The deteriorating classifieds culture

[MORNE]

1 minute ago, Mamil said:

I've bought and sold things on the forums without a problem since 2016 (I started cycling in 2014). Probably about 20 deals in that time - I don't see a deterioration. 

I also think the forum is generally a lot better since the NCR topics were ditched. 

Though i did participate in some NCR topics…i have to agree. Some of those were a bit….toasty, especially on fridays😅

[NoirBiker01]

10 hours ago, MORNE said:

Some people eventually come to the realisation that they are asking too much and start dropping asking price. I’ve watched items fall by ~40% eventually before they sell. On the other hand there are a few hubbers with items that have been on here for literally 12 months+ at exactly the same price. i thought 12 months ago you were asking too much. Now it’s not only a year older, I still think you are asking too much, AND now I also think it is worth less than what I thought a year ago😅

I had a meh buying experience recently, although the sale was not directly from bike hub but the ad was through bikehub. The bike had an initial price advertised, a week later the price was around R4k less, so naturally I sprung in on the sale as it was a bike I really loved. The price for what the bike is, was honestly a bargain bar the fairly old and proprietary Trek suspension. So I pay for the bike and fetch it on a Sunday, big mistake I made was not to check if all the components were as advertised on the pictures and condition report. Dropper replaced for an old seatpost, saddle replaced with what I can say a very old and not well taken Spez one. At first I thought hey maybe that's the reason why the price dropped significantly but this was never mentioned to me during the sale and also I never asked. A day later I make an enquiry about it and would have to wait for almost 3 weeks before it could get sorted. At least they admitted to their mistake if you will, but my point was there was no communication that please note the price dropped and certain components are no longer on the bike.

[117]

Dang... some proper clangers getting dropped here, the silencing type.

I like this place 

[Spinnekop]

16 hours ago, shaper said:

You have been here long enough to know that the original community is no longer, it left the building not long after the great bikehub crash and a lot of the long standing members hardly contribute to the community as the sole was ripped out when NCR topics etc were removed and it transitioned to  classifieds, with a limited community involvement.

Whilst I have not been here as long as some, I have been long enough to see the change, not only in the bikehub site, but the community as well as the "deteriorating classified culture", and many of the older hubbers have moved on and have limited or to no involvement in the community with the change.  Many do not post as much as they use to, myself included.

All I am pointing out, if someone has beef with dealers being here on a selling site which happens to have a community, they need to compare apples with apples and see that dealers are ALLOWED here and have to pay to for that privilege, whereas individuals don't.

Likewise, I pop in now and again looking for something I need, or selling something, and occasionally talk *** 😉

This.
I could not have said it better.

 

[Shebeen]

19 hours ago, ChrisF said:

I was about to point out that the owners of the Bike Hub have made it clear over the last few years that the "forum" is not a profitable entity.  It is on the classifieds where they make the business model work.

Indeed, times have changed. From the mid 2000s for a decade you could generate decent ad revenue from page counts that actually was enough to pay the bills. This has changed, so the platform moved with the times.

The forum originally paid the bills, and the classifieds was a place where you could get trusted advice. The alternative was gumtree/cape ads type newspaper.

That landscape has also changed and there are many alternative channels, BUT this is probably still the most trustworthy platform to trade in bikes online. 

 

19 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

You make an interesting point.

 

Your "forum" name suggests you are a BUSINESS ... yet it shows you are a MEMBER.  Uhmmm ... so many questions .....

Like any marketplace, you will attract some sharks. I fact checked this, and @ace cycles is registered as a business so is paying to play here and keeping the light on (just like that voluntary yellow thing on my profile also goes a teeny weeny way too). You can look through the numbers but probably one of the better dealers out there.

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/profile/716-ace-cycles

  

On 2/15/2025 at 7:39 PM, ACE Cycles said:

Truth, talking **** all day dont pay the bills

Classified and forums could be 2 different websites 

Now, I don't like this attitude either but that's the way things are to him. Different people will see the platform(s) in different ways, and it can't be everything for everyone. The wheeler dealers have swooped in and will snap up the relative bargain prices on stuff that we used to find here. They found a gap in the market, but it leaves a sour taste in the mouth if they aren't adding much value to the ecosystem.

For the businesses who use the platform to generate significant revenue for the time they put in, forum commenters seem to be a hassle. Maybe Ace Cycles will see the point from the side of a commenter, maybe he doesn't care. The fact that he's actually commenting on the thread on classifieds culture while not having any live adverts means it is probably not the case..

Thing is, the way it is currently the two different aspects of the site do complement each other. So we're stuck with each other.

 

[ACE Cycles]

3 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

Indeed, times have changed. From the mid 2000s for a decade you could generate decent ad revenue from page counts that actually was enough to pay the bills. This has changed, so the platform moved with the times.

