Adventures in test rides

I had an urban cycling adventure in DC on Saturday. It wasn't just about exploration, though. The main reason for the trip was to test ride bicycles that aren't available -- or don't appear to be available -- in the bike shops near me.

The first shop I chose to visit was District Hardware - The Bike Shop near Foggy Bottom and GW University. I called Friday about testing a Public Bikes step-through bicycle. I've been eyeing the C7 model, but the M8 was the bike in stock.

 Public Bikes M8

I tested the M8 on busy and potholed streets and it rode like a dream. The wide tires and steel frame handled uneven street surfaces with ease and surprising comfort, and the eight speed hub was sporty enough for playing in traffic. I also enjoyed the combination of upright posture mixed with the ability to comfortably move into a more aggressive posture. (I find myself leaning in to the bars when I'm on my cruiser; if I ever get an upright city bike, it'll take some time to train myself out of doing that.) I returned the bike to the shop with a huge grin on my face. I wasn't tempted to purchase the bike, though. While the Mixte-ish frame is lovely, I couldn't comfortably step over the top bar and had to throw my leg over the seat.

My next stop was BicycleSPACE near Mount Vernon Square and across from the Convention Center. I planned to test ride a Linus Dutchi 8, but what was on the floor was a Dutchi 3. Eh, it should handle the same as the 8, just minus five extra gears, I supposed. The ride itself was pleasant enough, but not as smooth as the Public. I was surprised by how high up I was on this bike. I could see over the tops of vans and SUVs. I think I was seated higher than I am in the Highlander!

Linus Bikes Dutchi 3

The Linus wasn't for me, though. Happily, I got to chat with shop co-owner Eric for a bit. He had noted how handy my Po Campo Pilsen Handbag was when I attached it to the Dutchi's rack and I suggested the shop should become a dealer. We chatted about Pashleys and he explained the differences between Brooks B67 and B17 models of saddles. I'm now very tempted to get a B17 for my Ariel... I thanked Eric for his time and the test ride and returned to my Lily where I was horrified to discover that I had forgotten to lock her to the rack! I suppose, though, that if there was anyplace in the city to be so careless, out front of BicycleSPACE was the best place.

The last stop on my bike shop tour was City Bikes in Adams Morgan. I've wanted to test a Globe Daily 3 Step-Through for ages. While Spokes, Etc could order one for me, since they're a Specialized dealer, none of the stores have had a model on the floor. But this store had eight of them! Choirs of angels sang. Well, at least until I got to the shop. There was a medium Daily 2 step-through and a small Daily 1 step-through. The guy "helping" me decided that the Daily 2 was too big for me (without adjusting the seat down for me and despite my Ariel being a large. Instead he set me up on the single speed, small Daily 1 and told me to follow the bike lane down the street, turn right, turn right again, and ride back up a hill that I'd just pushed my 21-speed Ariel up.

"You want me ride up that hill on a single speed bike?" I asked, incredulous. "It'll handle it," he replied. "Watch out for traffic and don't fall."

Globe Daily 1

I should've handed the bike back right then and there, but I've been dying to test one of these. Plus, I knew that I didn't have to purchase from the shop and could instead use my beloved Spokes. So, with a raised eyebrow, I chose my own test route using the suggested bike lane and then turning left and eventually getting onto the brick sidewalk lining Columbia Road. Aside from the bike being WAY too small and feeling like my knees were bumping my earlobes, I was willing to give the bike a fair shot. It failed me in just able every way. Okay, so the basket held my purse and the bike didn't fall apart, but those were pretty much the only positives. The ride was a teeth- and bone-rattling experience. I returned the bike and was ready to leave. But no. Salesguy wanted to know what was wrong. I told him the ride was bumpy and uncomfortable. He explained that was because of the aluminum frame and then dragged me over to some other bikes to show me how the welds will show you what kind of metal a bike is made of. Or... I could read the spec sheet. He then tried to talk me into a another hybrid. I pointed out my bike chained up to a rack outside and told him I already have a hybrid. But this one has shocks. Yeah, so does mine. Undeterred, he made me go upstairs to look at their show room and told me how great the road bikes are. Yes, I have a Dolce. And then he showed me the mountain bikes and said that I would already know all about them. The hell?

Okay. Now, I recognize that letting this go on so long is partially my fault because I was being too polite instead of telling him to stuff it and demanding he retrieve my license and credit card from the register. In fact, I should have demanded those the moment I asked him if we could go back into the shop while he was explaining "metal welds" because my skin was burning and he said that I should have put on sunscreen (I don't ride without at least SPF 45, by the way)... But again, too polite. He then rang up another customer before giving back my ID and card. So. Not only can I NOT recommend a Globe Daily, I DO NOT recommend the Adams Morgan City Bikes.

So. I didn't get to ride the bikes I've been looking at online, but I got to ride what I think are fairly decent analogs. I resumed lusting over the Public Bikes C7 until I realized that the handlebar backsweep is a different angle from the M8 and the C7 has a rear derailleur unlike the M8's internal hub. Now I just need to find a Civia dealer so I can test a Twin City Step-Through. There's supposed to be a dealer near the French Quarter and I'm going to New Orleans this weekend...

(Impression of the Civia Twin City is here.)