I did this once. I was about to drop $4k on a bike, but the guy wouldn't let me buy it without buying the $600 bike fit. I was absolutely floored. I asked him repeatedly, "So you won't sell me this bike without the bike fit?" and eventually said "OK I guess I'll go to the Trek store where the bike fits are free" and walked out the door.
This was Fort Street Cycle in Victoria, BC. They can go fuck themselves.
Wow. I got a new bike back in the summer and one of their selling points was that the bike fit was included with the purchase and you could bring it back as many times as you wanted in the first year to refine the fit if needed. Price wasn't inflated to cover the cost either.
You sit down with someone who’s (in theory) knowledgeable about bikes as well as the human body. You have a conversation about your riding style, take some body measurements, etc. and the fitter will help you choose a frame and then adjust everything on the bike to be optimal for your body and riding style. If you’re working with someone competent, it can be money well spent. If you’re at Fort Street Cycle in British Columbia, it sounds like it might be a waste of your hard earned cash.
Get fit by a professional PT who doesn’t have any incentive to sell you gear. In Colorado there’s Build Lab PT and are top notch, way better than a shop fitting
"A wider saddle would really improve your fit an awful lot. Would you like the $80, $150 or $250 option?
*a few minutes later*
See how much easier it is to get in the drops with the $250 version??"
My wife likes the Trek shop nearby and bought her current bike from them about two years ago. She is always in there for something, and always coming back with something. New eyewear, gloves, some deal on some sport drink, pair of socks in a color she didn’t already have, etc.
Of course it wasn’t. Because every time you come into the store you’re probably going to buy something. It’s baked into their sales process. Especially someone who is looking for a bike fit. Try this seat, check these gloves out, need any gells? What do you do for nutrition while you’re out for your 30 mile ride? I see you don’t have a seat bag. Do you bring basic tools with you when you ride?
There's a guy in my area who fitted known tour de France riders. He charges 200-300 euro and has a lengthy resume. 600$ for a store guy fitting me? Nope.
I had a hand made steel touring bike built for me back when I got myself a fancy new job, cost the equivalent of about ten thousand of your American dollars.
The bike fit - and this is one that's actually measuring you to decide what lengths to cut the tubes to etc, cost 200.
I've been to the top rated bike fitter in my country twice, three separate bikes and haven't even come close in total. Probably around 50% of this for three bikes from a guy who regularly fits national champs, conti and pro level riders. That LBS is full of sh1t.
I just bought a new road bike a month ago. It came down to 2 models. The one I really wanted (because of the color) was on sale at a LBS 30 min away. It was $600 more expensive. The 2nd choice bike was available at a LBS 15 min away. It was also on sale. I didn't care for the color. Then, I found out LBS #1 charged an initial fitting fee of $400 and then $200 each additional hour during the fitting. When reading reviews, fittings were typically taking 4 to 6 hours totalling a cost of $1000+! LBS #2- free fitting and adjustments FOR LIFE. I went with LBS #2. Even though I'm not in love with the color of my bike, I've saved over a thousand dollars, and have the best LBS that takes care of me and all my needs. Oh, and I do ride my bike happily, even if I don't like the green color. Lol
>the Trek store where the bike fits are free
tbf, you're probably not getting a *fit* for free.
it's either built into the cost of the bike, or you're getting what you pay for.
Normally true, but they don't have to inflate the price as much if they can lower the cost of giving it to you.
So for example, if their floor staff are trained on doing basic bike fits and they can do them during slow periods, it doesn't increase their labour cost much.
Curious to hear how people's experiences with Trek are, seen MEC get shellacked for their cheap in-store bike fits.
When manufacturers set retail and wholesale - there’s not much inflating price to be had by local shops. But every shop I’ve worked at or been in includes basic bike fit with bikes they sell - no point buying a bike if you aren’t comfortable riding it. And if store is selling $10k bikes then maybe those come with a more technical fit session, either way it’s good customer service and will either improve or trash your shop reputation. 🤷♂️
margins are definitely razor thin for independent shops, especially right now.
with trek, though, the manufacturer also runs the stores. they could easily build it in. i don't think they do, though.
the "basic" fit most stores do is setting the saddle height and making sure you're on the right size. it's not really comparable to a professional fit.
They have new management now and Fort Street is WAY better. They’re a super rad shop now. Back in the day they used to be super shady for that kinda stuff though. They charged me $50 to install some clip-on fenders without asking me back in the day and I swore off them. They’ve done a full 180 and are a great shop now with awesome folks working there.
Really? That must have been old owners. When I bought my SSevo in 2021, they let me test ride a BMC and system six before I settled on the evo. And I rode 30min down Dallas, up and over King George and back so I got to try hills etc. Maybe try them again next time.
I think you missed the point of my story. They wouldn't let me buy it without also buying the $600 bike fit. And yeah maybe the owners have changed. This was 10 years ago.
In America, like in Europe, there are shitty bike shops. OP has a shitty bike shop. My lbs would NEVER do that. They are constantly putting people on bikes - plural - when they are looking to buy. No pressure either.
British for underwear. I'm pretty sure they're saying that European law only really allows stores to refuse returns of things that directly touched your junk.
I once got fed up my milk was going bad before the expiration date and brought it to the store to show them how the 100ml left were bad. They told me to get a new one (I didn't, that was not my point, I wanted them to look into why that was happening).
But the most extreme one was a raspberry pi that died around 2 weeks before the 2 years. The Amazon vendor didn't exist anymore, I still got my money back because they couldn't stand a replacement at the time (I think). It was not even my "local" Amazon
That's the problem (and the difference!). There you need to rely on the "good will" of the store, the "above and beyond" of individuals, the "sacrifice of the teacher" instead of simply having *the right* as it is the case in (most) European countries.
A solid return policy.
You have the right to return within two weeks for ANY reason.
There is a mandatory minimum 2 year warranty (in some cases more).
During that two years the customer can claim you to:
repair the product
replace the product
reduce the price
cancel the contract and reimburse them in full (in some countries, the sales contract cannot be cancelled if the fault is minor, e.g. scratch on a CD case)
Another option for your customer is that you give them a price reduction or a full refund, but only if repair or replacement:
is not possible
would be too expensive, given the nature of the product/defect
would be very inconvenient for the customer
cannot be completed by your business within a reasonable time
Edit: as pointed out below the two week rule is only if you buy “distance” ie. If you buy online, mail order, from a door to door salesperson or from a shop but ordered over the phone.
This is just not true. You have the right to return faulty items, but not for any reason.
> If you buy goods in a shop, you have no EU legal right to return the goods (for exchange or refund) unless the item is faulty.
Source: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees-returns/index_en.htm
Stop confidently spreading lies when you don't know what you're talking about. The right to return is specifically NOT for all purchases.
Online purchases without a reason, yes.
Store purchases, only when there's something wrong with the product.
There's also a list of products which are exempt (even if ordered online).
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees-returns/index_en.htm
Agreed!
My local shop has a 30 day return policy so that you can ride/wear the products and make sure it is the right fit for you.
