notfred

I just looked at the first 25 topics listed here. 21 are about equipment. Less than 20% of the content of the forum is actually about riding.

Yeah, I like to have good equipment as much as anyone, and I knmow I've posted my share of equipment threads in the past, but I haven't even been a member here for very long, and I'm already getting bored, because all I see over and over again is "what X should I buy?" (where X can be bike, fork, brakes, etc).

Does anyone have any ideas for how to improve the content of this forum? Maybe some riding technique threads (like, say, how to ride switchbacks, or techniques for braknig without wearing out your hands on long downhills). Or even something about using equipment rather than buying it - the best way to set up suspension, for instance.

I know, I should try starting some threads like this and basically "practice what I preach", but it jsut seems like it needed to be brought up.

J-McKech

Yes I agree, I think that KonaRider24 is trying to start that with his FAQ's page. I think the majority of the people here are guys just starting out and they always ask questions. I don't think we will be able to change that but your thread is a step in the right direction.

bopicasso

What kinda bike do I need?








Just kidding!!!!!!!! LMAO

Maelstrom 

I have tried. I think it is the nature of this type of forum. Very diverse and lends itself to raw beginners. I have posted many many ride reports. Generally they have very few responses. Nature of the best I suppose

Juniper

Forums like this tend to be open to talking about anything related to the sport a person wants to talk about. Sometimes it's equipment, sometimes it's trails, sometimes it's riding technique, sometimes it's just stuff that isn't too serious. The common thread is it's related in some way to mtn biking. I think it's fine. If someone wants to discuss something in particular, post away!

The one weakness I find is it tends to be largely the same people posting. Hey, all you readers-but-not-writers, join the party! And pass the word around to others about the forum.

Regarding the experience level of people here, I think it's all over the board. Some just starting out; plenty who could build a bike from spare parts while they sleep. It's a good mix.

One thing I really like here is that most people are willing to help others and have a good time. Those two things go a long way to having a good forum!

Peek the Geek

Ignore what you don't want to read. It ain't going away.

Oh, and threads about how much garbage is in these forums just add to the amount of garbage in these forums. At least the "what X should I buy" threads are bike related. This thread is not.

mtnbiker66

More ride reports!! I like to see and hear about where you guys ride. Like the post from Mael about riding Gargamel. I'll post a ride report after I take my bike club out for their first real trail ride on Sat.

ImprezaDrvr

I'm completely serious when I ask this, but what are we supposed to say in response to a ride report thread? They tend to die out pretty quickly since people can only say "sounds kick ass" so many times and in so many different ways. I see your point, but I fear that it's the nature of the beast that they go away quickly.

Peek the Geek

That reasoning sounds kick ass.

FoX11

i'm torn. i agree with everyone here. i like reading the stories, but i don't see how "wow, that sounds cool man" is really important. i GREATLY appreciate a lot of the stories and tips you guys post, but a lot of it doesn't need a reply, just know that people HAVE read it and they enjoyed it. to the guy who said you don't like it, don't read it, amen! the reason the posts are named by what they're about is so that you can pick and choose what you'd like to read and what you'd like to regard as "garbage". i'm an intermediate rider myself, i always appreciate learning. to you guys who know everything there is, you should have more respect for the guys who don't know everything there is to know and who still need to learn, after all, you were all there. we're all here to help eachother, thats the point. did you guys trade in your bikes for bit.ching skills? now, in conclusion: let's all stop our bickering and get our bi.tch ass selves out onto those trails!

Peek the Geek

This reminds me of another great thing about these forums: If you hold your mouse over a thread title, the little box pops up showing you the first few lines of the thread (though Firefox only gives you the first line). It's a great way to quickly see what threads are going to be worth reading. Bicycling.com's forums don't do this, and it drives me nuts (though they have significantly less traffic than here).

What we really need to do is stress that people should put the main focus of their thread right in the title and/or at the beginning of their post. HERE'S A VIDEO OF A GUY HUCKING OFF A COW is a much better title than CHECK THIS OUT!