Give Bicycling Magazine a chance
#1
.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: .
Posts: 3,094
Bikes: .
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Give Bicycling Magazine a chance
I looked at the latest issue, the one with Lance's face on the cover, and not only did it have an ad about 3 pages in for Chronos stationary trainers that I'm not going to try to decscribe, you'll have to just see it, since I wonder if that rider might be one of the regulars here (if so, congrats! Neat ad) and the photo on page 25 is something you'll never ever see in VeloNews.
Interesting article on an organized ride of one of the TdF stages, lots of interesting bits and pieces of information/opinion, lots of inspiration for noobs or semi-noobs, and yes, car ads and ads for questionable supplements. But different, a different approach than you'd see in VeloNews, Procycling, etc.
Interesting article on an organized ride of one of the TdF stages, lots of interesting bits and pieces of information/opinion, lots of inspiration for noobs or semi-noobs, and yes, car ads and ads for questionable supplements. But different, a different approach than you'd see in VeloNews, Procycling, etc.
#4
370H-SSV-0773H
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Penniless Park, Fla.
Posts: 2,750
Bikes: Merlin Fortius, Specialized Crossroads & Rockhopper, Serotta Fierte, Pedal Force RS2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by lilHinault
I looked at the latest issue, the one with Lance's face on the cover...
- 2nd page ad spread is for a Honda mini-van... i guess bike companies can't afford good placement?
- back page? TIAA CREF financial services ad - nothing bike-related there... i guess being a *****-for-dollars means that any advertiser with the dollars gets placement at the expense of bike-related advertisers without the investment or oil industry-backed corporate means...
- inside back cover ad? a Hyundai mini-van ad of course! why not? there's not much real bike-related material between the covers anyway... (OK, that was a bit harsh)
- pg. 113 - WoW! that full page ad for a sexual performance drug extract is a great lead-in to the mini-bike ad section!
- filling out the high-end advertorial lineup: Nissan, Dodge, Land Rover, Infiniti, Toyota, Subaru, Viagra, Saab, Jeep, VW.... hmm... getting a picture here?
- look, i understand that a magazine has to sell advertising in order to publish... but it looks like in this case, it's also to support lavish editorial staff locations and infrastructure...
- advertisers aren't being asked to submit bike-related material - where's the tie-in? editorial standards? published testing standards? published review standards?
- there's no apparent differentiation between new product announcements and editorial endorsement of products...
- a one-page, large type letters section? i would think readers would have more to contribute, but perhaps bicycling doesn't care about reader opinions?
- i could go on and on... i see why most folks say to either not bother subscribing or just let the subs lapse...
#5
In Memory of One Cool Cat
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 2,722
Bikes: Lemond Victoire, Cannondale.Mountain Bike, two 1980s lugged steel Treks, ancient 1980-something Giant mountain bike converted into a slick tired commuter with mustache handlebars, 1960-something Raleigh Sports
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
As a writer and editor myself, I'd say Bicycling is pretty well written. And I think they've tried to branch out lately. They actually did a story on touring in Ireland. Well unloaded luxury touring. "The Ride," the monthly photo essay might be the best part of the magazine.
But most of the mag is about pushing metal. And how many times can they run the headline "Your Best Body Ever. Seven Simple Steps"
Gotta love styleman, the ultimate in OCP.
But most of the mag is about pushing metal. And how many times can they run the headline "Your Best Body Ever. Seven Simple Steps"
Gotta love styleman, the ultimate in OCP.
__________________
Dead last finish is better than did not finish and infinitely better than did not start.
Dead last finish is better than did not finish and infinitely better than did not start.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 290
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I picked up an issue to see if I should subscribe. As people have posted on another thread here, it was hard to find the few short articles between the ads for expensive accessories that I "just had to have." Needless to say, I'm not signing up. People can learn more by reading this forum.
#7
Senior Curmudgeon
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Directly above the center of the earth
Posts: 3,856
Bikes: Varies by day
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by linux_author
- 2nd page ad spread is for a Honda mini-van... i guess bike companies can't afford good placement?...
The self-congratulatory "Bike Town" stuff passes my radar because they're actually giving away bikes and trying to get people to use them. To get the donation bikes needed, Bicycling must publicize the donors. In this particular case, the ends justify the means, IMHO.
