Fifty Plus (50+) - Is Bicycling Magazine worth a subsription?

I've hardly ever seen a copy, so I don't know it very well. Worth subscribing?

No longer to me. I used to subscribe to cycling mags pre-internet. Now I can get my cycling fix at any number of websites...from gear to touring. "Bicycling" strikes me as mostly an advertising organ for the bike industry. They generally push whatever is cutting edge & "zoot". I seldom see middle aged people used as photo models or articles of specific interest to us-- but we're used to that.

Personally, DG, I'd spend my time reading various sections of Bike Forums-- Training & Nutrition, Bike Mech, and of course FiftyPlus. I suspect there's no more bias or misinformation here than you, surprizingly, might find on the pages of Bicycling. I do often leaf through Bicycling when at the grocery store...and that seems enough to me.

For paper&ink print media hounds, there are many books available-- my current evening reader is "Two Wheels North: Bicycling the West Coast in 1909"....balloon tires, pot metal, lots of audacity, limitless youth--Santa Rosa to Seattle in 54 days, snake bites and grizzly bear included. Sample it on Amazon.

I think CrossChain is right on with his assessment and advice.

I used to subscribe back in the 80's when it was a much better publication. I hadn't read an issue for years until recently when my wife surprised me with a two year gift subcription. Last week the first issue arrived, guess what, it was about as bad as it was when I quit.

The thing I don't like about the bike mags is that they are dedicated to the "ultimate" this or that. The top end stuff, best of everything kind of stuff. While this is interesting, and has some useful information for us regular guys, a steady diet of it tends to turn me off. After 3 or 4 issues, I was done. I finally realized that I'm not racing anybody so the mags are kind of irrelevant to me. Every once in a while, I read one and enjoy it. Keeps me up to date on what the race crowd is doing. One a year is enough, and the december issue will have all the latest gizmos on display. That's my nickels worth. bk

I succumbed to my M.S. daughter selling magazine subscriptions as a PTO fund raiser. After 2-3 issues of Bicycling, I came to the same conclusion as CrossChain, Louis, and bkaapcke. I agree about their "ultoimate," and "zoot" assesments, and will add a few more; they do a great job putting down any person over 30 years old, over 200 lbs, and/or anyone who can't ride an average speed of 20-25 mph on a century. This alone elliminates about 95% (or more) of all bike riders. I realize they can't be all things to all people, but please! A few issues ago they highlighted and reviewed a bike. They drouled over it! From the frame, to the rims, to the components, they were like teenage boys in the mid '70s with the latest Farrah poster. They even described how the decals were made. And the price of this eighth wonder of the biking world? Something like $20-25k! Dee Gee, don't waste your money.

Sometimes I get a "free" subscription due to some promotion or other. I think if you don't know much about bicycling, it is worth a subscription for a period of time. But, pretty soon, you start getting the same articles over and over again.

They have had a couple of interesting series. One was where they and a couple of manufacturers put several hundred bicycles into several selected towns in the USA, (and then in Africa) and they documented the use of those bikes, along with pictures. These were typically hybrids or Townies or similar, and many of the recipients were older folks and overweight folks. They also documented the progress of a bicycler, who, at 400+ pounds, was trying to lose weight partly using a bicycle. His first ride was about 100 yards, and then he was building up. Another article was about a bicycler in his 90's. So, they don't totally ignore the rest of the bicycling world, but certainly their emphasis is on the 24yo, and "getting fit in 12 easy steps" or "get that (whatever body part) in shape by summer," and "how to train for and ride a century."

I am not sure there are that many topics to write about in bicycling, or at least that their major audience would buy it if they wrote much about the 50+ set - heck, how many of us are there?

I am still trying to get a link to the 50+ Rogue's Gallery (http://members.aol.com/bfn50gallery/) posted in the mag! Not even a response to my emails.

I wonder if they monitor the internet and comments about the mag?

I've hardly ever seen a copy, so I don't know it very well. Worth subscribing?

Depends. I used to subscribe when I had grandkids selling subscriptions as school fundraisers. The kids got older and the fundraisers stopped, but I've got 4 kindergartner grandkids this year so I'm sure to become a subscriber again shortly.

Bicycling has pretty much discontinued the type of features that I used to value the most. They used to have a "Tarantula" fixture that they used to measure frame stiffness on the bikes they tested. I also remember a really detailed article on how to get good results with a rattle can repaint job. Today we get "Style Man", an oximoron if I ever heard one.

