Want to test ride 50 cm bike with TT length of 52.5cm

[rach]

Sooooo, I am interested in buying a Surly Long Haul Trucker but want to test ride one first, since Surly do not make my perfect size of 48 cm.  Does anyone have, or know someone who has, a 50 cm bike with approximately the same geometry as the Surly LHT?

Seat-tube (center-top): 50 cm
Top tube (center-center): 52.51 cm

I don't want to test ride from a store because I have no intention of purchasing one from a store.

[enzomatic]

would you be getting the 700c or 26" wheeled version?

[rach]

The 50 cm only comes in the 26" version.  Little wheels for a little bike.

[enzomatic]

test ride from a store you don't like so you won't feel guilty.

[Dan/R]

Mike had the idea of asking Topanga Creek if you could pay them to test ride it.  Was that something you explored?

[rach]

Free is better than paying... I dunno, for some reason I'm against paying for a test ride.  I acknowledge that it's unfair to test ride for free when I have no intention of paying for the bike, but still don't want to pay for a ride...

[Steve Mattson]

I would go to one of the two stores I know about which sell the LHT.
Topanga Bikes or Orange 20.
Test ride the bike with all the intention of checking it out to see if it's a good fit/feel for you.
You don't have to buy it.  And, you don't have to tell them you are going to get it cheaper from the bike co-op you are a member of.  You aren't hurting them and I don't think it's deceptive.  They know what they are up against regarding online sales and the like. 

Plus, you'd get a chance to maybe try out another bike that might work equally as well.

[rach]

Topanga don't offer test-rides unless you are buying.  They saw us coming...