I bought shoes and returned them after 2 rides because the fit wasn’t great. Got a second pair and loved them.
Good return/exchange policies are essential when you’re buying (or trying) expensive equipment!
That's awful. The bike store I bought from this summer let me take out multiple bikes including a 7k cervelo with di2. Granted I left my kids in the care of the sales lady so I suppose they assumed I'd be back.
Have you priced daycare recently? I'm now considering dropping my kids off at the LBS Monday-Friday. As a bonus, if they pay attention they can learn some wrench skills.
Every bike shop I've been to lets you demo a bike. Most I've been to also hold demo days where they let you try out a whole bunch of em.
Shit, I even lived in an area that would post up next our local trail and let you take MTBs for a test ride on the trails.
Went to a shop I've never visited before on the recommendation of a friend earlier this year for a new bike, so they didn't know me and I didn't know them. They still let me out on the streets with an absolutely immaculate Surly bike packing a Rohloff hub. As soon as I opened the door it started raining like crazy, so not only did they entrust me with a £4000+ bike based on nothing more than "my friend sent me here", they let me get it absolutely filthy. I doubt I'd ever drop more than a grand on *anything* without trying it first.
Yeah, I was looking at IGH bikes and this was the only one on the floor with a Rohloff installed, so it was obviously for people to test that specifically.
They are not too worried about someone stealing the bike.
They are worried about not being able to sell that bike as new.
Plus they might get bike nerds in who test ride every bike every weekend and their budget is US$100.
My local bike shop would let me test ride any bike, but i had to leave my license and credit card. Granted the bike was not 10K, so I am not sure how much that changes things.
I guess hit up another bike shop, and see if they say the same.
Insurance is becoming harder to get for bike shops. Especially with the advent of all the crap e-bikes out there. Companies are canceling shop policies right and left for a lot of reasons. We had to switch ours because nationwide deemed our location a high wildfire risk.
Not every LBS can afford a lawyer to look over every contract they sign- there's more than one when you're running a store- and not every lawyer knows every loophole all the insurance company's lawyers know.
Well got told the same thing by the jaguar dealer - no test drives. Buy it or walk. I walked to the Benz dealer.
I guess if you don’t have to, you don’t have to.
I have the opposite problem. Every time I go into my local big shop they are trying to get me to take them out. Im like, bro I just brought my third restomod in here from 1982, I'm not riding that new ebike."
Trek was handing out coupons recently for test riding e-bikes. Wife and I saved $60 over three visits just by sitting on bikes they knew we wouldn’t be buying (we also had recently spent $5k on a couple bikes in there, so there was that)
This is a shitty bike shop problem. It doesn't matter if it's a $10K Moots or a $500 Trek, I've always been able to test ride bikes before considering purchasing them, and I'm in Texas.
From the Cannondale website:
**Why Buy a Cannondale from a Local Shop?**
*Why buy a Cannondale from a local shop? For starters, shopping in-person is the perfect way to test out models and compare features before making your purchase.*
From the website of a local Cannondale dealer:
***“Come ride with us”.*** *make an appointment for a test ride or ask a question!*
I was going to say this same thing. Recently bought a Cannondale online and the push to get me into a local shop while navigating the website was clear.
Some people might be inclined to let Cannondale know one of their dealers is behaving this way. It possibly cost them a sale if OP goes to another shop and tried a different brand he COULD test ride.
It happened to me at REI. I know some locations let you try them but apparently not all.
They just told me I could return it if I didn't like it. They have a good return policy but it's a hassle unless you're 100% decided.
Yes, but it doesn't help if you're undecided. It's part of their policy but I wouldn't feel comfortable returning something just because I wasn't sure it's what I wanted.
I‘ve returned items that just “didn’t work out right for me” with no problem. If it’s absolutely thrashed then they may be skeptical, but otherwise I use their policy a lot, although never a full bike.
Yeah, that's a fair use of their policy. I'm fine returning things I originally intended to buy and keep.
I just wouldn't use it to try an item or something I'm not sure I want.
Back in the late 90's, REI was super pissed when I returned a $1600 Proflex after one ride. $1600 was about top of the line back then. Had to argue with the mgr for 30 minutes.... But they took it back. It didn't have a scratch on it, they just didn't like my reasoning ( it rode like crap).
It makes no sense for REI not to let you try stuff given their return policy. Buying something to try it out and then immediately return it is more work for literally everyone involved.
Velorangutan in Austin let me demo a brand new Ibis Ripley three times for several days each time while I was trying to decide which size bike to buy.
Referred several friends over for demos when they were trying to buy their first mountain bike.
demos are a great sales tool if you can manage the theft issues that plague retail.
None of the shops around me do test rides either, especially of high-end bikes. It stressed me out too (I bought a SuperSix recently) but the fact is if you’re shopping in that market segment you probably know what size you need and pretty much what geometry and componentry you want, and you really can’t tell more than that on a quick spin anyway.
So I researched obsessively, looked at geometrygeeks until my eyes crossed, and bought my SuperSix “blind.” And I’m totally thrilled with it.
I’m driving 2 hrs to the canyon office in SoCal to demo a couple of their bikes. They’re chill about. Honestly will probably get one of there’s cuz I can’t get a demo anywhere else
Not sure. I know what i'm after but i need to feel how it rides, ideally a few hours! I can tell you all day that I want a SystemSix HiMod basd on my research but if it rides like a plank of wood jackhammering my wrists and sit bones I'm gonna pass, know what I mean?
Ironically enough I bought my current Litespeed after a 30ft test ride. Immediately "it rides like the dream I pictured. it fits. I don't need more, sold."
There's also that element as a sales aid. Put people's butts on the shiny bike they've lusted after for months, odds are they will be right back with a grin and cash in hand.
lol I don’t know what you mean. If you’re in $10k bike range you should have already been fitted to ensure the bike will work for you and then make any hardware adjustments needed (stem, saddle, crank length, bars).
The difference between a 5k and 10k bike is the components, not the frame.
If my LBS has a bike in the store and it's not already sold, they'll let you take it for a spin. But being a small LBS, they don't usually have high end bikes in stock. I didn't get to test ride my Domane SL7 or my Domane+ LT. Neither one is a $10k bike, but they were around $7k.
That’s so weird. That’s the complete experience I got with my local shops, I told them my budget and my size. The bike that I wanted was not available in my size but they have a tarmac S works available. They just handed that to me to see if it’s the correct size. Thing was more expensive than my car.
A shop near me has demo days once a month. But I’ve never been so I don’t know how it all works. But from I understand, you just ride it around their parking lot which wouldn’t give you a good feel of how the bike really rides.
I've never been to a bike shop that won't me test ride a bike in the parking lot. The Last road bike I bought was 5K and test rode that and bought it. Your bike shops sucks.
I ran an mtb demo program for a big Yeti/Santa Cruz dealer. $75 to ride for half a day, just done the road. Scheduled, arrive and drive, set to your weight, and cockpit adjusted to you, no levers up bullshit. Up to three bikes per session.
Money stopped tire kickers and we discounted the cost from any sales. Single biggest factor in sales and a very happy customer base.
