5 Reasons You Should Attend a Bike Demo
Posted on May 11, 2016 by
Photo: courtesy of Cannondale
Every year, bike manufacturers hit the road with a fleet of "demo" bikes and let the general public test them out. Whether or not you are currently in the market for a new bike, there are several reasons why attending a demo would be a great idea.
1. IT'S A REAL TEST RIDE
A demo ride will give you a much better feel for a bike than a spin around a bike shop parking lot. Demos sometimes take place at popular trails or riding destinations, so you'll get to ride the bikes in the places you'd want to take your own bike. You can ride a demo bike hard and bring it back dirty, without irking bike shop owners who still have to sell a floor bike in new condition. Some demo events may have more than one bike manufacturer on hand, allowing you to compare them side by side without having to drive across town to different stores.
You will be dealing with company reps who are very knowledgeable about the bikes in a fun environment. They aren't trying to get you to commit to a purchase right then and there like you would deal with on a bike shop test ride, so you can relax and just have fun.
2. RIDE THE TOP SHELF MODELS
Demos showcase the latest and greatest models with higher component specs. Bike shops are usually limited in their selection of higher end models, which are a significant investment to have sitting around on the sales floor. Small shops usually have a few select models just to give you an idea, and likely require you to special order the one you select. Depending on the shop's return policy, a special order may not be returnable for a full refund. So, a demo ride may be your only non-committed opportunity to ride certain models.
3. HASSLE-FREE RIDING ON VACATION
Let's say you are traveling somewhere and want to hit up the best local trail or route. You'll have to pay upwards of $150 each way to fly your bike, deal with disassembling and reassembling it before each flight, and have to schlep it around with you everywhere you go. Or,you will pay $60-85 per day to rent an older, worn out, mid-level bike (if you're lucky), and then have to figure out how to transport it around in your rental car. Instead, you can set aside a few hours to attend a demo and show up with your helmet, shoes and pedals and let someone else deal with the rest.
4. OTHER PERKS
You may score some free swag at a demo. They are sometimes done in conjunction with other events, so you could get bonus entertainment. Ask for discount coupons to use at participating retailers in case you decide to purchase one of their bikes after attending a demo ride.
5. THEY ARE ALMOST ALWAYS FREE!
Free is good. What do you have to lose?
TIPS ON ATTENDING
Demo events are all different. Make sure you find out the specific event details to prevent any unpleasant surprises when you arrive.
-- Check to see if you have to register for the event, or reserve a bike in advance.
-- See if you are required to bring any of your own gear (e.g. helmet, shoes, pedals).
-- Bring a valid photo ID and credit card, which are usually required to check out a bike.
-- Familiarize yourself with the demo routes and trails so you stay within your abilities, as you may be responsible for any damage to the bike. On that note, make sure you inspect the bike before rolling off with it and point out any damage so you don't take the blame.
-- Only take a bike out for an hour or so to let other people have a turn on that bike.
SIGN ME UP, BRO!
Below are links to demo schedules of several bike companies.
BMC:http://www.bmc-switzerland.com/us-en/experience/bmc-on-tour
Cannondale:http://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Cannondale-Demo-Tour.aspx
Giant:
US http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/localevents
GERMANY http://www.giant-bicycles.com/de-DE/localevents
SWITZERLAND http://www.giant-bicycles.com/de-CH/localevents
Niner:https://www.facebook.com/ninerbikes/events
Pivot:http://www.pivotcycles.com/demo-schedule/
Salsa:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Salsa-Cycles/150815291701?sk=events
Santa Cruz:http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en/us/news/525from their factory Wednesday through Sunday, every week; demo tourhttp://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en/us/demo-tour
Specialized:https://demo.specialized.com/events
Trek:https://www.facebook.com/TrekBicycle/events
Yeti:http://www.yeticycles.com/demo
1. IT'S A REAL TEST RIDE
A demo ride will give you a much better feel for a bike than a spin around a bike shop parking lot. Demos sometimes take place at popular trails or riding destinations, so you'll get to ride the bikes in the places you'd want to take your own bike. You can ride a demo bike hard and bring it back dirty, without irking bike shop owners who still have to sell a floor bike in new condition. Some demo events may have more than one bike manufacturer on hand, allowing you to compare them side by side without having to drive across town to different stores.
You will be dealing with company reps who are very knowledgeable about the bikes in a fun environment. They aren't trying to get you to commit to a purchase right then and there like you would deal with on a bike shop test ride, so you can relax and just have fun.
2. RIDE THE TOP SHELF MODELS
Demos showcase the latest and greatest models with higher component specs. Bike shops are usually limited in their selection of higher end models, which are a significant investment to have sitting around on the sales floor. Small shops usually have a few select models just to give you an idea, and likely require you to special order the one you select. Depending on the shop's return policy, a special order may not be returnable for a full refund. So, a demo ride may be your only non-committed opportunity to ride certain models.
3. HASSLE-FREE RIDING ON VACATION
Let's say you are traveling somewhere and want to hit up the best local trail or route. You'll have to pay upwards of $150 each way to fly your bike, deal with disassembling and reassembling it before each flight, and have to schlep it around with you everywhere you go. Or,you will pay $60-85 per day to rent an older, worn out, mid-level bike (if you're lucky), and then have to figure out how to transport it around in your rental car. Instead, you can set aside a few hours to attend a demo and show up with your helmet, shoes and pedals and let someone else deal with the rest.
4. OTHER PERKS
You may score some free swag at a demo. They are sometimes done in conjunction with other events, so you could get bonus entertainment. Ask for discount coupons to use at participating retailers in case you decide to purchase one of their bikes after attending a demo ride.
5. THEY ARE ALMOST ALWAYS FREE!
Free is good. What do you have to lose?
TIPS ON ATTENDING
Demo events are all different. Make sure you find out the specific event details to prevent any unpleasant surprises when you arrive.
-- Check to see if you have to register for the event, or reserve a bike in advance.
-- See if you are required to bring any of your own gear (e.g. helmet, shoes, pedals).
-- Bring a valid photo ID and credit card, which are usually required to check out a bike.
-- Familiarize yourself with the demo routes and trails so you stay within your abilities, as you may be responsible for any damage to the bike. On that note, make sure you inspect the bike before rolling off with it and point out any damage so you don't take the blame.
-- Only take a bike out for an hour or so to let other people have a turn on that bike.
SIGN ME UP, BRO!
Below are links to demo schedules of several bike companies.
BMC:http://www.bmc-switzerland.com/us-en/experience/bmc-on-tour
Cannondale:http://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Cannondale-Demo-Tour.aspx
Giant:
US http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/localevents
GERMANY http://www.giant-bicycles.com/de-DE/localevents
SWITZERLAND http://www.giant-bicycles.com/de-CH/localevents
Niner:https://www.facebook.com/ninerbikes/events
Pivot:http://www.pivotcycles.com/demo-schedule/
Salsa:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Salsa-Cycles/150815291701?sk=events
Santa Cruz:http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en/us/news/525from their factory Wednesday through Sunday, every week; demo tourhttp://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en/us/demo-tour
Specialized:https://demo.specialized.com/events
Trek:https://www.facebook.com/TrekBicycle/events
Yeti:http://www.yeticycles.com/demo
