Does there seem to ...
 

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[Closed] Does there seem to be a flurry of 'very specific questions' on the forums..?

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 DrP
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Not wanting to start a 'hissy fight' (I'll stop now then..) but it seems we've (the collective 'we') lost the ability to make even the most simple decisions...

[i]"What's the Alps like for a beginner"[/i] - reasonable question, lots to lose if a wrong decision, broad based question.

[i]"What angle should I have my seat at when riding a 2.47km section of my local secret trails, on Tuesday night, with a SW wind blowing..."[/i] - Come on.....!

[i]"What brakes to replace X"[/i] - nice open question, not too many variables to take into account...

[i]"What PSI for Afan"[/i].... Hmm......

Anyway - argue away....

DrP


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:22 am
 ojom
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Can you be more specific?


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:23 am
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Loose = not tight
Lose = opposite of win


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:23 am
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What hoover and what gear ratio for steep hills are a new stw low!


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:24 am
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specificity
is one of my favorite words.


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:25 am
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[i]it seems we've have lost the ability to make even the most simple decisions...[/i]

are you sure?


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:25 am
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Which shift key for capitals ?

Left, right or temporary use of Caps Lock.

HELP!!!


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:27 am
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Does anyone know how I should respond to this question? I suppose I best start another thread to find out


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:28 am
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I need a pee! Shall I go now or wait and see how this thread develops?


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:29 am
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"we've have"

This is saying "we have have".

Ignoring this, and getting back to the question - I think that this stems from a collective sense that there is a correct way to do things - with the corollary being that all the other ways are wrong, which is far from the case. In light of this sense that there is a one true path, people set out trying to find it - which leads to questions like [i]what PSI in tyres for Afan? [/i] (the answer to which is 28.5psi by the way.)


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:31 am
 DrP
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Loose = not tight
Lose = opposite of win

"we've have"

Not sure what you mean.... 😉

DrP - EDIT FTW....


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:36 am
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Nobody replied to my last 'loose' question regarding visiting a bike park, maybe I should have said 'who has been to xxx, any advice on tyre pressure, oh and hotels etc?"?


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:38 am
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Isn't being specific important in asking a question?

The alternative being vague...

"What thing do I maybe need when I do the stuff?"


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:41 am
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Lose = opposite of win

No, it's the opposite of "Find"

So, if Find is the opposite of Lose, and Win is the opposite of Lose, then Find = Win


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:43 am
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qwerty - Member
specificity
is one of my favorite words.

+1 A very satisfying word


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:46 am
 DrP
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Isn't being specific important in asking a question?

The alternative being vague...

"What thing do I maybe need when I do the stuff?"

To a point, but some specific/personal questions simply cannot be answered (properly) by the general population:
-"what brake fluid for Hope tech hydro brakes?" - can be given a specific and CORRECT answer (i.e there is an obvious incorrect answer)
-"What length socks should I wear out tonight?" - too personal, too specific, no wrong answer really....
-"Are merino socks any good at keeping you warm and dry?" - reasonable question with a high chance the answer will swing one way..

I think that this stems from a collective sense that there is a correct way to do things - with the corollary being that all the other ways are wrong, which is far from the case. In light of this sense that there is a one true path, people set out trying to find it

I reckon this is it.

As a solution, I suggest all potential questions get mailed to Binners first, and he can vet them for suitability...

DrP


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:48 am
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Undercrackers - inside out or the RIGHT way?


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:53 am
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People can't use google.
People can't use common sense.
People over react because they are going hard and fast for a Strava segment even when they are slow and useless.