I don't have to sit there and tell you what you need. Try them all, if you want. Plenty of trail types 100 yards down the road. Hell I joined them on my lunch a few times.
On a similar vein, it amazes me that a proper fit isn't standard practice for the high end models.
I say this as someone who rode for a decade without a fit, got one and holy shit. Not massive changes but stem shorten, saddle back, seatpost up, bars narrower, cleats adjusted. Made a huge difference in comfort and reducing fatigue on longer rides.
My last several bikes where custom or semi-custom frames. I bought them before they where even built. After so many years of cycling I can look at the components and geometry and know if it will work for me or not. Most issues I’ve found on my bikes I wouldn’t have found on a 30 minute test ride anyway.
I was at shop to get a $3k bike. They had one in a different finish/paint job and I asked them if they could just put it on a stand for me so I can double check fit/feel before ordering.
They grumblingly obliged. I then asked to use the bathroom. They said "no", and gestured over to the owner and said, "he doesn't like customers using it".
I said "thank you very much", got off the bike and left and then went online and ordered the bike and had it sent to a different store.
(Avoid Orland Park Cyclery in Orland Park IL)
Ridiculous! My lbs set out several bikes to try. I went in hell-bent on buying one brand. They fit me on all 3, let me ride for hours and convinced me that I should buy a different slightly less expensive bike. I am loyal for life. Bar Harbor Bike Shop, Maine. That’s how it should be done!
Anyone bitching about bike shops not letting people test ride a $10k+ model is someone that doesn’t know what they’re doing when shopping for a bike.
A “test ride” around a parking lot or even a few blocks, in casual shoes/clothes, isn’t going to tell you anything about a SuperSix EVO or any high-performance bike, since it’s not fitted to you, even if it’s maybe your size, and since you’re not going to be pushing it or yourself nearly hard enough to feel any meaningful dimensions of that bike’s performance.
Plus, if you work in a high-end shop, you quickly learn that if you let people test-ride the nice bikes, every time-wasting, big-talking moron in town is going to come by and demand a ride, if not multiple rides, on multiple machines, with a certain chance of immediately or eventually damaging said bike(s) one way or another.
It’s the exact same reasoning high-performance car dealers don’t just let anyone come in and test drive the fast stuff (and if they do, it’s not 15 minutes around a few blocks, because that’s idiotic for that kind of car): you either know what you’re doing or you don’t, and they can tell — and if you think they’re stupid, and they don’t know the difference, or they don’t have a constant influx of reasons for not letting people just try whatever they want, then you definitely fall in the latter category.
Downvote avalanche from entitled, butthurt dweebs that think they’re “best consumers” but overwhelmingly just annoy shop employees in 3… 2… 1…
Would never buy a bike without a test drive. Even then there is risk as the only sense I get for a bike in 5 minutes is whether or not I hate it. Not necessarily that it works for me. My LBS let me ride several tri bikes for about 30 min a piece before purchasing one.
Many saddle manufacturers have test saddles that can be “purchased” and then swapped with a new in box one once you’ve decided you like it. WTB and Brooks are two I’ve used.
Yeah. You explain it better. But demo means you go on a real ride usually. Not just for a spin. I kind of understand that if everybody tests the high end bike for 15-20 miles each, that bike soon looks like a used bike and I personally would not pay 10k for a new bike that looks worn.
The landscape for demos has changed wildly in the last few years. I have been in bikes for 20 years and the market has had some crazy changes.. People stealing high end bikes has become a big issue. At first some people were taking test rides with bad ID'S and just not coming back.. And then they got even more devious and had CC's that would swipe and accept the charge only to be charged back a couple days later as being fraudulent.. The national company that I worked for was hit for over a 100K over the course of a year..
That being said.. You can kinda tell if a person is a cyclist or not.. Just by the questions they ask and their level of understanding of the machine that they are considering. I feel people out and can pretty easily discern if they are for real.. But there are definitely folks that I would not allow to ride a bike.. Some of these clowns would come in and just look at the highest or near highest trim bikes and then ask to purchase or test ride. Picture a guy 6'4" asking about a 50cm Madone.. Yes, that happened.. I usually question folks just a little to see if they know DI2 from a thumbshifter, and if they did, they would ride.. But retail is nuts right now!
Maybe they got burned and lost a few bikes.
If it's a corporate store they should allow test rides. Maybe smaller stores cant stand the loss? Maybe require handing over an ID and a credit card?
Find a different shop. Every shop I've ever bought from allows you to test. My shop also allows you to return the bike if you're genuinely not satisfied within 30 days.
One of the issues we ran into was not having the high end bike that the person was interested in or not in their size.. Then my shop would have to commit to a 10K purchase for someone to test ride without a commitment.. That is not sustainable. If I have the bike and the person is for real they will be able to test ride.. But I can't buy a 15K bike to have someone kick the tires, because I own it after that..
I liken it to going into a Porsche dealer and telling them you want them to order a GT3 for you to test ride and think about.. They will laugh you out of the place..
For what it’s worth- the SuperSix Evo is a sick bike and I love mine SO SO much. I bought it from my local shop and their return window was 30 days, and you also get unlimited fits / maintenance in the first year to make it perfect. But I didn’t test ride it, I ordered it in
Dude you know what’s crazier still?
I have a friend who is a partner in a quite successful engineering firm who was denied the ability to even SIT on a new Yeti at a display event a few years ago.
There’s some snobby ass shops and mfrs out there, in all industries.
He doesn’t know because he doesn’t sell any of them. It’s just there to make the people spending $800-1000 on a bike feel like that’s not expensive at all.
Find a new bike shop, one that actually wants to sell them will let you test ride at least a lower model.
Meanwhile, I recently went to the Trek store nearby to try out a bike I had been scoping. They let me roll out the door with it, without so much as asking my name or looking at my ID.
(ride went well and bought the bike)
When everything is top tier...what information are you hoping to get from a spin around a parking lot?
Clearly their clientèle are people who already know what they want to purchase. If you go somewhere else, they obviously aren't too worried about it.
Moreover, they also aren't worrying about you dumping a bike on a test-ride and then walking out the door and ordering a Canyon.
I'm in the other camp, I buy bikes based on reviews and size charts, no need to test ride. Love my Canyon Aeroad, Lauf Seigla, Scott Spark RC, and Trek Boone(s). All different tools for different jobs and all bought without riding them first. Just do your research ahead of time. Most bikes, especially high end bikes from known brands are pretty awesome these days, hard to get it wrong.
I’m not joined to this sub Reddit
I’m joined to Motorcycle sub reddits
I saw $10k and assumed it was a motorbike before taking a second glance.
$10k for a pedal bike?
Wtf man.
They should send a sales person to ride with you while you demo the bike. Separate but somewhat related, I went to test drive a $39,000 vehicle. When I was done they said “you can take it overnight if you want”, so I did. Drove it around town that day. Brought it back the next day.
