Most magazines are a waste of time. My wife and I cut off all subscriptions back in the early 1990s in an effort to de-clutter our lives. It worked well for us, and saved money.

I'm an NRA member, and their publications suffer from the same sad malady, plus, there is a ton of editorial space devoted to 2nd Amendment politics and fundraising...

These are reasons why forums are the best place to come for information and discourse. Up to date, real life information and user reviews. Long timers have perspective, too.

I got a Bicycling subscription for free that just showed up at my house unannounced. I think you get it when you buy a racing license. I bet that 90% of their subscribers get it the same way.

As such, it's an industry shill marketing toward Cat V racers. Looking at it through that lens, every article makes sense.

If you want honest assessments of new components and a look at the interesting directions the industry is taking, look elsewhere. The Radavist has more informative content by far.

Man, I thought it was just me.

I have Bicycling in my RSS feed, despite the fact that most links to their articles are broken. They appear to be on a big push to get more women in the sport. I can read and enjoy articles about a Women's adventure bikepacking group, skim the profiles of outstanding women athletes, and ignore the "empowered fashion designer" articles. At least once a week, there's an article about the latest women's fashion. There's an alleged shortage of women cycling, and your effort is to point out that there are some cute $280 jerseys? Cynical me notes that women control more of the household budget, and the shortage of women is a ploy to sell more.

This has been an interesting thread. I've always liked Bicycling but have never expected much from it. The "me and my bike on a lone road" stories get a little shmaltzy but usually make me want to go riding more; which is a good thing.

My take after reading the above-posted sentiments is that Bicycling appeals to the 700x23 crowd. Not exactly the composition of the C&V member base.

I thumb through it from time to time and never buy it.

For a brief period, I had convinced myself that I like that newer magazine "Bicycle Times" - It has some interesting stories, the art was odd, the paper is recycled (and maybe the ink?) but it is perhaps too "urban hipster" for my taste. I got bored with it, and in fact, when I see the opportunity to peruse it for free at the Barnes and Noble, I seldom take the time to glance at an issue.

I wish a bike magazine would have some retro content.. (Maybe one does? I don't know?) I enjoy the "75 years ago" - "50 years ago" - "25 years ago" in our local newspaper. In the motorcycle and automobile magazine industry it is common to see references to the past. They reflect back upon articles from their magazine many years ago. It is interesting and it makes comparisons to how far technology has advanced and what actually has not.

I would really like a 100% vintage content bicycle magazine, that is something that would interest me, but with the Internet, perhaps real paper and print magazines have not much time left on Earth anyway? Otherwise I prefer to get on my 1970s bike and attempt to re-live my youth in real time.

I'm definitely a ≥ 25mm man.

But in the case of BuyCycling$$, it takes longer to find the content than to read it. You have to wade thru 5+ pages of ads to get to the table of contents, fercryinoutloud! I’d rather spend my time riding, thanks.


SP
OC, OR

Quote:

Originally Posted by plonz

My take after reading the above-posted sentiments is that Bicycling appeals to the 700x23 crowd. Not exactly the composition of the C&V member base.

Yep. I’m gonna have to re-up my subscription to Bicycle Quarterly.

SP
OC, OR

I like curmudgeons in general. They don't intimidate me with their gruff, "rough around the edges" personas. They're often really interesting to talk to also!

Is is there a current bicycling magazine that any good if you're not a racer or tri-athlete?

...pressing issues of the times, like cigarettes and cocaine. Good for the sport, or not?

Enthusiast magazines tend to get more interesting as they get less general. The narrower the focus, however, the lower the potential circulation.

I doubt I've ever read an issue of Bicycling, but from the way you describe it, it sounds like the Time of cycling. A couple "long" articles and whole bunch of little snippets.

Yes, but what about the other 3 hours and 40 minutes of your flight?

One small, meaningless paragraph on a full page glossy photos of the next greatest bike ever does not make for content worth reading.

The best part of this latest issue was the centerfold photo of the retro-looking Bianchi.

I've already contacted them about making sure not to waste the paper when mailing subscription renewals. Zero content. All advertising/"advertorial".

Steve.

Keep in mind, my original post was written with a state of mind that.. This is the C&V forum.

Which one of those curmudgeons is mountaindave? Surely not the guy with the cell phone!