The answers to common questions are:
Get some XT brakes, or SLX if you are wanting to spend less, or XTR if you want something shiney.
Black round ones. Schwalbe are good.
Audi's are perfect for driving to the Surrey Hills to ride slowly from Peaslake.
Your chain slips because you did not replace your cassette and chainrings therefore you are a muppet.
Yes - you could have bought it cheaper from Germany but you needed help and support from your LBS so just pay the bill and be pleased they sorted you out.
Yes - your forks and shock do probably need servicing.
No it is not unreasonable that your stanchions got scratched after not cleaning your seals for 6 months in the gash weather we have had.
Yes - the North is great for mountain biking - there are rocks.
Yes - the south is great for mountain biking - they have trees, roots and dry trails but no mountains. Still fun though.
No you don't need 10 speed - 9 is fine. John Tomac (look him up) went faster than you ever will and he was on 7 and 8 speed.
Man Up.
Go see Jedi - he is brilliant (really is).
Yes you can ride X on a hard tail.
No - you won't die unless you are really stupid.
One chainring is just as valid as 2 or 3 and vice versa.
No - you probably can't spell or write gramatical sentances.
If a trail is closed don't ride it - Idiot.
Yes - you life will be better with 29 inch wheels.
Yes - you can ride just as fast on a 26er but you may need to pedal faster.
Your bike doesn't work because you don't clean it or notice stuff that is starting to fail.
Panic changing does result in rear mechs and chains breaking - plan ahead.


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:56 am
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What's the correct response to post on this thread?


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:56 am
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It's ot so much the questions, as the answers:

'Hi, I need X and was hoping for some advice'

'No, you need Y because I say so and I'm an engineer'

'No, actually I do need X, not Y. Can I get some advice on X please?'

'No you definitely need Y you must listen to me because you know nothing and I know everything'.

Etc. 😀


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:57 am
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I'd get Z.


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:57 am
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aracer - Member
What's the correct response to post on this thread?

The specific answer?


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:58 am
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I've just tried to book an appointment with my Doctors, I've not been in to see them in 3 years ( yay me ) however earliest appointment is the 18th..

Should I use CAPS for full on frustration or only Cap the first letter or not bother?

Genuine question BTW.


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 9:59 am
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I'd get Z.

That's what I did. 😉


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:00 am
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What's a hypotenuse...?


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:00 am
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it seems we've have lost the ability to make even the most simple decisions...

Was thinking that myself earlier... No offence to the guy who locked himself out of his house, but he could have called a local locksmith and had it sorted in the time he took to post on here.

There are also some threads which make me think that STW is becoming the Jeremy Kyle show for middle class MTBers.

I do always enjoy a good sudocremed cat thread though...


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:02 am
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We need the thread police...Oh hang one they're alive and well on this very thread...


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:04 am
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Isn't being specific important in asking a question?

No its more important to ask a question is such a way that the [i]real[/i] question doesn't become apparent until half a dozen people have gotten the wrong end of the stick and another half dozen have told you things you already know.

Then deploy the rolling eyes emoticon and clarify the question.... a bit. And get shirty with anyone who's tried to fill in the blanks.

Crucially the thread title should give no clues to the content, so minimising the chance that anyone who can actually answer your question being likely to do so.


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:04 am
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Crucially the thread title should give no clues to the content, so minimising the chance that anyone who can actually answer your question being likely to do so.

Unless suffixed with 'trackworld' obviously....


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:06 am
 DrP
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...however earliest appointment is the 18th..

Can it wait until the 18th?
If not, raNDom cAPS and, erm, twelve exclamation marks...

DrP

(It's the side of a right angle triangle opposite the 90deg corner...)


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:07 am
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We need the thread police...Oh hang one they're alive and well on this very thread...

Morning constable. Ooh what a shiny truncheon you've got. 😉


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:07 am
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Crikey, I asked a specific question about pedals the other day - odd to do that on a MTB forum. Perhaps we should stick to rugby, politics, NHS, religion-bashing instead, but I was sure there was something to with cycling involved here? 😉


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:09 am
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They've got all the bases covered, certainly;

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:10 am
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Bikes??? here??? Oh no matey I think you have the wrong forum, oh and whilst we are on the topic, what tyres and at what pressure for this thread?


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:14 am
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New Post

Caution Question Content.

What questions for the STW forum please?


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:28 am
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A question is either specific, or not specific. It cannot be "very specific".


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:31 am
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Thats a quite unique ( 😉 ) point you are making there ransos


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:32 am
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Mmmm, flurry.

[img] http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRUJyp86BWdOdklrjD-MQFoX0pvtwY4YTXdfpe6_d0-tys1LWn8 [/img]


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:38 am
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Are you sure it's not a very unique point?


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:39 am
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I tend to only start threads in the bike forum if I have a specific question. Is that not what its for?

