CottonMalts

I am just beginning to look at road bikes. I have exclusively ridden MTBs to this point and only a couple times on an actual MTB trail. Usually just around the neighborhood. I am going to purchase a bike from a LBS so that i can get the service and support with that first bike because i realize there are lot of components to a road bike that can be bad that I have no idea about. What I am not sure about as this may seem like a silly question to most is how far/long should one take a bike on a test ride? What should i be looking for on that test ride? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I tried to look for this answer in other threads but haven't found it so I apologize if this is a dead horse. Thanks.

peaches123

Take it a couple miles if you can. Around the parking lot won't let you get a good feel for it unless you already know what you like.

mlander

It wouldn't be a newb question to just ask the salesperson. One shop I went in offered a bike for a 30 mile group ride I was about to go on. Another shop wouldn't let me take it out of the parking lot. They're all different.

Univega

didn’t mention your age. But if you are leaving a car in the parking lot, I think most shops would let you test a bike for as long as you want. As peaches123 mentioned, you may ask or just tell them, “I’ll be back in 10 minutes”

You will be surprised how fast many bikes get rejected. Geometry may be wrong, or you may not like the road feel. Some frames feel dead, others have an annoying buzz. Do you like the components? Shift well, brake well? Bike handle different. Do you like the way it handles.

Last time I purchased a new bike, I rode about 7 at one shop, and 5 at another. When I finally found one I liked I kept it out for 20 minutes. The salesman was a bit miffed, but got over it quickly when I purchased the bike.

Univega

BTW: if they won't let you leave the parking lot, find another bike shop that will.