Yes it has become rather essential, people just expect to be able to try them, fortunately Specialized do a special rate on them, unlike SC, our Blur's one of the most expensive bike in stock!

Glad you're happy with the 120 though, enjoy!

i think leisure lakes run a similar scheme

Most shops do, as it was stated people expect to be able to test bikes out.

Specialized offer 'official' test bikes, as do Trek and Cannondale, we built a Blur test bike because it's our most popular high end bike and they definitely pay for themselves quite fast. Evans run full on demo days, where you can go and try everything, most manufacturers have test bikes you can get hold of, even if they don't give them to the dealers.