non-fixie 

What?

Unveiling the Mystery: The Vitus 172 Saga

Does Buzz Iron have an account here? I'd like to have a word.

philpeugeot 

Reads like something ChatGPT would come up with.

Erzulis Boat 

It's not ChatGP but it's close! They have these boilerplate "write ups" that gets a search inserted. Just about any hobby/pursuit comes up on these. Just another notch in the dumbing down of society.

It's purely a vehicle for advertising, they get traffic because searches prioritize this BS, and it gets more hits as it gets more hits.

juvela

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author sounds like he took a whole bottle of happy pills

calling our Fabio



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chain_whipped

How generous to accept cookies and download the article for free.

Think I'll do a favor to the future. Won't pass my vintage bikes on, let alone talk about them to the young generation. They don't deserve it.

non-fixie 

Exactly. Is there a way we can torpedo this? The cheeky link to an old BF post gives us the right to at least give it a try, I'd think.

non-fixie 

BTW, the reason I found that page was because I was looking for information (or rather conformation ) on a recent acquisition.

A seventies Starnord-built Eddy Merckx. Apart from size and color (!) the Vitus 172 frame and forks were what clinched the deal for me:

smd4

It's obviously not AI generated. That doesn't mean it isn't poorly written.

52telecaster

What a pointless article. I have a full 172 moto and it rocks.

merziac

You do know BF is owned by Internet Brands, right?

We relinquish any and all rights by posting our treasures here I believe.

The day may come when we can't use our own pics after handing them over here.

But yes, we probably should see if we have any push back rights left.

1989Pre 

My Manufrance Hirondelle is Vitus 172.., and I never knew a frame could feel so good.

non-fixie 

Thank you. That was indeed what I was looking for. I recall reading several reviews in the past by owners of Motobecanes and other French bikes built with Vitus 172 that were quite positive. One of them may well have been yours.

Trakhak

AI-generated content is an annoying phenomenon, but it's almost always well written. In fact, poor writing is usually in indication that content is not AI.

non-fixie 

I do, but I don't believe they have anything to do with Buzz Iron c.s.

I actually think IB are doing a pretty good job on these forums. They run a tight ship, and with good results, if I compare BF with other forums I frequent.

merziac

Fully agreed and very glad they do but I don't think our not so intellectual property here is still ours once we hand it over.

Alan K

Already a little too late for that. 😵‍💫 😉

Alan K

It is disappointing that author’s (self-professed) expertise do not impress some readers here: 😉

“With over 7 years of in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience, I am an established expert in all things related to biking.”

SurferRosa

I'm gonna disagree wholeheartedly. The grammar may be acceptable, but, ime, that's its limit. It's a huge bore that actually says very little.

Alan K

Motobecane at a watering hole
I do enjoy my old Motobecane even now when I use it.
Initially, I had a persistent problem with it where every so often the left side bottom bracket will become loose, I soon learned that it’s one of those known French feature - threaded in the opposite direction to the rest (probably something to do with never-ending disdain for the British &#128521.
But this feature was easily overcome by a little Loctite (paste). We shall see at the time when I decide to change ball bearing balls or pack it with fresh grease how easy it is to remove it.

merziac

I figured as much and hope we don't live to regret it too much.

RCMoeur 

At the age of 17, when I had a full year of "real" riding under my belt, a couple stints in bike shops, and a shiny USCF license, oh yes indeed I was an expert in all things bicycling, and did not hesitate to share my brilliance.

In hindsight, I'm surprised so many people put up with me.

A while back I reached the stage where the more I learn, the more I realize how much I still don't know. But if I do know something, such as telling a customer this evening at the co-op that glopping grease on the outside of a sealed cartridge bottom bracket probably will not fix the noise and play, I will share it as appropriate.
(we ended up yanking and swapping the BB - fortunately, we had a similar-size one in stock)

albrt 

That's why I never say anything smart on this forum - no point giving it away to the internet overlords.

merziac

Probably prudent but AI will likely eventually extrapolate it and put words in our mouths anyway.

CMAW 

AI would never us an avatar like Buzz Iron. Not the artificial part and certainly not the intelligent part.

non-fixie 

Or just plain nonsense. I actually asked a Dutch version of ChatGPT (TalkAI) about Eddy Merckx-branded bikes, and the following conversation ensued. I'll give you the abbreviated version:

Me: "Who made the Eddy Merckx-branded bikes?

ChatGPT: They were made by Eddy Merckx Cycles, which was founded in 1980 by Eddy Merckx and his former team mate Dirk Bischoff

Me: Who made the Eddy Merckx-branded bikes before 1980?

ChatGPT: Before 1980 Eddy Merckx bikes were made by Eddy Merckx Cycles, which was founded by Eddy Merckx

Me: What is the relationship between Starnord and Eddy Merckx?

ChatGPT: Starnord is a bicycle brand that was founded by Eddy Merckx, the famous cyclist.

Me: What is the relationship between Bernard Dangre and Eddy Merckx?

ChatGPT: Bernard Dangre was a Belgian road racing cyclist and team manager during the sixties and seventies. He was best known for being the personal team manager of the legendary Eddy Merckx. Dangre played a crucial role in Merckx' cycling success. They worked closely together and won many victories together.

Do they just make stuff up?

I also checked with ChatGPT 3.5 at OpenAI and got: "Bernard Dangre does not appear to be a prominent figure in the context of Eddy Merckx's career or personal life based on the information available to me."