DeRosa trial ride.

2old2dieyoung

I have just visited a shop near London to enquire about a DeRosa Idol for which they wanted œ3500 but I was told I wasn't allowed a trial ride! Anyone any knowledge of a stockist in or near London where I can try before I buy. Thanks.

grimpeurcp

Tell them where to go in that case.

If they expect you to part with that amount of money before you've even sat on the thing I would find somewhere else. Even if you have to travel to another bike shop, the outlay spent on transport will be insignificant compared to the confidence you'll gain in knowing you've made the correct choice of bike!

Unknown

Try emailed the importer (Walker ?) and asking them which dealers can provide a test ride.
Either that or fly to the factory and get one, the money you save will pay for the flights

My bikes - http://flickr.com/photos/82587774@N00/

I want one of these !! http://www.ciclicasati.it/italiano/foto_laser.htm

bugslop

I bought the 'Avant' from paul hewitt in Leyland last year, firstly i was measured and then the bike was set up for me and as far as the shop were concerned it still wasn't a sale. Give them a go, if i can drag the wife down there for the TDF you can come up north for a De Rosa! [:D][:D][:D]

I wear the trousers in our house!
when I'm allowed !!

giant_man

If i were after buying an Idol, which I hope to btw, I wouldn't buy it without a test ride. Press for one, it's no different to buying a car in my books. And you are spending a lot of money on a bike so why not?

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SIZE IS EVERYTHING! or at least that's what my LBS tells me.

monty_dogcp

I wouldn't expect a test ride either - most places would expect you to be the type of rider who knows what geometry / type of ride your looking for rather than putting their gold card on the counter and expecting them to fall about for you. Because these frames are normally built to a 'custom' spec, there's no point in the shop building it up - I'd be surprised if you'll find anywhere that would have one built up for your to test ride, particularly anything with an integrated seatpost. DeRosa are a small scale manufacturer and can sell all their production without having to sell demo bikes at cost - the same would go for Colnago, Pinarello, Casati and Italian marques.

giant_man

I have to disagree with Monty here. You're paying good money and you should have a test ride. You might not even like the way the Idol rides who knows, and you are entitled to a demo ride.

I am not saying the company should provide you with a custom fit bike of course, what I am saying the retailer should have an off the peg size bike for demo purposes. It doesn't have to fit exactly of course but it gives the rider an idea of what their desired frame would feel like.

I don't care who the company is, I would insist on it before shelling out that kind of cash. I don't know but I would have thought someone like Serotta even would provide a demo ride so why not any company?

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SIZE IS EVERYTHING! or at least that's what my LBS tells me.

Down the Road

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by 2old2dieyoung</i>

I have just visited a shop near London to enquire about a DeRosa Idol for which they wanted œ3500 but I was told I wasn't allowed a trial ride! Anyone any knowledge of a stockist in or near London where I can try before I buy. Thanks.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Birmingham City Cycles (not that close to London but might help) allows test rides on ALL bikes in stock. Last I new thaey had and Idol in stock Full record a 64cm I think.

mrushton

i rode with somebody at weekend who was testing a Spesh Roubaix Expert. It was actually badged 'test Bike' and he had 'paid' for the bike with his c/card as insurance, but the actual cost on the bikes return was approx. œ30. he was v.impressed with both the bike and the fact he could try it before ordering one. No way would I part with money for a bike without trying one and certainly the higher the spec the more the shop should be working. I'll second Hewitt, but there must be a better deRosa dealer down near London

M.Rushton

JWSurrey

http://www.cyclingnews.com/sponsors/ita ... derosa.php

Looks like Condor do them! Grays Inn Road.
'Phone ahead to the shop. Grant should be able to let you know whether or not they can do that (or even if they sell DeRosa, though the inference above is that they do).
I've seen Colnagos in the window but not sure if I've seen De Rosas.

giant_man

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by mrushton</i>

i rode with somebody at weekend who was testing a Spesh Roubaix Expert. It was actually badged 'test Bike' and he had 'paid' for the bike with his c/card as insurance, but the actual cost on the bikes return was approx. œ30. he was v.impressed with both the bike and the fact he could try it before ordering one. No way would I part with money for a bike without trying one and certainly the higher the spec the more the shop should be working. I'll second Hewitt, but there must be a better deRosa dealer down near London

M.Rushton
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote"><i></i><center></center>
You see, dealers doing this kind of test ride arrangement makes perfect sense to me, and the 30 quid you pay for the privilege is very reasonable. That's the way in my opinion it should go.

