Bike test ride
Discussion
They will change stem height, flip it etc, saddle height, saddle position etc. Ask the sales guy to bring a multilool out when you test the bikes, quite rightly, they cant let you loose with a spanner!
Dont worry if the gears arent fully functioning, it wont be that well set up if its a display model as everyone will have f
ked about withthe shifters (as an aside it always makes me laugh when people walk in to bike shops and click shifters, feel the bar tape or my particular favourite, tap carbon frames) also the mechs on bikes straight from a box arent well set up either.
Youre basically trying to determine which bike, with minor adjustemnets, will be the right fit. There are loads of fitting guides online which are worth a look before you go so you know, in theory at least, how it should fit.
Dont worry if the gears arent fully functioning, it wont be that well set up if its a display model as everyone will have f
ked about withthe shifters (as an aside it always makes me laugh when people walk in to bike shops and click shifters, feel the bar tape or my particular favourite, tap carbon frames) also the mechs on bikes straight from a box arent well set up either. Youre basically trying to determine which bike, with minor adjustemnets, will be the right fit. There are loads of fitting guides online which are worth a look before you go so you know, in theory at least, how it should fit.
I think feeling the bar tape is fair game. Some manufacturer's tape is better than others. Specialized Roubaix tape is lovely and certainly much better than the stuff that came standard on my my Planet X.
As for tapping the frame, that's just standard practice
I don't both clicking the shifters. Most shops always have 105 and I don't need feel what 105 shifts like. I have 105 on one of my bikes and I don't like it 
As for tapping the frame, that's just standard practice
I don't both clicking the shifters. Most shops always have 105 and I don't need feel what 105 shifts like. I have 105 on one of my bikes and I don't like it If you can, pick a route with a variety of surfaces, and a good climb and descent and some corners, and try and ride all 3 on the same route.
I demo'd a couple of bikes from Evans last year, and found one definitely felt harsher than the others I had tried, so I felt it was a very worthwhile exercise.
I demo'd a couple of bikes from Evans last year, and found one definitely felt harsher than the others I had tried, so I felt it was a very worthwhile exercise.
Ideally I wanted to try them on part of a route I often ride. However time restraints on each bike will keep me away from there. I did a bit of a drive around when I left the store the other day. They're in Maidstone town centre so I've found a short route that will take in a bit of a climb and some residential streets and keep me away (for the most part) from the busy one way system.
To be honest, so far I can't fault them. Popped in there a couple of times last weekend and asked if they could get the bikes down again for me to sit on. The second time I was there the guy questioned the frame size I requested and spent quite some time checking me on it as he thought I'd be better with the next size up, 58 (turns out he was probably right, I double checked my inseam when I got home and the person that measured it at another branch got it wrong). Fwiw my 6' height puts me at the 56/58 threshold while my inseam puts me well into the 58.
Anyway, called in Wednesday ordered the other 2 bikes in for a test ride and got a call yesterday to say they were in and ready for Saturday.
Anyway, called in Wednesday ordered the other 2 bikes in for a test ride and got a call yesterday to say they were in and ready for Saturday.
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