Can we be told in advance about BOTM?

[We_are_Stevo]

Can we have a "jesus christ what the hell is that, none of the parts are period correct and none of the ano matches" month.

I think I've said all I can. IMO the "competition" should remain open and unregulated to foster better bikes and photos. If it was easy, then everyone would do it. "The hard is what makes it great."

You'll have to forgive us 'Founding Fathers,' we tend to overlook the fact that Yanks don't 'do' irony... :roll:

 

[jamabikes]

come along to the post 98 botm, we let anyone in!

 

[We_are_Stevo]

come along to the post 98 botm, we let anyone in!

All except anally retentive Ivy League Democrats...

 

[john]

We've no intention of changing BoTM - it's the Blue Riband contest in the world of retro / vintage / classic and shall remain so. We've run a mid range and penny pincher special in the past, maybe we'll do so again.

Interesting to see some old debates popping up again. It's a mistake to assume all BoTM winners are big budget specials. Sure, some are but equally some aren't. Check the past winners > http://www.retrobike.co.uk/?cat=5 , some are indeed wallet busters but some have been built with care, attention and a more attainable budget.

As an aside how about a lash up special or Made In Taiwan special in the future?

 

[drcarlos]

As an aside how about a lash up special or Made In Taiwan special in the future?

Got one of each of those, is the owned from new one on the list too as that would be an interesting one?

Carl.

 

[Tazio]

Well I'm actually quite insuslted that Ameybrook thought I was actually being serious with my post.

Maybe British self depracating humour doesn't work when it crosses the Atlantic.

At least I hope that's the case, or maybe he's just an elitist arsehole?

 

[FMJ]

Maybe British self depracating humour doesn't work when it crosses the Atlantic.

I have no problems getting it, and I'm on that side of the Atlantic.





Then again, my parents were from Leith and Craigentinny, so I could have come by it through osmosis.

 

[Tazio]

Maybe British self depracating humour doesn't work when it crosses the Atlantic.

I have no problems getting it, and I'm on that side of the Atlantic.





Then again, my parents were from Leith and Craigentinny, so it could have come by it through osmosis.

I knew there was something about you I liked.

 

[Unclejack]

after all this, I really can't wait to see what next months category actually is

So no opinions, just this is how working towards my first BOTM submission has affected me.

The idea of submitting has created a deadline and the idea of any sort of deadline has certainly motivated me to go into the garage to do work on the bike that I would have otherwise put off.
It’s made me more attentive to the details on my bike.
It’s made me polish more
But it’s also made me spend more
It’s made me buy bits that I wouldn’t have bought otherwise.
It’s made me strip and rebuild parts that worked perfectly but could have been shinier.
Its caused me stress as I contemplate will I get more votes if I put the factory supplied reflectors back on
It’s made me consider buying NOS tyres that I don’t really want to ride on anyway
It’s made me fret over the paint finish of what is supposed to be a utilitarian machine
It’s made me think about buying foam grips, when BITD we binned them as they were death traps when they flew off in the wet and you ate a big chunk of Japanese formed aluminium
Its stopped me from just actually taking the bike out for a ride, because I needs to have it perfect for the Photo shoot to use for BOTM
And with limited time available in a day, its actually stopped me from training/ riding my other bike whilst I spend time polishing my cranks up.
But it’s made me think that I am handling a piece of history and it’s made me think that the only thing now stopping me from fulfilling those boyhood dreams is going out there and doing it.
So, both pros and cons.

 

[makster]

i think more emphasis on the BIKE part of bike of the month is needed. Far too much wallart around here these days.

I was going to press "like" and then remembered it wasn't Facebook.

I personally think that the actual bike is often forgotten in favour of clever photography. We have POTM as a separate contest, but I still think people get caught up in voting for whichever is best presented rather than looking at the substance.
Saying that, a few past winners would probably be better suited to Picture Of The Month, given that they spend their lives hung up on a wall

On the subject of 'budget' months, I personally love seeing mid-range bikes that have been brought back to life.
Just look at WD Pro's Marin. A classic mid-range bike that's been restored with more patience and attention to detail than 90% of past BOTM's.

I think the standard of bikes, both entered and winning, over the past 12 months has risen dramatically, so I don't see too much evidence of mediocrity diluting the standards