Bike trainer as a test-ride?
11-15-20, 06:11 AM
#1
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Bike trainer as a winter test-ride?
Hey all,
I don't have any experience with bike trainers, but I had a thought the other day in the shop.
I work at a Community Bike Shop and we are refurbing bikes all winter. During the spring/summer/fall months, we test-ride the bikes before selling them, however, with the snow during winter that is not always possible. I was thinking it might be nice to be able to test-ride the bikes in a bike trainer.
Do people think that is possible? Would it be an accurate test of the bike?
Just wanting some feedback.
Thank you!
I don't have any experience with bike trainers, but I had a thought the other day in the shop.
I work at a Community Bike Shop and we are refurbing bikes all winter. During the spring/summer/fall months, we test-ride the bikes before selling them, however, with the snow during winter that is not always possible. I was thinking it might be nice to be able to test-ride the bikes in a bike trainer.
Do people think that is possible? Would it be an accurate test of the bike?
Just wanting some feedback.
Thank you!
11-15-20, 06:47 AM
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It would be better than nuttin. I test ride a lot of bikes too (PT LBS job) and a trainer can help eval for brake drag and shifting under load. But cannot help with listening for strange sounds in the real world: loose things, flexing spokes, brakes that squeal under serious load, shifting flaws, etc. We test out behind our shop where we have pavement, stone trails, flats and hills. I can scoot several hundred yards if needed, weaving, hammering power, stoppies, track stands. I'll know when things are not right and I'll know when everything is right. I imagine a trainer will only tell me part of that story.
However, we may have a different objective. Our customers pay top dollar and expect perfection. Must a co-op have those high standards? Or just ensure its functional and safe?
However, we may have a different objective. Our customers pay top dollar and expect perfection. Must a co-op have those high standards? Or just ensure its functional and safe?
11-15-20, 09:30 AM
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It can help, with things such as seat height, stem length, but it's like when someone tells you to "act natural for the picture," you just can't do it the same.
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11-15-20, 06:24 PM
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I think it would be ok for the most part outside of overall feel on the road obviously.
11-15-20, 06:29 PM
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it will not prove out seat creaks, stem issues, front wheel assembly/ brakes, but it could be useful for the other things.
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11-15-20, 08:34 PM
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It is better than nothing but every bike should really be ridden properly on the road to confirm a lot of things that people have mentioned. When I talk with mechanics and they don't ride the bikes they work on I wonder how many will come back for more work (or the same work over again) Especially on new bikes they need to be test ridden by the mechanic who built them or that mechanic shouldn't see a dime. If they aren't willing to put their own lives at risk on the bike they build., why should we send it out to the customer?
11-15-20, 08:42 PM
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Wouldn't say anything about how it actually handled when it goes somewhere - not even when turning the handlebars and how that fit would be for someone. I can't see how it would help much if at all.
11-16-20, 10:05 AM
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Re: testing
It can be used to check shifting and pedaling. There would be no feedback on anything else to include handling or ride quality.
It can be used to check shifting and pedaling. There would be no feedback on anything else to include handling or ride quality.