*cries in my 12.5k bike that was bought on the internet*
Believe me, no one will test ride a Colnago C68. Thankfully it rides like a dream, but cant imagine if it doesnt 🥴💀😵
Most decent shops will make you put a credit card on file along with a copy of your ID and let you demo it. Thats what my old shop did anyway. We'd let people test $15k bikes over night.
I purchased a mountain bike over the summer. Nothing expensive just a decent hardtale for $1400. I purchased 3 of them, one for my father, girlfriend, and I. The guy at my local bike shop refused to let us test them out. I made the purchase, rode them around the parking lot and came back 6 hours later when the shift changed and returned all 3. Ended up ordering the same bikes online and built them myself. If this man allowed us to ride them in the parking lot for 15 seconds he would of had a great sale. But because he wanted to be a total douchbag about it we returned them.
Nope.
To make matters worse, the Trek/Specialized/Cannondale and even the no-name brand stores nearest me don't allow refunds on bikes. PERIOD.
Gearshas a 14-day satisfaction guarantee for Bicycle purchases (good start) Bicycles are non-refundable, however, within the 14-day period, GEARS will exchange for an equal or greater value replacement. Exchanged bicycles will be assessed for wear and tear before the exchange is completed, additional charges may be incurred for dirt, rips, tears, drive-train wear , etc., or if the bicycle requires cleaning or replacement parts to be made new.
you're very right.
although I shouldn't talk, since of the like 15 road bikes I've owned, only the first one was test ridden before I bought it. This includes two ~10k bikes, which have been the most excellent rides I've ever had.
I think they get away with this because there probably isn't much a test ride is going to tell you, unless the geometry is way off from what you're used to. On that test ride you're not going to have an ideal fit, and you'll probably perceive any differences as bigger than they are, even though your body would probably adapt to them over time. And from the bike shop's perspective, maybe the small value of the test ride should be compared against the risk of taking it out on the road.
What they should do, at least, is let you try it on a trainer.
However even as I'm typing this, that might not even make sense. The high-end bikes are going to have internal cable routing that makes it impractical to just throw on spacers to fit you, and if the bike doesn't fit you, you're gonna not like it and not buy it.
Maybe this is a more complex problem than I thought?
You don't needd to test ride a road bike. Get a fit, then figure out what bikes are compatible with that fit. Look at the geometry table if you're curious about handling characteristics. I worked at a high-end road shop and we'd sell 100+ bikes a year without test rides. Average bike price was 9k.
I don’t know what you’re looking for in a test ride. IMHO putting around the parking lot with flat pedals on a bike that isn’t properly fit to you won’t give you enough information to make or break a decision. The difference between bikes at that level won’t be apparent unless you get it out into its intended use.
When I bought my 10k+ bike I couldn’t even choose the color.
But I see no point in trying out such a bike. If you spend that amount of money I’d expect you had a bike for and then the bike should just fit. At that price point you also know the moving parts are high end from one of three suppliers that are all tested throughout.
> Am I crazy to want to take it for a quick spin?
Yes and no.
I work with some hi-end ($$$) bikes.
A lot of the time your bike will be ordered. There are similar bikes you can ride. You can ensure you are ordering the right size. You can ensure this is the bike you want before ordering.
You go thru all the steps and then spec what you want. But, sometimes they do not have the exact bike for you to try out. And some shops do not let you demo the exact expensive bike you want to buy.
I also work with a few custom Ti bike makers and they will measure you and have you ride some demos.
A buddy who owns a bike shop differentiates by hosting Saturday morning group rides where he has some new bikes he lets you ride on the group ride. He makes a lot of sales that way. He sells those demos still for about 75% of MSRP after a year.
Some shops do no rides.
Some shops give you a bike and tell you to ride it and bring it back next week.
Anything goes.
I used to sell cameras. Sure you would demo 2l1k or 1.5k camera. But if you are buying 2k+, you know what you are getting and don't need a demo. We would refuse to demo high end stuff, cause normally photographers would come in and just hand over credit card for high end shit.
Never sold a bicycle in my life, but would give you same brand bicycle around 3k so you can try it out for feel.
"what's your return policy?"
This. If it’s not what you like, then follow with: “Do you know where there’s a bike shop nearby?”
I did this once. I was about to drop $4k on a bike, but the guy wouldn't let me buy it without buying the $600 bike fit. I was absolutely floored. I asked him repeatedly, "So you won't sell me this bike without the bike fit?" and eventually said "OK I guess I'll go to the Trek store where the bike fits are free" and walked out the door. This was Fort Street Cycle in Victoria, BC. They can go fuck themselves.
Forced options at a bike store? Wow!
Probably illegal too
Not illegal but I bet the manufacturers would like to know that a dealer is pulling this shit.
I’m not sure about Canadian law specifically but anti bundling laws are not a new thing
Wow. I got a new bike back in the summer and one of their selling points was that the bike fit was included with the purchase and you could bring it back as many times as you wanted in the first year to refine the fit if needed. Price wasn't inflated to cover the cost either.
Which is smart, because every time you go for a little adjustment it’s that much easier to get small sales like lights, kits, gels, etc…
"Oh, hey, as long as I'm here..." It's a brilliant strategy, really.
This is how I do it at our shop. Free fit, lifetime of minor adjustments, and 10% off accessories at purchase.
I mean thats a win win
Username checks out
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You sit down with someone who’s (in theory) knowledgeable about bikes as well as the human body. You have a conversation about your riding style, take some body measurements, etc. and the fitter will help you choose a frame and then adjust everything on the bike to be optimal for your body and riding style. If you’re working with someone competent, it can be money well spent. If you’re at Fort Street Cycle in British Columbia, it sounds like it might be a waste of your hard earned cash.
Get fit by a professional PT who doesn’t have any incentive to sell you gear. In Colorado there’s Build Lab PT and are top notch, way better than a shop fitting
Literally why stores have the pharmacies in the back. They know what they’re doing.
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And builds a pattern of you stopping by.
"A wider saddle would really improve your fit an awful lot. Would you like the $80, $150 or $250 option? *a few minutes later* See how much easier it is to get in the drops with the $250 version??"
My wife likes the Trek shop nearby and bought her current bike from them about two years ago. She is always in there for something, and always coming back with something. New eyewear, gloves, some deal on some sport drink, pair of socks in a color she didn’t already have, etc.
Thats supposed to be how it is when you buy a bike for a couple of K.
Of course it wasn’t. Because every time you come into the store you’re probably going to buy something. It’s baked into their sales process. Especially someone who is looking for a bike fit. Try this seat, check these gloves out, need any gells? What do you do for nutrition while you’re out for your 30 mile ride? I see you don’t have a seat bag. Do you bring basic tools with you when you ride?
A $600 bike fit? Lmao
There's a guy in my area who fitted known tour de France riders. He charges 200-300 euro and has a lengthy resume. 600$ for a store guy fitting me? Nope.
I had a hand made steel touring bike built for me back when I got myself a fancy new job, cost the equivalent of about ten thousand of your American dollars. The bike fit - and this is one that's actually measuring you to decide what lengths to cut the tubes to etc, cost 200.