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SIZE IS EVERYTHING! or at least that's what my LBS tells me.

jonnywilkinson

i think Brixton Cycles sell De Rosas too and they are a decent shop.

Jonny
FGG #2545 & #2983

2old2dieyoung

Thank you all for the kind replies which I will investigate.

Montydog:-

You have a truely amazing mental ability that allows you to judge someones financial situation and character simply from an email. Have you thought of working for the FBI or MI5?
You also have a unique skill in being able to judge a bike on its appearance. If you are ever in a position to pay œ3,500 for a bike and do not wish to ride it good luck to you. For your information, and as seems to have been grasped by everyone else, the bike was already in the shop.

Memo to Cycling+ :-

Please cancel all future test ride articles of new bikes apart from novices ones. Apparently, as we already ride, they are not needed as we can tell exactly how the bike responds simply by looking at it.

I only want an elephant if I can test ride it!

JWSurrey

[quote.....I only want an elephant if I can test ride it!....
[/quote]
Elephants only take cash, working for peanuts is a myth - you're not allowed to test ride them - you should be able to tell from the length of the trunk. [:D]

Unknown

3.5k is a reasonaable amount of shekels for a bike, but then again the Idol is a lovely bike. Obviously the intergrated seatpost makes it more problematical having a test ride than a "conventional" seatpost. Montys right in some respects but if I bought a TVR Id still want a test ride. Let me know if you have any luck getting a test ride, as Im thinking of an Idol (or a 595) for my next bike .

not like you and proud of it

2old2dieyoung

I appreciate your point about the seatpost but the bike was set up and there is enough latitude within the seatpost to make it possible.
Anyway, I don't want to turn this into a bitching session which is why I purposely didn't name the shop - some will some won't, their prerogative.I just wanted to find one that would!
If and when I get the bike I'll send you an email. You are welcome to come over for a test ride.

top_bhoy

Its always more fun when shops get named.....go on, you know you want too!!!!!![}:)]

This is my bike:
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p66/ ... ure001.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p66/ ... ure002.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p66/ ... ure003.jpg

2old2dieyoung

OK then. It's ummmmm......uhhhhhhhh........ummmmm.........

I wish I had an elephants memory.

method

I never understand why peopele receive bad service from a shop and then are reluctant to name them, how else do the rest of us avoid them?

monty_dogcp

2old2die - how am I making judgement on someone's financial situation? œ3.5k is a lot of anyone's wonga - but I think you'll find that DeRosa don't need to market their bikes to everyone - they want to retain exclusivity and the price premium that goes with it. I've seen the Idol in a number of shops too - but I wouldn't expect the shop to build me one up for the sake of riding it around the block. They could probably sell 10x as many bikes if they had them made in China and flogged demo bikes at cost - but they choose not to. In order to retain absolute control of their products, they only make them in small numbers and control their channels of distribution - if that's a marketing strategy you disagree with, fine, go ahead and buy your big brand bike - test ride and all. That said, you find a lot of people buy them precisely for that reason - their exclusiveness and the fact that every Joe doesn't rides one. I never had the chance to test ride any of my bikes because each frame was a special order from Italy ad I'd never expect a shop to get one in and build it up without my commitment to buy - if that means you can't have a test ride then so be it, but I've never been disappointed because experience has taught me what geometry and materials suit my size and weight. I expect DeRosa also expects each customer to be sufficiently knowledgeable to make that informed decision too.

nasz

£3500 is a lot of wonga indeed!

