Are You Treated Respectfully Here?
 

..... on MTB and the other Bike Forums.

I have had a mostly positive experience here, focus is to learn, share what I can and try to return the favor to others if possible

I've had a few encounters with less-than-respectful people, but the old rule to ignore them is probably the best. Do not respond or goad or argue and they will lose interest and go away.

I really enjoy the Bike Forums.

What is your experience?

in the begging i noticed that people didn't really respect my opinion, unfortunatly i did have to change my username,(not because of BF or anybody on it),but i think now i am way more experienced, and know a lot more, i think people take my opinions seriously and i believe you should too.(that sounds like i am writting a persuasive essay from fifth grade)

This forum specifically or bikeforums in general? I've found it varies greatly across the different sub-forums.

On MTB AND the other Bike Forums.

On all the others that I frequent, yes. Here it's hit or miss, with nothing serious.

On most forums, most posts, yes.

It depends on how you present yourself (as naive as it sounds a decent username goes a long way) and how you post.

Cant wait til MulletArgyleSoreass replies in this.

I think forums in general have very little patience with a person that is perceived as being less informed than others on the forum. Couple that lack of patience with the fact that you can instantly, and relatively anonymously, berate them for any percieved shortcomings and you've got the perfect opportunity for abusive behavior. I've found that the best way to deal with abusive forum members, here and elsewhere, is to ignore their posts and if it's truly offensive simply report it to a mod.

I find people who post their "advice" based on little to no practical experience disrespectful to the OP and other readers.

You know, the first one was funny, but now the whole thing is just stupid. If you get your feelings hurt or you don't like it here, go somewhere else.

great until Pete pissed me off, and that was quite fun after a bit, and now i post more honestly, i think, anyway, and people listen less to me i think, but im not sure, because i cant compare it to when i joined, but o well, ive learned many things on here...

Now that we're on the subject of feelings, and no more of those silly mountain bikes with all their dirt and sweating, I want to talk about how painful my initiation into this forum has been. I really feel like you guys are ignoring me (except for that one guy who returned my PM, thanks superduperfriendlyMTBbiker9001). I mean, I know some of you are laughing when I post, because you don't think I know a buttload of crap about the gospel of mountainbiking, BUT I DO! That's why I wrote in all caps! I mean, WHERE'S THE LOVE!?

Can't we all just get along!!

Sheesh.. Man, I was able to ignore the first couple of posts, but most people came here to talk about mountain bikes, not how we "feel" about junk. . but I am all about that free speech thing, so post on! Just don't get be so sensitive when dudes poke fun. I learned that lesson immediately after joining the forum.

No.

Yes.

I have no emotions. Let's get back to talking about bikes.

Did anyone hear something? ;) :D

Its funny, before pete there was raiyn, but are completely honest about their opinions and their knowledge. They will beat it into you until you get it. Ironically, if people give them a chance and try to learn from them (regardless of how abrasive they can be sometimes) they usually come out respecting them and their opinions. Heck after Pete there will just be another one, there always is, everywhere.

As for this forum vs others, I think all forums have their own aggressors. Its a fact of life, heck in the building I work I am one of them. Everyone has different personalities and thats what makes life so darn fun.

I have gotten stupid answers when I have asked stupid questions.

BTW, nobody here wants to answer something you could have simply googled or read in your owner's manual. The lazy questions and the irresponsible comments (i.e. "Only use your rear brake when going downhill") are guaranteed to get flamed and rightly so.

Nope, nobody respects me. Of course if they are vocal about it I'll just ban them. ;)

Cheater :p

I like to argue.


Mad respect, son. Mad.

I really like this forum best of all that I have been on, both for the (general) level of conversation, the humor and its comparative civility. A short synopsis of my take on the others (that you may or may not agree with - - remember, this is just my opinion):

• MTBR: seems to be full of kids and semi-literate adults. I don't even go there any more.
• RideMonkey: Pacific NW forum is pretty good, populated by a lot of gravity people; but most of them are over in the Puget Sound Basin with far different conditions/issues than I experience over here on the 'dry side.' The Downhill forum is intimidating at times with a lot of industry people and pro and semi-pro racers. You better know what you are talking about if you jump into the fray there or you'll get eaten alive.

I feel like this is the most well-rounded and diverse one out there. It's probably the most tolerant and welcoming of newbies and the inexperienced of any forum.

im just going to mention this, it wasnt Pete who got me posting more honestly and stuff, it was the ones who nicely told me that i should stop posting stupid responses, such as a mod who i will not identify for the sake of not identifying anyone

On all forums you have to earn respect. Have I been treated respectfully here? At the start probably not so much but thats cause I was an idiot. Still am but now at least I'm an idiot that knows a few things about biking/bikes (still not very much when compared to others on this forum that I respect a lot for knowing so much about our sport) so yes I'd say I do get respect from some members, not all but hey I'm not that great so I'm happy with what I get.

Oh yea. Now the site manager needs to put some dramatic music in this thread and it will be complete. Really though, lets get back to talking about bikes in the MTB forum and put this in Foo.