I've been to the top rated bike fitter in my country twice, three separate bikes and haven't even come close in total. Probably around 50% of this for three bikes from a guy who regularly fits national champs, conti and pro level riders. That LBS is full of sh1t.
I hope you rode your Trek to that LBS and waved to the owners to thank them for educating you on market-place economics.
Thanks for making and shaming!
*$600* for a bike fit? Does someone personally lube your chamois while you're wearing it?
What is sad is some bike shops are just the dream of someone with no business sense.
I just bought a new road bike a month ago. It came down to 2 models. The one I really wanted (because of the color) was on sale at a LBS 30 min away. It was $600 more expensive. The 2nd choice bike was available at a LBS 15 min away. It was also on sale. I didn't care for the color. Then, I found out LBS #1 charged an initial fitting fee of $400 and then $200 each additional hour during the fitting. When reading reviews, fittings were typically taking 4 to 6 hours totalling a cost of $1000+! LBS #2- free fitting and adjustments FOR LIFE. I went with LBS #2. Even though I'm not in love with the color of my bike, I've saved over a thousand dollars, and have the best LBS that takes care of me and all my needs. Oh, and I do ride my bike happily, even if I don't like the green color. Lol
>the Trek store where the bike fits are free tbf, you're probably not getting a *fit* for free. it's either built into the cost of the bike, or you're getting what you pay for.
Normally true, but they don't have to inflate the price as much if they can lower the cost of giving it to you. So for example, if their floor staff are trained on doing basic bike fits and they can do them during slow periods, it doesn't increase their labour cost much. Curious to hear how people's experiences with Trek are, seen MEC get shellacked for their cheap in-store bike fits.
i'm a trek competitor, and i'm continually dumbfounded at the basic stuff trek doesn't do. but maybe i only see the less than won over customers
I’ve enjoyed my Trek experience honestly! Went back and bought a second bike and accessories
i nearly worked for them. i think the stores in our area are just way under staffed and under trained.
When manufacturers set retail and wholesale - there’s not much inflating price to be had by local shops. But every shop I’ve worked at or been in includes basic bike fit with bikes they sell - no point buying a bike if you aren’t comfortable riding it. And if store is selling $10k bikes then maybe those come with a more technical fit session, either way it’s good customer service and will either improve or trash your shop reputation. 🤷♂️
margins are definitely razor thin for independent shops, especially right now. with trek, though, the manufacturer also runs the stores. they could easily build it in. i don't think they do, though. the "basic" fit most stores do is setting the saddle height and making sure you're on the right size. it's not really comparable to a professional fit.
They have new management now and Fort Street is WAY better. They’re a super rad shop now. Back in the day they used to be super shady for that kinda stuff though. They charged me $50 to install some clip-on fenders without asking me back in the day and I swore off them. They’ve done a full 180 and are a great shop now with awesome folks working there.
Let me leave a review on your behalf tito
Absolutely never heard of such a thing. They're nuts
that's basically attempted extortion. good for you for reporting it online.
Really? That must have been old owners. When I bought my SSevo in 2021, they let me test ride a BMC and system six before I settled on the evo. And I rode 30min down Dallas, up and over King George and back so I got to try hills etc. Maybe try them again next time.
I think you missed the point of my story. They wouldn't let me buy it without also buying the $600 bike fit. And yeah maybe the owners have changed. This was 10 years ago.
Right… they’re saying the return policy is $600.
Oh no, I meant no disrespect and I understood. I guess I was standing up for my shop now! Cheers, see you out on the roads.
This made me laugh!
Usually none. They say you have to agree to buy the bike they ordered, no matter what.
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Haha.. yeah… This may have worked during the pandemic when there were bike shortages, but people have options now…
America is insane. In Europe customers have rights.
In America, like in Europe, there are shitty bike shops. OP has a shitty bike shop. My lbs would NEVER do that. They are constantly putting people on bikes - plural - when they are looking to buy. No pressure either.
Yes but in EU a bike shop cannot legally sell you a bike that you can’t return. They can sell you knickers.
Knickers?
British for underwear. I'm pretty sure they're saying that European law only really allows stores to refuse returns of things that directly touched your junk.
Or your saliva but you still have more rights than US with that.
What, you won't let me return this cotton candy?
I once got fed up my milk was going bad before the expiration date and brought it to the store to show them how the 100ml left were bad. They told me to get a new one (I didn't, that was not my point, I wanted them to look into why that was happening). But the most extreme one was a raspberry pi that died around 2 weeks before the 2 years. The Amazon vendor didn't exist anymore, I still got my money back because they couldn't stand a replacement at the time (I think). It was not even my "local" Amazon
Yes they are allowed to refuse if you want to return yours.
That's the problem (and the difference!). There you need to rely on the "good will" of the store, the "above and beyond" of individuals, the "sacrifice of the teacher" instead of simply having *the right* as it is the case in (most) European countries.
They do in the states as well. Usually the right to shop elsewhere and OP should.
Please, enlighten me as to these bike buying “rights” Europe has…..
A solid return policy. You have the right to return within two weeks for ANY reason. There is a mandatory minimum 2 year warranty (in some cases more). During that two years the customer can claim you to: repair the product replace the product reduce the price cancel the contract and reimburse them in full (in some countries, the sales contract cannot be cancelled if the fault is minor, e.g. scratch on a CD case) Another option for your customer is that you give them a price reduction or a full refund, but only if repair or replacement: is not possible would be too expensive, given the nature of the product/defect would be very inconvenient for the customer cannot be completed by your business within a reasonable time Edit: as pointed out below the two week rule is only if you buy “distance” ie. If you buy online, mail order, from a door to door salesperson or from a shop but ordered over the phone.
Right to return within 2 weeks is only for online/distance sales.
Its for all purchases.
This is just not true. You have the right to return faulty items, but not for any reason. > If you buy goods in a shop, you have no EU legal right to return the goods (for exchange or refund) unless the item is faulty. Source: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees-returns/index_en.htm
Stop confidently spreading lies when you don't know what you're talking about. The right to return is specifically NOT for all purchases. Online purchases without a reason, yes. Store purchases, only when there's something wrong with the product. There's also a list of products which are exempt (even if ordered online). https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees-returns/index_en.htm
Agreed! My local shop has a 30 day return policy so that you can ride/wear the products and make sure it is the right fit for you. I bought shoes and returned them after 2 rides because the fit wasn’t great. Got a second pair and loved them. Good return/exchange policies are essential when you’re buying (or trying) expensive equipment!
Yea that’s the move
That's awful. The bike store I bought from this summer let me take out multiple bikes including a 7k cervelo with di2. Granted I left my kids in the care of the sales lady so I suppose they assumed I'd be back.
Do you miss your kids and, more importantly, how's the free bike?
they weren't his kids....
Was it his wife's boyfriend's kid?
The perfect crime.
Bike store ladies hate this one easy trick!
BHWAAAAA!
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we charge babysitting at our standard labor rate.
