Starting to test ride

[emily_in_nc]

Taking your own saddle is actually not a bad idea. I nixed a gorgeous Trek 5200 WSD a few years back at least in part because after 5 minutes on the Bontrager saddle w/o cutout, my girly bits were very, very unhappy....and I'd been riding metrics and full centuries on my Terry Butterfly prior to that!

A bad saddle can completely ruin a ride, even a test ride!

Emily

[TxDoc]

Yes, definitely bring your favorite saddle and pedals.
As per what to look for on a test ride, the main things are FIT and PERFORMANCE. Fit is pretty self-explanatory, and will narrow your choice to a few bikes that feel really very comfortable for you to ride. And performance, just start by reading a few professional bicycle reviews and that will give you an idea of what to look at and how to judge the performance of a bicycle.
Have fun test-riding, it is always an exciting moment!

[LoriO]

Bringing your own saddle is excellent advice. I recently did bike test rides and I was so sore after riding all of the other saddles, most felt like they were hard as rocks.

Just ride everything that you can in the general price range that you can afford, even a couple out of your range just so you can compare the difference. Some bikes you can rule out right away but when you get on one that you like you will know it. I had 2 bikes that I ended up really liking out of about 8 that I tried. I went back to both shops and took each bike out for another ride and finally decided on a Giant FCR 3w.

[kerryhb]

Thanks so much for all your suggestions! I tested 3 bikes today. The first was a 2008 Trek 7.2fx, which felt good but wasn't quite right. I then rode the 2009 7.3fx, which was great! Right away I could tell it was better than the 7.2. Big difference. It seemed to fit really well after a few minor adjustments. I then rode a 2009 Specialized Sirrus, which at $499 was was $150 less than the 7.3, but I really struggled with the shifters. They were the kind that you twist with your fingertips rather than the trigger type, but it was hard for me...I felt like I couldn't get it into gear and was fumbling. Could have been because it was my first time with them, but I am wondering if I would get used to it. I still want to try the Jamis Coda and a Scott--hoping to do that tomorrow.

[elk]

ummm...the Coda is great if you want straight bars....if you want a drop bar, may I humbly suggest the Aurora?
I have one and it's an extremely easy and sweet bike to ride...very natural shifting...

[kerryhb]

I thought I wanted a straight bar, but I am hearing that as I (hopefully) progress, I will want drop bars. I just don't see myself riding in that position--not sure exactly why, just intimidated perhaps--but the bikes I have on my list for now are straight bars. Maybe I should try one with drop bars...it may not be a scary as I think!

[Grits]

I went from straight bars to drop bars with my new bike. The biggest adjustment (and most painful ) has been the difference in position on my saddle! I recently went to a stem that is angled up more to put me in a more upright position, so know that you have that option. I'm not racing the thing, so I don't need to be in such an aggressive position if it isn't comfortable. It has made a huge difference.