Brew1

Most of the bikes I had over the years I've built from the frame up so no test ride. I have been happy with all of them, some I wish I still had

RonH

Strange story.
I've never been to a shop where the prospective buyer was allowed to test ride any and all bikes being considered.


As a side point -- don't you try on clothes before buying them?

ModeratedUser150120149

Granddaddy

I'm with you. Until I changed the focus of my bicycling I just sat on the bike in the store. If my feet reached the floor without the top bar pushing on my crotch it was the "right size". Now, I won't buy unless the store lets me do an unlimited mileage test ride. In fact one of the shops I went to wouldn't let me do that so out the door I went.

raymeedc

Unfortunately, testing out a prospective ride isn't always possible. To wit, I had to order my Rans Cruz (no real alternative choice if you're looking for this type of bike, IMHO) without having ever even seeing one in person. The experience gained in trying out as many bikes as I could beforehand at many bike shops, however, allowed me to make an informed leap of faith (with fingers firmly crossed) that fortunately worked out for me. If given the opportunity, though, I definitely would give any bike I'm considering a thorough going over before laying my money down..... 25 years on an uncomfortable mount could be the result of failing to do so.

Retro Grouch 

In all my years of bicycling I can remember test riding only 3 bikes before I bought them. Even in those cases, the test rides were pretty short, certainly less than a mile.

So to all of those folks who talked about test riding bicycles, what were you looking for and how did you evaluate it?

jon c. 

No one local had what my wife wanted so we went to another city to test one. We tested a number of bikes both locally and out of town when we bought so we could get a full range of makes and models. And that taught me I would never buy without a test ride. Bikes I thought would be very similar felt very different on the road. Bikes I thought would be perfect did not feel right for me and bikes I might have thought I wouldn't like made my short list. At least for people with limited experience, there's no way to know until you test. And every shop we visited offered us test rides. One said 'take 'em home for the weekend and get a good trial.'

marmot

Any good bike shop encourages test riding, in my experience. I rode both of my bikes, a Specialized and a Kona, before buying. In fact, the Kona shop built a bike in my size just for me -- with no obligation to buy -- and let me take it all over the neighborhood, on and off the road, to make sure it met my needs. Then they adjusted it for size and sent me out again, just to be sure. I loved and bought it. Going the extra mile is just good business.

blt

I test rode bikes that were in stock at a couple of different shops. Unfortunately, I was also interested in something that would have to be ordered, so I could not test ride that one before ordering if I wanted it. In a happy coincidence, the owner of the LBS that distributes the brand I was looking at owns the model I was interested in, and in my size. He let me test ride his own bike! There are some minor differences in the way his is built and the way mine will be built, but close enough. I'm probably placing my order tomorrow or Sunday.

John_V 

First, the fit. I have a short torso and certain bikes cause me to be stretched out too much when in certain riding positions. Even with a pro fit, those bikes would be very uncomfortable without changing a bunch of parts to compensate for it. Second, the components. If I had to choose between 105's and Ultegra's on a new bike, I would want to be able to see if I could tell the difference between them before putting out the extra money, especially if I have never ridden a bike with either group. Third, the handling. Some bikes are quicker to respond, especially carbon bikes, and can be a bit more difficult to handle when riding into headwinds or going down a decent. I equate test riding a bike to test driving a car.

CommuteCommando

Hadn't in the past, but now would never buy without a test ride.

Bikey Mikey

Test rode several bikes before getting my Defy 1 back in March.

GrandaddyBiker

Update; First of all let me thank everyone for their advice.

I went back to the Trek Shop this morning and test rode 2 Bikes. The sales lady that I talked to yesterday was not there today. In fact there were no sales people in the store. I didn’t realize that the only 2 sales men were both waiting on customers that were looking at bikes that were in racks outside the store. After about 5 minutes of looking around the store one of the store’s mechanics came out and asked if he could help me. I told him I wanted to test ride a bike. He said, “Sure, just let me check the tires for proper air pressure first.” So I actually test road 2 bikes. I didn’t get the one the sales lady first showed me but I did buy the Calypso model. I was looking for a comfort bike (if I want to go fast I ride my old bike) and this is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden.

Once again, thanks everyone for telling me I shouldn’t hesitate to ask to take the bike for a spin.


My new Calypso Bike

NCbiker

Nice bike, now ride the wheels off her!

Bikey Mikey

LBS or Big Box Store? Hard to believe that an local bike shop won't allow test rides. Where are you, NYC?

Phil85207

Yes Would you buy a pair of shoes without trying them on?

DnvrFox

Nice bike!!

Have fun.

NOS88

Now the fun begins. Enjoy!

10 Wheels

Love The Blue.
Have much fun riding it.

fietsbob

Last 4 bikes bought remotely, 2 Brompton Folding bikes, they only make 1 size.
i've since resold one when I got the 2nd., they were 2nd hand..
and a Bike friday, Pocket Llama , bike fridays have a number of sizes,
but the dimension is top tube length ..
it was a custom order refused by not liking the color so a new-old-new.. bike .

Prior to that another remote bike buy, also from previous owner,
we emailed back and forth about it for 6 months, I understood the bike
size dimensions, and, had the brand Reputation well researched.
I suppose by the time it all wound up he trusted me ,
He shipped the bike across the country, on the honor system
then after it arrived , I sent him the check.

several bikes built from the frame up,
but as I've Been a wrench serf, off and on, in shops for 40 years
it all worked out .. good to know what fits .. by the numbers.

raymeedc

Every bike shop that I know of around NYC encourages test rides.

Tuc

Read the thread title and thought "Of course! Who would buy a bike without a test drive?" and skipped down the page of a Whats New search before I realized that 6 of the last 7 bikes I bought to ride myself or for my wife to ride I bought without a test drive. Ordered one limited edition Schwinn new based on a picture in the catalog because they had never had one in stock at my LBS. One used bike I bought having heard a description from the seller and sent my buddy over to buy it and deliver it to me. Granted, I knew what size I needed and what the wife uses, I am not "flipping" bikes. If I don't like it when I am done I donate it to a charity to sell or give away to someone who can use it. I just like to wrench on them, it makes me happy and there is a limit to how much you can keep wrenching on bikes that I ride daily once I like the build.

I just bought a 74 Raleigh Pro that I did not test ride, looked at it for about 2 minutes and handed the cash over. The 84 Motobecane Grand Touring, 3 minutes to determine a ballpark estimate on the year and it was cash out. I rode with a guy who said his roommate never rode his Maruishi BRC and was leaving school in a few days and might sell it, and two minutes in the dorm room with a cash deal I was out the door with the bike. The only bike I rode before buying in the last seven was an early 70's Schwinn Collegiate with the SA hubs - wanted to make sure that drivetrain was decent. Funny, I would have sworn I would not buy a bike without test driving it, certainly not a car or a motorcycle, but there you are - it must be because I don't spend a lot of money on the bikes like some do on this forum. I like the older and cheaper ones usually, but always something with character.