I went through the same experience with guitar magazines in the 1990s. They were all about buying new guitars and amplifiers and effects pedals. Instead of encouraging me to play, they made me sad that I didn't own the expensive products shown in the magazine.

Internet forums replaced consumer magazines for me. There are still some good ones out there, like National Geographic and Reader's Digest, which has somewhat redeemed itself in the last couple years, IMO, but most are simply advertisements disguised as product reviews, in between the obvious advertisements.

I have a subscription to Bicycle Quarterly. It ain't cheap and I don't always see eye to eye with everything in it but at least I find the content interesting and the photography very good.

Magazines are a tough sell these days and many have been going out of business. They survive by cramming as much advertising as possible into them, including the articles and photos. Fortunately, forums such as this have more than filled the gap. I get way more useful information from visiting a few cycling websites than I could ever glean from Bicycling. However, it serves a useful purpose in attracting more enthusiasts to the fold.

This last issue was so lame. Half of the photos of those bikes you couldn't even see them. One was still covered in bubble wrap. One didn't have wheels anywhere in the photo. I am pretty easy to please but this issued sucked. Got 'er read in one "movement". It is sill sitting in the bathroom.

I had a subscription in the 70's when it was called Bicycling!

Maybe I had it in the 80's, too.

I stopped liking it long ago. Maybe I'm more mature. Maybe I'm well informed enough that the stuff therein doesn't bring me much. Maybe they've gotten dumber. Maybe there's nothing left to say. Maybe the writing has gotten worse. Maybe there are too many ads and it's easy to see how the articles serve the ads.

Maybe it's all of the above.

Sometimes I will get a link to an article there and I read it on the web for free and it's worth my two minutes' time. It is also worth what I pay for it.

Agreed. I'm on year #2 with BQ. More content in one issue (4 annually) than in 6-7, or more, issues of Bicycling. Product stories are enjoyable, because along with solid product testing content you get to read about the weekend trip into the mountains they based the test upon. A bit tightly focused on some topics- they could tone down on Rinko biking in Japan, for example. But I like it better than any other bicycle related magazine I've ever read.

Steve.

I forgot to mention that the last time I had a subscription was from my grandmother over 20 years ago in high school. My mom suggested it because she didn't know what to get me. Mothers are so thoughtful.

+2

Pricy, but worth it.
Bicycle Quarterly: Home

Like others here, I subscribe to Bicycling Quarterly. I try not to sound like an ad, after one issue I bought some back issues form a BF member here. I fell in love with cycling all over again and bought the entire collection of back issues from an iBOB member. As mentioned above, a scientific approach to reviews, not ad copy. It was originally called Vintage Bicycling Quarterly, but now focuses on both old and new. I certainly fit more into its cyclotourism genre than the category of the weekend warrior who is really looking forward to a 12 speed Di grouppo.

For those who don't know, Jan has a very specific point of view and now has a business selling what he promotes. However, he is very clear and upfront about potential conflicts of interest and is probably his own harshest critic. Some call him biased, I think it entrepreneurial. He is making a living doing what he loves. Shouldn't we all? Sorry, this wasn't supposed to turn into a love-fest, just provide info.

I thought we are all curmudgeons here.

Every so often I find myself in a doctor's or other office which has a copy of Bicycling, or a similar magazine with a title like Outdoor Adventure Stuff or Great Adventures You Would Probably Not Survive or Unaffordable Explorations or Wilderness With Support Group. They never hold my interest.

Word

I have some old early-80s Bicycling mags and I keep 'em for reference, but the same old story back then, too. Reviews were vague, it was all about the newest bling...but of course, back then, that's exactly what us late teens/early 20s guys/gals were looking for. And the market knew it. Newest, lightest, flashiest - oh yeah!

I like to come here to receive/provide answers and perspective. I end up knowing more about the bikes of "my day" much better than I did then from a magazine. I hope I provide something in that same vein.

DD

No, he's the accountant, checking to see if the payment for the latest hit was made.
The guy in the doorway is the negotiator and the contact.

The guys on the curb are either U2 on their day off, or
L to R - the wheelman, the hitman, and the cleaner.

Just kidding (maybe), but when I'm that old, I'd love to ride with my two brothers, hang out and catch a sandwich and a Coke.