Life before BikeForums?
 

I used to ride a piece of junk Walmart bike once in a while, but in one year I have gone to being a fairly regular commuter. Thanks to BikeForums, I was able to buy the right bike ( dahon D7 from Craigslist for $150 ), good lights ( Fenix flashlight $60 ), good tail lights ( Planet bike superflash $17 ), right mirror ( Take-a-look eye-glass mount mirror $15 ). I bought all these online . All these products provide superior performance at relatively affordable prices.

Without Bikeforums, I can only imagine it would take years plus a lot more money to evolve into being able to buy the right equipment for your needs. Sure you can walk into a LBS and buy the top-of-the line for everything, but you'll end up paying a lot more than I did. Also most expensive doesn't always translate into best.

What did people do before BikeForums existed? I suspect they just made do for years with whatever crappy equipment they could afford and never upgraded? I guess knowledge really is power.

Good observations :D

Pretty much...or, if you were good at tinkering, you could look make your own lighting systems and whatnot.

It's a lot easier to get a good idea of what's out there now, certainly.

East Hill

I had a job, a family, outside interests.

Used to spend a lot of time looking at mail order bike parts catalogs.

How would you know what is good or not?

There have been clubs and periodicals around for a long time.

Schwinn used to advertise on TV..."as seen on TV"...

It must be good!!;)

Life used to be vibrant. I used to actually ride my bike.

Actually, i'm going to go ride my bike right now - nothings changed really, except that I don't surf b3ta anymore. Thank god for that!

I managed to survive for 52 years before BF. I can't remember what I did with my time back then or why.

I wasnt really into bikes much before BF

Trial and error sometimes.

Life before Bikeforums? I used to ride my bike alot. Alot.

I accomplished more work while at work. Now I have *another* distraction.

I also have wittier replys for the comments i get about my bicycle commuting.

I credit bikeforums with getting me back into biking in foul weather. Up until a couple years ago I was such a fair weather biker. Even the slightest hint of rain and I wouldn't cycle. Now, I've got rain coat, fenders, night lights, and the attitude. :p

my wife and I didn't argue over who uses the computer more or who gets to use it first

Before BF, I only have one bicycle........ now I have five! :)
Thanks BF!

+1 :love:

I have been cycling and involved with bicycles for over 42 years. BF has expanded my knowledge base especially on C&V stuff. I lived and still do in a backwater community for cycling. One of my main LBS's is a combination lawn mower and bicycle shop. To them state of the art is a Schwinn Coffee and Cream I rode many different brands of bikes growing up, mostly French for some reason. But rediscovered the whole range of British bikes. BF also has many, many talented people that are willing to think outside the box to invent solutions to problems that many of us didn't even know existed:D

Aaron:)

+ a bunch.

Before BF I had one old Columbia roadster.

Now my basement looks like an ancient tomb for vintage steel. :D

There was always usenet ....

http://groups.google.com/groups/dir?&sel=33609816
(archives going back to '89, but it was around long before that)

Before BF, I thought the new bikes are the only good ones....... but thanks to Classic and Relic.... err.....Classic and Vintage board, I found much appreciation on old bikes. They ride just as well as new ones, once overhauled. I love them old, lugged steel frames! :)

I learned a lot from the Mechanics board too. I can now overhaul my bikes, and I enjoy doing it.
Thanks BF!

5+1 is the number of bikes you either are considering owning or will be considering owning.

Before Cycling Forums I couldn't spell cyclist,
Now I be one.

Actually the true formula is n+1...where n equals the number of bikes currently owned;)

Aaron:)

What did people do before BikeForums existed?

I guess there were these things called "books" and "personal relationships" where we would learn things from people who had experience. We could also go to "school" where "teachers" would pass on knowledge and try to get you to "think things through" before "spreading your wisdom". Sometimes, we would "go to the library" to gather "reports" from "government agencies" or "research groups" to get some answers to some issues and try to form a credible thesis on a topic so when "challenged" on the topic, you could defend the thesis. We would often do our own "field research". Plus, there was always "Bicycling" magazine.

Life was so different years ago.

Glad we moved on to the digital age. Ugh.