Why do you post here in Paceline?

[fuzzalow]

I have always encouraged any and all members here to speak their mind. I think this forum has the highest quality of membership to be found in any bike forum on the web. It is moderated by those in authority with the greatest scope and latitude matched only by predominantly civil mannerisms possessed of the membership. We got a good thing goin' here.

So a simple question I ask of you, if I may: Why do you post here in Paceline? And if you do not post here but have enjoyed readership of this forum, what do you think holds you back from posting? (see what I did here?)

I will start with my answer:


I post here because I want to help those that have a desire and a need to know. Simple as that. I think I know enough to help somebody out and if I can, I will.
I do the above as a selfless act but that does not mean that why I post here is selfless. No not by a long shot. I post because I like to write. I enjoy the mental exercise of thinking things through and trying to convey something meaningful, different or provocative. I hope that readers enjoy it but it really doesn't make much difference to me - I like the process of thinking so I'd churn it out even if unbeknownst to me it all got piped into /dev/null.
In meeting with the historian David McCullough once had him quip to me that "clear writing is clear thinking". Sound advice of which all I can do is try.

So that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

[rustychisel]

ditto.

Most eloquently put.

[velotrack]

Threads here tend to provoke thoughtful responses that other forums don't have quite the same. Sometimes topics raise opposing opinions, and sometimes it gets on the nasty side, but it's glad we realize not everyone can agree on everything. Overall, a good community and a good place to come spend some time on when I'm online.

Oh yeah - the almost universal excellent taste in what a proper bicycle should look like.

[eddief]

Dave Thompson too.

[rounder]

I love it here.

I first came here to figure out how to build my serotta CIII frame that I just bought on ebay. Already had a stock one with Shimano (nhx). Stumbled on the place actually. Found that the place was interesting and inspiring. That was a while ago. Have since bought two Kelly Bedford bikes were I had not previously heard of him. Try to stay connected and try to help others because it is interesting here.

[eBAUMANN]

Cause you guys are such a lovable bunch of of knuckleheads :beer:

Seriously though, this is a community unlike any other on the web, an incredible resource for ANYTHING bike-related, and then some! Some of the best threads I have read on here had nothing to do with bikes (life-advice/issues, travel tips, etc), really enlightening stuff from folks with the experience to back it up.

But yea, this is just an incredible community that never ceases to amaze me, I feel privileged to be a part of it :)

[fogrider]

good stuff here.

[bcroslin]

I originally signed up for the classifieds and then found the general forum to be such an amazing source of knowledge and goodwill that I stuck around. I post when I can help with an answer and when I have some random burning question. I try to "pay it forward" when possible. This forum is an incredible resource and I'm thankful it exists.

[bobswire]

For me it's simple, shared interest and passion.

[paredown]

'cause Roadbike Review isn't fun anymore!:banana:

Also because of the general attitude--it's the broad church of bicycling, with lots of knowledgeable and helpful participants.

[BobO]

The S/N ratio here is better than all of the other cycling forums. That makes this place easier to read and learn from without wading through tons of garbage.

[etu]

Variety
Experience
Personalities
Wisdom
Humor
Fun place to spend time

[leftyfreak]

It's all about the dancing bananas! :banana::banana::banana::banana:

And because I like reading people mock Ti Designs for trying to fall into his pedals. (Which is another way of saying that I learn stuff here and that the personalities and dialogue are entertaining.)

[Louis]

I post here to keep Louis alert

Dave Thompson too.

I am not a lert. Dave, on the other hand, maybe.

[oldpotatoe]

-It's great entertainment

-There is a lot of bike equipment misinformation, bad information or just ignorance, particularly about Campagnolo,'out there'.

-On some topics and posts I have learned a lot from some very learned people.

-Frustrating and maddening sometimes, but like I said, entertaining.

[thwart]

It's the virtual equivalent of a group ride with a bunch of interesting people... who know a lot about cycling... and other stuff, too.

[victoryfactory]

Been reading/posting here since the Kahuna days.
The mix of people from newbies to serious roadies to old farts
makes it interesting.
The overall civility, wisdom and humor is refreshing.
The nastiness is minimal, thanks to self policing and (mostly) intelligent and
attentive moderating.

I wonder though if we are trending older and losing the cutting edge?
Lots of dissing of the latest equipment, etc.

VF

[CNY rider]

I've been here a long time.
What keeps it fresh for me is the actual friends I've made from this virtual place, and the rides and other experiences we have shared together.
I'd urge folks here to get together with other Forumites at the group rides like the Dirtphalt ride we have up here in the summer, or the many others listed in the Events section.

[shovelhd]

I post here to add perspective and to piss off the durn liberals.

[Avincent52]

To get enough posts to run an ad in the classifieds.

