Embarrassed to test ride in LBS

[withm]

you'll be fine, but be sure to wear a HELMET just in case the stuff hits the fan.....

I bet there isn't anybody on this board that hasn't fallen at least once.

[annie]

They can fit you in a very general way, without you riding the bike. But to make sure the fit is right, yep, there's no way to do that without you ON the bike. Personally, I think they need to set you up on a trainer, so they can actually watch you ride. If you haven't ridden for years, you probably aren't going to know whether or not the bike fits right, even if you ride it. They need to see how it fits you and make the proper adjustments. Then have you take it out for a spin and see how it feels in actual riding conditions. If you've lucked out and chosen a good bike shop, they'll keep working with you until you and they feel the bike is a good match. You'll probably still need to go back for some tweaking. As you ride more, your position of comfort can change.

I guess what I'm stressing is that a good bike shop is very important. Of course they are in the business of selling bikes! They wouldn't exist otherwise. They also need to be in the business of taking care of their customers. Hope you find a great shop and a bike that fits your needs.

Annie

[wiseowl]

And here I thought I was the only one to have fallen during my first test ride! No one saw, but I came in bloody so they probably did the math. Most of my test rides I just left a driver's license with them and waltzed out the door with the bike and was on my own. The one time someone did watch, though, he was pretty helpful in teaching me how to start and stop on the bike better- I tried to launch to the side when stopping rather than the front.

After I said I was interested, then they put me on a trainer or someone held the bike to do the more detailed sizing. And after the real bike arrived, the same, but for longer, to do the fitting.

On the same infamous first ride I also put my helmet on backwards, though- do try NOT to do that! The LBS guy just beckoned me over, flipped it around, and sent me back out. Arg.

[LadyInMotion]

CC-

same story here. I had not been on a bike in many, many, many years when I decided I wanted to add cycling to my exercise regime. It took some courage to go to the LBS for test rides. I admitted to them right up front that I had not been on a bike in a long time, had no idea how the shifting worked and would have many questions for them. My LBS guy was an angel. He just laughed and said I was the best type of customer because he would not have to unteach bad habits. Then proceeded to walk me through the gearing, the test ride, what I should check, etc. First time I got on the bike, he was not steadying it, but he stood close enough that I knew I wasn't going over if it I tottered. I did not buy from them but I was grateful to him and I even wrote a short thank you note to his manager after the fact.

I don't know if it is an option for you, but I took time off work during the week for my test rides because I knew the LBS was much busier evenings and Saturdays and I wanted as few witnesses as possible. Most times during the weekday, I was only one of a few number of customers.

I have only had my bike 3 weeks and from the time I decided to buy to now, every step of progress has been a baby step. Every one of them I have documented and celebrated.

go for it!

[suzieqtwa]

I've only been riding a year ,and before that I had no memory of ever being on a bike. I'm 53 now. I remember feeling intimated going into the bike shop. I didn't know the difference between a hybrid ,and a road bike ,but my brother had told me I wanted a hybrid,so at least I had that information. I felt silly ,and uncomfortable. I didn't want to test ride it ,because I had no balance (and this was just a hybrid). I brought a girlfriend in with me who knew about bikes. I didn't know how I was supposed to feel on it etc...so I just road it a few minutes ,and bought it. I figured it out at home. I knew nothing about the gears ,and kept dropping my chain. Fast forward a year , a clip less road bike ,at least 15 falls ,and a concussion ,and I'm doing great. Still working on that saddle issue ,but I've learned sooooooooooooooooooo much from this site. Just take lots of practice. If anyone told me a year ago I would be doing a Century in a month I would have never believed it.
Good luck