I also tend to get pretty good answers, quite quickly too.

Not sure what else could be reasonably expected of a forum about bikes.

If I want an argument I go to the chat forum.


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 10:51 am
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Specific questions are much better than the vague what size chain ring for riding stuff or what x for y. Always followed by I use a so use a despite probably doing completely different things to you ....


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 11:00 am
 DrP
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(I'm not trying to be a point of authority on what the forum is used for, BTW)
It's not the specific questions that are hard to answer, it's more the 'personal choice' ones.
It's like me asking "[i]what grips are good for carpal tunnel[/i]" compared to asking "[i]how many sweets should I carry in my camelbak..[/i]"?

DrP


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 11:01 am
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If I want an argument I go to the chat forum

Depends if you want the five minute argument or the full half hour.


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 11:31 am
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It's like me asking "what grips are good for carpal tunnel" compared to asking "how many sweets should I carry in my camelbak.."?

Not so simple really though is it? In your example, there could be a number of different grips.

And the answer to how many sweets is, obviously, loads. No argument.


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 11:46 am
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You can choose not to answer if the question does not interest you or irks you. It costs you very little to read a thread title or question and ignore it. It's way more energetically expensive to complain about threads that you can choose to just ignore.


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 11:47 am
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At what point does a specific question become [i]very[/i] specific?


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 11:48 am
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shortcut - Member
The answers to common questions are:
Get some XT brakes, or SLX if you are wanting to spend less, or XTR if you want something shiney.
Black round ones. Schwalbe are good.
Audi's are perfect for driving to the Surrey Hills to ride slowly from Peaslake.
Your chain slips because you did not replace your cassette and chainrings therefore you are a muppet.
Yes - you could have bought it cheaper from Germany but you needed help and support from your LBS so just pay the bill and be pleased they sorted you out.
Yes - your forks and shock do probably need servicing.
No it is not unreasonable that your stanchions got scratched after not cleaning your seals for 6 months in the gash weather we have had.
Yes - the North is great for mountain biking - there are rocks.
Yes - the south is great for mountain biking - they have trees, roots and dry trails but no mountains. Still fun though.
No you don't need 10 speed - 9 is fine. John Tomac (look him up) went faster than you ever will and he was on 7 and 8 speed.
Man Up.
Go see Jedi - he is brilliant (really is).
Yes you can ride X on a hard tail.
No - you won't die unless you are really stupid.
One chainring is just as valid as 2 or 3 and vice versa.
No - you probably can't spell or write gramatical sentances.
If a trail is closed don't ride it - Idiot.
Yes - you life will be better with 29 inch wheels.
Yes - you can ride just as fast on a 26er but you may need to pedal faster.
Your bike doesn't work because you don't clean it or notice stuff that is starting to fail.
Panic changing does result in rear mechs and chains breaking - plan ahead.

Sticky FTW!


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 11:51 am
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more to the point, shouldn't this thread be in the chat forum???

😉


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 11:54 am
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What's a hypotenuse...?

do you mean hyperbole?


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 11:55 am
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[url= http://surlybikes.com/blog/post/some_answers_to_just_about_any_bike_forum_post_ive_ever_read ]The Answers (original version)[/url]


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 11:56 am
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how long can we go without posting the numbers 26, 650 or 29?


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 11:59 am
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27.5


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 11:59 am
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that's fine - 🙂


 
Posted : 05/03/2013 12:00 pm
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asterix:-

What's a hypotenuse...?

do you mean hyperbole?

No, I would have used the word if that's what I'd wanted to know. I see where you're coming from, though - the thread title and all that.

I'll write it again in the correct tone of word...

[Peter Griffin] What's a hypotenuse [/Peter Griffin]

Geddit...? 🙂


 
Posted : 07/03/2013 11:24 am
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There should be a FAQ button 💡

When I first joined the forum it was all about "what tyres for Coed y Brenin", being the only trail centre in the country at the time.
Santa Cruz bikes were all the rage..."when does the next shipping container arrive"

Green Mitchelin Wild Grippers were the racers fav 😯
Not a lot has changed since the beginning of GoFar 😉

History does tend to repeat itself 🙄


 
Posted : 07/03/2013 11:35 am

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