Most of mine have been second hand and available at the right price and time- although some some have been the right price and the wrong time but Ive still bought them anyway!
Most have been fine but I lost money on a few that couldnt get on with - eg blur classic and ti456
Bike Forum
Buying a bike without a test ride....would you ?
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Posted 11 months ago #
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Because you'd always buy from a shop that gave you a test ride and would never, ever just ride it then buy online.....
Well I was quite pleased that Cycles Works in Burpham let me have a Patriot to test ride in Wales for a weekend. I took it back on the Monday and ordered a bike, so no I would not go online afterwards. The service I got was worth the £100 or so I could have saved. I also sent 3 other people to them who also got decent test rides. Two bought 5's from them and the other bought a P7.
I can understand it might be hard for the likes of Cotic and the smaller companies to provide a large demo fleet. But for money machines like Specialized, Trek and Scott etc there is no excuse for anot having a comprehensive way of getting a test ride. While everyone is happy to say how impossible it would be then LBS's wont be putting pressure on the importers and the importers on the manufacturers.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Santa Cruz bullit, Cannondale Gemini DH, Demo7, Cannondale Prophet all brought without test rides and enjoyed them all, if it wasn't for injury i'd have kept the Demo7.
The only bike i've brought without a demo ride that I didn't like was a Trek Session 7 and an Orange P7.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Biketreks do proper demo days; http://www.biketreks.net/
Have attended both Yeti and Specialised demo days and glad I did not take or listen to the lovers of either bikes, just did not get on with any of them.
Took me 3yrs, many road miles in the car,weekends away(keeps MrsT happy) test/demo days to find a full suss bike I could get on with. Bought 2 hardtails after riding them up and down the street but demoed my Pig in the Peaks out of 18bikes before buying.
If you are looking to spend a bit it is worth testing imo. I would(cannot justify)not spend that sort of money without doing so.Posted 11 months ago # -
Nearest I've ever come to a test ride was - I kid you not - riding a Kona Cindercone around the basement of Freewheel in Nottingham. Might be more of an issue with a susser but I've been happy with all my purchases. Trek 820, Cindercone, MTRAX Ti3000 thing, Merlin MALT and Cotic Soul. Also bought a roadrat without ever riding it
Posted 11 months ago # -
I don't think I have ever had a test ride... mountain bike OR motorbike
Going to change that next time on both fronts I suspect!
Posted 11 months ago # -
In case you are interested, Goldtec have an Orange demo day coming up on 21 June (I think it's an evening but need to check). They're also an Ibis dealer but I'm not sure if there will be any of those to try.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Is there any evidence that having a test fleet touring the country increases sales?
I suspect not. With the exception of Boardman, there are plenty of places which will sort you out with a demo bike if you are willing to pay.Posted 11 months ago # -
You can hire/demo a decent range of bikes includeing Trek at Swinnertons on Cannock, and Lapierres (among others)at Dalby.
Posted 11 months ago # -
I can get a demo on most of the bikes I'm interested in, some from my LBS (Oneplanet @ Llandegla) and some by travelling to demo days. What surprises me is that I went to a large, well stocked bike shop who gave no information at all about how to try the bikes they stock.
Posted 11 months ago # -
I haven't properly test ridden a bike in the 20+ years I've been mountain biking. Hell, we sell bikes and I've not bothered to take any out. It takes loads of rides to totally get 'in the zone' on a bike and ride it in such a way that you pretty well forget it's there.
Same with cars. Sure you can take one out, but all you'll probably be thinking in reality is "Ooooh it's a new car! Look at all the buttons!".
Posted 11 months ago #
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