While on a recent Italian sportive trip I visited a bike shop in France and tried out the De Rosa Idol. Loved it! Went to the factory in Milan - just closed for the day by the time I got there :-(

Made my way over to a well known bike shop in Como - and bought one! Idol + Campag Chorus + Racing Zero's + ITM bars, etc = 4000euros whereas purchasing in the UK I was quoted £4000 - thats a big saving! Even including a cheap flight and a bike case!!!!

By the way, Geometry! I've been measured up for several differnent bikes and have lept all the details - though I would have bought the wrong size frame if I hadn't been re-measured for the Idol! So make sure you at least download the De Rosa measurement chart before hand!

Jashin

I guess you went to Comobikes then? They built me up a De Rosa Protos with full Record and Fulcrum Zero wheels for about £1300 cheaper than a shop in the UK would charge. Excellent service as well.

nasz

Jashin wrote:

I guess you went to Comobikes then?

I sure did! Great service, well stocked and a joy to deal with! The owner, Brent is very helpful - as are all the staff! Another bonus is that they cater for overseas customers too!

wildmoustache

yeah... why not name the shop? Is it Evans on The Cut? My eyes almost fell out of my head when i saw an Idol in there the other day. Er... someone should talk to De Rosa about marketing to the UK public ... a very desirable boutique brand should not be turning up in Evans (before I get flamed, I know they have some decent bikes and staff, but the service is so variable that it's a joke.)

nasz

wildmoustache wrote:

yeah... why not name the shop? Is it Evans on The Cut? My eyes almost fell out of my head when i saw an Idol in there the other day. Er... someone should talk to De Rosa about marketing to the UK public ... a very desirable boutique brand should not be turning up in Evans (before I get flamed, I know they have some decent bikes and staff, but the service is so variable that it's a joke.)

You sure it wasn't a customers bike? De Rosa don't distribute to Evans even via their sole UK distributer Jim Walker!

wildmoustache

nasz wrote:

wildmoustache wrote:

yeah... why not name the shop? Is it Evans on The Cut? My eyes almost fell out of my head when i saw an Idol in there the other day. Er... someone should talk to De Rosa about marketing to the UK public ... a very desirable boutique brand should not be turning up in Evans (before I get flamed, I know they have some decent bikes and staff, but the service is so variable that it's a joke.)

You sure it wasn't a customers bike? De Rosa don't distribute to Evans even via their sole UK distributer Jim Walker!

It was hanging up in the window totally unblemished. I was in a rush but went away feeling a bit depressed. Could have been a staff member's bike I guess. Bit of a cheesy stunt to pull if it was. Was the full standard build with Zeros and (I think) Record.

nasz

Crikey - thats a £4000 bike - Personally I wouldn't take it to Evans - let alone leave it there! I Interesting that it was hanging up - If you find out more let us know.

andyp

nasz wrote:

Crikey - thats a £4000 bike - Personally I wouldn't take it to Evans - let alone leave it there! I Interesting that it was hanging up - If you find out more let us know.

Evans on The Cut have a small display just inside the door of De Rosa bikes. There is an Idol and a couple of the aluminium bikes there plus a large De Rosa banner.

Shocked doesn't even begin to describe my reaction when I saw this. :shock:

nasz

While we'e talking about Evans! A friend of mine was looking at bikes and thought he'd have a look at the Bianchi's on offer. Evans idea of measuring him up was 'here you go mate, try this! If it doesn't fit, we'll lower the saddle!' - he went to GB Cycles in the end though - so there was a happy ending!

wildmoustache

nasz wrote:

While we'e talking about Evans! A friend of mine was looking at bikes and thought he'd have a look at the Bianchi's on offer. Evans idea of measuring him up was 'here you go mate, try this! If it doesn't fit, we'll lower the saddle!' - he went to GB Cycles in the end though - so there was a happy ending!

I'm pleased my far-fetched sounding story has been substantiated

at the same evans i also saw a Parlee with a Clavicula chainset and Lightweight Generation 2 wheels.

giant_man

Words fail me! Evans selling De Rosa's. Whatever next? Bikehut selling Serottas? lol

They are certainly not worthy of selling such a prestige brand surely. And anyone in their right minds wouldn't surely buy one from them. Good God!