Embarrassed to test ride in LBS

[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

[MelFel]

CC - thank you for posting this. I'm going to look at road bikes this weekend for the first time since I was about 10 years old and am also a bit intimidated.

Reading about everyone's experiences and all the encouragement has made me feel alot better. Knowing me, I will probably have at least 1 embarassing experience, but its that or don't get a bike, so....here I go.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Knowing me, I will probably have at least 1 embarassing experience, but its that or don't get a bike, so....here I go.

Just remember- we all have embarrassing experiences regularly, whether we ride bikes or not!

[MelFel]

Lisa - very true!

I wore a wrap dress to work today, thought I tied it tight enough, realized while standing on the street corner waiting for the light to change that I was mistaken when a gust of wind came along and I gave the whole block a free show.

[SouthernBelle]

The first test ride I did on my current bike was in a dress and stocking feet! I did come back later and dress a little more appropriately.

[steinspinne]

Not really about a test ride but I thought I would share anyways.

My first year out of high school was spent in Berlin, Germany as a foreign exchange student. Because cycling and public transport is such a large part of the culture over there, my host parents wanted me to have a bike to ride. My host sister Birthe was out of town, so my host mother Claudia allowed me to try her bike out. What I didn't know yet, was that Birthe is almost a foot and a half taller than I am. She wheeled the bike out of the garage, and the seat was about 4 inches above my hips! I managed to hop on somehow, but when I tried to pedal, my legs were not long enough to reach so I would get one good push out, coast a few feet then fall. This happened 4 or 5 times.

Claudia felt so bad for me, thinking the poor little American girl had never learned how to ride a bike. (NTTAWWT) I tried to explain to her that the bike was too big but she just didn't understand. So she borrowed another bike from a neighbor, an old blue comfort bike probably two sizes too small this time, and had me get on it. This wasn't to remedy the size problem, but to keep me from tearing up Birthe's nice bike while she was away. It was uncomfortable, but I managed. She would send me up and down the street, then made me follow her around town before I "passed" and she thought I was "ready" to brave the trip to school.

I know that doesn't really relate to the whole LBS theme of this thread, I just wanted to illustrate that everyone gets embarrassed on a bike every now and again.

Good luck getting your new bike!

[CCinSC]

Thank you everyone for all of the encouraging and funny stories! I went to the LBS yesterday and bought my bikes! It felt like Christmas all over again. I went in for the Trek 1200 but they sold out and couldn't get anymore in so they sold me a full Carbon Raleigh Supercourse for $100 more than the Trek (it listed for $400 more)!!! According to the guy, this bike has better components than the next style of Trek and is full carbon instead of just the forks. My Mt Bike is a Raleigh 4300 and I pick that up on Wed.

Now the test ride He put me on the trainer clipped in and all, fit the bike to me then took me outside for the dreaded test ride! (dun, dun, dun...) I ACED IT! It was so easy, I never wobbled or even second guessed myself with unclipping. All that nervous energy and for nothing! I have to credit horses, dirt-bikes and all of you for the easy ride.

Rode last night and this morning and am in love with the sport already! Now all I need to do is get in good enough shape to ride for more than 10 minutes without needing an oxygen tank!

[steinspinne]

Congratulations! I'm glad to hear everything went well!

Now all we need is pictures.

[CCinSC]

I'll get some pic ups soon!

[RoadRaven]

Now all I need to do is get in good enough shape to ride for more than 10 minutes without needing an oxygen tank!

But carrying an oxygen tank with you on rides will make you REALLY strong - spesh uphills!


Seriously, glad you have enjoyed it so much... did anyone tell you its an addiction?? - once you're on, you won't wanna get off!
Welcome to the forum, too