[Closed] Buying the wrong bike,,test ride is a must

when in the seat on rocky stuff

Umm..

yeah I bought an alu framed road bike, found out it was heavy, uncomfortable and very short for it's size - so sent it straight back

got three MTBs I love now and only one of them did I test ride first

it has been quite a long process of elimination though

😉

Only ever bought frames so hard to test ride

[i]replaced the ridiculously long stem with a shorter one...The front of the bike lifts off on climbs [/i]

mmmm, connection?

It's a shame you've ended up with something you hate but I'd expected somethign with 'Race' in the name to have slickish tyres and twitchy handling.

I do agree on the test ride thing (although I've not test ridden a bike since 2001 and I've owned about 15 frames since then...

I think it's pretty unrealistic to think you'll be able to test ride many bikes as soon as you stray from off-the-peg. The chances of finding a demo one in the right size with the sort of build you'd be riding is pretty remote. Yes you might be able to borrow a mates/forum members bike but even then the setup would be for them and not you which makes a big difference particularly with suspension setup.

I haven't test ridden a bike for 10 years and have been happy with all the frames/bikes I've bought aside one, a 2005 Marin Rift-Zone.

On the plus side, if you do you research and get the size right, I don't think there are too many bikes out there that are really stinkers these days

I would have loved to have test ridden bikes before choosing my Anthem X, but out of my shortlist of about 7 there was only 1 place in the UK I could test ride any of them in the size I wanted, a SC Superlight.

Anyhow got the Anthem and its ace.

As above you bought a race bike and then was surprised when it handle quickly?? Also maybe you have the saddle too far back if lifting on climbs and getting a pounding from rocks...

you buy a race bike and discover it handles like a race bike.... did you not read the specs before you bought the bike?

If you want a play bike DON'T buy a race bike....

+1 mrmo!

I have 🙁

Which reminds me - check out the very very nice Canyon Nerve XC 7.0 on the classifieds that has been ridden for a handful of times, but is the wrong size for it's stupid owner!!

mrmo - Member
you buy a race bike and discover it handles like a race bike.... did you not read the specs before you bought the bike?

If you want a play bike DON'T buy a race bike....

Seems a bit stupid not test riding a bike before you buy one.

Would you buy a car without test driving it?

cars and bikes are different-i can see that my engine is knackered, without having to test drive anything!

Of the 5 arrows in my quiver, I'd only ridden one before buying.

Seems a bit stupid not test riding a bike before you buy one.

Would you buy a car without test driving it?

I've done both, and they're the best of each that I've ever had.

cars and bikes are different-i can see that my engine is knackered, without having to test drive anything!

You're right, but a new car isn't going to be knackered is it 🙄

[tanoy]
Ton to the forum please, Ton to the forum....
[/tanoy]

"Which reminds me - check out the very very nice Canyon Nerve XC 7.0 on the classifieds that has been ridden for a handful of times, but is the wrong size for it's stupid owner!! "

Well why didnt you just ask Canyon to come and collect it? Thats part of the sales that if the bike is the wrong size you can just exchange it.

You're right, but a new car isn't going to be knackered is it 🙄

Oh, I dunno - I had a brand new Mondeo launch it's engine on me within 3 miles of picking it up
Big hole in the block with oil and guts all down the A3

thats what happens when you dont look into things properly, i dont buy with my eyes.

. . . test ride is a must

Sadly rarely an option for tiny folk though.

[i]mamadirt - short-term test pilot[/i]

Thats Fords for you.

Sadly rarely an option for tiny folk though.

TELL me about it!!!

thing is race bikes (XC) can be amazing play bikes if you buy a small one and stick a short stem and nice bars on.
a 21" mtb can't ever be fun

My friend had problems with front-lift; what did he expect with a carbon fork! Fixed the problem by fitting a 120mm stem and budging the seat forward and up slightly. It's better balanced and an ace climber now. He manages OK going downhill but it was never going to be that kind of bike (springly Ti).

