How many here are on the CR list? I tried to join the list a few years ago but either I didn't enlist correctly or was silently rejected for whatever reason. I do lurk there and search the archives occasionally, but sometimes the exclusivity and "snarkiness" (their term) sort of turn me off. Who wants to hear someone shouting and lecturing OFF TOPIC! when they ask a simple question that relates to vintage bikes, but because it is either researchable otherwise (google, etc.) or has ties to modern bicycle construction it gets rudely received? The knowledge and data base there is incredible but the attitude seems a bit harsh at times.

I joined but unsubscribed after I became overwhelmed by the constant barrage of emails. I'm sure there's a way I could have learned to better manage my subscription, but I really didn't care enough.

What is the CR list?

https://www.classicrendezvous.com/

Subscribe, turn off the emails, and use this reader: https://yojimg.net/bike/ibob/

You can view several bikelist.org lists there. But if you want to post occasionally, you need to be subscribed.

Credit goes to nlerner for the tip!

Blah, true mailing lists are a pain. So 90's. Why not install forum-based software?

the CR list is an excellent argument for using gmail. Set up a filter and archive everything after applying a label indicating that it is related to CR. I have around 7000 unread messages in my CR archive, doesn't hurt me a bit.

+1 No more mailing lists for me.

I'm sad about all the undoubtedly fascinating info I'm missing, but the mailing list format is just too aggravating.

The archives do have a lot of information.
Here is a link to a true classic cached thread:

https://www.raydobbins.com/ebay/medici/medici_story.htm

Be ready to read for a while.
There are a few obvious snarks, but things unfold as they should with time.
What is interesting on that list is there are over 1500 subscribers but way fewer active participants.
Although the same probably holds true here too.

I'm on the list and hardly ever read it. I use gmail, so the mail gets filtered into a folder I don't read. When I search my mail, I find interesting things. I think I've posted once to the list.

+1 I do the same thing with gmail. That reader looks helpful, Thanks JYB and Nlerner.

that was tough reading, but plenty entertaining. I'm horribly confused now though.

I do this too because If I'm looking for info on a bike/part I can then seach them.

I can't handle the read everything email format, its before my time.

The CR list has a wealth of information, but there are waaaaaay too many petty arguments about what's 'on topic'. Wading through page after page of grown men acting like children tests my patience.

The day to day CR emails were a great resource about a decade ago, but most of the most knowledgeable people have simply given up because of the number of people posting who simply don't have the required knowledge to be useful to others. If 10 years ago I would read close to 100% of the messages and 5 years ago I would read perhaps 50% of messages, I would guess that I now might read 5%.

The same goes for the ebay outings made on there. It used to be that "good Samaritans" would highlight interesting listings, but now they are virtually all self-promotion (I too am guilty of this, but at least I always tried to include a major dose of background information so that even if one did not buy the listed item, the reader of the listing would learn something.)

Use the archives and then determine who are the dependable people you can turn to. Most people with knowledge will be more than happy to share it with you if asked.

PS: Jan, nobody screens requests to join the CR list, so you must have made an error in applying or perhaps made teh request during one of the rare periods where there were software problems (there have been a few of those over the years)

I like to stop by and get general information from the CR website about some of the Italian brands as they are available.

Obviously more than a labor of love for those involved, the pages stand as strong historical references.

That being said, I still only dabble with bikes. I simply can't add another constant flow of information.

Between renovating BMWs and Melges/ Johnson Boatworks sailboats, biking comes in a far distant third for hobbies.

For now, I am quite content to stay an admirer of handcrafted Italian racing bikes, and of course, the occasional American custom made bicycle.

I like to focus on riding more than information. Perhaps that is why I enjoy Velobase and various Flickr groups so much.

I can pick and choose as it suits me to do so.

The day will come soon enough when I have more time, and perhaps by then I'll have something worthwhile to contribute to the list.

I'm in the loop. I use a separate e-mail account solely for CR, as it can be voluminous.

Funny thing, I've actually sold more stuff on CR (to ISO/WTB inquiries) than on BF, but I've bought more stuff here.

Thanks, JYB! Another excellent resource for mining the CR list, as well as the iBob list, is to do a search at

https://search.bikelist.org

It's an excellent time suck.

Neal

I'm on as well and find the format to be overly frustrating. Seriously, getting your hand slapped because you dont type: Tampa, FL 33647 USA North America in your sig?

I'm on the list and take it in Digest form, I like it since instead of getting 23 separate emails they get bundled into one. The digest form also makes following threads a bit easier.
I agree with CdM that the quality of content has suffered since I first joined almost 10 years ago, I especially note the absence of people like eRICHIE, Chuck S. Greg P. and others.
That said the posts by Ted Ernst, Norris Lockley, and a few select others make wading through the BS worth it.

marty

I get the emails and spend more time deleting them than reading them. But I have got some useful stuff there.

I won't post there, on account of the name and address requirement; too much googlable information.

Because the content is different, in this case.

I've been a CR member for something like 8 years now. I use Gmail to read a small raft of Google groups, the bikelist.org lists I like, and a few Usenet groups.

The discussion is more restricted, but there are rules and a mission statement that are clearly stated when you sign in. Members are expected to know them and follow them. One of them is civility, and people have been ejected for not being civil, and for other reasons. It's not like this, run by committee in a rather liberal way. The list organizer set it up to mimic having a bunch of vintage bike buddies sitting around his garage and talking cool old bikes. Off-topic discussions are tolerated by the list organizer up to a point, and generally it's not desired to members to take on a vigilantist role in enforcing the rules. I try to leave that to the List Dad, rather than try to help him out.

There's significant overlap with C&V here, and with Retro-Classic on RoadBikeReview.com, so it's hard to say the best expertise is over at CR. However, some really dedicated specialists are there and not elsewhere.

BTW, I can't imagine anyone not being accepted as a member if they "check the box" about understanding and accepting the rules. I think it's much more likely some kind of mess-up in using the bikelist.org control software, either a code problem or a cockpit error.

Norsk, just try it again. There's no vetting process, or check of your politics and credit rating. It's not as snobbish as people make it out. It's just a grass-roots effort, maintained by skilled amateurs within a limited set of resources. BF is FAR more fully-staffed than is CR.

1+ in that I have a separate email account. That way I can sort the CR mail into a bunch of sub categories.
I am with Road Fan, you get a certain type of expertise from the list that you don't fine elsewhere.

Yes, it happens, but not to the exaggerated scale you suggest. And it's not supposed work that way, but some folks take on a vigilante role. If you use Gmail you can filter out whoever you don't like. I'm sure I'm filtered on at least 50% of the readers' readers.