maartendc

I would be OK with buying an expensive bike that had been on a few short test rides, as long as there was absolutely no scratches or damage. I would ask for a discount if there was any visible signs of use. I mean, if it had been test ridden for less than 100 miles on pavement in dry weather, how would you even be able to tell? A "new" car never has 0 miles on it either, since it has to be driven from the dealership.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I always thought that bike shops had "demo bikes" around of their most popular models at least. At least I regularly see discounted bikes appear described as "demo bikes".

Perhaps this is only a feasible strategy for larger bike shops, not a small shop that has only 1 bike of each model in stock.

I have set foot in huge bike shops though (like small warehouse size), that seemingly had one (or multiple) bikes of every size in stock for each model, even in multiple color options. I have also been in shops that are so small they only have 1 bike of each model on display, so it is unlikely it would be in your size.

Sy Reene

It would have to be a huge shop. As an example, Trek has about 20 models of Domane, on average each offered in 2-3 colors and 6-7 sizes. That would be a lot of bikes hanging up just for one model.. Now add the Checkpoint, Emonda, City bikes, Fitness bikes, MTBs, etc etc

taco2ewsday

That is a very fair point, and for me test rides are about fit/geometry sot having a quick spin in the parking lot on a downrange model would be good enough for me, One shop did let me take out a 1900 Diverge while trying to up-sell me on future shock.

However may people buy new cars with 50 - 100 miles on them from test drives and don't bat an eye.

maartendc

Sure, but I mean for example one alloy Domane and one carbon domane in the most common sizes (S,M,L) for example. I obviously would not expect a shop to carry a version of EVERY groupset option available on EVERY frame. That would be madness.

I would never test ride purely to determine a groupset choice in any case. Just for geometry and fit. The difference between groupsets is so minimal, it is just number of gears and weight. I would be happy test riding a bike on Sora and ordering Ultegra, if I knew that is how much I wanted to spend.

CarloM

Having a bike with zero miles is a nice concept, the only way to achieve that is to have the bike shop order it up brand new for you, watch them unbox and assemble it, and then do the test ride yourself. Otherwise the mechanic is going to have a go on it, as well they should, to confirm all the bits and pieces are there. Or you can order up the pieces online and assemble it yourself. Otherwise most bikes in the shop have been lightly ridden (but should show no obvious signs of wear and tear outside of maybe some on the tires). Even ordering complete bikes online, you're not sure if they don't have a brick and mortar presence which has allowed that bike to be ridden. It's more important to me to be sure I buy from a place that the manufacturer will honor the warranty (vs. gray market) so that if anything goes wrong due to a defect, I'm covered.

Sy Reene

I agree completely.. madness to expect this. Though I would disagree somewhat on groupset choice testing. Maybe just my personal POV, but yes, I might be just as interested in how does SRAM work vs Shimano; or what is this whole Di2 thing all about vs mechanical, etc. If I've only ever ridden caliper brakes, I might want to know what a disc brake does for me, etc.

bpcyclist

^^^^ This. if you've never used disc brakes or SRAM (or., I suppose on the off-off chance Campy is on the bike), it could be pretty valuable to just get a quick feel of it. Particularly when I rode SRAM for the very first time, it was after I had ordered a Rival bike from Competitive Cyclist--sight unseen, of course. Fortunately, I loved it, but it was a big change from my Ultegra on the Orca. would definitely would have been better had I been able to do a quickie spin around the building even. I find CC often to be on the expensive side, but the deal I got on that Wilier was screaming and noone in town could match it. I would buy another bike from them, but would not choose one with a gruppo I had no prior experience with next time.

qrtzoj

Short answer - My local Trek company store was extremely accommodating.

When I decided to get my first new bike since I was a teen, a rail-trail model, I knew I wanted a Trek and so after looking at tons of info online, I decided on the DualSport3 model. We have a Trek company store near us, just a few miles away so I paid them a visit but they didn't have my size of a DS3 and only had a DS2 in large in stock so we took it out the rear door to a large mostly empty parking lot out back and after adjusting the seat they let me ride around for ten minutes. Later, I checked around at a couple of other area dealers and as it was October already they were also out of 2019 DS3s. Then the Trek store called to say they had found a 2019 DS3 at another company store in Nashville and that with a deposit they would have it sent up here to Lancaster, Pa. Well, when the bike arrived they found that the top bar was scratched up and invited me in to look it over and that if I still wanted it they would make me a deal but I really didn't want it even with the discount they offered. If I'm getting a new bike I want a new bike! In the end, they offered me a 2020 DS3 for the same sale price they were selling me the 2019 for so that's what I got in that bright green color so now it's my Shrek bike.

maartendc

Honestly I do not understand the desire for it to be never ridden. Obviously you don't want a damaged bike or worn parts, but a bike is meant to be ridden. You will put more miles on it in the first week than any test rides it has had, if you are doing it right.

Unless you are going to put it in a glass cage...