So my N=1 is that I have loved every bike I’ve ever owned (which is quite a few, well into double figures!) provided that they’re the right size (can’t change that) and once they’re set up right for me. Fit, saddle, bar tape, tyres, pressure, etc. all make a huge difference to how a bike feels and there aren’t that many places where you can get a test ride that nails those details. In fact I’ve had precisely one test ride which I think was useful, and that was one where I sent them my current bike geometry in advance to get the right size frame, I also took my current bike in and they spent 20 minutes setting up the test bike with the same fit (they’d already put my preferred saddle on it) and then sent me out with a few route recommendations in the area and told me to take my time as they didn’t need the bike back for 2 hours. That meant for the first and only time in my life so far I was able to do a proper apples to apples comparison with my existing bike over a decent length ride. Helped that their demo bike even had the same bar tape and tyres that I normally use, and very similar level of components and wheels to what I was looking to spec.
If you can’t get pretty close to that quality of test ride then honestly I’m not sure it’s worth it, certainly not if buying any kind of reputable brand bike where you can expect decent build quality and you can find a good range of reviews. Reading reviews and studying the geometry and specification will get you most of what you need to know. FWIW I have an Aeroad and it’s a great bike, with the caveat stated above that the reach has to be just right for you because you can’t adjust that and swapping out the bars is at best expensive and a lot of hassle (and might not even be possible if they’re not available in your region in the right size). I also know several very happy Foil owners. But then I also know many happy owners of Propels, Supersixes, Tarmac SL8s, Cervelo S5s, etc. Which is why I think they and many others are all great bikes provided they fit you and they’re set up right.
I have a friend that runs a few bike shops. I’ve been in contact with him to see what I can get my hands on for a test ride. He lives near me so maybe I can convince him to bring a couple of bikes my direction
Yes. I’ve replaced bars, stem, saddle, seatpost, wheels. Got the bike down to 18.2lbs. I initially bought this bike to be a “one bike to rule them all”, and almost fell for that same trap again just recently. I thought a bike with 35c clearance would be enough to enjoy gravel, but races keep going more extreme and my idea became obsolete over the past years of owning it.
What I’ve really learned is that a road bike is a road bike and a gravel bike is a gravel bike. I don’t think a best of both worlds exists. I miss having a racier road bike that’s lighter with a shorter wheelbase that feels snappy.
Road is tough for test rides. Modern bikes often have integrated cockpits, so even if you can get your hands on one, it’s doubtful you can get a ride with a proper fit (at least at the front end). A great bike that’s fitted wrong can feel terrible. For gravel and MTB, it seems much more common that bike companies do demo days, sometime tied to big events/races. Sometimes they have ambassadors that can hook you up with a test ride. And some bike shops will have demo and/or rental bikes. Sometimes you might have to drive for hours to demo a bike, but in my opinion it’s time/$ well spent for a proper demo (not just a test ride around the parking lot). Sometimes, it’s just a matter of doing the legwork to find a way to demo something. Call every bike shop within X miles, call the actual bike company and talk to a rep, go to their web page and make contact, put a post on a facebook group for the brand/model, etc. Just because there isn’t a formal demo program doesn’t mean you can’t try to find a way to demo a bike.
I had to order mine online. Nobody had any in stock or could even tell me when they would get them. I ended up ordering from Contender (Utah I think?) and it’s amazing. Best bike I’ve ever ridden.
To OP’s question, I don’t think a test ride is necessarily required. Though might help. Reason being is that the bike set up as sold is nowhere near what I’m going to ride. Usually why I buy framesets. But they always have tons of spacers, wide bars, long cranks. To the point that a test ride won’t tell me anything really because I’m immediately going to lower the stack, get narrow bars on and probably change the stem. Which is going to change how the bike rides. The last bike I test rode was my Tarmac SL6. Now coming from a Trek Domane, it was noticeably different. And the test ride helped me because I felt the difference between an endurance bike and a race bike. But I pretty much only buy race bikes now.
