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Old 12-31-14 | 10:49 AM
  #6  
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Jim from Boston
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Joined: May 2008
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Originally Posted by Papa Tom
I'm not sure if your post is genuine or if you are just trying to stir up some controversy, but I'll bite.

Very often, I will start a thread in which I ask for an opinion on a certain piece of equipment. I like to keep my threads clean and on topic, so I will usually request that those who reply stick with the subject and NOT try to steer the discussion to a product they think is better - or even worse, turn it into a debate over whether it's right or wrong to even use that product/piece of equipment in the first place. This happens with helmets and music players all the time…
In this vein, there are two topics I focus on:
  • Rearview mirrors (as an advocate); My peeve are the naysayers who comment that they don’t use mirrors with the implication if not outright comment, “Why bother.” I have even tried to argue “What is the harm.”

    Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
    Well it’s now Saturday afternoon, and I just finished a 60 mile ride while pondering my use of the mirrors. Yesterday I tried to reassess my position about the utility of mirrors by asking the questions, What are the downsides?... When would mirrors be dangerous?
  • Prevention of eyewear fogging in the winter: Often various subscribers will post their remedy as THE SOLUTION, without describing their riding conditions, namely temperature and distance (time). I have found that often these simple solutions fail at colder temperatures.
I hope the advice I give is persuasive, but not dogmatic.

Addendum: I think a significant reason some posters reply in a negative fashion is that they may relate to only their own situation. For example a rural rider may not see the importance of a rearview mirror for an urban cyclist dealing with more numerous and spontaneous obstacles.

Last edited by Jim from Boston; 12-31-14 at 11:32 AM. Reason: added addendum
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