Cycling in and around Birmingham England

Any bikes shops that allow try before you buy?

I'm looking to replace my bike between now and the end of June.

I want to ensure that I make the right choice of bike this time, having made poor choices previously by buying online.

does anyone know if there any bike stores in Birmingham that allow you to try before you buy??

Ultimately I would like to try it for an hour or so before making a decision

I have been looking at

the following bikes:

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/Detaig/12live/live/Live%20...

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/Detaig/12work/work/Work%20...

so if anyone has either of the above bikes and wouldn't mind me taking a look and having a go.... I would be so so so grateful

thanks for reading

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by LS on February 15, 2012 at 20:22

I know that Onyourbike (disclaimer, they sponsor this site ) in Bradford Street will let you test ride providing you leave a credit card as security and have ID. If you turn up in an old banger worth less than the bike, the car keys alone won't be sufficient. I saw this happen, the driver stormed off to his car and drove off in a huff which was quite amusing. I don't think they stock Globe bikes though. I expect most bike shops have a similar policy on test rides. The mixte is nicer.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Zeth on February 15, 2012 at 20:27

I love the look of the first one, that rack looks ultra handy.

Don't they all let you try them out? What is the point of a physical bike shop if you cannot ride the bike?

When I bought my wife a bike (this one - not as posh as your options), the Kings Heath shop let her go up and down the local roads. I was left behind as a security deposit. It was only for like half an hour but it did convince her to take it.

I wanted to get her a Stratford upon Avon made Pashley Princess, but she called it a granny bike. No accounting for taste.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John KIRK on February 15, 2012 at 20:43

The people at The Fort Concept Store let me ride my Specialized Sirrus Comp around the carpark for 10 mins and it felt right. If to really want the bike to fit you, go to a bike fitter specialist and get all of your measurements done. Will cost about £120 but well worth it if you are doing a lot of miles.Then use these measurements to specify the frame size,stem length,saddle height and so on.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Donna Norford on February 15, 2012 at 20:59

Thanks Zeth

I will try the kings heath store .......... I had not thought of them!

I'm well known for riding a granny bike........... but its the practicality that I like

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Donna Norford on February 15, 2012 at 21:03

I wouldn't have a problem with leaving a card.

I did go to Evans & they said I had to pay the full price of the bike for them to order it in for me & then if I didn't like it then they would refund................ however, they didn't say that I could take it out of the shop

LS said:

I know that Onyourbike (disclaimer, they sponsor this site ) in Bradford Street will let you test ride providing you leave a credit card as security and have ID. If you turn up in an old banger worth less than the bike, the car keys alone won't be sufficient. I saw this happen, the driver stormed off to his car and drove off in a huff which was quite amusing. I don't think they stock Globe bikes though. I expect most bike shops have a similar policy on test rides. The mixte is nicer.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Luke Sweeting on February 15, 2012 at 21:42

I know of a shop back home (Reading) which does a bike fitting for around the £50 mark and gives you all of the relevant information. Then if you choose to buy a bike from them they'll deduct the cost of the fitting from the price of the bike. I'd be extremely surprised if they don't offer test rides as well.

I'm afraid I don't know anywhere here which offers a similar service, but I for one am happy to pay a slight premium for that kind of customer support!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John KIRK on February 15, 2012 at 22:14

Bike fitting in shops varies in quality from great to downright injurious. Takes a least an hour to do it right, so don't go on a Saturday to a shop when what they are trying to do is sell bikes.

Luke Sweeting said:

I know of a shop back home (Reading) which does a bike fitting for around the £50 mark and gives you all of the relevant information. Then if you choose to buy a bike from them they'll deduct the cost of the fitting from the price of the bike. I'd be extremely surprised if they don't offer test rides as well.

I'm afraid I don't know anywhere here which offers a similar service, but I for one am happy to pay a slight premium for that kind of customer support!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dave Cox on February 15, 2012 at 23:12

Red Kite let me out on a Bianchi Mega Pro for 30 mins or so and put my pedals on it. Needless to say it was so light and fast for the time (over 12 years ago) that I bought it. But I now ride shorter more upright bikes following various fits and adjustments designed to keep neck and shoulder ache at bay. I need to to 50 miles before I know whether the aches will cut in and a basic shop bike fit was no help.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ian-C on February 16, 2012 at 2:43

specialized at the fort let you take a demo bike away and try it for a day, I just guess it depends on weather they have the one your looking at in a demo.oh and they charge £250 refundable deposit.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by NBC on February 16, 2012 at 8:49

+1 for On Your Bike (non-disclaimered opinion ;-). I've test ridden a few bikes from the shop and they've always gone that extra mile for me. (Dan there even bought his own bike in for me to try once as they didn't have that model in the shop at the time!)

Cheers,

N.

LS said:

I know that Onyourbike (disclaimer, they sponsor this site ) in Bradford Street will let you test ride providing you leave a credit card as security and have ID.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James Lee on February 16, 2012 at 10:48

The Shimano Nexus 8 hasn't got a very good service record. A lot of complaits about 'losing' gears.

Some Carerra Subway 8 bikes on the used market with the footnote 'can't engage 1st and 2nd' etc.

Test riding bikes is still a debatable subject.

If the frame's "reach" measures up to your body dimensions, there's no reason why the bike cannot be made comfy ( and ergonomically perfect ). Check the geometry tables and see if the frame's reach fits YOU.

If it does, you may as well buy the bike and let the shop chaps adjust it.

If you are considering an Audax or 100km charity ride, get a professional fitting. It might cost a bit, but the fitting man ( Bikedynamics of Leamington Spa ) will do much more than the LBS chap does.

Bike shops offering 'test rides' are hoping you 'fall in love' and buy the bike. They are not necessarily interested in you being comfortable or efficient.

There is no point whatsoever riding a bike that you will not be able to buy. Only when the bike is adjusted perfectly will you know if it will still feel comfortable after 190 kms of a 200 Audax. This takes a lot of hours and small adjustments if you take the bike away on a test ride.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Simon on February 16, 2012 at 14:51

The one in Coleshill (sorry forgot the name) let be take a Brommie off for a test ride without giving any kind of security - which I thought was rather good especially as I'd not been there before.

Although the best one I've had was from Airnimal - the owner of the company gave me a test bike and then took me for an hour long tour all around Cambridge and bought me coffee halfway. And funnily enough I ended up buying a bike of him!