120mm stem!

In the 17 years of riding I have never test ridden a bike and never had a bike taht I dislike! Easier said than done talking about test riding a bike v's a car! There aren't bike dealerships on every corner and most of them don't have women's specific bikes or super small sizes.

Potentially bike doesn't fit or your skill level of DHing isn't helping with the getting kicked up the a** commet.

In the 17 years of riding I have never test ridden a bike and never had a bike taht I dislike! Easier said than done talking about test riding a bike v's a car! There aren't bike dealerships on every corner and most of them don't have women's specific bikes or super small sizes.

More like you have never been unhappy with a bike because you have never had anything to compare it too, except your old bike which you have already decided isn't what you want and want to replace.

Hmm, my two best bikes were bought 'blind'.

Kona Explosif I bought as a frame only secondhand off a manager in Alpine Bikes, sent it off or a vee brake braze on and a respray. Phenomenal bike for the time. Loved it.

Cotic Soul, don't think they had any demo bikes in Scotland at the time. Bought it after a bit of huffing & puffing. Definitely my best bike ever!

That said I bought a cove and a chumba that just didn't do it for me...

Hmm, that doesn't help at all now does it... 😳

Or perhaps he actually knows what he is talking about (a rarity on here) and buys the right bike, in the right size, without buying a bike and turning it into something it wasn't meant to be. As I do, because with a bit of experience (and an averagely sized body) most bikes fit if you know how to compare the geometry, and you know what to expect?

It does help.

It shows that you might get lucky, or you might not.

The might not could be avoided with a test ride, if its possible.

Edit: You can't really imagine how a bike rides by looking at the geometry can you, lets face it.

You can get a basic idea, thats about it.

You can get a basic idea, thats about it.

and with the fact that the average rider is going to be fiddling with fork, shock, tyres, pressures etc. a test ride can only give you a basic idea.

But you can tell if its going to be too long across the top, inside leg etc.

And as I said, [b]with experience[/b], you know that a 71/73 degree XC hardtail rides differently to slacker angled longer forked bikes.

😆

If in your world a test ride only gives you a basic idea, WTF does no ride give you?

But you can tell if its going to be too long across the top, inside leg etc.

And as I said, with experience, you know that a 71/73 degree XC hardtail rides differently to slacker angled longer forked bikes

Like head angle is the be all and end all of how a bike handles.

So if I gave you the head angle, seat tube angle, effective top tube length, BB height and wheelbase, you recon you could tell me how it would ride?

Yeah ok.

I have had plenty of bikes to compare them to! My first bike was bought 17 years ago I still have it and I still ride it. It was bought when was AHEM teenage years and was off the peg from M&P in Swansea, funnily enough the shop clearly knew what geometry would fit me. The only reason I have ever replaced bikes is due to wanting FS instead of HT and via versa but becuase I "didn't like a bike". I know from sitting on a bike positioning wise if it fits, becuase I have been riding for years so know straight away what I will find comfortable. As mentioned riding a bike from a shop with the forks not set up correctly isn't any better? Admittedly I may have tinkered with bits, ie grip positioning on current newest MTB but that's becuase I know how wide I like my bars and new bike they are 40mm or whatever wider.

It's simple I have ridden bikes for a long time and I know what' comfortable in an instance thanks. Oh and when I bought a car... I didn't test drive it either. Bought the cheapest car I could that would allow me to get 2 bikes and all my camping gear in.

I don't doubt you can tell if a bike fits you, I'm on about how it handles and rides.

I have also been riding for 17 years, I couldn't tell how a bike handles/rides without actually riding it.

Also before a test ride, you would set the sag and rebound, otherwise you might as well not bother.

do you totally rule out anything that's only available as a frame?

If I am buying a bike then generally yes Uplink, I do.

I can't think of any frame onlys off the top of my head either to be honest.