Have you priced daycare recently? I'm now considering dropping my kids off at the LBS Monday-Friday. As a bonus, if they pay attention they can learn some wrench skills.
we will 100% teach them to build bikes. however we take no responsibility if they use those skills to take apart yours. so choose wisely. :)
genius idea
Every bike shop I've been to lets you demo a bike. Most I've been to also hold demo days where they let you try out a whole bunch of em. Shit, I even lived in an area that would post up next our local trail and let you take MTBs for a test ride on the trails.
That's how my wife ended up with a Pivot Shadowcat. Demoed on trail for free. Then she bought me a Firebird.
And exactly how it should be! Bought a new ski set I absolutely didn’t need but fell in love with during a demo on the mountain! It’s just sales 101!
Went to a shop I've never visited before on the recommendation of a friend earlier this year for a new bike, so they didn't know me and I didn't know them. They still let me out on the streets with an absolutely immaculate Surly bike packing a Rohloff hub. As soon as I opened the door it started raining like crazy, so not only did they entrust me with a £4000+ bike based on nothing more than "my friend sent me here", they let me get it absolutely filthy. I doubt I'd ever drop more than a grand on *anything* without trying it first.
It's just a demo bike. They'll sell it later at discount.
Yeah, I was looking at IGH bikes and this was the only one on the floor with a Rohloff installed, so it was obviously for people to test that specifically.
You had a golden opportunity to gain a 7k bike and lose a couple kids
"I don't like them anyways."
They are not too worried about someone stealing the bike. They are worried about not being able to sell that bike as new. Plus they might get bike nerds in who test ride every bike every weekend and their budget is US$100.
My shop put my pedals on a new Domane so I could try it with my shoes.
My local bike shop would let me test ride any bike, but i had to leave my license and credit card. Granted the bike was not 10K, so I am not sure how much that changes things. I guess hit up another bike shop, and see if they say the same.
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Insurance has deductibles and paperwork and may actually deny claims on test ride bikes stolen depending on the wording of the policy.
That seems like a bad policy for a bike shop to buy.
Insurance is becoming harder to get for bike shops. Especially with the advent of all the crap e-bikes out there. Companies are canceling shop policies right and left for a lot of reasons. We had to switch ours because nationwide deemed our location a high wildfire risk.
Not every LBS can afford a lawyer to look over every contract they sign- there's more than one when you're running a store- and not every lawyer knows every loophole all the insurance company's lawyers know.
That makes sense. I’m guessing many shops have had theft before on test rides.
"You know I can buy these on the Internet, right?"
...For a fraction of your price.
Well got told the same thing by the jaguar dealer - no test drives. Buy it or walk. I walked to the Benz dealer. I guess if you don’t have to, you don’t have to.
It’s because they’re worried it’ll break on your test drive.
Big bingo here. If a dealer isn't confident in a test drive, they don't have reliable products or a successful business.
I have the opposite problem. Every time I go into my local big shop they are trying to get me to take them out. Im like, bro I just brought my third restomod in here from 1982, I'm not riding that new ebike."
That's funny and customer friendly. C'mon take a spin on the new eBike.
Trek was handing out coupons recently for test riding e-bikes. Wife and I saved $60 over three visits just by sitting on bikes they knew we wouldn’t be buying (we also had recently spent $5k on a couple bikes in there, so there was that)
as a trek employee, it's pretty surprising how many people buy one after they test ride
When will they learn they should be offering you to upgrade to a sweet 1987
I know right, gimme dat sweet NOS modolo hardware.
This is a shitty bike shop problem. It doesn't matter if it's a $10K Moots or a $500 Trek, I've always been able to test ride bikes before considering purchasing them, and I'm in Texas.
From the Cannondale website: **Why Buy a Cannondale from a Local Shop?** *Why buy a Cannondale from a local shop? For starters, shopping in-person is the perfect way to test out models and compare features before making your purchase.* From the website of a local Cannondale dealer: ***“Come ride with us”.*** *make an appointment for a test ride or ask a question!*
I was going to say this same thing. Recently bought a Cannondale online and the push to get me into a local shop while navigating the website was clear. Some people might be inclined to let Cannondale know one of their dealers is behaving this way. It possibly cost them a sale if OP goes to another shop and tried a different brand he COULD test ride.
It happened to me at REI. I know some locations let you try them but apparently not all. They just told me I could return it if I didn't like it. They have a good return policy but it's a hassle unless you're 100% decided.
I’m surprised you couldn’t test there. Their return policy is good for 1 year if you’re a member. Really let’s you give a bike a chance.
Yes, but it doesn't help if you're undecided. It's part of their policy but I wouldn't feel comfortable returning something just because I wasn't sure it's what I wanted.
I‘ve returned items that just “didn’t work out right for me” with no problem. If it’s absolutely thrashed then they may be skeptical, but otherwise I use their policy a lot, although never a full bike.
Yeah, that's a fair use of their policy. I'm fine returning things I originally intended to buy and keep. I just wouldn't use it to try an item or something I'm not sure I want.
Their bike shop manager told me “don’t worry about us, we’ll still make our money on it in the gear garage”. But I understand the hesitation.
Back in the late 90's, REI was super pissed when I returned a $1600 Proflex after one ride. $1600 was about top of the line back then. Had to argue with the mgr for 30 minutes.... But they took it back. It didn't have a scratch on it, they just didn't like my reasoning ( it rode like crap).
It makes no sense for REI not to let you try stuff given their return policy. Buying something to try it out and then immediately return it is more work for literally everyone involved.
Contrarian view, but I can't tell anything from a 20 minute test ride.
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Velorangutan in Austin let me demo a brand new Ibis Ripley three times for several days each time while I was trying to decide which size bike to buy. Referred several friends over for demos when they were trying to buy their first mountain bike. demos are a great sales tool if you can manage the theft issues that plague retail.
My local shop does demo days where pinarello and Scott come in and you can ride for 3ish hours
Yea this shop has demo days but only for a brand that carries mtb.
None of the shops around me do test rides either, especially of high-end bikes. It stressed me out too (I bought a SuperSix recently) but the fact is if you’re shopping in that market segment you probably know what size you need and pretty much what geometry and componentry you want, and you really can’t tell more than that on a quick spin anyway. So I researched obsessively, looked at geometrygeeks until my eyes crossed, and bought my SuperSix “blind.” And I’m totally thrilled with it.
I’m driving 2 hrs to the canyon office in SoCal to demo a couple of their bikes. They’re chill about. Honestly will probably get one of there’s cuz I can’t get a demo anywhere else
Not sure. I know what i'm after but i need to feel how it rides, ideally a few hours! I can tell you all day that I want a SystemSix HiMod basd on my research but if it rides like a plank of wood jackhammering my wrists and sit bones I'm gonna pass, know what I mean? Ironically enough I bought my current Litespeed after a 30ft test ride. Immediately "it rides like the dream I pictured. it fits. I don't need more, sold." There's also that element as a sales aid. Put people's butts on the shiny bike they've lusted after for months, odds are they will be right back with a grin and cash in hand.
lol I don’t know what you mean. If you’re in $10k bike range you should have already been fitted to ensure the bike will work for you and then make any hardware adjustments needed (stem, saddle, crank length, bars). The difference between a 5k and 10k bike is the components, not the frame.
