I’m in the market for a new 140mm FS bike and am trying to demo a couple. Most places I’ve had demo bikes from have been reasonably fair and relaxed when it comes to taking the bike out for a decent off road ride – i.e. couple of forms of ID, relatively small deposit and/or leave driving licence in the till – plus reasonable ‘hire charge’.

However, I’ve just contacted my local Spesh dealer, and have been told (fairly grudgingly) that they’ll charge the entire cost of the bike to my credit card, then refund the card the following day, minus the hire charge. This is the first time I’ve ever heard this, and over the last 10 or 15 years, I’ve demo’d and bought a few bikes!. Personally, I’m not too comfortable with their plan, so might not bother with the demo – not from that shop anyway!

Just wondered, has anyone else heard of a similar routine?