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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...