Try before You Buy – Call 01200 426 246
If you’re thinking about buying an electric bike but don’t want to rely on guesswork, the smartest thing you can do is take one for a proper test ride – not just a quick loop around a retail park. Lancashire is one of the best places in the UK to try an e-bike properly, thanks to real hills, quiet lanes and mixed terrain.
Our Dunsop Bridge base sits right in the heart of the Ribble Valley, giving you instant access to meaningful test routes that actually show what an e-bike can do. In this guide, we’ll show you how test rides work, what to look for, and how to book a real-world e-bike trial through our dedicated hire centre.
🔑 Key Takeaways
🧭 Jump to:
Electric bikes vary massively in how they feel. Two bikes can share the same motor brand and still ride totally differently because of geometry, weight, tyres and tuning.
A proper test ride helps you immediately understand:
These aren’t things you can judge by lifting a bike in a shop – you need to pedal it somewhere meaningful.
The Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland are ideal for testing electric bikes because they offer:
If you’re unsure which style of e-bike suits you – hybrid, MTB or road – nothing beats riding them in real Lancashire terrain.
We handle all test rides through our dedicated hire centre in Dunsop Bridge – the same place riders start guided tours and long-distance loops.
It’s simple:
This gives you far more insight than a 5-minute shop demo.
A good test ride isn’t just about “does it feel nice?” – you want to understand how the bike behaves on real climbs, junctions, slow-speed corners and rougher patches. Use this checklist to make sure you get a true feel for the bike.
| Category | What to check |
|---|---|
| Motor feel & power | • Start from a standstill on a small incline – smooth or jerky? • Try every assist mode (Eco → Turbo). • Climb a proper hill to feel torque & noise. • Check low-speed control – any surging or lag? |
| Comfort & position | • Upright and relaxed, or too stretched forward? • Saddle comfy after 10–15 minutes? • Are grips and bars the right width? • Stable when signalling with one hand? |
| Handling & stability | • Balance at walking pace. • Cornering feel – steady or twitchy? • Does the front end stay confident on rougher patches? |
| Brakes & control | • Firm stop – smooth and quick? • Brake levers light or heavy to pull? • Any squealing or vibration? |
| Gears & drivetrain | • Shift through all gears under load. • Smooth transitions or hesitation? • Suitable range for hills vs flats? |
| Battery & display | • Screen visible in bright sunlight? • Buttons reachable without looking? • Battery secure – no rattling? |
| Weight & practicality | • Lift the front wheel – manageable? • Ride with the motor off – still pedalable? • Realistic for stairs, storage and car racks? |
Pro tip: If you’re torn between two bikes, ride them back-to-back on the same hill. You’ll notice differences instantly – especially in motor feel, stability and comfort.
Here are three short but meaningful loops riders often use when deciding what to buy:
You can try a wide mix of our most popular e-bikes, including:
If you’re unsure what to pick, our team will point you toward the right category based on how you actually ride.
All test rides are booked through our dedicated hire website. This lets you choose:
Book your E bike test ride here.
If you’re buying soon, feel free to call us first on 01200 426246 – we can advise the best model to try so you make the most of your ride.
No – that’s the beauty of electric assist. The climbs around Dunsop Bridge are perfect for showing how much easier an e-bike makes riding.
Short answer: longer than a shop loop. A half-day hire is ideal because it lets you test real climbs, comfort, and battery use.
Yes – speak to us beforehand and we can usually recommend 1–2 models to try back-to-back on the same route.
A helmet, comfortable clothing, and your phone. We’ll handle setup, sizing and route suggestions.
A comfortable electric hybrid bike is usually the best place to start. It gives you a natural upright position, stable handling and easy power delivery. Once you’ve tried that, you can compare it with a road, gravel or mountain e-bike depending on your riding goals.
Absolutely. Most first-time riders find e-bikes far easier than expected. We’ll set everything up for you, explain how the assist levels work, and recommend a route that builds confidence quickly.
You can still pedal the bike normally – it’ll just feel heavier on climbs. Our routes are designed around realistic battery use, and our team will advise the right bike and assist level to avoid running out of power.
