Most needlessly contentious topics
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,689
Likes: 2,609
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Most needlessly contentious topics
I'm starting with the assumption that #1 on that list is "what's the best chain lube" so we'll start with #2. My guesses would include:
-- How many rear gears do I need?
-- Drop bars or flat bars?
-- 1x, double, or triple crank?
-- Sunscreen or SPF clothing?
-- Best place to ride a bike?
-- Take the lane or stay on a bike path?
Feel free to add your favorite bike-related thing to argue about.
And then, for bonus points, consider the following:
What do respondents to this topic need to know about the questioner's circumstances to have a reasonable discussion, rather than polling who can shout the loudest and / or longest?
Are there any arguments against your favorite answer that have some merit?
And for double bonus points, why do you care what other people think about this/these topic(s)? (with apologies to Richard Feynman)
-- How many rear gears do I need?
-- Drop bars or flat bars?
-- 1x, double, or triple crank?
-- Sunscreen or SPF clothing?
-- Best place to ride a bike?
-- Take the lane or stay on a bike path?
Feel free to add your favorite bike-related thing to argue about.
And then, for bonus points, consider the following:
What do respondents to this topic need to know about the questioner's circumstances to have a reasonable discussion, rather than polling who can shout the loudest and / or longest?
Are there any arguments against your favorite answer that have some merit?
And for double bonus points, why do you care what other people think about this/these topic(s)? (with apologies to Richard Feynman)
#3
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,345
Likes: 3,542
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
The wonder is everyone doesn't get bored with it
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
#6
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,701
Likes: 2,506
From: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
....clipless vs platform pedals
....do you buy coffee, donuts and beer for your LBS and do you tip bike shop employees
....cable discs vs hydro discs
....proper length and color for cycling socks
....back pack vs panniers
....rolling resistance of tires
....chain lube threads
....best frame material
....do you buy coffee, donuts and beer for your LBS and do you tip bike shop employees
....cable discs vs hydro discs
....proper length and color for cycling socks
....back pack vs panniers
....rolling resistance of tires
....chain lube threads
....best frame material
#7
I AM AI
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,288
Likes: 1,170
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: 2008 S-Works Roubaix SL, 1979 Raleigh Comp GS, 1978 Schwinn Volare
Pretty much anything posted in General.
__________________
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
#8
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,345
Likes: 3,542
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
If you find our General Discussion upsetting, don't go to MTBR
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
#10
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,345
Likes: 3,542
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Craigslist!
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
#12
Happy With My Bikes


Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 3,362
From: Oklahoma
Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects
Anything in the vein of asking if a taco shape wheel can be fixed or how to make cog spacers from paper just need merged into a single post and moved to the bowels of the forum.
__________________
"One of the most important days of my life was when I learned to ride a bicycle" -- Michael Palin
#13
Senior Member



Joined: May 2021
Posts: 3,160
Likes: 2,367
From: San Francisco
Bikes: addict, aethos, creo, vanmoof, sirrus, public ...
the more divisive ones to me seem to be the "new" vs "old" type, even if the things aren't actually newer or older, but just seem like it.
mechanical or electronic shifting
tubes or tubeless
bike computer or smartphone
pump or co2
mechanical or electronic shifting
tubes or tubeless
bike computer or smartphone
pump or co2
__________________
#17
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1,466
Likes: 1,416
From: Chicago
Bikes: Bianchi Infinito XE, Via Nirone 7, GT Aggressor Pro
"Riders of that-other-style-of bikes are doing it all wrong"
Or, alternatively:
"Tell me about how you all do such-and-such, and I'll tell you how you're all doing it wrong!"
Or, alternatively:
"Tell me about how you all do such-and-such, and I'll tell you how you're all doing it wrong!"
#20
Senior Member




Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 15,400
Likes: 8,319
From: Seattle area
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Can we talk reasonably about why helmet use increases the number (not severity) of accidents?
hehehe
Those cheap frames and aftermarket products (from you know where) are a mortal threat to everyone riding bicycles.
Why aren't you cyclists riding puncture proof (solid, or foam, or metal matrix) - tires?
Not a fast learner, but learn me to go fast - on my used and rusty Wallymart Wonder - that I'm trying to make fit.
Best saddle?
Does crabon fibre azzsplode? Will my plastic bike melt?
My heavy (40 pound) bike gives me a better workout!
My heavy (19 pound) bike gives me a better workout!
My lightweight (11 pound) bike gives me a better workout!
hehehe
Those cheap frames and aftermarket products (from you know where) are a mortal threat to everyone riding bicycles.
Why aren't you cyclists riding puncture proof (solid, or foam, or metal matrix) - tires?
Not a fast learner, but learn me to go fast - on my used and rusty Wallymart Wonder - that I'm trying to make fit.
Best saddle?
Does crabon fibre azzsplode? Will my plastic bike melt?
My heavy (40 pound) bike gives me a better workout!
My heavy (19 pound) bike gives me a better workout!
My lightweight (11 pound) bike gives me a better workout!
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 03-07-23 at 08:44 AM.
#22
Tragically Ignorant

Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 15,593
Likes: 9,109
From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
How many more posts before we have a full list of every possible topic concerning bicycles?
#23
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,345
Likes: 3,542
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mostly it's fine. The algorithm that feeds threads to the splash page makes general discussion a dumpster fire. At first after the software update it was also feeding in "off topic" and it was really bad. To their credit they fixed that
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 03-07-23 at 10:35 AM.





