Originally Posted by
bbbean
I agree. I've never had a shop tell me I couldn't take a test ride. I have visited a shop that didn't have the bike I was looking for in my size, but they offered to let me ride what they did have in stock.
BB
Same. I am 6-4 and I realize a bike shop probably will never have my size in stock. But what I can do is I can get a pro bike fit, do tons of online research, and buy the bike that I'll want to ride day after day. Sometimes I see my target bikes my size in group rides and I kindly ask the owners if I could go for a quick ride at the end. No one said no to this day. Test riding used bikes on local listings could be another way. Bigger bike shops in big cities like NYC or LA likely to carry a more diverse inventory. It would be worth asking these shops if they have your size and model and arrange a test ride if you are traveling to these cities.