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I'm going to buy myself a proper bike which I'll end up keeping for a few years.
Something +/- 140mm, pedals nice, 67 degree dead angle.
I'm pretty much set on Spesh Evo Comp (150mm) or Lapierre Zesty 714 (carbon goodness). Or a Santa Cruz Blur LT.
But...I need to try one out before I part with the money. Evans let you do a skid up and down the road but the hardly lets you see if it's 'right' for you before you buy.
I think Eighteen bikes in Hope have Santa Cruz? For the other two I'm a bit stuck. Someone suggested Blazing Saddles?
Anyhoo suggestions of where I can try out bikes on some kind of trail near where I live would be welcome. Ta.
Leisure lakes always have a few demo bikes in..
18 bikes have a Large Blur LT carbon demo bike.
NWMTB in Cheadle have a few demo bikes, and are dealers for Lapierre, Santa Cruz and Specialized so even if they don't have the model you're looking for, they can probably get it in.
Blazing Saddles used to charge £40.00 for demo rides.
Not sure if they still do.
The Specialized concept store in Chester will hire you a test bike for a day, returnable if you buy one. Oneplanet at Llandegla are also Santa Cruz dealers and have demo bikes I think. You may be able to test two of your choices back to back. (Chester to Llandegla, about 25 mins)
Royles in Wilmslow used to have a reasonable selection of test bikes.
I've not been in for a couple of years so I don't know what they stock.
Biketreks in Ambleside sell all three brands you mention. I know they have specific dates for their demo days but I would say they would still be able to sort something out for you.