TBH - I guess I'm the opposite

I would never buy a full bike as half the kit on it wouldn't be what I wanted anyway
last new one I got was a Titus which certainly was only available as a frame

So before a test ride, do you know the forks are bedded in, the oil is fresh, the positive/negative/spring etc are perfect, do you know the front and rear tyre pressures are just so, do you know the saddle is both vertically and horizontally in the right place, do you know the handle bars are at the right height, the sweep in the right direction, do you know the brake levers are just where you like them, etc etc etc.

I am not saying don't test ride, but it can only tell you so much, i can look at a spec sheet and have a fair idea of what to expect, a test ride is a nice to have. I certainly wouldn't buy a bike blind though, i want to be able to sit on it to make sure i get the right size.

Before a test ride I set the sag and rebound front and rear, then the tire pressures.

In fact, they should do that for you with you on the bike if they are any good.

During the ride I adjust the rest with my allen keys if it feels wrong, pretty simple really.

And your test ride is where? A demo day on the trails you ride, superb, but generally bike shops are in a tarmac trail desert so what does that tell you? Apart from those gnarradcore kerbs and steps?

And five minutes set up pre test ride is the same as the adjustments above? You know the correct pressures, sag etc for a new frame? I bow to your unparalleled knowledge.

At a trail centre generally.

How hard is it to take along something to measure 25% of the shock stroke, or even guess it!

Damn right you should bow!

Usually build from the frame up so as others have said, difficult to test ride. Only had one I didn't really like though and that was a Specialized P.AM. Since found out that me and Specialized in general don't get on. Pity really as they make some gorgeous bikes.

mamadirt - short[s]-term [/s]test pilot

Fixed it for you. 8)

and why should the correct setting be 25%? it might be but after a few rides you might find 20% is better. you might set the damper at 3 clicks for a test then up it to 4 clicks.

You might decide the tyres aren't quite what you want. etc etc etc.

A bit of research on the recommended suspension setting for the frame/bike before you went wouldn't be too difficult would it.

Would you like me to breath for you too?

recommended suspension setting

finally we seem to be getting there, RECOMMENDED!!!

for the average rider riding average terrain, there is a guide line. It gives a place to start but in all likely hood won't be [b]quite[/b] right for most riders, and some bikes can be very picky about setup.

Let me get something straight here.

You are arguing with me that not riding a bike before you buy it, is better than riding one with not quite the right set up.

I really fail to see your logic there.

Only ever bought one duff bike and that was my most recent one, a Whyte Cambridge. IMO an awful bike. Regretting not taking test ride first.

Only ever bought one duff bike and that was my most recent one, a Whyte Cambridge. IMO an awful bike. Regretting not taking test ride first.

No need for a test ride. Apparently all you need to do is study the geometry on the internet.

The whyte isn't a size issue, it's just horrible to ride, harsh as %€#¥. Sod all mudguard clearance, annoying heal rub (designers didn't take into account size11 feet when designing the xl frame), soggy brakes and stock tyres made of paper. All things that would take a few rides and time with bike to realise.

Or just test ride with settings for a generic rider!

Give you 5p for it mate.

Or just test ride with settings for a generic rider!

Where did I say that?

I said find out the optimum settings, then set it up.

You are making a fool of yourself.

How hard is it to take along something to measure 25% of the shock stroke, or even guess it!

A bit of research on the recommended suspension setting for the frame/bike before you went wouldn't be too difficult would it.

Surely that defines a generic rider?

Unless of course you happen to be that rider. I don't know, perhaps you are the specific rider that can buy a bike he has test ridden, with the specific recommended settings, not alter the components at all, who has the perfect ride off the shelf?

In which case, good on you.

Or not. As I said earlier, with experience, you begin to know what you are talking about and may be open to the fact that others know too. I think that if you are the sort of person that needs a test ride then crack on to the bike shop, try the frame in your size and spec, test ride it where you ride, decide to buy it and have the best bike/rider relationship ever. I, on the other hand, buy stuff online, without test riding anything and base every decision on luck and marketting hype.