But seriously, it started out something like this: to find a place to ask stupid questions about current gen bikes and components.
(I've never owned a bike that wasn't steel/Campy/tubulars)

Since I've joined I've found a true generosity of spirit. I bought a variety of parts and every transaction was super smooth and old-school friendly.
And severel of my local Paceliners have stepped it up further. Veloduffer offered me a free set of bars--I found some before I could take him up on them--and invited me on his weekend rides.
Angry Scientist invited me over and finished the assembly on my bike. (And if I'm honest, he did all the hard/important parts and fixed a couple of my crucial mistakes.)

I came for cheap shopping and I ended up with a bunch of awesome new friends. Cool.

[rugbysecondrow]

I enjoy interacting with folks I wouldn't typically have the opportunity to interact with.

[eddief]

Lively, erudite, argumentative, long winded, wise. Miss that guy, but the present is fine too.

[Ti Designs]

I don't know.

[Richard]

For the warm glow of self-satisfaction the internet provides.

[bicycletricycle]

Hard to say really,

Sense of community

I like bicycles

Good place to buy and sell

I like bicycles

[Ti Designs]

I hate bicycles...

[FlashUNC]

Fart jokes.

[aosty]

I like Serottaforums :rolleyes: because I like Serotta's and the banana guy! :banana:

http://blinkylights.net/bikes/serotta-hors+schwerottamount.jpg

http://blinkylights.net/bikes/serotta-hors-x2.jpg

[velomonkey]

Hum, in no particular order - some of these are sub catagories

Bikes, Bikes, Bikes, Campy, Bikes, Hand built frames, Bikes, Spoked wheels, Bikes, Bikes, Red lights, Bikes, Bikes, Stop Signs, Bikes, Bikes, tubular or clincher, Bikes, time or look, shimano or sram, you're dead to me without campy and, um, bikes.


Seriously, this is one of the only web sites where it's not too cool for school (most of know that place) or calorie counting-wattage crunches (we know that place), or Aero, Aero, Aero. Those places miss what makes bikes awesome - and then on any non-bike site I'm a bike 'freak.' When really I just appreciate them.

Oh, and bike porn, I post to see more bike porn. If there was one site left on the web, for me, it would be bringbackthebikeporn.com

[malcolm]

I used to have a Porsche bebe hors just like the one in the photo.
Sold it to a friend of a friend here on the forum
Great bike

[George Ab]

I post and hang out regularly due to the amount of knowledge freely shared. Great way to find out what is going on in the cycling world and broaden knowledge. Serotta knowledge is what got me here initially. Community is mature, fun and respectfully. When folks start to yell; I exit quickly. I have found in other cycling forums there is too much of that.

[dave thompson]

Dave Thompson too.

Wha...what? OK, I'm awake!

[Bstone]

Entertaining.
Help with questions I don't the answers to.
People who have the same rabid interest in the minutiae of cycling.
Classifieds.

[Kirk007]

Its like socializing at the college cafeteria - generally smart, engaging, funny, passionate, caring people sharing different world views on things in common - bikes and things that we don't. Came for the bike information, stayed for the community.

[Seramount]

'cause ya gotta have some kind of diversion at work...

actually, I purchased a Serotta-made frame and wanted to pick some brains...figured the Serotta forum was a no-brainer (see what I did there...?).

stuck around after the name change, the collective knowledge level is pretty high and people post some pretty nice photos of garage doors.

[DHallerman]

Hard to say really,

Sense of community

I like bicycles

Good place to buy and sell

I like bicycles

That's easy for you to say.

Dave, who could easily say the exact same thing and might add that learning stuff and sharing ideas is a good part of the community feel here

[makoti]

Originally, because I had money burning a hole in my pocket & I simply HAD to post to buy stuff. ;) Didn't think I'd ever get to 30.
Now that I'm long past that (expect I still seem to find way too much to buy. Need to try selling now), it really is a great mix on knowledgeable folks who can help out with a bike problem. Or cameras. Or knives. Or loads of other stuff, apparently.
I like the fact that, might be the mods, might be the people, this place seems way better at discussing "issues" than most boards I've been on. Nice change of pace.

[velomonkey]

Its like socializing at the college cafeteria.

Circa 1991 to 1995 - I sooooooooooo miss the college cafeteria.

My daughter has it so much easier than I ever did - I tried to explain to her the magic, the awesomeness of the college cafeteria all I could come up with was "there is unlimited sugar cereal."

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . and volunteer as a mod because it is the single most useful resource I have ever found for learning what others think and getting honest, reliable feedback on just about any question, either cycling or OT. Granted, sometimes there's some chaff in with the wheat, but just about anything I need to know about in cycling or OT products--cameras, cars, home repair, heck, even see-gars!--somebody here will have had some experience with it or them and have honest, reliable advice that has taught me a lot and saved me untold time and money over the years.

Of course, I almost always end up spending the saved time hanging out here, and the saved money buying more bike crap--uh, I mean useful stuff! . . . :crap: ;)

BBD

[jtakeda]

Theres a ton of great advice and info on here bike related and not bike related.