Well I actually like it. Recent issues have lagged a bit in my opinion but last summer there were some excellent reads. It is a welcome change from the tech stuff I read on the train. I consider it pretty good "train fodder" and even prefer it to the daily paper. (My other mags: Wired, Pop Sci, Outside, PC Mag, numerous trade rags)

I get it for the "Style Man" feature alone. Actually, it helps me understand the thinking of some of the younger guns out there. Additionally, it more enjoyable to read than the morning newspaper, in that there's nary a mention of crime, vandalism, theft, fires, etc. I tend to read it while holding court.

I get it for the "Style Man" feature alone. Actually, it helps me understand the thinking of some of the younger guns out there. Additionally, it more enjoyable to read than the morning newspaper, in that there's nary a mention of crime, vandalism, theft, fires, etc. I tend to read it while holding court.
I think I'd prefer to read about crime, vandalism, theft, fires, or anything else than "Style Man." Heaven help us all if Style Man represents anything more than an over-the-top parody of young gun "thinking."

My stock response for a question like this is to see if your local library carries the magazine. I just did an internet search of the San Diego library holdings and saw that your Central Library "owns" the magazine while Mission Valley and Pacific Beach/Taylor branches each keep back issues up to a year. You could spend a casual hour or so checking out the magazine -- plus Bike World, if you are so inclined -- on your city's dime and decide for yourself. Enjoy.

Bicycling Magazine just isn't written for me.

If you are interested in getting a bike magazine, and if you have any interest in touring, I would recommend joining Adventure Cycling. Their Adventure Cyclist magzine is excellent. Lots of interesting articles. Not much in the way of hype.

Speedo

Not for me. I got a subscription because the neighbor kid was selling them as a school fundraiser. If you simply count the pages of written material vs the number of pages of advertising, there is quite a lot more advertising than substance. Plus, a lot of their articles are little more than photographs with nothing but catchy philosophy nonsense. (I just looked at the latest issue last night)
What is written once you separate out the "infomercials" is mainly geared to the really high end bikers. Nothing wrong with that, but definitely not my kind of magazine.
My wife gets Running Magazine by the same people, and some of the articles are the same, only written slightly different for runners instead of bikers. Both magazines will be discontinued.

I think I'd prefer to read about crime, vandalism, theft, fires, or anything else than "Style Man." Heaven help us all if Style Man represents anything more than an over-the-top parody of young gun "thinking."


That's what it is, and pretentious, elitist, bigoted, hollow, and just stupid enough to make me laugh or pi$$ me off. But, then again, I participate in on-line discussion groups.... go figure. ;)

I've hardly ever seen a copy, so I don't know it very well. Worth subscribing?

Ignore my previous answer.

How stupid of me! The OP is Digital. Even his avatar shows him to be perpetually in a fog. Bicycling magazine would be perfect for him.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=251896&highlight=bicycling+magazine Tons of threads on this, people hate it or like it. They do have some good stuff sometimes, but not enough for a subscription. I like Bike magazine, off-road centered, but great photos and adult writing.

If you are interested in getting a bike magazine, and if you have any interest in touring, I would recommend joining Adventure Cycling. Their Adventure Cyclist magzine is excellent. Lots of interesting articles.
Thanks for the tip. I love touring so Adventure Cyclist sounds like the magazine I would enjoy. I just went to their website and joined.

Nah. I think Cranked (http://crankedmag.com/) would be more your style.

Do the right thing and join the League of American Bicyclists and get a free subscription to Bicycling. (If you're still mad that they changed from "Wheelmen" to "Bicyclists", get over it.) Bicycling mag has had its ups and down over the years but there is usually something of interest to me in every issue.

I agree with most of the comments, but I still subscribe. Every once in a while they have something that grabs my attention. Last month they had a pretty good article that the editor wrote about his struggle with trying (and failing) to reach his cycling goals. The "Biketown" article that Denver described was also pretty interesting.

I wish it was better, much better, but I do subscribe and read Bicycling. All the criticisms above are valid, but once in a while I come across an article or a tidbit of information that makes it worth reading.
I don't anxiously look forward to each issue like I did for Bicycle Guide several years ago. I have not found a good magazine that is about riding and maintaining bicycles as opposed to buying and racing them.
Adventure Cycling and Bike are both interesting and contain good information, but they don't really match my interests either.
I get more information and interesting discussion online, but sometimes I like to have a magazine to look at. As imperfect as it is, Bicycling at least keeps me aware of where the mainstream of the Bicycle world is going, even if I don't swim in that stream.

Probably as a combo of me getting older and magazine writers staying young, plus basic changes in the magazine industry, I find very few special-interest magazines on the stands anymore that I can stand to read. I used to subscribe to all sorts of mags -- cars, motorcycling, etc. -- but now only have a couple of subscriptions. It seems like the writing style is a lot more "in your face" and profanity-laden (not that I don't use that language myself on occasion, but in writing it shows me a lack of imagination on the part of the writer). Definitely targeted at those a few decades younger.