So before a test ride, do you know the forks are bedded in, the oil is fresh, the positive/negative/spring etc are perfect, do you know the front and rear tyre pressures are just so, do you know the saddle is both vertically and horizontally in the right place, do you know the handle bars are at the right height, the sweep in the right direction, do you know the brake levers are just where you like them, etc etc etc

I'm not sure I know all that about the bike I ride day in, day out; how do you ever make it out?

I chose my Yeti after demoing loads of bikes - on local demo days, borrowed from shops and at mountain mayhem.
Short rides, long rides, found it quite easy to tell quickly if a bike was "right". The 575 was definitely the most "right". Bought it 2007, still got it, still love it.
Will do the same when (if!) I get round to replacing it.

I'm not sure I know all that about the bike I ride day in, day out; how do you ever make it out?

Time is the only way you learn,

I've only ever had one test ride round the shop carpark and off some steps and hated how the bike felt. It felt too small for me and when i pedaled, it dived really badly. The brakes were abrupt and I couldn't manual on it. It was heavy and I didn't like the colour. It was my first go on a full susser (commie miniDH). Bought it anyway 😆 . Love it now.

Have a new bike on the way that was ordered online. It's a 20" frame (so should fit) but i'll probably not like how big it feels. No doubt after a few rides i'll love it too.

I convinced myself that a stump jumper comp fs would be fantastic, good reviews, the derigur 140mm of travel, decent spec and good value at my lbs but at £1700 I wanted to make sure. Bloody glad I did hated it.

Tried a load more until I got a days demo on the T120 and knew within 15 minutes it was just right. Ordered one when I returned the demo and been delighted with it Just want to get out on it more but my magic shine 872 arrived today so will be exiting work bang on 5 next week to ride my perfectly fitting and grin inducing Whyte at least a couple of nights next week 😛

You chose the wrong style of bike BUT if you talk to a good shop they will help you choose the right bike. "So what type of cycling will Sir be doing?".

We have loads of demo bikes, at least 12, so you get a feel for the bike before committing. Suits my shop well.

We also switch Components on complete bikes so it meets the brief better.

Any test ride is obviously better than no test ride 😕 Often they can't tell you everything you'd want to know but I can't see how they'll ever leave you less informed than you were before. Some bikes do test ride better than they ride in the long term though- sometimes things feel instantly right but never get better, others feel instantly wrong but once you gel with them are excellent, and you need a lot longer than most test rides can offer to figure that out.

But, for lots of bikes test rides just aren't possible, so most of mine have been bought blind, making educated guesses based on reviews and recommendations and comparing geometry to stuff I know- frinstance, I took a leap of faith on the Hemlock but having ridden a Soul I could make a pretty good guess what it'd feel like.

you buy a race bike and discover it handles like a race bike.... did you not read the specs before you bought the bike?

If you want a play bike DON'T buy a race bike...

To be honest i was the clueless consumer..The fact that the bike's model had race in the title meant nothing to me..I thought the clue was in 'mountain' as it was sold as a mountain bike but found that it wasn't actually much good at riding up and down mountains until i changed a few things on it.It's still far from perfect but i get by on it.The rockhopper i tried last week was much better..It was also much faster than the cube so if i had a choice of the two bikes to use in a race i would choose the one,that according to the it's model name,is only designed for hopping over rocks,,the word 'Race' nowhere to be seen

Whats a Cove Handjob for then?

I rushed my first bike (nostalgia) and ended up with a hound. Since then I have figured out what I like in a frame and can look at the geometry and have a pretty good idea if I will like it.

Vermillion, I did the same, bought the same bike and hated it, and still do. I think it got thrown down most of a Scottish route near Laggan (not the trail centre.... I dot take it off road at all as it just winds me up, i just use it as a commuter on the road and its pretty quick.

Keep the Mojo for everything else...