Couldn't let me try a bike...

[MattDB]

Minor rant - drove through lots of traffic to gooutdoors Newcastle to try to have a go on a calibre two two. I'm tall and wasn't sure about the 20 inch frame. I asked if I could try it out and was told no, I could only sit on a display model - with no pedals. I said this wasn't very easy to judge and they eventually took one pedal off another bike (other side of display crank was stripped).

Just wondered if it's standard practice of big companies not to allow test rides? I'd have bought if I knew it fitted!

 

[earlestownflya]

never heard of the like...really poor

 

[vickster]

Go to a cycle shop not a generalist. Evans are very good for test rides for example. The staff in go Outdoors won't give a monkeys whether you buy or not

 

[Drago]

Many big chains, and plenty of small stores (2 fairly close to me included) will allow test rides. Just vote with your wallet.

 

[Shaun]

Go to a cycle shop not a generalist. Evans are very good for test rides for example. The staff in go Outdoors won't give a monkeys whether you buy or not

The Calibre Two Two seems to be exclusive to GO Outdoors.

@MattDB - is there a specific reason you like the Calibre Two Two?

Would you consider alternative suggestions and maybe some pointers for good local bike shops in Newcastle?

I'm sure we can help you out between us, and hopefully get you some better service from a shop that wants your business. Hell, you might end up with more bike for your buck too!!

 

[AndyRM]

Try the Cycle Hub or Start Cycles in the city centre. Evans over at the Metro Centre is pretty good, as is Halfords at Silverlink. I don't really like Edinburgh Bicycle in Byker but others rate them.

There's also Steels in Gosforth, Cycleogical in Forest Hall and CJ Performance and Cycle Centre in Byker. KB Cycles in Newburn are cracking and have great sales.

Hopefully one of them will actually want to sell you a bike!

 

[classic33]

Organised a test ride, prior to purchase, in a shop in London. Turned up at the correct time & date and they'd none available. 400 mile round trip wasted.
Their loss.

 

[gavroche]

Organised a test ride, prior to purchase, in a shop in London. Turned up at the correct time & date and they'd none available. 400 mile round trip wasted.
Their loss.

I think it is more your loss as you are the one who forked out £££ to get there .

 

[Dogtrousers]

My experience of test rides at Evans was not good. I was shopping with my wife, who wasn't sure if she needed the small model. It was the display bike or nothing. Actually, it was the display bike or pay us money to unbox a smaller sized bike. We left immediately.

To be fair we hadn't called beforehand to book a test ride on a small model, but still, I thought that their attitude stank.

While I'm ranting, I took my Brompton (not folded) into a branch of Evans the other day to buy some bits and bobs and the guy had a go at me for not leaving it in the rack outside. The shop was deserted, it wasn't like I was getting in the way or anything.

 

[MattDB]

@MattDB - is there a specific reason you like the Calibre Two Two?

Would you consider alternative suggestions and maybe some pointers for good local bike shops in Newcastle?

I'm sure we can help you out between us, and hopefully get you some better service from a shop that wants your business. Hell, you might end up with more bike for your buck too!!

Most certainly would take advice on where to visit, though not planning on spending big bucks- it was just the spec on that bike is very good for a bike in that price range - admittedly no point in getting it if it's a bad fit!

 

[vickster]

Ok, not local but have you looked at Paul's cycles? They often have deals on older MTBs eg, available in XL

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s2p5553/SCOTT-ASPECT-650-2014

Or 29ers work well for taller folk, a bit more money but something like

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p6078/CUBE-ANALOG-29-2015

 

[ufkacbln]

I liked Thorn in Sometset

Range of rides, long, short, on road, off road and you choose or take your own route

We were smitten by the first 10 miles, and they tried to throw us out again for a longer ride

 

[Milkfloat]

My experience of test rides at Evans was not good. I was shopping with my wife, who wasn't sure if she needed the small model. It was the display bike or nothing. Actually, it was the display bike or pay us money to unbox a smaller sized bike. We left immediately.

To be fair we hadn't called beforehand to book a test ride on a small model, but still, I thought that their attitude stank.

Evan's have probably the best test ride policy of all stores. If you had pre-booked you could have test ridden any bike they had in the country. I had always equated Evans as a slightly better Halfords and steered clear. However, I booked a test ride on a particular bike, they let me take it out whilst it was chucking down with rain, I asked if I could go for a long ride and that was not a problem. They also had no issue with me setting the bike up exactly as I wanted and let me put my own saddle on. After all that, there was no sales pressure at all. They even priced matched the best price I had found and then let me use CycleScheme to purchase without paying the premium that other companies charge. The guy I dealt with was a keen club racer who seemed to know his apples. My attitude has changed towards them.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Evan's have probably the best test ride policy of all stores. If you had pre-booked you could have test ridden any bike they had in the country.

Fair point. Although they never explained this to us at the time - I thought that we got rather a poor attitude from them.

I also recall having to explain the concept of nut fit (as opposed to recessed bolt) brakes to one of their mechanics once. But that's more of a generational thing, he probably only sees the bikes they sell so he'd never have seen such antique brakes.

But for all that they get on my wick, I do still use them from time to time.

 

[vickster]

I think as with any chain, the service with Evans varies from store to store. Wimbledon are decent