+1

Was I too fast? I voted at about 10am!

I appear to mostly have 'no opinion'!

Sorry, but I can't really give a comparison between three different products unless I've tried all three – otherwise I'd just be giving an opinion from other people's opinions on here… 😯

I mean, 18 Bikes is a great shop, but no idea if they're any better or worse than any of the others.

Done.

Surprised to see Nirvana cycles in Best Bike Shop

So what's your point?

I don;t mean that in a facetious way.. Genuinely asked..

I was thinking the same as Gavin. It's more of a popularity contest than a case of "this is better than that", but that's not a bad thing – if anything that's the point? If I genuinely like something, I'll vote for it – e.g. I think lee quarry is ace, so that got a vote, or if I hate something I'll not vote for it (Hi dan :lol:). MOst were "no opinion" though.

One thing, when I go back now, it says I've voted and can't vote again which is fine – can you display out what I voted for?

I appear to mostly have 'no opinion'!
Likewise, but I can't see a problem with that? It'd be a bit wierd if you HAD to vote for something you knew nothing about.

Yeah, fair points back at me.
I was just a bit surprised (at myself mostly) that I had no direct knowledge of half the pieces of kit, or the events etc. I just wondered how many people were voting for things they'd never ridden.

yeah, mostly no opinion here.

Even though I know and like biketreks, it still doesn't seem right to vote for them as better than two other shops I've never visited (although I did anyway).

It is just a popularity contest: great things people know little about aren't going to get as many votes as good things that are well known.

Mind you, it's the Singletrack awards, not the Nobel or Oscars. Does it really matter that much?

As above I seem to be mainly 'no opinion'. I can hardly vote for 3 bike shops I've never been in, nor can I vote on best new bike when I haven't tried them. Best trail centre – I can vote for the one I've been to.

Do people just generally vote for whatever they think is most fashionable?

Where does the shortlist come from?

I cant believe the Big Bike Bash was an option for best event

I guess those who went didn't nominate it enough.

I'd say it's a perfect time 🙂

Debate away 🙂

Isn't the point that we, the Singletrack Readership, nominated the items in each category. I sent a nomination in, and a number of those I nominated are in the final list. That means I can vote for things I do have experience of. I assume that only nominated things got into the categories, so some people on here must have wanted to see them included.

OK, how does Lee Quarry hope to compete in the category of Best Trail Center given your criteria :-

Given that description, I would have thought that you are precluding some of the best man made stuff around. The award will no doubt go to Glentress again, not because of just the trails, but it has a cafe, bike shop, showers etc etc.

All I was suggesting was maybe a category of best man made trail (not center) which would open things up for the like of Gisburn, Penmachno, Lee Qaurry etc etc…

I dont buy the line that "this maybe the incentive they need to build better facilities". Personally, I would much rather see the money spent on more trails rather that a posh cafe serving overpriced coffee.

Anyway, thats my 2 cents… I;m sure everyone will rightly have their own opinion.

Good point Lowey but yet it still made it to the final 3, Glentress is hugely popular so nearly always wins. I voted for Lee Quarry as what it has done in such a small area is very impressive and has made good use of land that was pretty much wasted.

18 bikes by what measure is it better than loads of other shops in the country?

people sent in lots of nominations for it

Roughly speaking how many nominations is 'lots'. I'd be interested to know how many nominations it takes to get on the shortlist.

Does anyone take these nominations seriously apart from the winners? By that I mean would it sway you in any way to buy a product. Or is it just a bit of fun?

So thats a 'no' then.

why?