"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Bicycle Forums & Cyclist

Is it just me? I have to wonder if cycling forums and bulletin boards help to advance the sport of cycling and cyclist or just cause plain old hard feelings.
If seems that just about anytime you go on a forum there is always the guy thats knows it all or is belitting someone.
Someone can post that a guy charge to much for postage for a part he purchased and get 20 replies on the subject.
I have been in this game for the last 30 years. I'm still a USCF masters rider.
I think if most would read and spend less time on computer forums we all would enjoy the sport we all love so much.
The proof is not in the pudding but in the taste.

Interested in what others think>>>
Happy Cycling to all!:beer:

I think forums in general do the opposite. The forums (at least here) tend to promote the sport, and indeed draw new people to be interested in it. Perhaps there are a few people who think they know it all, and maybe in their minds they do. Yet whenever I see a post on this forum (or any other on BF.net) there are many replies with many views, some perhaps from a expert level others from a begginer. For me, the forum has been a great way to get information on cycling (without having to go to a library). I have also read books on cycling, and found that both a great resources, but they are no substitute for first hand experience.

:D

I have found that the forums have helped me increase my motivation to the point where it is now self-sustaining. And now, the forums continue to keep things interesting and fresh.

Meaningful discourse will always include some measure of disagreement. If you disagree, on just about any topic, and can express yourself thoughtfully, we all benefit. It is also important that we respect the opinions of others. When others are mistaken regarding matters of fact it should be acceptable to point it out, but opinions should be respected.

The problem with forums, from my perspective, is that people often resort to name calling and insulting "posturing" when they can't explain why they disagree. Nobody benefits from this.

When the whole family gets together, people disagree at the grown-ups' table and at the kids' table. They just do it in markedly different fashions. Anonymity allows too many adults to dwell at the wrong table sometimes.

Originally posted by easyrider
Anonymity allows too many adults to dwell at the wrong table sometimes.

Agreed!

Well, IMO there is a phenomena that occurs on all cycling forums during winter months, and particularly when large portions of the posting population can't get out, no matter how "die hard" they are. For (at least) those in the NE and mid-atlantic US, it's been one of those winters, and we're getting pretty crabby.

But in general, this forum keeps a pretty positive and helpful tone. We have our curmudgeons, an insult or two is the price of their advice. But they seem to know what they're talking about, and sometimes the trash-talk is entertaining, provided nobody takes it too seriously. Most of the bile stays in the lounge and current events forums... when you go there, you know what to expect.

Personally, I've learned a ton here. And always enjoy "talking" cycling.

I don't think I would be cycling if it weren't for bikeforums. I had just gotten my drivers license, and had pretty much stopped riding..but I wanted to replace some stuff on my old bike and while I was looking for info I stumbled into bikeforums. Being here made me realise how much fun I had always had riding, and that I didn't need to drive a car everywhere. The rest is history! I've got 5 bikes, shaved legs, and I ride almost everyday of the week, and I avoid driving the car as much as possible because I'd much rather ride my bike. I just ignore people who belittle..Besides, for every one belittling member, there are lots of super members.

Internet communication is something unique to this time in history. Forums, like email, chat, newsgroups and websites have their "own" personality. Much like any form of discussion, there is room for misunderstanding, insult and stupidity.

All forms of mass-communication have inherent limitations.
["57 channels and there's nothin' on"] Lou Reed, circa 1980?

Originally posted by Richard Cranium

["57 channels and there's nothin' on"] Lou Reed, circa 1980?

Bruce Springsteen, from Human Touch, 1992

Actually, quite a bit of the nastiness in Bikeforums is fairly recent. These people will burnout and disappear. When someone posts baloney I think it's important to expose it as such, there are plenty of individuals posting that have very little experience but would happily lead you to believe the opposite. I rode with two Bikeforum members yesterday (one of whom I met for the first time), it's a great experience. There are two things that always spark trouble in the general areas; religion and politics. As a public, international forum, keep it in the Lounge; please.

It is a double edged sword.

Many forums out there are monitored. Some good and others not so good. It is always troublesome whoich posts to delete and such as many tend to be secret ads like:

"Hey! Anyone has such and such produst" or "HAs anyone tried . . ."

These are usually secret ads by distributors or reps and are senaky and I personaly hate them.

It is best when you strike a subject to make others aware of your background. Of course people lie, but if a return address or somehting like that is posted people tend to trust you.

People always lie and those are usually people that will not let you contact them.

All in all it is good. You always have to take everything with a grain of salt and ask more than one source.

Being a USCF, now masters rider you are able to surround yourself with people in the know and i bet you glean plenty of info and see a lot of equipment in use up close to see what works and what doesn't.
Due to time constraints it is hard to get people together to ride let alone simply talk and throw ideas out there about gearing, gear, training, passion, etc.
I've learned a lot about biking and bikes -

The forums mirror life. You've got to wade through the b.s. to find the worthwhile stuff. I am on-line for a small time in the morning while i drink my coffee and eat my cereal and watch the early news. this is a fun diversion for me.....as is the time i block off to read.

I vote for advancement of the sport. i have introduced many casual riders to this board and it has stuck.

Overall this forums speeds up the learning curve for me.

Originally posted by RiPHRaPH

Overall this forums speeds up the learning curve for me.

I wholeheartedly agree. Being new to the sport, I've found the forums to be a wealth of knowledge. Having been around other forums, I can easily sift through the BS.
Overall, the ppl here are friendlier and more helpful than what I've experienced in other forums.

:D

This forum rocks. except for a few idiots.

Bike Forums is great. I've gotten a ton of tips and help from other members that would have taken me years to figure out on my own. Sure, you'll always have a few rotten apples but they're easy to ignore. Overall, this is the most friendly board I've ever joined. Love it here.

I think the forum is great too. I rarely see the lounge or current events sections, so there is a lot more helpfully stuff than hurtful I see.

I have a couple great parts on my bike that were recommendations from people on this forum. Hopefully when I decide to start search for a bike to race (as opposed to racing on my commuter) there will still be great help around.