Downtube Wikipedia Help

[downtube]

Most all folding bike companies have wikipedia entries. I created ours a while ago. It was structured similar to our competitors wiki pages. Unfortunately it was deleted ( because my username was downtube ), it was just reposted but it is on the fast track to removal. I can not understand why it would go and all others would stay....they are all the same.

I was hoping we could get some help in either of the following ways

#1 Edits to the entry will make it more likely to stay.
#2 Please email administrators that our page should stay.

The page URL is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downtube_bike all deletion information is at the top of the page.

Thanks,
Yan

[Dynocoaster]

I tried but by the time I signed up it was deleted. It was deleted by someone who stated it was blatant advertising.

[Dynocoaster]

I am not very good at starting a site. Could a Downtube Wikipedia be started just giving the history of the bikes and the models that have been distributed and sold out? Later downtube fans could add to it and give the website as a reference for those interested in purchasing a Downtube. I think the person who had it deleted was upset about the prices on the site even though they may have showed a difference in the costs of other folders.

[downtube]

The page I created is below in wiki code. It is the same style as all other folding bike entries....please check to make sure.

Thanks,
Yan

The '''Downtube''' is a [[folding bicycle]] designed by [[Dr. Yan Lyansky]]. Downtube began producing bicycles in [[2003]].

Downtube has expanded its offering to eight models in 2008. Four frames are offered full suspension a front suspension, no suspension ( 20" wheel frames ), and a 16" wheel mini. Each frame has the choice of 8sp Sturmey Archer internal hub or 9sp external drivetrain, hence producing 8 bicycles. The design of the Downtube FS ( full suspension ) is most stylish & comfortable. Downtube's two main selling points are high quality construction & low price. They are sold customer direct hence retail prices are about 50% less than competitors similar models.

==Specifications==

The Downtube internal hub bikes are perfect for use on boats, RV's, and planes. The frames are made of 6061 aluminum frame, and all components are made of either aluminum & stainless steel. The Sturmey Archer 8sp internal hub is sealed with plenty of grease hence no environmental factors can affect shifting.

==Advantages==

The primary advantage of Downtube bikes over other performance folders is the comfort of the suspension on a folding bike. The FS can be ridden on sidewalks without feeling the walkways bumps. This allows the rider a safer commute, since he/she is not required to ride on the roadway all the time. It can also be taken off road, and performs very well in campground style environments.

The fold is very fast, for some as little as 5 seconds. It can be placed in an [http://www.downtube.com/How_To_Pack_a_Folding_Bike_in_a_Suitcase/ airline legal suitcase with some disassembly].


Unlike most other folders it has a safety lock at the stem and frame. The locks keep the frame and stem from folding while riding.

The [ http://downtube.com/Folding_Bike_FAQ/ Downtube folding bike FAQ] is a great resource with pictorial instructions on how to do everything. Instructions range from the simple ( removing pedals ) to the advanced ( bicycle fitting instructions ).


==Recommended usage==
Downtube has a bike for all usages. The FS is a heavy duty city bike that can be used off road. The 9 is a great commuter model with front suspension, the NS is a lightweight racer, and the mini is for super small storage.
==Average price==
Downtube 9 costs $299, FS is $359, 9NS is $349, 8H & 8HN is $399; mini is $459. Shipping in the continental USA is $32.50, Canada & HI is $80.

UK prices are a bit higher than in the USA. Normal prices are about £279 for 9 sp bikes and £299 for 8H.

==Weight==
The recommended rider weight for the FS is 245lbs, the rest have a 225lb weight limit.
==Luggage capacity==

The 9 & NS can carry 15 kg of luggage on the rack.

==Transit capability==
A Downtube can fit into a standard airline-legal 29" suitcase. It can fit on most USA buses and trains.

==Rolling Capability==

The Downtube can roll while folded. First fold the frame in half and hold the stem with the saddle to make it roll.

==Distribution==

The Downtube is distributed in USA & Europe by [http://www.Downtube.com Downtube.com]. Leftover bikes can be found on ebay.

==External links==

*[http://www.downtube.com Downtube Folding Bike US & Europe Distributor/Retailer]
*[ http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=122760 Bikeforums Downtube folding bike main thread (very long)]
*[http://www.foldsoc.co.uk/Mike/downtube.html Folding Bike Society Review]

[[Category:Folding bicycles]]

[Lalato]

Probably just taking the prices off would do the trick.

[DVC45]

Probably just taking the prices off would do the trick.

yup, more than likely.

[mulleady]

They will prob still have it in as it is identical content to the originally deleted post. Sure the prices being included doesn't help but it's blacklisted in its present format. Who's up for adding some contributions as a Downtube user and emailing the moderators to make them aware of its origins this sub-fourm?

[Dynocoaster]

The person who flagged it said blatant advertising , I would do it more as a historical fact and add what the new Downtubes are and what is coming new in the future. I did register with Wiki as Pholder Phool.

[Foldable Two]

Sounds like somebody has it in for you at the moment.

No prices or just "price range" info would have been better.

Assistance from someone who knows the 'Wiki' drill would seem helpful at this point.

[BikeBloke]

i agree that the pricing issue is probably making it sound more like advertising than information. the brompton wiki page just states their price range.

but if all else fails, all downtube owners can log onto wikipedia and flag up the entries for dahon, brompton, bike friday, etc as 'advertising' as well. ;)

Downtubers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains. (although i don't recommend losing your chain, personally.)