The forum originally paid the bills, and the classifieds was a place where you could get trusted advice. The alternative was gumtree/cape ads type newspaper.

That landscape has also changed and there are many alternative channels, BUT this is probably still the most trustworthy platform to trade in bikes online. 

 

Like any marketplace, you will attract some sharks. I fact checked this, and @ace cycles is registered as a business so is paying to play here and keeping the light on (just like that voluntary yellow thing on my profile also goes a teeny weeny way too). You can look through the numbers but probably one of the better dealers out there.

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/profile/716-ace-cycles

  

Now, I don't like this attitude either but that's the way things are to him. Different people will see the platform(s) in different ways, and it can't be everything for everyone. The wheeler dealers have swooped in and will snap up the relative bargain prices on stuff that we used to find here. They found a gap in the market, but it leaves a sour taste in the mouth if they aren't adding much value to the ecosystem.

For the businesses who use the platform to generate significant revenue for the time they put in, forum commenters seem to be a hassle. Maybe Ace Cycles will see the point from the side of a commenter, maybe he doesn't care. The fact that he's actually commenting on the thread on classifieds culture while not having any live adverts means it is probably not the case..

Thing is, the way it is currently the two different aspects of the site do complement each other. So we're stuck with each other.

 

True, I moved all my ads to Facebook, before I closed the business for good

 

People can comment on the Facebook, they tend to be more respectful as opposed to someone hiding behind and alias

 

Also easier to see if its a fake or scam account

 

My only gripe with the general forum community is how they trash talk dealers and have endless opinions on the classifieds section, yet they aren't interested in buying. As if pulling an ad apart inflates their egos.

 

I also find it hard to respect an opinion made by someone that wont even sign their name to it

 

The forum community, by my opinion, is shallow and toxic, mainly due to the regular members still holding on to the 2005 golden era of thehub

[Shebeen]

12 minutes ago, ACE Cycles said:

True, I moved all my ads to Facebook, before I closed the business for good

 

People can comment on the Facebook, they tend to be more respectful as opposed to someone hiding behind and alias

 

Also easier to see if its a fake or scam account

 

My only gripe with the general forum community is how they trash talk dealers and have endless opinions on the classifieds section, yet they aren't interested in buying. As if pulling an ad apart inflates their egos.

 

I also find it hard to respect an opinion made by someone that wont even sign their name to it

 

The forum community, by my opinion, is shallow and toxic, mainly due to the regular members still holding on to the 2005 golden era of thehub

ok wow. I would not have considered FB marketplace to be a safer place to do business. Maybe a volume thing but definitely feels like you are going to get scammed more there. My anecdotal evidence currently is from kitesurfing (where there is no bikehub equivalent). Seems to be the go to route for stolen kit, but some legit scams there too.

On the alias thing. I put my actual name onto my profile YEARS ago when I decided that if i wanted to say something I shouldn't hide behind a pseudonym.  I don't think it's something that actually comes up though (ie. I can't see yours if you have it, so you appear behind an alias to me)

 

 

 

 

 

[Spinnekop]

1 hour ago, ACE Cycles said:

My only gripe with the general forum community is how they trash talk dealers and have endless opinions on the classifieds section, yet they aren't interested in buying. As if pulling an ad apart inflates their egos.

The forum community, by my opinion, is shallow and toxic, mainly due to the regular members still holding on to the 2005 golden era of thehub

1)  Pulling a bull**** add apart is what made this place cool. Asking stupid money for an item you can get halfprice new.........
Many people saved a LOT of money not buying crap for stupid prices because seller got called out openly.

2)  The "regulars" are not here anymore.  And yes, I remember fondly about the 2005 era where people HELPED me get my first road bike up and running.  A community stood together and many people helped the less fortunate.  Now its just everyone for himself.  Business.
It that is what makes this place "toxic" then bleh.  
Interesting to me to see a person "Standing by his name" slate a group of potential buyers because they were once the good guys with good intentions.  Just.  WOW.

[ACE Cycles]

1 hour ago, Shebeen said:

ok wow. I would not have considered FB marketplace to be a safer place to do business. Maybe a volume thing but definitely feels like you are going to get scammed more there. My anecdotal evidence currently is from kitesurfing (where there is no bikehub equivalent). Seems to be the go to route for stolen kit, but some legit scams there too.

On the alias thing. I put my actual name onto my profile YEARS ago when I decided that if i wanted to say something I shouldn't hide behind a pseudonym.  I don't think it's something that actually comes up though (ie. I can't see yours if you have it, so you appear behind an alias to me)

 

 

 

 

 

Well, ACE Cycles is a business name

[ACE Cycles]

25 minutes ago, Spinnekop said:

1)  Pulling a bull**** add apart is what made this place cool. Asking stupid money for an item you can get halfprice new.........
Many people saved a LOT of money not buying crap for stupid prices because seller got called out openly.