My SuperSix felt terrible out of the box. It had 55mm of spacers, a 110 stem, and 44cm bars. The first ride on it I wanted to send it right back. And there’s no way I would have bought it if that was the test ride. But I swapped out the parts to my size and got my cockpit dialed in. And it’s one of my favorite bikes now. Way better than my Tarmac SL8. My point being that it feels like a completely different bike compared to the test ride setup. Similar for my Addict RC. It felt pretty good stock but way better with my stuff.
I’ve given up on test rides now and use geo charts mostly. Most race bike feel pretty similar. Some are more comfortable than others.
The Aeroad and Scott Foil are both great looking, fast bikes. Both pretty stiff from what I’ve heard. The Foil has some cockpit availability issues I think. Canyon seems to have figured that out but you have to buy stuff afterwards. Canyon is limited to their cockpit. The Foil has a 1” steerer so you need shims. If you like the Foil, Quick Pro AR:ONE looks very similar and is cheaper. The SuperSix is another option and Cannondale has shops almost everywhere. It’s on sale right now too. And I’m probably biased but it’s a killer bike. I like it better than any of my Tarmacs (SL6, SL7, SL8). And it can fit like 38mm tires.
Veyo - Ari Bikes
No longer on sale <7k but pretty close considering it’s SRAM Red or Shimano DA.
Happy with Force AXS? 5k
Want a different stem, bar, saddle, wheelset, cassette, 1x, crank length, or whatever? Ask.
Don’t absolutely love it during your first 30 days? Send it back. Love it or Return it – Ari Bikes
Canyon has a 30 return period if you don’t like the bike. They might have some available for test rides at the showroom, you’d have to call. I did that before and they were willing to let me test ride in the parking lot, which is pretty big, but only using flat pedals. I’m going to suggest Specialized as a brand just because I’m so impressed with their warranty and customer service that I have received. Check this out: Tarmac SL8 Expert Still enough dough left over for some light weight chinese carbon wheels.
Another vote for the SuperSix. Incredibly comfortable for a race bike. And still one of the fastest out there apart from the Aeroad and Foil you mentioned. Plus you can test ride it and it’s on sale just about everywhere.
Three bikes starting in 2014 when I sent back first bike because I decided I didn’t like the CX frame after 3 weeks. They moved the groupset to their road race CR4 frame with different bars. No charge other than return shipping.
Second bike I changed the wheelset, bars, and stem before build and paid the difference for the upgrades. When I decided to shorten stem height, they sent me the brake stuff I needed to do that. I could have sent it back for them to change, but I wanted to learn DA brake line install/bleed procedure on my own.
Third bike is their climbing special although it’s really an all-arounder if you’re not hung up on aero and like the idea of threaded BB, no-nonsense brake hose routing, and a standard seatpost. Small build with 303 FC is 6.8kg with SRAM Red E1. 35mm max tire is conservative. I wouldn’t hesitate to go 38 or some brands of 40.
Framesets are made in Taiwan with lifetime warranty that is transferable as a 1-year warranty to a new owner.
I’ve kept all three although DW is getting a bit antsy about the collection.
CR4 is my Ultegra/Stans Grail equipped trainer bike and alternate ride whenever needed.
Empire SL is my DA/GRX/Zipp go-to training, fondo, and endurance ride.
Suncrest is my SRAM Red/Zipp KOM age-group attempt steed. With a few mods I can get close to 6 kg for hill climb events.
Versatility can lead to tradeoffs (jack of all trades, master of none), but overspecialization is a tradeoff, too. Today, I took out my 3T Strada (an aero road bike), a magnificent machine of you ride the right terrain. Zipping along in the mid-to-upper 30s at Z2 power … it’s addicting.
I recently moved to a place that has lots of cobbles. Bad cobbles. Even short segments suck the fun out of it. E. g. I had to make several detours, because my bike couldn’t handle the cobbles (without risk).
Knowing a bike’s purpose and the routes you want to ride goes a long way to making the right choice for you. Modern road bikes have more tire clearance and you can put on something like a 35 mm Schwalbe G-One Allround and you can go many places with you proper “road” bike.
Heads up if you are still looking.
Got a Memorial Day Sale email from Ari Bikes.
Their endurance, gravel, climbing, and aero models with SRAM Force AXS group are on sale for $3599, $3799, $3999 and $3999 USD.