[Hobartlemagne]

Clue me in- how is it not advertising?

[Dynocoaster]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dahon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brompton_Bicycle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bike_Friday
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moulton_Bicycle

Just showing the different ways to write up the Downtube although two sites mention costs.

[Sammyboy]

Competitor companies routinely sabotage each other on Wikipedia - it's one of the downsides of open editing. That said, it does need to be written more like an encyclopedia entry, and less like a sales brochure. I can help, but I don't have time resource to do it probably til August.

[itsmoot]

but if all else fails, all downtube owners can log onto wikipedia and flag up the entries for dahon, brompton, bike friday, etc as 'advertising' as well. ;)

nice

[cooker]

Just read the rules. You are discouraged from writing about yourself or your company. Someone else will have to do it.

(From Wikipedia)
If you fit either of these descriptions:

you are receiving monetary or other benefits or considerations to edit Wikipedia as a representative of an organization (whether directly as an employee or contractor of that organization, or indirectly as an employee or contractor of a firm hired by that organization for public relations purposes); or,
you expect to derive monetary or other benefits or considerations from editing Wikipedia; for example, by being the owner, officer or other stakeholder of a company or other organisation about which you are writing;
then we very strongly encourage you to avoid editing Wikipedia in areas where there is a conflict of interest that would make your edits non-neutral (biased). Wikipedia's neutral point of view policy states that all articles must represent views fairly and without bias, and conflicts of interest do significantly and negatively affect Wikipedia's ability to fulfill this requirement. If your financially-motivated edits would be non-neutral, do not post them.

[BikeBloke]

nice

it was a joke dude. :rolleyes:

[vitualis]

Sorry, but the content of the "article" for Downtube bicycles is clearly blatant advertising. For example, "The Downtube internal hub bikes are perfect for use on boats, RV's, and planes..." is a biased opinion and has no place in what is an encyclopaedia.

The "article" reads like a product brochure rather than an encyclopaedic entry. I agree that that some of the "competitors" pages are a bit grey but they are nevertheless substantially more factual and neutral.

If you want to make an entry on Wikipedia, then it should really be a history of the company and a neutral factual history of the bicycles. From what you have written, there really should be minimal content, something of the order of:

Downtube bicycles is a brand specialising in folding bicycles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folding_bicycles) and began production in 2003. Some models of Downtube bicycles use suspension (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_suspension), a relatively uncommon feature in this type of bicycle.

Downtube bicycles are distributed in the United States of America and Europe.

Regards.

[Febs]

Sorry, but the content of the "article" for Downtube bicycles is clearly blatant advertising. For example, "The Downtube internal hub bikes are perfect for use on boats, RV's, and planes..." is a biased opinion and has no place in what is an encyclopaedia.

Agreed. As another example, the fact that there is a section called "advantages" but no corresponding section for "disadvantages" suggests that the article is hardly neutral.

[songfta]

I have to agree with vitualis: the content, as it appears above, reads like ad copy, and not like a more objective description of the bicycle. The passage he cited is subjective opinion, and goes against the credo of most encyclopedic formats.

Basic rule of thumb: anything citing unsubstantiated opinion (e.g. advantages, benefits without drawbacks, etc.) doesn't belong on a Wikipedia entry.

Perhaps it would be wise to make the official Wikipedia entry more "dry," and put a proper Downtube wiki on the Downtube website? Installing and configuring a wiki isn't that difficult, even for a coding neophyte.

Just my $0.02 - YMMV.

[Tovar]

Wow what objective content on Bormpton wikipedia:

ADVERTISING? CAN YOU READ THE BROCHURE ON BROMPTON ALSO? EVEN NAMING COMPETITORS AS BAD?

Bromptons are popular among bicycle commuters (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_commuting), especially in the UK, the Netherlands (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands), and Japan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan).

Fast and compact folding is seen as the Brompton's key competitive advantage

Contemporary folding bikes from Bickerton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bickerton_%28bicycle%29) in particular had shown that a market existed, but the quality and utility of the product left much to be desired.

Brompton is one of only two mass-production bike builders left in the UK (the other is Pashley Cycles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashley_Cycles)).

Bromptons retail from around £500 to around £1200 sterling

I think some one is boycoting downtube wiki

Is the competition!

Regards

[cooker]

Wow what objective content on Bormpton wikipedia:

Take your concern to Wikipedia. If that entry violates the rules or spirit of Wikipedia it should be corrected. It doesn't give Downtube license to do the same.

[oboeterry]

I think that the Brompton wiki (as quoted in a previous post) looks fine; it is brief, describes what the bikes are known for, tells the approximate price range and even mentions their competitor in the UK. If someone words the Downtube wiki similarly (rather than like an ad brochure, which the previous one most definitely was), it should be fine. Just put a link to the website and if people are interested, they can always click over for the actual brochure :)

Terry (Dahon owner, but I think the Downtubes are pretty cool, too!)

[Tovar]

Well re-reated a Dwontube Folding Bike mention today, and few minutes after was on SPEEDY DELETION for BLATANT ADVERTISING????

Well wikipedia is not so OPEN MIND, everyone can write an entry ther, but not DOWNTUBE, those people doesn't understand that Downtube doesn't need ANY WIKIPEDIA ADVERTISING, they are protecting NOTHING but their interests.

That site is only for general, true or not info.

Regards

[jur]

Downtube has been on the receiving end of vandalism on wikipedia before, and this could be same again.