2)  The "regulars" are not here anymore.  And yes, I remember fondly about the 2005 era where people HELPED me get my first road bike up and running.  A community stood together and many people helped the less fortunate.  Now its just everyone for himself.  Business.
It that is what makes this place "toxic" then bleh.  
Interesting to me to see a person "Standing by his name" slate a group of potential buyers because they were once the good guys with good intentions.  Just.  WOW.

1) If I pay to advertise here, who are you to dictate the price that I should advertise it for in a free market system? Your opinion might be that it's overpriced, that doesnt make it necessarily true

 

2) You seem to have missed the exact toxic behavior that I outlined in my previous posts. You also missed my posts where I clearly state that forum users generally talk more than they buy, so I don't see them as potential buyers

 

My point again, the forums and the classifieds are almost completely separate communities. 

[Shebeen]

6 minutes ago, ACE Cycles said:

Well, ACE Cycles is a business name

Yeah I got that. Complaining about people hiding behind pseudonyms whilst hiding behind a pseudonym is textbook hypocrisy. Sure you are a business, but we all know that cycling has a long history of characters as the face of their businesses. An LBS is more than just a place for a transaction, it's where a community of like minded enthusiasts gather. The bricks and mortar cycling world is seeing corporate type shops with no character replacing the mom and pops

So against that backdrop if you don't want to be involved in the community, but would rather be left alone to make money off it. Then go for that  (but here you are engaging with the community).

yours in everything bikes

Steven Burnett

(just incase you can't find my actual name on my profile)

9 minutes ago, ACE Cycles said:

My point again, the forums and the classifieds are almost completely separate communities. 

cool. That's is not news to anyone, we've had a system of two profiles linked by a common name for ages now. The "almost" that you need to include means they are still intertwined and will remain so in the immediate future. Welcome to the forum section.

 

 

[Call Me Manny]

19 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

Yeah I got that. Complaining about people hiding behind pseudonyms whilst hiding behind a pseudonym is textbook hypocrisy. Sure you are a business, but we all know that cycling has a long history of characters as the face of their businesses. An LBS is more than just a place for a transaction, it's where a community of like minded enthusiasts gather. The bricks and mortar cycling world is seeing corporate type shops with no character replacing the mom and pops

So against that backdrop if you don't want to be involved in the community, but would rather be left alone to make money off it. Then go for that  (but here you are engaging with the community).

yours in everything bikes

Steven Burnett

(just incase you can't find my actual name on my profile)

cool. That's is not news to anyone, we've had a system of two profiles linked by a common name for ages now. The "almost" that you need to include means they are still intertwined and will remain so in the immediate future. Welcome to the forum section.

 

 

 

Edited February 19, 2025 by Call Me Manny
Spelling

[Bro Derek]

There is some irony or perspective to be gained here.....

The Forum users feel they have a right or are responsible for controlling/policing/judging the classifieds while 95% of those that use the classifieds don't even know or couldn't care that the Forums even exist.

Much like a lot of the complaints about advertisers overvaluing their goods, it is pretty clear that a vast majority of forum users overvalue their opinion.

 

[ACE Cycles]

22 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

Yeah I got that. Complaining about people hiding behind pseudonyms whilst hiding behind a pseudonym is textbook hypocrisy. Sure you are a business, but we all know that cycling has a long history of characters as the face of their businesses. An LBS is more than just a place for a transaction, it's where a community of like minded enthusiasts gather. The bricks and mortar cycling world is seeing corporate type shops with no character replacing the mom and pops

So against that backdrop if you don't want to be involved in the community, but would rather be left alone to make money off it. Then go for that  (but here you are engaging with the community).

yours in everything bikes

Steven Burnett

(just incase you can't find my actual name on my profile)

cool. That's is not news to anyone, we've had a system of two profiles linked by a common name for ages now. The "almost" that you need to include means they are still intertwined and will remain so in the immediate future. Welcome to the forum section.

 

 

ACE Cycles is a one-man operation, founded, owned, and managed by me, Emmanuel Sequeira

I also established the ACE Cycling Club and served as its Chairman for several years.

Please note that the online forum should not be confused with the real-world cycling community.

[ACE Cycles]

16 minutes ago, Bro Derek said:

There is some irony or perspective to be gained here.....

The Forum users feel they have a right or are responsible for controlling/policing/judging the classifieds while 95% of those that use the classifieds don't even know or couldn't care that the Forums even exist.

Much like a lot of the complaints about advertisers overvaluing their goods, it is pretty clear that a vast majority of forum users overvalue their opinion.

 

Exactly my sentiment

[SSCC]

2 hours ago, ACE Cycles said:

The forum community, by my opinion, is shallow and toxic, mainly due to the regular members still holding on to the 2005 golden era of thehub

I think most forum users are pretty respectful and it's hardly a toxic environment. There are a few aggressive know-it-alls but they mostly don't post much anymore.