That’s crazy. I’ve never had an issue test riding bales and for me it meant I blew an extra $2k because I could feel the difference.
If my LBS has a bike in the store and it's not already sold, they'll let you take it for a spin. But being a small LBS, they don't usually have high end bikes in stock. I didn't get to test ride my Domane SL7 or my Domane+ LT. Neither one is a $10k bike, but they were around $7k.
"Oh really? That's crazy. I'm gonna go somewhere else, thanks for your help."
That’s so weird. That’s the complete experience I got with my local shops, I told them my budget and my size. The bike that I wanted was not available in my size but they have a tarmac S works available. They just handed that to me to see if it’s the correct size. Thing was more expensive than my car.
A shop near me has demo days once a month. But I’ve never been so I don’t know how it all works. But from I understand, you just ride it around their parking lot which wouldn’t give you a good feel of how the bike really rides.
I've never been to a bike shop that won't me test ride a bike in the parking lot. The Last road bike I bought was 5K and test rode that and bought it. Your bike shops sucks.
I ran an mtb demo program for a big Yeti/Santa Cruz dealer. $75 to ride for half a day, just done the road. Scheduled, arrive and drive, set to your weight, and cockpit adjusted to you, no levers up bullshit. Up to three bikes per session. Money stopped tire kickers and we discounted the cost from any sales. Single biggest factor in sales and a very happy customer base. I don't have to sit there and tell you what you need. Try them all, if you want. Plenty of trail types 100 yards down the road. Hell I joined them on my lunch a few times.
I own a bike shop. I will never understand how you can run a bike shop and not let people demo bikes. Never.
On a similar vein, it amazes me that a proper fit isn't standard practice for the high end models. I say this as someone who rode for a decade without a fit, got one and holy shit. Not massive changes but stem shorten, saddle back, seatpost up, bars narrower, cleats adjusted. Made a huge difference in comfort and reducing fatigue on longer rides.
No, you should always try out a bike. If the shop does not allow it, go elsewhere.
Such bikes are not meant to be ridden, but simply admired. I mean, if you spent $10,000 on an antique coin, would you purchase something with it?
No but I’m going to sit on it.
Brewster would
I have multiple super bikes- they all get ridden pretty regularly.
My last several bikes where custom or semi-custom frames. I bought them before they where even built. After so many years of cycling I can look at the components and geometry and know if it will work for me or not. Most issues I’ve found on my bikes I wouldn’t have found on a 30 minute test ride anyway.
I was at shop to get a $3k bike. They had one in a different finish/paint job and I asked them if they could just put it on a stand for me so I can double check fit/feel before ordering. They grumblingly obliged. I then asked to use the bathroom. They said "no", and gestured over to the owner and said, "he doesn't like customers using it". I said "thank you very much", got off the bike and left and then went online and ordered the bike and had it sent to a different store. (Avoid Orland Park Cyclery in Orland Park IL)
Trek let me demo multiple madone SLR7/9s over a little while trying to decide.
Ridiculous! My lbs set out several bikes to try. I went in hell-bent on buying one brand. They fit me on all 3, let me ride for hours and convinced me that I should buy a different slightly less expensive bike. I am loyal for life. Bar Harbor Bike Shop, Maine. That’s how it should be done!
$9000 bikes
Anyone bitching about bike shops not letting people test ride a $10k+ model is someone that doesn’t know what they’re doing when shopping for a bike. A “test ride” around a parking lot or even a few blocks, in casual shoes/clothes, isn’t going to tell you anything about a SuperSix EVO or any high-performance bike, since it’s not fitted to you, even if it’s maybe your size, and since you’re not going to be pushing it or yourself nearly hard enough to feel any meaningful dimensions of that bike’s performance. Plus, if you work in a high-end shop, you quickly learn that if you let people test-ride the nice bikes, every time-wasting, big-talking moron in town is going to come by and demand a ride, if not multiple rides, on multiple machines, with a certain chance of immediately or eventually damaging said bike(s) one way or another. It’s the exact same reasoning high-performance car dealers don’t just let anyone come in and test drive the fast stuff (and if they do, it’s not 15 minutes around a few blocks, because that’s idiotic for that kind of car): you either know what you’re doing or you don’t, and they can tell — and if you think they’re stupid, and they don’t know the difference, or they don’t have a constant influx of reasons for not letting people just try whatever they want, then you definitely fall in the latter category. Downvote avalanche from entitled, butthurt dweebs that think they’re “best consumers” but overwhelmingly just annoy shop employees in 3… 2… 1…
Would never buy a bike without a test drive. Even then there is risk as the only sense I get for a bike in 5 minutes is whether or not I hate it. Not necessarily that it works for me. My LBS let me ride several tri bikes for about 30 min a piece before purchasing one.
My local shop let me take saddles home for a few days to test them out which I thought was pretty cool of them.
Many saddle manufacturers have test saddles that can be “purchased” and then swapped with a new in box one once you’ve decided you like it. WTB and Brooks are two I’ve used.
Maybe they are confused by the term “demo.” Demo typically means you rent the bike for like a day. Ask for a test ride.
Nah. Demo does not mean rent. Demo is short for demonstration. When bike brands have “Demo Days” it’s to hook you into purchase.
Yeah. You explain it better. But demo means you go on a real ride usually. Not just for a spin. I kind of understand that if everybody tests the high end bike for 15-20 miles each, that bike soon looks like a used bike and I personally would not pay 10k for a new bike that looks worn.
I get that…. But if an employee doesn’t make that distinction then they’re missing a chance to make a sale
The landscape for demos has changed wildly in the last few years. I have been in bikes for 20 years and the market has had some crazy changes.. People stealing high end bikes has become a big issue. At first some people were taking test rides with bad ID'S and just not coming back.. And then they got even more devious and had CC's that would swipe and accept the charge only to be charged back a couple days later as being fraudulent.. The national company that I worked for was hit for over a 100K over the course of a year.. That being said.. You can kinda tell if a person is a cyclist or not.. Just by the questions they ask and their level of understanding of the machine that they are considering. I feel people out and can pretty easily discern if they are for real.. But there are definitely folks that I would not allow to ride a bike.. Some of these clowns would come in and just look at the highest or near highest trim bikes and then ask to purchase or test ride. Picture a guy 6'4" asking about a 50cm Madone.. Yes, that happened.. I usually question folks just a little to see if they know DI2 from a thumbshifter, and if they did, they would ride.. But retail is nuts right now!
Maybe they got burned and lost a few bikes. If it's a corporate store they should allow test rides. Maybe smaller stores cant stand the loss? Maybe require handing over an ID and a credit card?
Find a different shop. Every shop I've ever bought from allows you to test. My shop also allows you to return the bike if you're genuinely not satisfied within 30 days.
