Test rides and discounts

gloomyandy

How easily do find it to get a test ride?

I'm looking at buying a pretty expensive (certainly for me) bike, a Trek Domane 5.9 and need this in a pretty small size. Obviously when spending this sort of money I would really like to have a test ride. The problem is that none of my local stores have this model, and size. I'd be happy to try one of the less expensive versions that shares a similar frame, but again none of the stores have my size. Many of them can get me the bike, but only if I put a firm order in, but then what happens if I don't like it? The only store I can find that can make the bike available to test is Evans. But I've seen a few bad reports about them, and I don't really view them as a lbs. Obviously I could get Evans to get me a bike, test it and if I like it buy from another store, but that does not seem right to me.

What would you do?

On a related note. All of the stores I've spoken to have quoted me the full recommended price. I've not tried to push this issue yet. When buying this kind of bike, what sort of a deal (if any) would you expect to be able to negotiate?

richh

What I wouldn't do is to buy a bike without either testing it first, or knowing my geometry requirements well enough to be able to buy blind based on published frame measurements. You don't wound like you know the second of these so a test ride must surely be essential.

If I was you I'd go to Evans and ask them to get one in for you to try, and if you like it, buy it from the cheapest place. Personally I've always had great service from them. also remember that whilst the profits of the company are almost certainly taken out of the local area the company is still employing local people, arranging local events etc so there are local benefits from giving your business to them.

I do like to support local business where possible but you have to draw the line somewhere. If they can't get a bike for you to test and are more expensive why would you want to take your business there? It's different for servicing or parts that are needed urgently but not for whole bikes where there's no reason to pay potentially hundred of pounds over the odds just to feel good about something. If you can afford it and want to do that, buy the cheaper bike and give the difference to a local charity. That's a much better way of spending your cash.

alihisgreat

I think evans take a deposit of £100? and it only gets refunded if you buy a bike from them.

richh

No it's £50 (per bike) and you get it back no questions asked if you turn up for the test ride.

deswahriff

..I agree with richh...try at Evans, buy from wherever you prefer...even the on-line only guys are providing jobs and generating business for someone!

..on the subject of discounts, I've found it next to impossible to get a meaningful discount from our local LBS...he'll chuck in a few freebies, that's it. There's a couple of other LBS's, (still close enough to be "L"), who include a proper bike fit, even 2 years free service, which I'm finding attractive as I research my next purchase, but I'm not expecting a discount of the rrp ( will still ask, though!)

giant_man

ALIHISGREAT wrote:

I think evans take a deposit of £100? and it only gets refunded if you buy a bike from them.

good grief!

chrisaonabike

richh wrote:

No it's £50 (per bike) and you get it back no questions asked if you turn up for the test ride.

I did several test rides at Evans in Kingston a few weeks back, and they debited my CC 1p each time. No refund, not that I cared.

richh

That would presumably for bikes they already have in stock. They do that too when you actualy go out on the test ride itself. The £50 is to order in a specific bike from their warehouse and to make sure that you turn up

gloomyandy

Thanks for the quick replies....

Rich I agree that buying a bike like this without testing it is not a good idea. I have a pretty good idea about the geometry I'm looking for and what will fit me. But even so, with this sort of bike I think it makes more sense to test it.

How do others manage with this? If buying a high end bike do you normally manage to get a test ride? I think part of the problem I've been having is that I need a pretty small frame which most shops do not stock...