I've been on a unit I got when I was 16 (40 now) and NEVER liked it much. My bike is touring geometry but yrs back I put on new wheels, crankset, and run a corncob freewheel and that is what I've had to "like" for quite some time. But I don't like it's flex/handling/descending, etc.
I'm 6'1-6'2", 36" inseam, 195lbs.
I've been researching tons on models of interest to me & visited LBS Saturday. Rode a couple of models around the parking lots.
I asked them about tryout of a few miles w/ my shoes, etc and the guy said they like to keep tryouts less than a mile so the bike can still be sold as "new". He said I could try it further next time, but had to keep it in a mile or so. Say what??? Don't shops have demo models? This shop did not.
I am in no way going to buy a bike (considering: Allez Elite/CAAD9-5/Synapse, etc) without trying it out further than that....or doing a mile loop 10 times! I sort of know what I don't like but not sure what I really "do" like. Not really in favor of full carbon frames, but the Spec Roubaix I road Saturday seemed nice....he let me try it just to see how carbon feels...and I road a Spec alum 2008 model to compare as well.
I realize that these frames will be tons diff than what I am on right now, and although I want responsiveness, I am not looking for crazyness, either. I want to be able to ride the thing hard and see how it responds. I dont see how I can come to a conclusion w/out trying a bike out for a bit. I did call a couple of other shops and the response was sort of "trying it out in the parking lot or maybe down the road just a little bit". 😠
Your thoughts and experiences w/ your LBS are appreciated.
Also, what discounts off list do you typically enjoy? Is it more of a take-it-or-leave-it pricing? I might want to change the stock wheels, so not sure on that direction, either.