I am in the market for a new bike and will go to the Euro Bike Expo in 2 weeks time. The bikes I am looking at are: Kuota, Issac, Storck, and that league. i want a carbo bike that is comfortable to ride (not too expended in position) so that I can do longer rides but one that is also stiff and sporty enough for the future.
I have read a lot of reviews and they range from saying some frame styles are less forgiving, some very extended, some very comfortable riding postions, etc. Then there is the STI index (or stiffness index) and finally the weight. I wanted to test the bikes out and get a proper fitting. Living in Switzerland, it seems impossible to find a LBS who carries all those bikes and will let you test them. Most LBS here do not allow you to test ride the bikes. However, I do not want to spend 5000€ on a bike without test riding one and knowing this is the bike I feel comfortable on. I would not do that for a car 🙂
What would you advise as a place or way to test out the various bikes? I will gladly travel in Germany or Switzeland to visit a LBS.
I'd concentrate on fit, and not worry about the esoteric descriptions of stiffness, ride and handling qualities the reviewers love to rave about. A comfortable riding position is most important, and no reviewer can tell you how the bike will fit you. Any CF bike made today should have sufficient stiffness and be light enough for future competition.
Agree a test ride on a 5000 euro bike is desireable, but I wouldn't consider it essential if the seating position on the bike was comfortable and everything else appealed to me. Another option might be to arrange a rental (hire) for a full day. In Italy this spring, I had a DeRosa King rental bike. Other riders at the hotel had the Avant or new Idol as rentals.
Living where you are, you should consider Canyon. Might be a bit of a day trip, but I'm sure they would let you test ride a bike at thier HQ. Bikes have a high reputation and great value for money.
I'd concentrate on fit, and not worry about the esoteric descriptions of stiffness, ride and handling qualities the reviewers love to rave about. A comfortable riding position is most important, and no reviewer can tell you how the bike will fit you. Any CF bike made today should have sufficient stiffness and be light enough for future competition.
Agree a test ride on a 5000 euro bike is desireable, but I wouldn't consider it essential if the seating position on the bike was comfortable and everything else appealed to me. Another option might be to arrange a rental (hire) for a full day. In Italy this spring, I had a DeRosa King rental bike. Other riders at the hotel had the Avant or new Idol as rentals.
Gotta agree. I look at it like getting a custom made suit. They take the measurements, you tell the tailor what you want, number of buttons, type of vent, lapels, then they make it, betting that you will like it. If it fits you and is assembled the way you want, the bike will do what you want it to do. WAY too much emphasis on ride 'quality' differences which is 100% subjective.
