Wanting to purchase a Zesty 314 but cant get a test ride

diddyfunk
diddyfunk Posts: 252
edited April 2011 in MTB general
Hi Guys

I am wanting to purchase a new full suss and am thinking of the 2011 Lapierre Zesty 314.

I have never ridden a full suss before and want to test ride the bike on proper terrain (trails). Every bike shop I have contacted advises that I can just take it out on the road and have to bring it back in 15mins (including Evans).

How do you guys choose a new bike that you havent ridden before?

I just think if im spending £2,300 on a bike, I want to have ridden it properly first!

Any advise welcome (with reason) - lol

Thanks
2011 Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Evo
08 Scott Scale 60 - http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy25 ... CF2299.jpg

Comments

  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    It will be quite hard to get a test ride for that long and anywhere where it will get quite dirty, as it means much more work for the staff there to clean it.

    I can't even get one with my LBS, and i'm almost family with the manager there.
    My London Road
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Some shops will rent you one (around £40) for an afternoon, and deduct the hire cost if you buy it.
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  • allthegearnoidea
    allthegearnoidea Posts: 4,077
    my lbs used to have one as a demo bike and due to that sold Many! on the basis of hire it for the day/weekend etc. and the cost comes of the price if you decide to buy it,
    but, due to the popularity of the bike there was very liitle need for it, most sell themselves!!
    i guess youve tried welovelapierre ??
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  • u05harrisb
    u05harrisb Posts: 531
    from what i believe rutland cycles have a cycle fleet of which ive just had a look at (http://www.rutlandcycling.com/offer/4/D ... custid=C98) and it is on there so from what im aware of you can book out the bike and rent it (cant remember how much but you can rent for upto all day) and go ride it around rutland water and the local trails around that way. this is what i did before i bought my bike :D hope that helps bud!
    Ben
  • u05harrisb
    u05harrisb Posts: 531
    owh yeh like others said, rental fee comes out of the cost of the bike if you then buy a bike :D
  • Kib
    Kib Posts: 12
    Try Nirvana Cycles in Dorking. When I was looking around they had a few demo Lapierre in stock and would allow to ride in the Surrey Hills.
    http://www.nirvanacycles.com/contact.htm
  • Kib
    Kib Posts: 12
    In fact have a look at their demo fleet down the page
    http://www.nirvanacycles.com/
  • WILL 1 AM
    WILL 1 AM Posts: 132
    you tried EVANS CYCLES, they do a the RIDE IT events monthly and rent the bikes out, loads of different brands and they take off the deposit paid, towards the cost of bike. It all around the country so they'll probably do one near you.
  • hoochylala
    hoochylala Posts: 987
    u05harrisb wrote:
    from what i believe rutland cycles have a cycle fleet of which ive just had a look at (http://www.rutlandcycling.com/offer/4/D ... custid=C98) and it is on there so from what im aware of you can book out the bike and rent it (cant remember how much but you can rent for upto all day) and go ride it around rutland water and the local trails around that way. this is what i did before i bought my bike :D hope that helps bud!
    Ben

    Sadly Rutland Water will never give you an idea of what the bike can handle - its about as good as riding around the car park!

    I was lucky enough to go to a dmeo day in the Lakes last month and try a Zesty 514 amongst others. Perhaps ring the importers/ distributors and enquire about demo days they have soon/ this summer?
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  • pilsburypie
    pilsburypie Posts: 891
    Good luck with your mission mate. Was asking similar questions myself not too long back after asking about bikes and getting what seemed like good advice on try them and see. I bought my Zesty 514 a little while ago and love it. Lucky really as it was bought blind.

    I wanted to ride a Remedy 8, the Zesty and Spicy to compare but was buggered if I could find anywhere where I could rent/borrow/test in any meaningful surroundings. Just got the answer "We don't have that bike in stock - we could order it for you" but again, what for - a 15 min ride on the streets?
  • specialeyes
    specialeyes Posts: 542
    WILL 1 AM wrote:
    you tried EVANS CYCLES, they do a the RIDE IT events monthly and rent the bikes out, loads of different brands and they take off the deposit paid, towards the cost of bike. It all around the country so they'll probably do one near you.

    Leisure lakes also do this, the took virtually every bike they had to lee quarry and set up for the day. I think the fee was 50 to 80 pounds and you could demo as many bikes as you liked. If you decided to buy one that money would be deducted. I'm not sure how often they do this type of thing though.
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  • Kaise
    Kaise Posts: 2,498
    Bike UK let you take a bike out properly, they actively encourage it! they let you take demo stuff out for as long as you like really (there is a limit)

    only problem is you have to pay them a hefty deposit, but if you're going to buy a bike then the moeny should already be in your accounbt IMO (i hate finance)
    :)Ragley Blue Pig
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  • ed_arnold
    ed_arnold Posts: 65
    Go to a trail centre, spot someone who's got one, treat them like a long lost buddy, and use your powers of persuasion to see if they'll let you have a go.
    Failing that, you'll at least glean some useful information from them about it. Tbh, I think most people buy without a proper test ride, and for a bike like that, I shouldn't worry too much as they seem to light up all the reviews. Just worry about getting a good deal :wink:
  • bartimaeus
    bartimaeus Posts: 1,812
    ed_arnold wrote:
    Go to a trail centre, spot someone who's got one, treat them like a long lost buddy, and use your powers of persuasion to see if they'll let you have a go.
    Definitely this. I have an Anthem X4, which I really love, but I had a quick go on a Zesty 314 and was well impressed... on the other hand I wasn't too keen on the Orange 5 I had a go on! Not had a proper thrash on either, mind, but the Zesty was a keeper.
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  • diddyfunk
    diddyfunk Posts: 252
    cheers for the feedback guys.

    After going into an Evans and talking to a guy in there, it would seem that the Lapierres are quite low spec'd bikes compared to other manufacturers.

    The guy advised that they put a lot of their work into their frames and so the spec suffers.

    The rear shock doesn't even have lock out or pro pedal and the front fork isn't a FIT.

    I have been told that FOX suspension is what to look for so that rules out the specialized!.

    The guy in the shop pointed me towards Ghost - Any suggestions on this or any other bikes?

    Many Thanks
    2011 Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Evo
    08 Scott Scale 60 - http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy25 ... CF2299.jpg
  • WILL 1 AM
    WILL 1 AM Posts: 132
    But Lapierre's looks NICE!!

    With 2.3k to spunk I would consider an Orange 5 or Santa Cruz Heckler.

    Trek Ex 8 Maybe? , theres a thousand and one to look for with that sort of money.
  • ftwizard
    ftwizard Posts: 253
    diddyfunk wrote:

    I have been told that FOX suspension is what to look for so that rules out the specialized!.

    Any suggestions on this or any other bikes?

    Many Thanks

    Yes. Ignore that advice.
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