Can we be told in advance about BOTM?

[jax13]

i think a budget build month would be interesting...... sub £200 builds only (with a certain degree of proof to the prices paid for bits)

another one, why not have an 'unrealised potential' month for those bikes that have been made into a runner. they work well, look good but aren't finished. the bike pictured as a runner with its 'wish list' to perfection. admittedly, there would be a lot of mediocre entries with a list of "full nos xtr m950 running gear, cook bros cranks..." type lists which should be taken with a pinch of salt unless the build is part way there already.

some of the BOTM entries are simply unrealistic for the regular guy on a budget to compete with because klein, fat or exotic Ti frames aren't even close to an option but a 18 year old saracen might be!

 

[cce]

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

i dont agree with competitions for mediocre bikes, but i do think more competitions for regularly ridden bikes are needed and would reduce the number of tarts handbags winning prizes

 

[Drencrom]

Far too much wallart around here these days.

I misread that in Bristolian as 'wallet'. But I think that applies as well.

Why enter a competition with a bike that isn't a stunning piece of mountain bike technology or history? Ask John about the chap in his avatar, there might be an answer there.

 

[Neil]

What I'm gathering from this discussion is that rather than striving to achieve better builds generated from friendly competition, you all want to tweak the rules so that "everyone can play." To me that sounds silly... what's the point of competing against someone if you've got your own personal finish line?

I'm not intending to offend anyone, but if you can't play because of [insert excuse here: money, time, ability], then maybe stay off the field?

Probably too harsh for some of you.

Personally, I think your sentiment is misplaced.

There's already been several BOTMs that have been themed, one specifically for mid-range. What's the harm - what's wrong with inclusion? And seventeenthly, isn't BOTM supposed to be a fun thing, rather than deadly serious competition?

Sometimes I think that there's a certain demograph who contribute to BOTM who've lost perspective, whilst they play to the crowd. If everybody who competed in most things, mountain bike races, marathons, you name it, did so purely on the basis that they had a strong chance of winning, rather than just taking part, they'd be a whole deal more boring for everybody.

Now true enough, the Olympics and World Championships of many sports, don't tend to have dilettantes taking part, but lets not get ahead of ourselves - a monthly competition on an enthusiast website, for fun ain't just for the elite few.

 

[ridevintagemtb]

Personally, I think your sentiment is misplaced.

Probably. I'm sure few agree in this audience, and that's ok.

Sometimes I think that there's a certain demograph who contribute to BOTM who've lost perspective, whilst they play to the crowd. If everybody who competed in most things, mountain bike races, marathons, you name it, did so purely on the basis that they had a strong chance of winning, rather than just taking part, they'd be a whole deal more boring for everybody.

Right. I would be willing to bet that 90% of people who run marathons do so for personal goals. But the length and route doesn't change for those folks. If you trade marathon for BOTM, then what BBB is saying that he doesn't have enough have enough money to train for a marathon, so he'd prefer we all run a half marathon instead so he'd have a fighting chance.

I'm all about mixing it up with themed BOTM competitions. It keeps it fresh, and the "rider" month was great. But the "budget" month, IMO, just doesn't belong. Who wants to go to a racetrack to see stock 86 Toyota Camrys race around? Or worse, to a car show where they're on display?

 

[Drencrom]

Right. I would be willing to bet that 90% of people who run marathons do so for personal goals. But the length and route doesn't change for those folks. If you trade marathon for BOTM, then what BBB is saying that he doesn't have enough have enough money to train for a marathon, so he'd prefer we all run a half marathon instead so he'd have a fighting chance.

Marathons can be run on flatter, less technical courses, in less challenging conditions. What's the point of a half marathon in that case? Runners should run further or they aren't 'proper' runners? They should all do Ultra Marathons - anything shorter than that is a jog.

Meh.

 

[cce]

you dont need to spend loads to build a lovely looking bike

for example, this one i saw recently and i think it's great looking

 

[We_are_Stevo]

What I'm gathering from this discussion is that rather than striving to achieve better builds generated from friendly competition, you all want to tweak the rules so that "everyone can play." To me that sounds silly... what's the point of competing against someone if you've got your own personal finish line?

I'm not intending to offend anyone, but if you can't play because of [insert excuse here: money, time, ability], then maybe stay off the field?

Probably too harsh for some of you.

What a complete and utter load of tosh!!

The whole point of having different catagories of BOTM is to encompass the broad range of interest exhibited throughout the Forum;

Of the three builds I currently have underway one is 'High-end,' one is 'Classic' and the other is a 'Special' and if I knew which particular catagory was about to feature in BOTM then I would perhaps strive to complete the build which would qualify.

Also, as has already been stated above, not everyone is interested in building (or even in a position to do so...) so-called 'Boutique' brands in order to possibly compete against like-minded members.

I myself have absolutely no interest in owning a Klein, a Manitou FS, a Fat, a Yeti, or God knows what obscure brand is the next 'must have' rarity. I can appreciate first rate examples of each/any but I wouldn't want one myself; why though should that exclude me from BOTM just because I like 'my own thing?'

The above attitude does seem to be uniquely 'American' though; how many times do you see in (name-any-competetive-event) where only the outright winner is feted? The runner-up can have been the most consistent performer throughout but have lost out merely on the final points score but does not even get a mention compared with the adulation bestowed upon the 'Winner!'

If there were no 'competition' what would be the point of 'winning?'

And where's the harm in being a gallant loser?

BOTM is fine as it is; perhaps knowing a catagory a month in advance would satisfy the original standpoint??

 

[FMJ]

Who wants to go to a racetrack to see stock 86 Toyota Camrys race around? Or worse, to a car show where they're on display?

I'll get a hold of the organizers of Waterfest and tell them to stop putting on the biggest car event on the East Coast, because amybrook says no one want's to come see econobox Volkswagens. :roll:

 

[ridevintagemtb]

Marathons can be run on flatter, less technical courses, in less challenging conditions. What's the point of a half marathon in that case? Runners should run further or they aren't 'proper' runners? They should all do Ultra Marathons - anything shorter than that is a jog.

Meh.

Nope, just sayin' that you can chose to run the marathon, or you can chose to go for a jog. But dont email the race director a month before and ask to make the course easier