Project WikiBikes!
 

Hello C&Vers,

I have an idea. An idea that involves each and every one of you.

The more time I spend on C&V, the more I notice something; there is a lot of gaps in the knowledge available on the internet, and hence people resort to posting "help me!" threads. There's nothing wrong with this, but for people actually looking for the information, it's tough to have to wait and hope that someone on BF knows what you need to know, instead of just looking it up on something like wikipedia.

Everyone on C&V knows a decent amount about old bikes. Wikipedia, on the other hand, knows almost nothing about old bikes.

For example: if you look up something like Toyota on Wikipedia, you will get an enormous article, with not only the full history of the company itself, but also detailed timelines, and an individual article for every single model of car they have ever manufactured. That is what a wikipedia article should look like. Now, if we look up a bike-related equivalent, we'll get a very brief history, and a short, incomplete list of models, none of which have their own articles or any info whatsoever.

So here is what I propose: With the vast body of knowledge that the various members of C&V possess, we could easily turn Wikipedia into a legitimate resource for people looking for info on their bikes, much like it is now for people looking for info on their cars. For starters, well-known models should have their own articles, including as much information as possible (years of manufacture, lists of components, etc).

This isn't something that will happen overnight, and this isn't something that needs any sort of green-light from moderators or administrators (though it would be nice ;)). All it needs is some C&Vers with some knowledge and some enthusiasm to start editing!

Get'r done!

ps: If anyone has information they think will be useful, but aren't sure how to create/edit a wikipedia article, I have been a wikipedia author for quite a while, and would be glad to help. ^__^

it's a very good idea .
as long as everyone stays involved ,
as u said it doesnt happen over night

This is a great idea. Are you planning to add articles to the standard WikiPedia, or to create a special Wiki? Some topics are already covered pretty nicely, such as Bicycle Geometry. It could use more and perhaps some real-world examples (it does link to Bike Geometry Project), but it's a good start.

Standard wikipedia. That's where people are going to look first, presumably, and hence that's where it's the most useful.

And yes, you're right. Some of the general things like that have decent articles. However, when it comes to specific makes and models...it's an absolute wasteland. Like I said, when you compare the articles for makes/models of cars to those for makes/models of bikes...it's an absolutely horrifying discrepancy.

The Ur-article would begin with a link to sheldonbrown.com. The problem, as far as helping people out, is that their questions often devolve to something particular and arcane; that would not be part of a general knowledge base anyway. 9/10 of the questions from one-timers are "what's my bike worth," and that sort of information has a rather short shelf life. Every problem deserves some research, and the gratification is often not instant. For grazing the surface, Wikipedia is good, but when I need an answer, I generally begin with Sheldon, then here, then elsewhere on the Web. Seldom Wikipedia -- and there are bicycle tech articles there, by the way, for both mechanical issues and manufacturer histories.

http://www.velobase.com/ is a good start. It is the best cycling component resource on the net IMHO.

Guy

I was actually thinking of starting a website like this.
The problem with using the current wiki is that the info will be deleted. The wiki editors are very anal about making sure one topic isn't done in too much in depth. If people started adding long articles about in-depth/obscure bike info, they will most likely get deleted. The wiki editors feel that the site is for all info and that it should be general.
I am not positive this would happen, but most likely. I have tried this with other subjects before and that is what happens.
I am currently moving but will def let people know when I launch the site.