Test Rides - Bike Expectations

If you serious about a particular bike they'll usually set it up for you. Try to find a shop that doesn't mind you riding it for a decent amount of time either. Some of them want you to ride it in the parking lot! No help.

Make sure you stand up and push some big gears to see if anything flexes. The seat, stem and handlebars you can always change.

It's a tough call because 30 minutes on something that you'll spend hours on is really a toss up. Make sure you like the shop and they're willing to work with you. Place I go to will even go out for a ride with you.

noonievut said:

I currently own a mountain bike which I use for both singletrack and on the road with slicks. I'm thinking of picking up a road bike (1,500CAD range, mainly 105).

I took out a Cannondale R700 on the weekend for a test ride from an LBS and after this experience, I was wondering what I should realistically expect from test-riding a bike that 'may' not be fully tuned. Point - deciding on a bike is a big deal and if the bike doesn't feel/work 100% after a test ride, is this acceptable.

When riding the bike the shifting (Ultegra rear, 105 front) was anything but smooth. It was a double ring and when in the smaller ring, it was very loud when in the 4-5 outside cog-rings, and shifting to the big ring went fine once, but the second time the chain came off. When putting it back on I noticed that there was no grease on my hands and that it was sticky (maybe it wasn't lubed properly, being a bike-for-sale and all).

Needless to say this made me wonder why my current Deore shifts like butter and this 105/Ultegra shifted like my old/[censored] mountain bike. Aside from mechanical issues, I found that my back position was (of course) very different then my current road bike. I felt like I was really leaning far forward when shifting or using the brakes (I'm 6'0, 32 inseam, and was riding a 56cm).

Sorry for the long bable, but anyone have suggestions/cautions about test-riding bikes from LBS?

Cheers.

First you need a frame that fits you. 56 cm sounds small for you.
Then adjust the seat height and Fore/Aft position on the rails.
You may need to adjust the stem length and angle, but not likely to be done for the first test ride.
It sounds like the typical chain "lube" from OEM Shimano and SRAM. It lubricates fine, but it attracts grit like "fly-paper".
The front derailer was not adjusted properly and you likely will need to learn how to trim it even when it is properly adjusted.
You need to work with the shop, but it helps if you know that you want to buy from them and they know it. See the local club road riders and ask them for shop and maybe even specific people to deal with at the shop.

I hear what you're saying about 56cm seeming small, I thought the same thing, then I took the bike out for a ride and found myself bending forward outside of my current comfort zone (being a mountain biker). Question - does it matter (much) if I ride a 58 with a short stem vs a 56 with a longer stem? Coming from mountain biking, I have to say that I wasn't all that comfortable on the road bike, but I chalk that up to 'it would get better'. That being the case, how do you know what feels good if you don't know what good is?

daveornee said:

First you need a frame that fits you. 56 cm sounds small for you.
Then adjust the seat height and Fore/Aft position on the rails.
You may need to adjust the stem length and angle, but not likely to be done for the first test ride.
It sounds like the typical chain "lube" from OEM Shimano and SRAM. It lubricates fine, but it attracts grit like "fly-paper".
The front derailer was not adjusted properly and you likely will need to learn how to trim it even when it is properly adjusted.
You need to work with the shop, but it helps if you know that you want to buy from them and they know it. See the local club road riders and ask them for shop and maybe even specific people to deal with at the shop.