ShoreCyclist

One of my best friends wears nothing but grease-stained jeans and crumby polo's with his company logo on it - and - a $50k watch. He's probably worth $15M, but he at first glance you'd think he was a plumber with a stolen Rolex.

And the answer to how the receptionist can afford the Merc and the Prada... She can't.

ShoreCyclist

Again... We don't know what actually transpired to make a Felt dealer send the OP packing. I'm glad to hear you get along with your LBS!

dalava

"Obviously you are not a golfer" - The Dude, Big Lebowski

Cookiemonsta

LOL!

Yeah but really, steer clear of this one.

I understand that you might have taken your own pedals and shoes with you. But even then, when they get the idea you are a "serious" customer rather than someone just looking around, it strikes me as odd that you could not at least try it. Maybe it is different in each country, but overhere, where cycling is tremendously popular and these shops have plenty of customers, people who ask to test a bike generally get a chance to. One of the large webshops I sometimes order from even have an indoor track you can use when you go over there to pick a bike.

A lot of people are suddenly like "oh a test ride is not necessary", but to me, it sometimes is. For example, if I were to buy any Trek I would not need one. I am very familiar with their frame geometry and how it works out for my particular anatomy. However, I was recently checking out a Koga Miyata and I really had no way of telling how the fit would be compared to my other bikes. I have to at least sit on it and get a feel for it to have some sense of how it fits. I think this is entirely justified, both for new cyclist who are not sure what to get, and for more experienced cyclists who are buying a more expensive bike and want some reassurance before pulling the trigger. For example, for that Koga I felt like I learned a lot about how the bike would feel after just trying it out even for a short while. I really believe I could make a more informed decision afterwards.

Hiro11

Given that I haven't gone to a bike store and purchased a complete bike since the mid eighties, perhaps I'm not the best person to respond to this. I've gotta say, I'm not sure I understand the concept of a test ride. The most important aspect of a bike, the fit, can be assessed without a test ride. Other aspects such as handling, harshness, out of the saddle feel etc are both highly subjective and hard to assess without a long ride. A short test ride isn't going to help much.

I understand a test ride for someone new to cycling who's trying to learn the functionality of the bike, but not for anyone more experienced.

joejack951

I have 40,000+ miles on bikes but I've never tried Campy, SRAM, or Di2 shifters. I've also never used aerobars, time-trial bar end shifters, or aerobar brake levers, or ridden a set of aero wheels. I'll be going over to my LBS to try any one of those items when the time comes.

whitemax

Oh for chrissakes, he was Korean ok? I drive a white Maxima.

Hiro11

This is exactly the point I'm making: if you need to learn functionality I understand a test ride, if you're trying to assess if you "like" a bike, a test ride is going to be a bit pointless.

Brandonub

This seems like an odd perspective. Differences between bikes being subjective is a reason to not want to test ride them? I don't get it.

verist

Funny you mention a Felt dealer, I went into a LBS a few weeks ago inquiring about a Z5, they said they would bring one over from their sister store for me to take a look at. I provided contact information and even followed up once, never heard back from them. I'm sure they get a few joy riders, but I visited the shop on two occasions and was not looking to ride the first time, and retained the business card of the associate who helped me the first time. Got real good service and nice discount on a Orbea somewhere else. (I posted a thread about).

Nachoman

Because the customer might borrow a friend or neighbor's Garmin. We require proof that can be substantiated.

Nachoman

totally off topic, but I just ordered the Blu Ray this morning.

hockeyref

I'm one of those guys that might walk in wearing flip flops, grungy shorts, a t-shirt with holes and badly needing a shave ... When I am not working I really don't feel like looking presentable unless I really need to. (It's gonna be really interesting when I get old and truly don't give a **** what anyone thinks!) But, I will probably have enough cash in my pocket to walk out with what I want. A lot will depend on how the conversation goes... But then, If I'm actually looking to take a test ride, there's a really good chance that the bike leaves with me if it speaks to me. And that will only happen (for me) by riding her...If I get blown off by the sales staff then I might just ask for the manager to show him the wad of cash he won't be getting today.... I've also been known to leave a $20 tip for a $2 coffee if the waitress was friendly and kept my coffee filled..... I know that I CAN order pretty much anything I want online and I CAN do the work myself... What I am paying the premium for in a shop is for the face time and the service.... Be professional and somewhat friendly and that goes a long ways....

