Test ride(s)

[inkd]

My cyclescheme finishes in two weeks and I am looking at starting another shortly after. This time I am looking at spending the max £1000, after riding my mates carbon ribble which is the first road bike I have been on I loved it and have been reading reviews and shortlisting bikes since, to the point that im confused.
As per cyclescheme I am limited to certain LBS also a few online. I have pretty much decided on a Giant Defy 1, But my question is this - Would it be a good idea to try a few other bikes as well as the defy? because if I only test ride the Defy then I would not be able to compare it to another?
There are not many other bikes in the price range that take my fancy but a few have caught my eye as in Felt Z85, Trek madone 2.1. Depending on how much overtime I can be arsed to do over the xmas period I might be able to add a bit more for the Giant TCR, but I have to factor in new shoes, pedals and mudguards.
I am only looking at sportive geometry`s and more relaxed position due to an old lower back injury which flares up now and then.
All advice would be welcome.

 

[Rob3rt]

Ride as many as you can.

 

[vickster]

This ^^

Depending on the retailer, you may or may not be able to add funds to the C2W voucher (technically you aren't allowed to)

I don't think the madone is a sporting geometry, that's the domane IIRC...and not sure about the TCR either

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

The Felt Z85 has a more aggressive geometry than the Defy 1 and they are massively different bikes.. As @Rob3rt says ride as many as you can.
You must also remember that a description of the geometry is just that, it has no direct relationship with comfort on the bike.
I have a number of vastly different bikes and the one I am most comfortable and at home on is the one which has the most aggressive geometry.

 

[vickster]

Is it the F series that are the more 'relaxed'?

 

[helston90]

Ride as many as you can as one manufacturers opinion of relaxed sportif geometry may be completely different to yours.
In a similar scenario I'm looking at the Fuji Sportif 1.1 on Evans- spashes of 105 on it and front and rear disk brakes.

 

[Cyclist33]

Is it the F series that are the more 'relaxed'?

No the Zs are the "relaxed geometry" ones and the Fs the racier ones. Apparently.

 

[inkd]

Wahoo. This Thursday is 3 LBS and 6 test rides of the likes - Defy 1, Cube pel race, Cannondale Synapse Tiagra, Spesh Allez elite, Spesh Secteur elite and a Trek madone 2.1

 

[vickster]

Enjoy, hope it's dry!

 

[inkd]

Im looking forward to my trip out today but a little rant first please. What is it with LBS? trying to sort out test rides in a rough sized model regardless of spec and either a) out of stock? (sorry but 2014 models not been out that long) or b) we can order it in for you but you will have to buy it?? whats that all about?
Now im all for supporting the local shops but really, do they want a sale or not? I could easily order a better spec bike from an online retailer that take cyclscheme but would prefer local if I have any problems. Its not that i have just walked in, I sorted this out last friday so they could source a bike from one of their other shops.
The only LBS that has been most helpful is the closest so I might save some petrol and only do the two closest.

 

[vickster]

I believe an LBS has to pay for a bike to get it for you so it's not surprising they want some commitment if they are are spending £1000 with no guarantees.

Enjoy the test rides, not the best weather for it, windy!

 

[inkd]

Thx, I can understand the small one shop owners attitude but an example; small Trek only dealer with just the one shop, "can I book a test ride please" blah blah, I wanted to test ride a madone 2.1, they didnt have any instock so i thought any madone in around size 52? "no sorry but I can order one for you to purchase"
Surely the size 52-50 is so popular because a few bikes I wanted to test from different stores were "out of stock" so would it not make sense to keep the more popular size in stock?
I can also understand about the lack of enthusiasm for cyclescheme because of CS cut of the sale but in this day and age surely any sale is a sale if not to get a returning customer?
Gonna finish my coffee and go, I will update later if I have any luck.

 

[vickster]

I wouldn't have thought 50-52cm is the most popular size in a men's bike. Are these 2014 or 2013 bikes as I expect we much be getting towards last knockings for the older models. I am 5'9, so around average for a man (not that I am lol) and ride a 54cm

 

[inkd]

Well I did not expect my final choice at all, I was going to come home and think about my test rides but I could`nt ignore the massive grin factor of the bike I chose which my head is still screaming "why" at me.
So, first LBS test was the Defy 1 and it was a nice ride with good specs / geometry. I was`nt bowled over with it but it was good. Second was a peleton pro (wanted the race but not in my size) so my thinking was "its the same frame". It was a lot different to the defy but my back did`nt like it much, very stiff and unforgiving.
On to Hargroves for my next test. After a lengthy discussion about my needs and what I wanted out of a bike I was talked into trying a Spesh Secteur sport disc 2013, this would not have been an option I was looking at because of specs but I thought what the hell. 10 mins of going up and down and a few side streets my heart (and my back) was screaming this is the one. I went back to the shop with a massive grin on my face and the bloke said "I`ll get the paperwork started then yes?"
So, my head is asking why? why get a bike with Sora groupset and disc brakes that weighs more when I could get a bike with 105 on for the same price BUT the feeling of being, well, just right is to strong to ignore.
So there you go, I have got the wheels in motion for Cyclscheme, Hargroves had to order in the 2014 model so it will be the new year before I get it. I just had to re-evaluate the comfort over specs and that 90% of my riding is just commuting.
Have I made the right choice? my heart thinks so but my head says no.

 

[Rob3rt]

10 mins is not long enough to test ride a bike IMO.