Demo bikes

heathrow86
heathrow86 Posts: 228
edited March 2012 in Road buying advice
Does anyone know if local bike shops or even shops like Evans, Cycle Surgery etc, let you demo a bike for a weekend say? The reason i ask is i am looking to buy a new road bike in the next few months but before i commit I would like to try it properly, rather than a ride around a car park for a few minutes. A friend of mine is doing this with mountain bikes and he is borrowing his from Leisurelakes in Wolverhampton. I am a bit far from there.

Comments

  • citrus_
    citrus_ Posts: 60
    I know that Evans have a month long returns policy if you dont get on with your bike. Obviously you'd have to fork out the full amount for the bike if you did this.
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    heathrow86 wrote:
    Does anyone know if local bike shops or even shops like Evans, Cycle Surgery etc, let you demo a bike for a weekend say? The reason i ask is i am looking to buy a new road bike in the next few months but before i commit I would like to try it properly, rather than a ride around a car park for a few minutes. A friend of mine is doing this with mountain bikes and he is borrowing his from Leisurelakes in Wolverhampton. I am a bit far from there.

    I got a demo bike for a week from my nearest Spesh Concept store - got the impression I could have kept it longer if I wanted to and no one else had booked it - I am sure all concept stores offer same.
  • fungus_the_muffin_man
    fungus_the_muffin_man Posts: 1,608
    Epic cycles will let you take their bikes for a good long test ride. They actually look funny at you if you don't lol. You have to stay local though.
    Bianchi. There are no alternatives only compromises!
    I RIDE A KONA CADABRA -would you like to come and have a play with my magic link?
  • arlowood
    arlowood Posts: 2,561
    I think you will find that a fair majority of bike retailers will order in specific models and sizes to use as demo bikes. More usually it will be the larger brand names - Specialized, Trek Giant etc in sizes that are the most common - 56 & 58cm usually.

    These are viewed as "loss leaders" being lent out for test rides over a few hours or days depending on the policy of the shop. Afterwards they are then sold off as "Demo" bikes at a good discount on RRP.

    I would call round a few of the bike shops nearest to you and ask what their policy is on demo bikes. If they are only prepared to let you sit on a bike and/or ride it round their car park then avoid. There will be others who are more accomodating.
  • memsley89
    memsley89 Posts: 247
    http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos- ... 6849_n.jpg

    I was recently lent this by the guys in my local Giant store.
    literally filled in a basic form & left my credit card with them...
    leaving the store I was simply told "Please don't steal it!"
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