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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Boston, MA
    Posts
    646

    Test riding more expensive bicycles: dangerous or hopeful?

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    I have a local Seven Cycles dealer down the street from me (literally!) and I e-mailed the store and I want to set up a test ride.

    Currently, I am not in a financial situation that allows me to purchase a custom bicycle but what if I decide I have to have it? I'm not sure I'm immune to such beauty...

    Should I postpone a test ride such a beautiful bike when I am able to afford one? (what would you do?--or have done )

    So many bikes to resist... How do you all do it? (I only have one )
    Ana
    * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
    2009 Lynskey R230
    Trek Mountain Track 850

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Newport, RI
    Posts
    3,821
    Um, yeah, there's no resisiting happening here.

    Go look. If you really have to have it, you'll find a way. Life's too short to not have your dream bike.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    1,708
    *addresses group*

    "Everyone... I would like you to meet Ana...

    *group*

    ...Hi Ana...

    ...oh, and btw, my name is Miranda, and welcome to cyber-bike-aholics..."

    I'm lusting for carbon, though I haven't had an actual ride yet, but one of my guy bike pals told me his story. He did a Trek carbon demo program (from his aluminum Trek road bike) that ended up in a Trek Project 1 bike. Now, that is some beauty. After he test rode it, the disease was set into it's process. His last thoughts leaving the shop were... "how am going to get the $ for that bike?". Point of sentance importance... not "will" I, but "how".

    Sooo... if you rode it, you at least know if you want it or not. Umm, right? Just don't get so love struck on the ride that you crash the demo. I've had a fender bender before... ouch.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Boston, MA
    Posts
    646

    Yes, I suffer from bike envy

    Thank you, Miranda

    Yes, I keep drooling over nicer bikes! I think we all do this but I just can't help myself!

    I do love my bike, with the exception of the fitting issues I have with it and the fact that it's aluminum (I recently discovered that it inevitably fails), but I wish I was more informed before I bought it. Now I know exactly what I would be looking for in the future and I'm dreaming of my next bike already! I want something titanium and maybe custom but but with the economy slowing down I may have to wait...

    I am a bit headstrong and stubborn and I'm slightly terrified that I will fall in love with a $6,000 bicycle and I will have to have it and get myself into trouble

    I am frugal in almost all aspects of my life but it takes me a while to decide to make large purchases (i.e. contemplating for 6-12 months)--which I consider to be a good quality since I can sometimes become obsessed...
    Ana
    * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
    2009 Lynskey R230
    Trek Mountain Track 850

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    300
    my tactic is to not even test ride till I can afford it.
    I have recently decided I want a gary fisher hi fi 29er. I don't know why; my skills are certainly not worthy of one, I have no business paying that much for a bike. But I will put money away and next year, around my birthday, maybe I'll upgrade. what I might do, between now and then, is rent one and ride it on some trails. I will not get on the light green bike I saw in the bike store and try it out, because it is for sale, and I have a credit card.
    vickie
    Last edited by fastdogs; 10-08-2008 at 05:32 PM. Reason: spelling malfunction

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Honolulu, HI
    Posts
    510
    My first ride on my Merlin (Ti like Seven) I knew I'd never want to ride my aluminum Felt ever again.

    A test ride could be dangerous.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Ocala, FL
    Posts
    47
    I also resisted test riding until I was ready to buy. I just pet the pretty bikes and sighed a lot.
    Aimee

    A bicycle does get you there and more.... And there is always the thin edge of danger to keep you alert and comfortably apprehensive. Dogs become dogs again and snap at your raincoat; potholes become personal. And getting there is all the fun. ~Bill Emerson, "On Bicycling," Saturday Evening Post, 29 July 1967

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Boston, MA
    Posts
    646
    Quote Originally Posted by ilima View Post
    My first ride on my Merlin (Ti like Seven) I knew I'd never want to ride my aluminum Felt ever again.

    A test ride could be dangerous.
    Exactly what I dread!

    Maybe I'll do what most of you do and not test ride until I can afford it....oh but they are so pretty and test rides are free!

    I suppose I will either have to assert some logic and self-control or decide not to test ride
    Ana
    * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
    2009 Lynskey R230
    Trek Mountain Track 850

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Puget Sound
    Posts
    139

    Wink

    Great post. DH gives me a bad time because I'm always checking out all the other bikes when we go on organized rides together. He says I'm worse then a dirty old man checking out the babes. I'm still in love with my Bianchi and she has been very, very good to me. But, it still doesn't keep me from checking out the other bikes!
    We do not take a trip; a trip takes us - John Steinbeck

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    291
    I am drooling on ebay over this...

    http://cgi.ebay.com/2008-Orbea-Diva-...QQcmdZViewItem

    but remember that the first rule in salemanship is to get the customer to try the thing JUST outside of their price range. By comparing apples (new, pricey fabulous thing) with oranges (everything in your budget) you ruin your own objectivity and then make an emotional decision. Just a thought.

 

 

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