How to test ride a bike before you buy: what to check

A suggested structure for one 30-minute ride, not a fixed rule.

What a test ride should tell you

A bike test ride should confirm three things: that the frame size is right, that the riding position is comfortable, and that the character of the bike suits your riding. A specification sheet describes a bike; only riding it shows how it feels.

• FitYou reach the handlebar without stretching or feeling cramped.
• ComfortHands, saddle and back stay relaxed, even on rough tarmac.
• HandlingSteering feels natural at low speed and stable when the road goes down.
• CharacterThe bike matches what you want: speed, comfort, versatility or ease.

How to prepare for a test ride

Preparing for a test ride takes five minutes and makes the ride far more useful. The aim is to ride the bike as close as possible to the way you will use it.

1. Know your measurementsYour height and inseam, and ideally the saddle height of your current bike. They help set up the bike before you leave.
2. Bring your pedals and shoesFor a road, Gravel or All-Road bike, riding with your usual pedals and shoes gives a truer feel. Ask in advance whether they can be fitted.
3. Dress to rideComfortable clothing that lets you move freely, and your helmet if you have one.
4. Describe your ridingShare of road, tracks and city, usual distance, climbs. A good advisor will suggest the right bikes to compare.

What to check during the ride

During a test ride, check one thing at a time, starting with the position and finishing with the bike's behaviour at speed. The table below sums up what to look for.

Small discomforts are not always a reason to rule a bike out. Saddle height, stem length, handlebar position and tyre pressure can usually be adjusted. A wrong frame size cannot.

Testing an electric bike

On an electric bike, test how the assistance starts, how it fades and how the bike feels without it. In the European Union, pedal assistance stops at 25 km/h, so pay attention to the transition around that speed.

• StartPull away from a standstill, ideally on a slope. The assistance should feel smooth, never abrupt.
• TransitionRide past 25 km/h. A well-integrated system lets you carry on without a sudden feeling of resistance.
• Without assistanceRide a few minutes in the lowest mode or with assistance off, to feel the bike itself.
• WeightLift the bike and wheel it by hand, as you would at home, on a train or in a lift.
• ControlsChange modes while riding. Buttons and display should be easy to use without looking down.

The Stajvelo Mirabeau electric road bike, for example, is designed for discreet assistance and an authentic road feel, which is exactly what a ride without assistance helps you judge.

Choosing the right test route

The best test route reproduces your real riding in miniature: a short climb, a descent, a few bends and, for Gravel or All-Road bikes, a rougher surface. Flat, smooth roads tell you very little.

Monaco is well suited to this. Within a few minutes of the showroom, a ride can include a steep ramp, a descent and city traffic. For longer rides in the area, our guide to cycling in Monaco and on the French Riviera describes the classic routes.

How to compare two bikes

To compare two bikes fairly, ride them back to back on the same loop, with the same saddle height and similar tyre pressures. Change one variable at a time, otherwise you will not know what made the difference.

A single 30-minute test ride is designed for one bike. To compare several models properly, plan separate appointments or ask for additional time when you book.

• Same loopSame climb, same descent, same surface.
• Notes at onceWrite down two or three words after each ride. Impressions fade quickly.
• Ride the first againThe second bike often feels better simply because it is new. A last short lap on the first one corrects this.

Typical comparisons include an All-Road and a Gravel bike, or an electric and a non-electric road bike. Our guide to choosing between Gravel and All-Road and our article on Gravel and All-Road tyre width help you decide what to compare.

Questions to ask after the ride

After the test ride, a few precise questions turn impressions into a decision. A good shop answers them clearly and does not push you towards one model.

• SizeIf I am between two sizes, which one suits my position and my riding?
• SetupWhich adjustments are possible: stem, handlebar, saddle, cranks, tyres?
• BuildWhich components and finishes are available, and what changes between them?
• DeliveryHow is the bike prepared, adjusted and handed over?
• ServiceWhere is the bike serviced, and how is after-sales support organised?

Test ride or rental: which do you need?

A test ride is for choosing the size and the character of a bike; a rental is for living with a bike over a full day. Both are useful, at different stages of a decision.

In Monaco, Stajvelo offers both. Rental starts from €60 per day and the bike can be delivered to your hotel or residence. Details are on our bike rental page in Monaco.

Test riding a Stajvelo in Monaco

Stajvelo is a premium bicycle brand based in Monaco, designing road, Gravel, All-Road, urban and electric bikes. Test rides take place at the Monaco showroom, with Paris and other locations available on request.

The Rocchetta All-Road bike is available to test at the Monaco showroom, and pairs naturally with the Roca carbon Gravel bike for a comparison. The Beau Rivage road bike and the Mirabeau can also be compared, subject to availability. Individual sizes depend on availability, so mention your height when you book. Outside Monaco, our network of partners and test ride centres can help.

Frequently asked questions