We're out riding our bikes ;)

-Kurt

Well, I have been here a while and think this place is just fine. People come and go and one of the nice things about this place is that just because your gone for a bit, it does not mean you can't come back.

Personally, I am in the process of off-loading most of my "collection" in an attempt to keep what I truly love and ride and not be encumbered with managing the "stuff" that comes with this type of hobby. I also will be taking delivery of a modern, steel road bike in the next week or so (10sp w/ brifters :D) because I test road it and really enjoyed it.

What I'm more concerned about are the grumpy curmudgeons who refuse to go! :D

Card member since 2006.

exactly what i was just thinking .
i was working like a torado this season :)
T

Believe me, I'm close.

I, for one, wouldn't want that.

I have only been here a couple of years, but have learned so much from so many of you. Yes, participation ebbs and flows for many on here. As many other members here, I have belonged to other forums, and my participation there changed as my interests have changed.

And, I have seen the gradual shift to lower end bikes being discussed more often, too.

I think part of the reason for that shift is the creeping up of prices for all vintage bikes. So, the best ones become too expensive for many of us. I have seached the archives for info about various bikes and there are many posts from years ago where someone asked about a PX-10 or such in great condition and was told that $200 was way too much to pay for one. Now those same bikes sell for double or triple that amount.

Aw, I wasn't referring to you ... specifically. ;)

I don't mind the 'low-end' aficionados or the one-time posters at all. A mix is good. If you want to discuss expensive, high end frames and components exclusively, there's the CR list and the Serotta Forum. I find the community here fairly open, and to me that's a good thing. We also have to acknowledge that statistically, there were far more entry to mid-level bikes produced than custom, handbuilt jobs, so of course there will be more discussion at that end of the spectrum.

I come and go here as my bikes tell me to, but it's always a pleasure. Thanks for all the help, one and all. You rule.

I don't have a whole lot of interest in high-end bikes (I got rid of my C&V car 'cause it was killing my bank account; not interested in repeating the experience with bikes), so I guess the recent trends are in my favor.

But what happened to sammyboy?

You are a snob....

But I understand your point, myself I get tired of the centuivegawashayamaguchi generic Asian bike threads.

I left for awhile, but I've wondered back, but 85% of the threads now are pretty dull. 80's stuff does not do much for me. Bring on the archaic old racers and strange Euro 10-speeds....

I have also noticed the change in tone. It's unfortunate C&V seemed to be the last bastion of civility on the net, I'd hate to see that decline.

I've been on this forum a little over a year. I'm interested in the low-end vintage bikes because I can afford to buy them, and also because they are easier to find, as someone stated previously. Maybe a little too affordable and easy to find, because now I have more bikes than I can handle.

The other reason is that I need to learn and practice basic and advanced bike maintenance on less-valuable bikes before I tackle the high-end dream machines often pictured on this forum. I'll never get tired of reading the "how-to" threads, or the valuation threads, or advice threads.

But I enjoy seeing the high-end bikes just as much. I never heard of any of them before joining this forum, and even after a year here, I'm still seeing bike names new to me. This forum is the single most important resource I have for learning about my new-found hobby and interest, and I hope I'll acquire enough expertise such that I can be a resource for others here as well someday.

As it is now, I spend too much time on this forum myself, and not enough time working on the bikes overflowing my garage, much less out on a pleasure ride. So I wouldn't be at all surprised if the older regular posters have simply cut their online time in favor of increasing their riding time.

Yeah, I always enjoyed his threads. I particularly liked the thread about trying to embrace a claw hanger on one of his lower end Fuji's.

I think there are a good number of people here that perpetuate the good vibes. Maybe I have trouble seeing the change in mood since I have only been here a couple of years. I do see occasional spats but they seem few and short lived.

The C&V section is my regular stop when I log onto Bikeforums. I also check in with: OldRoads, Bikelist and Gentleman Cyclist groups during my lunch or breaktimes during the day. I don't normally post a lot because I don't feel I have much to say that hasn't already been said by others who appear to be more knowledgable and experienced than I am. The information shared by others is great. Whether it's about an old high-end road bike or garden variety "roadster" those who share help to enlighten those of us, me included, who mostly read the posts. For those we don't hear much from anymore, life happens.....things come up and bicycling and things related to it get put aside for a while. PG.

I got an email from him yesterday. He expects to be back on the bike in a few months.

I second this.

I see that as a sign that more people are being attracted to the hobby. One has to start somewhere, and I think most people start quite modestly. True, some are content to remain with bargain bikes, but some don't. For me, it has been an evolutionary process, and until I purchased a new LHT last year, I never had spent more than $200.00 on a bike or frame. It can be an interesting journey of mixed fortunes and unexpected opportunities. What I think matters most, is that people are able to enjoy the ride.

sammyboy got married, and is evidently in the "happily ever after" phase. Hopefully he'll stop by to visit us on occasion.

not snobbity. not snarky. tiz forum is da shiz!

Some of us have realized that we have much more to learn than to offer and largely just listen, anymore. True of life itself, too...

I don't mind the cheaper stuff, not everyone has the allowance for the pricey stuff, but often after the initial cost of a bike, the refurbishment costs are similar, for the lower end and the higher end machine.
For my own purchases, I'm a super snob. Oh well, I hide them well.

The CR list has become less entertaining, the archives are much better than the current. 2001 trough 2004 was much better than today. Just hope the poster there that insists on signing off with Dr. -----
does not find this venue. And I don't mean Dr. Deltron.

I will vote that I miss "theotherguy". And lotek does not appear to post as often, but I have not made a project to monitor.

Then there are the eccentrics, the Joe's and frubin's of the bike world. We do need them all though.

Ive been a long time member, rarely posts, dont have too much computer savyy, type with one finger, Im here every day, took summer off. This place has been a true blessing, for me It the hobby got me thru some tough times, Im at a point where when Im ridin my dialed in bikes with 125psi + pump into it nothing really matters to me I love it. Thanks guys. I think the forum flows to were it has to go. and threads like this keep everything grounded, Thanks for sharing all knowledge, and experience,The point is cycling can have a real positive influence on many newcomers.

To echo what many have said, if this represents the decline, I can only imagine what the prime was like. I think this group is the most friendly, helpful and civil bunch I've ever seen on the net. Rebukes are delivered mildly and with respect. People really try to help and they respect those less knowledgable than they are. I love this place...and can't imagine it being much better.

I'm here almost daily but don't post much.
Mostly I've been doing "admin" type things which are not as much fun as they sound.
I've slowed down a bit on the new (old) bikes and just enjoying the ones that I like.
My taste is refining or should I say redefining itself again, I'm starting to get a serious
jones for italian steel, and the 71 Masi just makes it worse.

Marty

Just to share an observation...There's some repetitiveness in the types of posts and for true experts, I can see how it becomes less interesting over time.

A suggestion to make the forum better would be to have some well known guest experts post (like a first Friday in the month). Examples/Topics:

* A well known frame builder share his thoughts on what make a great period frame, and how does it translate to modern/today frames. What was it like in the day?

* Know collector/seller (Hilary Stone comes to mind as an example) - Special C&V frame/bike, what make's it special, not-so well known builder. etc...

These types of topics are more interesting and may better engage the true experts and folks wanting to learn. Frankly, as a non-expert - I look for these types of posts as unique opportunities to learn.

I think there are some well connected folks on the forum. Guest posters with an expert panel discussion would (in my book) be pretty cool...It takes out some of the repetitiveness.

Just a thought.