What cental Scotland shops allow me to ride a bike?

jdk2014
jdk2014 Posts: 24
edited May 2014 in MTB buying advice
I went to a couple of bike shops today and I felt I was expected to buy a bike without even getting to ride it. Is this normal? One shop said they were not allowed to let me ride it. Last bike shop I was in was in Dusseldorf and the had an area about the size of a tennis court were I could ride.
Are there shops in Central Scotland where I can try before I buy?

Comments

  • batmo
    batmo Posts: 277
    Firstly, I apologise for not answering the question you've asked; I have no info on bike shops in Central Scotland.

    However when faced with a similar situation when trying to obtain a bike for the missus (the shops would not obtain the correct size to even sit on without a commitment to buy), we resorted to the online purchase route as the regulations allow you to return "unused" within a time limit (14 days?) Most of the retailers extend this anyway.
    Viscount Grand Touring - in bits
    Trek ZX6500 - semi-retired
    HP Velotechnik Spirit
    Brompton M6
    Specialized Camber Comp
  • Hypnoticjam
    Hypnoticjam Posts: 42
    Billy Bilslands at Glasgow Green do but they don't carry a lot of MTB stock but are very helpful. Dales let you take em out and Alpine have a unit at Glen Tress but I think you hire the bike and then get cost offset against purchase.
  • Angus Young
    Angus Young Posts: 3,063
    Do a Google for 'mountain bike demo day' to see if there's anything coming up in your area soon. It's a great way to get yourself on a load of bikes in realistic conditions.
    All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
    Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12994607
  • Dandy Dan 69
    Dandy Dan 69 Posts: 45
    The Edinburgh bike co-op let you take shop models out for a spin on the links/paths outside the shop.

    Think they've got some demo models that you can book out as well.

    Or is edinburgh not considered central?
    Giant Trance 3 '08
    Kona Lava Dome '96
    Giant Alliance '08
  • jdk2014
    jdk2014 Posts: 24
    Yes, Edinburgh's definitely central. Thanks for all the recommendations.
  • plasma_man
    plasma_man Posts: 129
    Check out a Dales cycles in Glasgow. The might be able to let you demo a bike. A really like that shop, great bikes, very friendly service which is a must.
    - 2013 Cube LTD, SL 29, grey / black.
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    Evans and Edinburgh Bike Coop both do it. The Alpine Bikes at Glentress has a hire fleet of assorted bikes and I think can get in others from those brands. You'll often have to pay mind (running demo fleets is expensive!) Talking proper testrides here not just round the block.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • hainman
    hainman Posts: 699
    Dales told me they would get me a Giant Reign 2 (the bike i was going to buy) for a couple of days,£50 deposit which came of bike price,but as they had one in stock i just bought it after a ride around the street,
    Giant Reign 2
    Crohnie

Categories