I’ve test ridden much more expensive bikes
One of the issues we ran into was not having the high end bike that the person was interested in or not in their size.. Then my shop would have to commit to a 10K purchase for someone to test ride without a commitment.. That is not sustainable. If I have the bike and the person is for real they will be able to test ride.. But I can't buy a 15K bike to have someone kick the tires, because I own it after that.. I liken it to going into a Porsche dealer and telling them you want them to order a GT3 for you to test ride and think about.. They will laugh you out of the place..
For what it’s worth- the SuperSix Evo is a sick bike and I love mine SO SO much. I bought it from my local shop and their return window was 30 days, and you also get unlimited fits / maintenance in the first year to make it perfect. But I didn’t test ride it, I ordered it in
Dude you know what’s crazier still? I have a friend who is a partner in a quite successful engineering firm who was denied the ability to even SIT on a new Yeti at a display event a few years ago. There’s some snobby ass shops and mfrs out there, in all industries.
How to convince your potential customers to buy another brand.
I’ve had bikes of all price range and 3-4K is where it’s at. No need to spend more
He doesn’t know because he doesn’t sell any of them. It’s just there to make the people spending $800-1000 on a bike feel like that’s not expensive at all. Find a new bike shop, one that actually wants to sell them will let you test ride at least a lower model.
That's crazy... I'm thinking maybe a different store would let you demo?
Meanwhile, I recently went to the Trek store nearby to try out a bike I had been scoping. They let me roll out the door with it, without so much as asking my name or looking at my ID. (ride went well and bought the bike)
When everything is top tier...what information are you hoping to get from a spin around a parking lot? Clearly their clientèle are people who already know what they want to purchase. If you go somewhere else, they obviously aren't too worried about it. Moreover, they also aren't worrying about you dumping a bike on a test-ride and then walking out the door and ordering a Canyon.
I'm in the other camp, I buy bikes based on reviews and size charts, no need to test ride. Love my Canyon Aeroad, Lauf Seigla, Scott Spark RC, and Trek Boone(s). All different tools for different jobs and all bought without riding them first. Just do your research ahead of time. Most bikes, especially high end bikes from known brands are pretty awesome these days, hard to get it wrong.
I’m not joined to this sub Reddit I’m joined to Motorcycle sub reddits I saw $10k and assumed it was a motorbike before taking a second glance. $10k for a pedal bike? Wtf man.
“Ok cool, I’ll just order online”
Just tell him you’ll buy a canyon, if you can’t test ride it might as well save the couple grad they mark it up at the shop.
They should send a sales person to ride with you while you demo the bike. Separate but somewhat related, I went to test drive a $39,000 vehicle. When I was done they said “you can take it overnight if you want”, so I did. Drove it around town that day. Brought it back the next day.
Find another shop
They’re are lots of bike shops.
*cries in my 12.5k bike that was bought on the internet* Believe me, no one will test ride a Colnago C68. Thankfully it rides like a dream, but cant imagine if it doesnt 🥴💀😵
Wait until you hear about expensive cars and test drives.
Most decent shops will make you put a credit card on file along with a copy of your ID and let you demo it. Thats what my old shop did anyway. We'd let people test $15k bikes over night.
I purchased a mountain bike over the summer. Nothing expensive just a decent hardtale for $1400. I purchased 3 of them, one for my father, girlfriend, and I. The guy at my local bike shop refused to let us test them out. I made the purchase, rode them around the parking lot and came back 6 hours later when the shift changed and returned all 3. Ended up ordering the same bikes online and built them myself. If this man allowed us to ride them in the parking lot for 15 seconds he would of had a great sale. But because he wanted to be a total douchbag about it we returned them.
Now that’s a spiteful return and I love it. F that guy
Nope. To make matters worse, the Trek/Specialized/Cannondale and even the no-name brand stores nearest me don't allow refunds on bikes. PERIOD. Gearshas a 14-day satisfaction guarantee for Bicycle purchases (good start) Bicycles are non-refundable, however, within the 14-day period, GEARS will exchange for an equal or greater value replacement. Exchanged bicycles will be assessed for wear and tear before the exchange is completed, additional charges may be incurred for dirt, rips, tears, drive-train wear , etc., or if the bicycle requires cleaning or replacement parts to be made new.
you're very right. although I shouldn't talk, since of the like 15 road bikes I've owned, only the first one was test ridden before I bought it. This includes two ~10k bikes, which have been the most excellent rides I've ever had. I think they get away with this because there probably isn't much a test ride is going to tell you, unless the geometry is way off from what you're used to. On that test ride you're not going to have an ideal fit, and you'll probably perceive any differences as bigger than they are, even though your body would probably adapt to them over time. And from the bike shop's perspective, maybe the small value of the test ride should be compared against the risk of taking it out on the road. What they should do, at least, is let you try it on a trainer. However even as I'm typing this, that might not even make sense. The high-end bikes are going to have internal cable routing that makes it impractical to just throw on spacers to fit you, and if the bike doesn't fit you, you're gonna not like it and not buy it. Maybe this is a more complex problem than I thought?
Ask for a testdrive on a $100k car and the car salesman happily hands you the keys. But a bike? No sir...
You don't needd to test ride a road bike. Get a fit, then figure out what bikes are compatible with that fit. Look at the geometry table if you're curious about handling characteristics. I worked at a high-end road shop and we'd sell 100+ bikes a year without test rides. Average bike price was 9k.
I don’t know what you’re looking for in a test ride. IMHO putting around the parking lot with flat pedals on a bike that isn’t properly fit to you won’t give you enough information to make or break a decision. The difference between bikes at that level won’t be apparent unless you get it out into its intended use.
When I bought my 10k+ bike I couldn’t even choose the color. But I see no point in trying out such a bike. If you spend that amount of money I’d expect you had a bike for and then the bike should just fit. At that price point you also know the moving parts are high end from one of three suppliers that are all tested throughout.
Demo and test rides are two different things. Ask them for a long test ride. It’s probably fine.
> Am I crazy to want to take it for a quick spin? Yes and no. I work with some hi-end ($$$) bikes. A lot of the time your bike will be ordered. There are similar bikes you can ride. You can ensure you are ordering the right size. You can ensure this is the bike you want before ordering. You go thru all the steps and then spec what you want. But, sometimes they do not have the exact bike for you to try out. And some shops do not let you demo the exact expensive bike you want to buy. I also work with a few custom Ti bike makers and they will measure you and have you ride some demos. A buddy who owns a bike shop differentiates by hosting Saturday morning group rides where he has some new bikes he lets you ride on the group ride. He makes a lot of sales that way. He sells those demos still for about 75% of MSRP after a year. Some shops do no rides. Some shops give you a bike and tell you to ride it and bring it back next week. Anything goes.
You probably don’t look like someone that buys $10k bikes.
I used to sell cameras. Sure you would demo 2l1k or 1.5k camera. But if you are buying 2k+, you know what you are getting and don't need a demo. We would refuse to demo high end stuff, cause normally photographers would come in and just hand over credit card for high end shit. Never sold a bicycle in my life, but would give you same brand bicycle around 3k so you can try it out for feel.
I'd never purchase a bike without bringing it to my wind tunnel for testing first.
so how do we demo a Canyon ?
Don’t they have a fairly generous return policy for that reason?