when asking for advice

[Pat "5mph"]

The fact that I'm not technical doesn't mean I don't read any of those threads hoping to learn from them, but sometimes I find them a little aggressive in their tone. That puts me off reading further.

Well said. When I was a complete newbie a few years ago, here in the sticks, no lbs to speak of, CC's old "know how" forum was my favorite read.
I think now mechanics queries sometimes end up in the components and accessories forum, where a lot of experts are readily available to consult

I've progressed from when I first started and I couldn't adjust my own brakes,

You and I both

The best educators are those that encourage learning at the level suitable for their audience, and don't make them want to hide their lack of understanding.

Again, well said @summerdays. A few spring to mind: @Rickshaw Phil, @accountantpete, @biggs682, @raleighnut spring to mind.
@vickster for her knowledge of the specs of any bike manufactured in the last 20 years

 

[Milkfloat]

Being new to the forum, I was initially put off by a lot of the abuse, intolerance and pickiness of certain members. It took me a while to realise that actually these members do have tremendous knowledge, but come across as antagonistic, cranky old men that have forgotten what is is to be a novice and how to treat strangers nicely. It is a probably a real put off to new members to run the risk of receiving the full wrath of these members when asking for advice, especially if they are helmet wearing weekend warriors asking about a wheel upgrade.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Being new to the forum, I was initially put off by a lot of the abuse, intolerance and pickiness of certain members. It took me a while to realise that actually these members do have tremendous knowledge, but come across as antagonistic, cranky old men that have forgotten what is is to be a novice and how to treat strangers nicely. It is a probably a real put off to new members to run the risk of receiving the full wrath of these members when asking for advice, especially if they are helmet wearing weekend warriors asking about a wheel upgrade.

That's one perspective. Another could be that most of those people answer questions sans emotion or judgment but meet up with abuse when the answer does not square up with the prejudices or other participants. I find they are more often bearing the brunt of abuse. If you have an example of a technical answer being sneering, antagonistic or with malice, I'd like to see them.

In the meantime, I'll illustrate my point with an example of abuse being hurled at a technical explanation that doesn't meet the reader's approval.
Have a look at this provocative reply to an explanation, suggesting that it is fiction, but withholding any specific counter argument.
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/pf30-advice.182772/page-2

Calling someone a cranky old man or a doddering old woman isn't in the spirit of your friendly milieu either, is it?

 

[Citius]

Being new to the forum, I was initially put off by a lot of the abuse, intolerance and pickiness of certain members.

That's the internet for you...seriously. It can either upset you, or you can accept it and allow it to amuse you instead.

I'm frequently amused by the bullying, petulance and hypocrisy of some members on here. Can I change it? No. Is it funny? Yes!

 

[John the Monkey]

Either way its time we just accept that there is a difference of opinion and move on.

On the internet?

Good lord!