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Never test rode a bike either - in fairness the first mountain bike I ever bought (a 20" Diamond Back Topanga back in 92) was probably a bit big but it rode ok at the time... I just do a bit of research on geometry/reach and go from there.
For interest the list is:
19" Kona Cindercone
L Bontrager Race
M/L Tomac Revolver
L Turner Flux
55 Ellsworth Flight
56 Kona Paddy Wagon
All of them have been set up to have about the same reach etc by tweaking the saddle position/stem length
Never test ridden a bike. Sat on my first one in the shop (Dawes Tamarak) but apart from that, no.
Only problem was with my Dialled Alpine. I was border line between the two MK I sizes and plumped for the 15.5". Really wish I'd gone for the 17".
I'm really liking my Camber now, but tbh if I'd testridden one, I'd not have bought it- it took a few rides and some setup changes to get it to work at all for me, the first ride felt horrendous.
Two specializeds without testrides
One ace and one a bit flexy and too light (not sure id have realised on a test ride though)
Titus got a car park demo but I knew the sus action would be v similar to the speCialized it replaced.
Ibis demo bike wasn't around locally so demoed a dw turner and decided I loved the sus and it was too heavy so the ibis was (and is) perfect.
Cotic simple bought on rep and a chat with cy 🙂