Once in a while I take one of those offers for a "free trial issue" of this or that, but always cancel after the first issue arrives. Another thing about those mags is that they are highly repetitive, so if you only read an issue about every six months you'll pick up on all the new stuff that's worth reading about.

I give high marks to "Cycling Plus", published in England. Of course a subscription is quite expensive over here. I pick up a copy occasionally at Borders.

Too bad "Bicycling" isn't more along those lines.

Maybe I'm weird, but I look forward to getting mine each month . . .

For the Bicycling editors there is no such thing as "riding", it's all TRAINING.
I did my training 30 years ago. Now I just ride the damnthing.

For the Bicycling editors there is no such thing as "riding", it's all TRAINING.
I did my training 30 years ago. Now I just ride the damnthing.

That's pretty good. :) I agree. Been there, done that, got the hardware.

However, it might be a good mag for a beginner for a one year subscription. In that one year, they would get articles on training for that first century and some basic bike mechanics. After the first year, only subscribe if it's free.

It's pretty good and you get a free mtb magazine thrown in for nothing. You usually can count on picking up some interesting bike tip, just scanning an issue.

There was a detail of a $27K bike in the last issue and a tip noted what to do if your saddle height is correct but "feels" like it's too low: it's probably too far forward.

I had that "feeling" and instead of going to the bother of dropping a plumb line &etc. I just moved the seat back a wee-bit and did the leg-straight-with-heel-on-the-peddle thing and was back to that just-right feeling again.

:)

That's what it is, and pretentious, elitist, bigoted, hollow, and just stupid enough to make me laugh or pi$$ me off. But, then again, I participate in on-line discussion groups.... go figure. ;)
I think we are on the same sheet on this one. You ought to come over to the "discussion" on the BF A & S list. Better even than Style Man for a dose of risible pretentious, elitist, bigoted, hollow, and just stupid jibber-jabber.

For the Bicycling editors there is no such thing as "riding", it's all TRAINING.
I did my training 30 years ago. Now I just ride the damnthing.

Yup. It's kind of like a doctor whose still "practicing". Would you want a bike shop mechanic to "practice" on your bike so that he can learn how to fix his own bike?

I've hardly ever seen a copy, so I don't know it very well. Worth subscribing?

I had a subscription in the mid '70s, but I dropped it after a couple of years. Get yourself to a bookstore and read a copy and judge for yourself. I bet you can even find it at the library.

I was flying this month, so I picked up a copy to kill time in the airport. Seemed like some decent general information about nutrition. The bikes covered were way out of my budget and there was an article on one columnist who decided that he should use the advice that he was giving out and after a year, was out performed by a guy he considered "fat", but he felt he was doing better anyway.

Really, I like Bike (http://www.bikemag.com/) better. It mostly covers freestyle BMX and doing stunts in the air. It's not directed at me either, but the pictures and articles are more entertaining. I think I could do some of the stunts, but I'm not sure my body would survive the practice sessions. :p

You can pick up a subscription for $3 on Ebay. So for somebody to say that any bike magazine is not worth $3 is ridiculous. I enjoy getting every issue because it contains information about my favorite subject.

I usually get a 1 year subscription every year and a half, or something like that. It's cheap, and sometimes has some good stuff. On the other hand, the format hurts my eyes, especially when they print two pages of white text on black background.

I dropped $10 bucks for a year subscription and decided not to renew after 8 months. There is usually one good article a month. Otherwise it's full of glossy ads, pull-outs, and reviews of $$$ components $$$that cost 3x more than most of my bikes.
If you join Performance Bikes team membership (10% kickback and 2nd day shipping) they are now giving away free subscriptions. The end result is I get two copies monthly.

Pastor Bob says this part better:


they do a great job putting down any person over 30 years old, over 200 lbs, and/or anyone who can't ride an average speed of 20-25 mph on a century.

For the Bicycling editors there is no such thing as "riding", it's all TRAINING.
I did my training 30 years ago. Now I just ride the damnthing.
Bravo on that one! Also, Bicycling Mag is a forum for their advertisers. I have not seen a decent review in decades in there. I think its mostly focused to the affluent "Starbucks" sitting look right pseudo riders.

I currently subscribe to Bicycling. I find it valuable.......for lining the bottom of Rocco's (our pet parakeet) cage. I think he likes the glossy ads, but not the stories.
I was supposed to recieve a free year of Mountain Biking with my subscription, but they only sent about 5 or 6 issues, then decided not to keep their promise. I won't be renewing.

I usually get a 1 year subscription every year and a half, or something like that. It's cheap, and sometimes has some good stuff. On the other hand, the format hurts my eyes, especially when they print two pages of white text on black background.

