How to buy a bike: Step 3
After you've found a bike that looks like a winner.
Take a ride. A quick test spin around the block won't be enough to completely judge the bike's performance, but you'll be able to find any glaring fit problems. Be sure the saddle is set so that you have a slight bend to your knee at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Ask yourself these key questions: Does my upper body feel cramped, or too stretched out, when I'm on flat road? Does the bike feel unstable or twitchy when I turn? Is the reach to the brake levers comfortable? Is it awkward to go from sitting to standing on a hill?
Get a deal. Maybe. A good rule to follow when it comes to price negotiations: Be reasonable. A bike shop is a tough business--people work there because they love bikes, not because they want to get rich. If you're buying a relatively inexpensive bike (less than $800, where profit margins are razor-thin) or an in-demand, new-model-year bike, you might be able to finagle a longer free-service contract, but don't expect a price cut. However, if you're buying a more expensive bike, more than one bike, a model left over from last year, or a package including a helmet, tools, shoes, pedals, shorts and more, there's no harm in asking for a small discount. The worst you'll hear is no, but you may hear yes.
Take a ride. A quick test spin around the block won't be enough to completely judge the bike's performance, but you'll be able to find any glaring fit problems. Be sure the saddle is set so that you have a slight bend to your knee at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Ask yourself these key questions: Does my upper body feel cramped, or too stretched out, when I'm on flat road? Does the bike feel unstable or twitchy when I turn? Is the reach to the brake levers comfortable? Is it awkward to go from sitting to standing on a hill?
Get a deal. Maybe. A good rule to follow when it comes to price negotiations: Be reasonable. A bike shop is a tough business--people work there because they love bikes, not because they want to get rich. If you're buying a relatively inexpensive bike (less than $800, where profit margins are razor-thin) or an in-demand, new-model-year bike, you might be able to finagle a longer free-service contract, but don't expect a price cut. However, if you're buying a more expensive bike, more than one bike, a model left over from last year, or a package including a helmet, tools, shoes, pedals, shorts and more, there's no harm in asking for a small discount. The worst you'll hear is no, but you may hear yes.
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