AdventureManCO 

Right now there are about 25 members and OVER 700 GUESTS viewing this forum alone, currently.

It would be GREAT if some of you joined in on the madness - come have fun with us! This is an invitation!


That's all.

Chuck M 

I appreciate your sentiment and apologize for being a wet blanket. Most likely based on my experience with other forums, the majority of that 700 is likely bots crawling and looking for a chance to post about Dubai prostitutes. But for the few that may not be bots, I join in wishing they would become active members.

SoCaled 

Right now there are 62 members & 3662 guests, never realized the numbers were this skewed toward the lurkers

hazetguy 

lotsa bots

3alarmer 

SurferRosa

​​​​​​​

chain_whipped

They don't log in because the woke mob has taken over.
I'm now going to go ride my all grey painted, unbranded bicycle in the X-mas parade.

Kilroy1988 

Of the legitimate guests, a lot are probably just folks researching C&V bikes and clicking links from Google of descriptions or pictures of components, frames, or bikes that they're researching. There's also a bit of a time lag so even if someone comes in for a few seconds to look at a picture it'll probably show them online for a few minutes, so that accumulates rather quickly.

In other words, they are present but not actually browsing the forum, per se.

-Gregory

repechage

may not be. When a member is not logged in, they might appear as Guest.

way back in the CR bikelist days the numbers creeped up then exploded 2, then 3x when it transitioned to Google groups. The bikelist era, one could read but not post. With the G force it was set up so one had to join to read posts.
browser behavior pushed me to exit, the G entity was jiggering adverts when browsing elsewhere. A bit creepy. That has since vanished.
There was comment before I departed that even with the increase of members, the active participants did not rise much.

Bad Lag

What constitutes being a "member", as opposed to being a "guest"?

Wildwood 

For the vast majority = Why join anything? When the occasional info you need is available for free without joining or disclosure.

We are a small island in the fast-moving river of bicycle-everythingness.
.....and I hear some of you may be bots.

nlerner

"I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members." Groucho Marx

Wildwood 

@SurferRosa - i want some of that.....
...alien attitude

panzerwagon 

Signs, Signs, Everywhere there's signs.
Blocking out the scenery. Breaking my mind.
Do this! Don't do that! Can't you read the signs?

"Oh, say now mister, can't you read?
"You got to have a shirt and tie to get a seat.
"You can't even watch, no, you can't eat. You ain't supposed to be here!"

And the sign says, "You gotta have a membership card to get inside." Hoaargh!

Andy_K 

I think I may be a bot. I've taken some online tests and the results are inconclusive.

nlerner

https://ai-or-human.github.io/

Chuck M 

Have you been known to associate with Dubai call girls or work a Quickbooks call center?

Chuck M 

I only got 44% right. But I didn't study either.

SoCaled 

- pretty sure it is signing up and getting a user name a.k.a Bad Lag

That is a good point, I am almost always logged in because, with paid membership, it makes all the ads go away. There could also be a good number of members who logged in, but did not click "stay logged in" and ended up browsing as guests, used to happen to me all the time.

I support @AdventureManCO with his encouragement for folks to join. I don't know how many posts I have seen from new members saying something to the effect of "Long time Lurker, first time poster, don't know why I waited so long?"

USAZorro

Back when the earth's crust was still forming, I was a moderator here. There was a good system in place (and no doubt an even better one now) to catch bots and trolls about as soon as they made their first post. This isn't to say that a substantial portion of the guests are not bots, but this site stays on top of member (and well-meaning-guest) safety in that regard.

USAZorro

are you familiar with PBS or NPR?

cudak888 

How much you pay us.

-Kurt

AdventureManCO 

I didn't think about the bot angle, good catch. Although I'm still down to proselytize about Huffys to bots and real people alike.

roadcrankr

Careful what you wish for, AdventureMan. Invariably, a newcomer's first post includes one of the following:
1. Let me know the value of my old Ross bike, rusty chain and disintegrated tires and all.
2. My bike squeaks every fourth pedal stroke. Help!
3. Can anybody identify this vintage racing frame? It only weighs ten pounds.
4. The local bike shop wants to charge me some astronomical sum to repair my ____________. (Fill in blank)
5. Does Walmart sell good bikes?

Probably missed some good ones.

nlerner

I'm afraid Chat GPT 3.5 isn't quite on your side:

You
tell me why Huffy bicycles are the best bicycle.

ChatGPT
While opinions about the "best" bicycle can vary based on individual preferences and needs, it's important to note that Huffy bicycles are often considered more affordable and suitable for casual riders rather than serious cyclists. Here are some reasons why some people might choose Huffy bicycles:

1. Affordability: Huffy bikes are generally more budget-friendly compared to high-end brands, making them accessible to a wider range of consumers.
   
2. Casual Riding: Huffy bikes are designed for casual riders who use bicycles for recreational purposes or short commutes. They often feature comfortable designs and simple components.
   
3. Availability: Huffy bicycles are widely available in many department stores and online retailers, providing easy access for customers looking for an affordable and basic bike.
   
4. Variety: Huffy offers a variety of bike styles, including cruisers, mountain bikes, and kids' bikes. This range allows customers to choose a bike that suits their specific needs.
   

However, it's essential to consider that serious cyclists and enthusiasts may prefer more specialized and higher-end bicycle brands that offer advanced features, better components, and higher build quality. The "best" bicycle depends on factors such as your intended use, budget, and personal preferences. If you're looking for a reliable and affordable option for casual riding, a Huffy bike may be suitable, but if you have specific performance or durability requirements, you might want to explore other brands and models.