Oh man did you hit a nerve on the print with a background that blends in. Some of the times it is impossible to actually read it.

As to is Bicycling worth it? Maybe. If you are brand new to the sport it may be worth the money. Do a search on this subject and read the Road Cycling posts, you guys are far too kind to the mag. according to the roadies. Gets trashed on a regular basis. The major complaints are they recycle the articles too offten, too much empasis on high end equipment, and often the "articles" on the cover are a mere paragraph. I am still searching for the Loose 10 pounds in 2 Weeks artilcle they always seem to have on the cover but no one can find in the issue.

I bought subscriptions to help the little neighbor girl's school raise money but she's in college now & I haven't read the mag for years. Have to agree there wasn't much worth reading in any given issue during the time I subscribed.

In a word; No.

Bicycling Magazine: when you're at Barnes & Noble and have nothing else to do.

In two words: Hell No!

I subscribe to Bicycling, but I do love the idea of joining the League and getting the subscription free. Thanks, JanMM.

I always find something interesting and/or useful in the magazine, and Style Man often makes me laugh (as intended!). I suspect that pasting up the cover is dead-simple, however; simply run a different photo each month and highlight a couple of feature articles amongst boiler-plate "Ride Stronger! Better! Faster! Lose Weight! Climb Like a True Champion!" blurbs. I agree that it's very product-heavy, but I like seeing new gear and keeping up on where prices are.

I subscribe to Bicycling, but I do love the idea of joining the League and getting the subscription free. Thanks, JanMM.

I always find something interesting and/or useful in the magazine, and Style Man often makes me laugh (as intended!). I suspect that pasting up the cover is dead-simple, however; simply run a different photo each month and highlight a couple of feature articles amongst boiler-plate "Ride Stronger! Better! Faster! Lose Weight! Climb Like a True Champion!" blurbs. I agree that it's very product-heavy, but I like seeing new gear and keeping up on where prices are.

Yeah, but you are only 47yo! :D

OOPS! Aw Hell...

OOPS! Aw Hell...

Not too young to join the League but too young to join us AARP'ers.

When I first started riding in Aug 05 I went to a thrift store and got a couple of Bicycling magazines. What there was to read was good but I profit much more from Bike forums and other web sites.

It's cheap - get it for a year or two. If you want something to read, get a subscription to Outside Magazine. I am a bike magazine junky - but I never buy Bicycling. I buy all of the British mags, and they are all pretty good. For the U.S., there is Cycling Plus, ROAD, VeloNews and some crappy mtn bike mags. The British mags (road & mtn) are a stitch to read for us provincials. The mtn bike mags have great articles, written in Brit-speak (stopping for cakes, and all). The road mags are good for tech reviews, and if you're interested in the pro tour in Europe (which you are probably not). Go to your nearest mega-bookstore, and buy a few. See what you like. Reading articles on the internet just doesn't have the same effect. (I've even been know to buy the odd German mtn bike mag - written in German! :eek:)

My wife got me a subscription as we are both compulsive readers. I loved Bicycling in the days of Frank Berto and BikeTech. Both now gone.

As an alternative opinion...

I LIKE Bicycling Magazine. I have subscriber for about 5 years. I also subscribe to VeloNews, buy 5 or 6 copies of Cycling+ and a few of Pro Cycling and Cycle Sport. I have also occasionally read Road and another called Roadie. All these magazines have a particular focus on the sport and they try to make themselves unique.

The reasons I read Bicycling are:


I enjoy the BikeTown articles and applaude Bicycling for starting the program. A bicycle is a transformative machine in many ways. Starting this program has tapped into that notion. As far as I know, other magazines have not done anything similar.
I like the fact that Bicycling became a sponsor of the Toyota-USA Cycling Team. Classic case of Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is. Also, as far as I know, no one else is doing that.
Reading about folks like Frank Sinibaldi (if I have the name correct), the former Olympian that was still riding strong at over 90. Sadly, he has recently passed away.


Anyway, we are all different in what we like and don't like. Find the magazine that is useful to you.

Reading the above comments, and having never read Bicycling, it sounds like the bicycle magazines have the same problems as the motorcycle magazines: Staffers who have professionally ridden all the latest and the greatest iron out there, so of course what the rest of us unwashed ride (and wear, for that matter) just isn't good enough worth considering.

If in some of those comments I had seen the word "Ducati", I'd have automatically guessed that you were discussing one of the two current top American motorcycle magazines.

Let's face it, nothing kills journalistic excellence faster than lots of freebies from the manufacturers.

By the way, loved the comments regarding British cycling magazines - seems they have the advantage over us Yanks just as much in that forum as in motorcycles.

Oh, I forgot:

StyleMan probably is neither...