, I want to make things go right the first time out with the shop. Going from my local, local LBS up to the almost local 'Concept store' is a big step up. This place is fronting a full lineup of Cervelos on your right as you walk in, with the full line of Specialized Pro bikes about two steps away....this place made me nervous the first time in, the <$2k bikes are way, way back in the store.