The forum is a great resource for home wrenching and it doesn't hurt that y'all always have that one hard to find part, or at least a workaround/good looking alternative.

I seldom see any snobby attitudes or rude members.

But probably #1 is its a great place to see some amazing custom bikes from builders across the country (and world). Probably wouldn't have even heard of Dave Kirk if I didn't frequent here and one day I'm sure I'll have one.

[SlackMan]

If I can rephrase the question to why I READ mostly and post SOME, my answer is that there are many smart people here who know tons more about bikes and cycling than I do, and I like to learn all of that. On some OT topics, I often know quite a bit, and am more than happy to share my knowledge on those.

[xlbs]

I post and lurk because of the depth, breadth of the knowledge here; I learn new things all the time. I also appreciate the tone and the warmth here. No kidding---too many other forums stoop to sniping and snobbery, but not so much here. And, just once in a while I can help with something.

[Elefantino]

My wife asks the same question almost daily.

[MattTuck]

It's too long and too personal to tell the whole story, so we'll leave it at: Good people, high level of discourse, great source of information (both bikes and OT) and a wide range of backgrounds while still having a great sense of shared experience and camaraderie.

[mg2ride]

I post because the only thing better than hearing myself talk is rereading what I wrote!

[Mzilliox]

I post here because I'm relatively new to bicycle insanity and none of my friends understand...

Here is the only place where people understand why i think my bicycle deserves a place in the house just like any other piece of art.

This is the only place where selfies are of bikes, not dumb faces.

This website and you guys give me the chance to spend money on bikes and parts i never knew existed.

:beer: cheers

[redir]

I found this forum by word of mouth from a friend of mine who said a lot of older rich guys hang out here and sell stuff for really good prices :D

I happened to score at least half of my cycling equipment in these here classified. I've not needed anything else in years but I hope that the classifieds are the same as they used to be, a market place that is by cyclists for cyclists and not people just trying to make profits.

At some point I started reading the general discussions and found out that most of the posters here are reasonable even if the taboo topic of politics and religion rears it's ugly head.

I come here for give and take. I'd like to think that perhaps sometimes I can offer some one some good advice but generally I tend to receive a lot more advice here then give it.

[redir]

I post here because I'm relatively new to bicycle insanity and none of my friends understand...

Here is the only place where people understand why i think my bicycle deserves a place in the house just like any other piece of art.

This is the only place where selfies are of bikes, not dumb faces.

This website and you guys give me the chance to spend money on bikes and parts i never knew existed.

:beer: cheers

Oh you will do just fine here then :D

[Elefantino]

I found this forum by word of mouth from a friend of mine who said a lot of older rich guys hang out here


He was half right... :eek:

[SpokeValley]

Ditto to most of the comments.

I simply enjoy the vibe. Great folks, remarkably expert advice, too funny sometimes, serious stuff when needed.

There is no other forum I've found that has such selfless sharing of information...it's like having a few hundred friends that are happy to help you work on your bike. Someone said, like a really fun group ride.

And dancing bananas...:banana:

[guido]

The pleasure of participating in a community of like (if a bit twisted) minds...

[velotel]

I'll just copy in a modified part of what I wrote in a post I put up back in November 013 on the subject of why I post. Nothing's changed since that original post on why I post here. And now that I've published a book on riding over here, maybe my posts will encourage people to buy the book. Then again my posts might do the exact opposite. Oh well, guess I'll just keep posting rides anyway. Here's part of what I wrote in my original post:

Living in France is insanely good for me. I致e ridden a little in Italy, a little in Switzerland, and in France only here in the southeast and mostly right here in the Rh?e Alpes region. I致e seen enough posts to know that there痴 terrific riding in the states. I know there痴 no such thing as the best. That said, for myself the roads of France are the best. Period. I am forever stunned at how much fun riding here is, how much variety there is, and how much freedom there is to ride however I like. Living in France for me as a cyclist is like being a skier living in the best ski terrain in the world. Which run shall I ski today or rather which road shall I ride today. I don稚 do tours, I just do day rides of varying lengths. Most of the time not long enough but that痴 just the way it is at the moment.

And every time I知 out there on one of these glorious roads I think about how much people on this forum would love to ride that road. I don稚 know you and simultaneously I know you well and I can稚 help but think when I知 out there on one of these crazy roads, you guys (since unfortunately there don稚 seem to be any or at least very many women on the forum) would love this road. So I try to tell you about it as best I can. Give you something to dream about because there痴 simply no doubt whatsoever, you壇 love the riding here.

After the string of strange circumstances that led me here, I suppose this is how I pay back all that I received that got me here, sharing with you what riding here is all about. Who knows, maybe you値l come over to ride and one thing leads to another and another and next thing you know you汷e looking at riding here regularly. But like I said, there is no best. There痴 great riding everywhere. This is just some of it and for whatever reasons, I enjoy telling you about the roads of France.