BoSoxYacht

The fact that you say I don't have a clue what the phrase means, shows that you know little to nothing about my decades of experience working in the industry.

BykOfALesserGod

Wow, lookit this thread.

The complete story as I can recall it: I rode my bike to the shop and walked in to the store wearing Bonty MTB shoes, bibs and a PI jersey. I also had my helmet on (okay so that was a $20 Bell). There were no other customers. I asked my question in a polite manner got the response I posted plus this: "Our demo bikes are out right now" or something to that effect (they rent them out). None of the rentals was a B16. I know because they promoted said rentals on their FB page. Anyway, without saying anything else, I thanked them and left.

LOL, was I being whiney? I didn't say anything to bad mouth them did I?

Didn't finalize on the Trek with the other LBS. I initially overlooked the fact that I will be dropping almost $2.5K for a bike with SRAM Apex parts. Looks like I'll have to go to San Diego to hit the bigger tri shops and throw my legs over some Roos, Felts or Giants.

whitemax

Correct, I know zero about your decades of experience working in the industry but you do seem to have no understanding of the phrase as evidenced by what you wrote.

pdedes

Being prejudicial will deny salespeople sales to those who are all cashed up but don't look so. I mean a Swiss salesgal didn't think Oprah could afford a purse.

pdedes

That said, I still think that test rides are a huge waste of time for most. (test drives too)

dalava

Well, this could've been your first post, and we would've avoided all the trolling.

mr645

That Speed Concept 7 looks pretty cool, go for that one.

I test rode 6 bikes at three LBS before buying the one I did

seymour1910

You share some good information, advice, and insight here so I truly respect your insight. I read this post and read your signature and think that while you make since, test rides can still help some. True in a blind test I couldn't tell the difference in 105 and Ultegra, but having had the chance to ride several bikes from different makers, I would prefer a test ride unless I was only going Cannondale. I know what I am getting there, but if I were looking at a Giant or something like that I would want to ride it....as I said, your point is sound, this is just my personal observation.

joejack951

Then you should not have said "I understand a test ride for someone new to cycling who's trying to learn the functionality of the bike, but not for anyone more experienced." I'm not new to cycling but there's plenty of functionality that I have yet to learn. How many people on these forums have tried an 11 speed bike? How many might want to before deciding if it is a worthwhile upgrade from 10? I'd guess more than a few.

Regardless of what's learned, some people might want to test ride a bike simply because they can (or should be able to). That's one of the main selling points of the LBS vs. buying online, right?

SpookyReverb

Is that true? That just seems bizarre to me.

Maybe it is different here, but the bike shop employees encourage you to ride the bikes first. And will suggest and prepare other bicycles for you to ride and compare them to. At least, that's been my experience. One shop here in town even has a small test track in their shop (River City).

BigJeff

Hahaha....

Ok, I've read the whole thread and now I realize I know all the shops and folks you're referring to.

That shop has only been open for something like 2.5 months? The guy that I've met behind the counter should get a second chance. He's not a natural salesman... but I trust his honesty. He wouldn't sell ice to an Eskimo, on principle.

I'll probably buy stuff there for that reason alone. And I bet ignore you, he just did not make a logical jump to help you get fit on a bike in the shop. (learning curve... he's clearly not a seasoned/creepy salesman)




The trek place, yeah they accommodate, but when I went there on "black Friday" last year, they didn't have any advertised products, and the "everything is on sale" turned out to be "except cold weather gear"..... I only bought something just so I didn't waste a trip. Awesome bike sales staff.... very talented at up-selling.


As for that "tri shop" further south, ummmm..... I've bought stuff there, but you better read some books on negotiating or marry an Armenian and take them with you. They play the email coupon code game, where you need to be smart on their coupons to get a competitive price.... or plan on paying super premium.


When it comes to shopping, I'll go to the friendly place first every-time, and only head elsewhere if the shop doesn't carry what I'm looking to buy.

BykOfALesserGod

Yeah it's the new shop. I always go to the Trek shop first because the folks are nice especially the lady who leads the group rides but I figured, give the NKOTB a chance. Oh well. Is Bike Bling the "tri shop" further south you are referring to? The one I am checking out tomorrow is Nytro in Encinitas.