Just Mark

1. I need to spend at least $10,000 on a bike
2. It needs Meilenstein lightweight wheels
3. My carbon frame will asplode and I'll die
4. Steal is real
5. Brooks Saddles will solve all my butt, leg and back problems
6. Titanium is the bestest but only a-holes ride it
7. I have to keep buying bikes because there is a web site with a bunch of rules and one of the rules says so
8. Everybody claims to know but very few really knows the differences between the group sets
9. Every one here likes to pick on some guy named Fred
10. I should pleasure myself on my bike (But Officer, the folks on bikeforums.net said I should)

DomaneS5

1. Trek bikes are not cool and haven't been cool since 25+ years ago
2. Gatorskin tires are horrible tires for any kind of riding
3. Fenders are for Freds
4. Bikes bought online without professional fit at LBS never fit properly
5. Motobecane bikes are not cool and never have been
6. Bike jerseys must be skin tight when riding road bike
7. Baggy shorts with chamois should never, under any circumstance, be worn while riding a road bike
8. Disc Brakes are not cool on road bikes, but are OK on mountain bikes
9. SRAM components are not cool
10. Kickstands should never be installed/used under any circumstance

a77impala

I have learned that in regards to my bikes only my opinion counts! To believe otherwise is counterproductive.

thumpism 

1. Grease your rims to neutralize injudicious braking.

General Geoff

1. Buy what you can afford. There is no shame in a $75 Craigslist bike, because it's better than no bike at all, or a bike that you're in debt for.
2. Worry about what works for YOU, not strangers on the Internet.
3. Stay motivated. Saddle time is what matters, not post count.

Tombaatar

I have learned that Ty0604 in Portland doesn't tip,"because it's not my job to pay someone else's wages."

700

Chain lubricant is a religion.
If your budget is under $1200, Craigslist is your only option. Don't even think about new!
Different brake types will lead to future civil war.
Recumbents are interesting, but everybody secretly hates them.

Maelochs

Wait ... was I supposed to be Learning?

Jarrett2

1. If you don't ride carbon fiber going at least 22mph average on Strava, you suck.

Hiro11

1. People will argue about anything, including kickstands.
2. Everyone knows exactly what you need out of a bike and will tell you.
3. If you don't ride a bike exactly like I ride a bike, you're clearly an idiot.

shelbyfv

I'd forgotten that one. Also recently learned that a reason someone has for not riding with groups is that Daddy yelled at him.....

Fastfingaz

,,,,,,,,,wow.....

TimothyH

1. The extent to which actual conversation has been replaced with an alternating series of "I" statements.

Reynolds 

I learned that some people actually carry guns while riding a bike.

vol

You didn't know it before?

Just Mark

My parents told me that we were a race of immortals.....then they died.

jefnvk

FIFY.

But seriously, I never knew the presence of a metal rod could frighten and make so many people insecure!

JohnDThompson 

No we don't.

mcours2006

Not to take anything anyone says here seriously or personally.

QuoVadis

I have to have one bike for road, one for gravel, one for the mountains, one for the woods, one for over water...

CrazyIvan

People riding Me-Mover's also carry guns, but not me.

Jim from Boston

Things I learned in a Year of Reading BikeForums

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimothyH

1. The extent to which actual conversation has been replaced with an alternating series of "I" statements.

I make up my own conversations. My signature line is

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

I use nested quotes (to be read in that order) to improvise an imaginary conversation. Anything outside a quote box is my contribution to the current “conversation.”

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThermionicScott

Lots of people talk to themselves, but few can keep track of the recursion as well as @Jim from Boston.

On a more serious note though I had responded to this similar thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerv

I often recall how BF played such a vital part in getting me out on the street and in better health....

What about you? What role did BF play in getting you out on two wheels?

I have been an avid cyclist, as a lifestyle since about 1972...I happened serendipitously on Bike Forums in 2008, and it was frankly incredible to find a community that shared so many concerns I had kept to myself as a lone cyclist.

This enthusiasm has definitely increased my enjoyment of cycling. As far as improving it, what I have gotten directly from BF are:

• the motivation and tips to ride in rain, and wintry roads, i.e. studded tires
• the Fifty-Plus Annual rides that motivate me to train in the nice weather
• the safety tip to watch the front wheels of a car rather than the body or hood to anticipate what the driver is going to do
• the opportunity to post and literally "journal" my thoughts and activities about cycling and lifestyle (even if nobody else reads them), but which I wouldn't write down otherwise.

brianmcg123

When confronting other bikers on the road, you are not supposed to wave, and you must always drope the hammer and dial it up to 400 watts. That way they know you mean business.

Also, when on a charity ride, you must make fun of all the people you "beat" that are on more expensive bikes than you have.

FlMTNdude

I think that is now up to at least 25 mph now, but only counts if using Ultegra or DuraAce. And don't forget - entry level carbon fiber is no better than aluminum. 😐

FlMTNdude

Also, my Panasonic was never cool, and probably sucks worse because it has a Tourney upgrade.