rodar y rodar

Do all REI stores require you to do test drives in the parking lot, or just mine? The sales guy assured me that after ordering the correct size bike, paying for it and having the shop assemble it I could test drive to my heart`s content and then return it if I didn`t like it. From what I`ve heard about REI`s return policy, I guess that`s believeable, but... Anyway, it bummed me out. The first time I`ve been able to nail down a "touring" bike close enough to my size that I could actually ride it and after filling out and signing the disclaimer he followed me out and told me the rules. Bummer. Well, for what it`s worth, I was surprised how light the Randonee was. Compared to my current bike, it`s like comparing a 10 passenger van to a school bus

grayloon

Did the "rules" include not riding it hard, no tight corners, no hard braking? Was there a time limit on how long you could ride it? If the parking area is large enough, and the traffic light enough, you can put a bike through some hard paces. Unfortunately, if the lot is smooth, you can't tell much about the ride.

BikeManDan

Not only is it parking lot only, they make you don an orange vest (and helmet but thats assumed)

grayloon

Wonder what they would say if you did bunny hops over curb stops?

dmckean44

That's weird, our REI doesn't have that rule.

rodar y rodar

Yeah, an orange vest too, but that didn`t bother me any. And no time limit, so in theory I could have taken 10,032 laps to see how it felt after a few hours, but I was in a crappy mood after getting the go-ahead for parking lot use only and I didn`t feel up to it. Bunny hopping the parking stops? That would have made me feel better- why didn`t I try it?

droptop

ours takes your DL and says later.

The Figment

Try another REI...I bought my Bonanza at the Fenway (Boston) Store and not only did they NOT ask me for an ID,They let me ride it all over Fenway fer an hour or so....I bought the bike,still have it,love it!

vik 

My friend test rode a Randonee in a San Diego area REI and they let her ride it as much as she liked and didn't put any restrictions on her.

You should also be able to buy it and ride it a while then return it for a full refund if you are not happy.

gcottay

What is the penalty for leaving the parking lot?

I asked an LBS with a similar policy what would happen if a customer were to become lost and end up on the road. Their reply was that they figured that I would be able to find my way back before closing time.

grayloon

For asking and the LBS response. Thumbs down for bothering asking. Just do it. There's lots of forgiveness if you like the bike and pull out the plastic when you return.

Trey Merrell

I worked at REI for a number of years. They're all about customer satisfaction. If they say that you can't take it out of the parking lot, just kindly ask to speak to their Supervisor. Explain that you need a longer test ride over a variety of terrain, and they should be ok with it.

Worst case scenario, buy the bike, ride it for however long you'd like, and then return it later. They'll take back ANYTHING. The store I worked at let an angry customer return an Old Navy fleece pullover. Yeah...

Trey

twodeadpoets

I also use to work at REI (the Seattle flagship and Eugene stores) and I agree with Trey. I don't shop at REI much anymore but they have the best return policy you will ever encounter (and that is true with all stores).

ricohman

My LBS will let me take the bike for a week.

Rockman

The Concord, CA REI let me test ride a Safari for my commute route of 12 miles. Not only that, when I called a few days before to see if they had my size they offered to build one for my test ride. Awesome customer service.

Cycliste

Tell them you would like to test ride a road bike instead of a parking lot one..

rodar y rodar

So it sounds like each store decides on its own policy there- that`s mostly what I was wondering. Yes, I could have just bought the bike to try, as the guy at the store told me, and I could probably go back and talk my way into a longer test, but I really don`t want to go to extremes since I doubt I`d keep the bike anyway. Although it`s probably a better bike for what I want than an all out full scale touring tank, what I REALLY want is 26 in wheels for interchangeability between my other bikes, my wife`s bike and the already growing "wheel and tire warehouse" in my shed. The purpose of the test was mostly just curiosity. I have no problem with the rest of REI and will continue to buy from them, just not a whole bike. Thanks for your responses.

Mark Turner

Must be your local store. I took a Randonee for a test ride on Seattle streets during evening rush hour from the flagship store and gave the bike a good test uphill and down, on residential streets and with traffic. They made me wear the orange vest. I took my own helmet. Later, in Bellingham (no vest required), I took another Randonee for a test ride across town so I could compare it with a Trek 520 from another shop. It rained while I was out so I brought it back dirty and they had no problem with that. I bought the Randonee after that second test ride and continue to be pleased with it at just under 1000 miles of day rides (no tours yet) since March.

Lou627

that sucks, my lbs let me take a lht out in manhattan and just said they close in two hours.

asromzek

My girlfriend and I test rode two Randonees at separate stores. The store I was at had me wear the helmet and vest and the store she was at only required the helmet. We didn't really mind since we went behind the building away from the parking lot. I was too focused on the bike to worry about what I looked like.