Is BOTM too elitist??

[yeti-man]

This is all about passion - back in the days when I was younger and a student I had fewer bicycles and parts than today, to day my passion is bigger than ever, I have more money and are able in many ways to expand my passion. I always dreamt of owning Yetis, ... so its not a question about elitism - its all about passion.

If you judge a member for his/hers boutique feminine anodized Klain, costy TI-FAT, Yeti rock bike etc - you are a judge of the ol envy.

 

[Giom6]

BOTM could be moderated much more heavily. if we didn't have 3 pages of two blokes reminding us how much they know about the history of brand XYZ it would be much better. there should only be the pictures of the entry bikes, and description from the owners of the bikes. everything else is irrelevant to the voting competition

Agreed, big a fan as I am of Sinnermans quality builds, the pages of sycophantic canvassing that supported the JMC tribute left me reaching for both the sick bucket and the phone number of Mit Romneys campaign team, who clearly needed the assistance of a professional vote winner.

1 entry as per the rules, then commentary from the entrant to a minimum.


In answer to the initial question, is it too elitist? No it isn't it is a show, Just as a morris minor can win best of show at a vintage car rally, a Saracen, Raleigh or Marin etc stands equal chance of winning the BOTM.

I guess in my mind the issue comes down to the criteria people themselves impose on the vote. Some vote for originality others because they just like the bike, others seemingly because its worn out and knackered from years of use by the same person.

If there are not enough people that value things in the same way you do, you won't see your winner win. But don't blame the competition for the rules that you personally apply to it.

Jerky.

Its a Shame you call it sycophantic, im sorry my uploading of images and background on my thread upset you, its clearly not to everyones taste, but its not the only thread, in fact i do try to upload as much info and images as possible on all my threads, The Hardisty was no exception.

I see no value to displaying constant pics of polished parts to assemble, when it isnt hard to assemble a bike, and you have seen me do it time and time again.

Perhaps, i feel i can add some value and substance to a thread by adding collective info and images (long unseen) instead.

Especially given untill this, so much has been forgotten in the tunnels of time, and im confident even if members dont comment, its valued due to them either remembering or learning something.

A Perfect example, is your Very own model, the Dogs bolox, a long standing and respected member here owned and rode one for a very long time, he came to sell it, and quoted so many discrepancies, ref tubing type etc etc, i tried to help him, by giving him the right info, but he wouldnt have any of it.

In the end, i had to Scan the info, and post it for him to BELIEVE, this compacted my theory that add this type of info could be a help to some.

Im Disapointed Jerky, i thought more of you than to think my concern was about WINNING botm.

Im Sorry your Chas Roberts D.O.G.S B.O.L.O.X got second place against my Hardisty, next time give me the heads up and i will put my own Chas Roberts D.O.G.S B.O.L.O.X next to yours, we can go head to head, and then you wont feel that i gave myself some RIDICULOUS advantage, by being passionate and thoughtful on the anniversary of Jason McRoys Death.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=216672

If you really thought that was my motive mate, you really ought to be Ashamed of yourself.

I Have managed to source this weekend, some more images of Jason Mcroy Whilst looking for a Photograph of a Prototype rear end Made by Chas Roberts for Deb Murrells Formula One.

I will add them to the Hardisty thread now, so the Images can be saved for the duration of the exsitance of this site, and so they are not lost forever and can be enjoyed by any member that would like to see them. Better Now that nearer the end of the years big competition eh, i wouldnt want my motives to be misconstrued.

:facepalm:

And also in addition, non of my bikes use any NOS parts, all are hammered and used parts which are fixed and polished (this takes a lot of my time). The only new parts are tyres and contact points etc, cables and chains, this is needed if you are serious about actually riding a bike, as i am. The bikes are cleaned and lubed after each ride, dryed and stored in saftey. (thus contributing to the longevity and life expectancy of a usable old bike)

My motives are not to be elitist, just to be able to have a well serviced usable bike to ride when i want a ride it, therefore minimising the amount of potential mechanical failures whilst the bikes are in use.

FWIW, because a bikes looks mint doesnt mean it had to cost a Packet, or that its not in use.

JMC a tribute to a legend...

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... sc&start=0

Here here Carl.

I for one have never had that impression from any of your threads/builds at all. The Hardisty was one of the best threads I have read on the forum. The dedication, passion, patience and time that was on that thread was unbelievable. You need to have a real thirst and interest in not just bikes, but the history, design and the riders to even start a build like that. For me the bike was a culmination of all that hunger and it just so happened that it manifested itself in the bike. The thread alone, without the bike, was brilliant.

I for one respect and look up to Carl for his knowledge, enthusiasm and real passion for all bikes, builders and riders. This passion has helped me many times with my bikes and on no occasion have I ever felt that there was any alterior motives or anything ungenuine about the help and info I was given.

If you have an interest in retro bikes or cycling in general then I don't really know why this thread was started. We are supposed to support and enjoy everything we all contribute. You might not always agree with other people's tastes or ideas but its not, for me a place to slag people off. I have entered to of my bikes but they have only ever got about two votes, but I don't care. I know how much care and love has been out into them. If other people don't agree, so what.

End of rant! :?

 

[Coach Jeff]

Just my 2 bobs worth (or twenty cents worth down here) ....

I love BOTM but would love to see just the pics and maybe a little about it's build and history and a lot less of page after page of posts about how one of the chain ring bolts is actually from 1992 and not 1993 ??

As for it being elitist ..... nah, I love looking at bikes that I may never own and certainly would not have the patience to build.

 

[Rampage]

I rarely vote because I can't be bothered looking through tens of pictures of bikes that are better than mine, maybe not more expensive than mine but for some reason better!
Anyway, when I have looked through there are always the mega expensive ones that look like they haven't been ridden and there are the mid-range bikes with original parts that have had an amazing amount of work done to them to get them as good as new.
It's always hard to decide which should win out of these!






*GT's should probably have their own BOTM though. I've owned three and ridden them combined less than 100 meters!

 

[MCsanandreas]

*GT's should probably have their own BOTM though. I've owned three and ridden them combined less than 100 meters!

got to be winners then!(joke before the knives come out)

 

[yo-Nate-y]

Too elitist? No.

I definitely like builds that have threads dedicated to them. More fun as a reader, and nice to get a sense of the journey the bike has made. As for whether the BoTM threads should be barebones pics only, I'd also say no.

The discussion can be illuminating and entertaining. And I know I've decided not to vote for a perfectly nice build because the owner decided to make an ass of himself in the thread. Glad not to lose that data point

 

[yeti-man]

Well put - they are voting for members - not the bikes. Just as well call it MoTM

 

[yo-Nate-y]

More like if there are two great bikes but one of the owners is lame, I can't help but see his face smiling back at me when I judge which bike to vote for....

 

[Rod_Saetan]

smiling back at you, or sort of leering at you, like he may be trying very hard to control your mind, but he's right on the verge of accidentally soiling himself?

 

[yo-Nate-y]

Sometimes controlling the proper mind is a difficult thing. So, yeah.