More actual (critical, comparative, even-handed) reviews of equipment are badly needed also.
Despite the magazine's shortcomings, I continue to subscribe (yes, even with my own $$) because I see no good alternative. I'm not interested in racing nor in off road riding, so what other option exists?
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Northern Neck Tidewater Va.
Posts: 1,688
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I like fitness chick and shop girl. They could leave out style guy. I like the ride/tour articles - the one about stage 16 TdF was well written, I thought. Why do I care what ads I'm not reading?
Joe
Joe
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NH, USA
Posts: 48
Bikes: Cannondale R600
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by linux_author
- back page? TIAA CREF financial services ad - nothing bike-related there... i guess being a *****-for-dollars means that any advertiser with the dollars gets placement at the expense of bike-related advertisers without the investment or oil industry-backed corporate means...
support the folks that support cycling...
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Willimantic, Connecticut
Posts: 499
Bikes: '70s Puch sport tourer, '90 Peugeot Success.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Like so many magazines today, mostly fluff sandwiched between ads for harmful products. Terminate with extreme prejudice. I'll stick to these boards. Nice tho to look at the new bikes i couldn't afford. Your local library probably has it.
#11
370H-SSV-0773H
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Penniless Park, Fla.
Posts: 2,750
Bikes: Merlin Fortius, Specialized Crossroads & Rockhopper, Serotta Fierte, Pedal Force RS2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by emgNH
TIAA CREF sponsors a team.
support the folks that support cycling...
support the folks that support cycling...
(i know, i know, follow the news and racing circuit)
- tks for that fact... i look forward to seeing the Honda, Saab, GMC, Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, and other bicycling teams, too!
:-)
#12
Badger Biker
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Beloit, Wisconsin
Posts: 974
Bikes: Cannondale Saeco CAD-3, Surly Cross Check
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by lilHinault
I looked at the latest issue, the one with Lance's face on the cover, and not only did it have an ad about 3 pages in for Chronos stationary trainers that I'm not going to try to decscribe, you'll have to just see it, since I wonder if that rider might be one of the regulars here (if so, congrats! Neat ad) and the photo on page 25 is something you'll never ever see in VeloNews.
Interesting article on an organized ride of one of the TdF stages, lots of interesting bits and pieces of information/opinion, lots of inspiration for noobs or semi-noobs, and yes, car ads and ads for questionable supplements. But different, a different approach than you'd see in VeloNews, Procycling, etc.
Interesting article on an organized ride of one of the TdF stages, lots of interesting bits and pieces of information/opinion, lots of inspiration for noobs or semi-noobs, and yes, car ads and ads for questionable supplements. But different, a different approach than you'd see in VeloNews, Procycling, etc.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Western Morris Cty, NJ
Posts: 558
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by ctyler
I gave them a chance 10 years ago and ti's still a poor excuse for a cycling magazine.
#14
I Am Online Now!
Join Date: May 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 350
Bikes: Bianchi Pista, LeMond Poprad, Specialized Allez
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I can't stand those Bike Town issues. I do like the bike reviews, but I think Bicycling tries too hard to please everyone so in the end they just churn out a lot of mediocre feel-good crap.
__________________
I rock peas on my head but don’t call me a pea head.
Bees on my head but don’t call me a bee head.
Bruce Lee’s on my head but don’t call me a Lee head.
Now please excuse me, I gots to get my tree fed.
I rock peas on my head but don’t call me a pea head.
Bees on my head but don’t call me a bee head.
Bruce Lee’s on my head but don’t call me a Lee head.
Now please excuse me, I gots to get my tree fed.
#15
Badger Biker
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Beloit, Wisconsin
Posts: 974
Bikes: Cannondale Saeco CAD-3, Surly Cross Check
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
It seems to me that 30 years ago or so there was a magazine titled "Bike World" that was just wonderful. Interesting, useful articles and information every month. It also seems that it was part of a number of like magazines like "Runners World" and possibly "Cross County Skiing World."
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 7,143
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 261 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
10 Posts
Originally Posted by linux_author
- - inside back cover ad? a Hyundai mini-van ad of course! why not? there's not much real bike-related material between the covers anyway... (OK, that was a bit harsh)
- filling out the high-end advertorial lineup: Nissan, Dodge, Land Rover, Infiniti, Toyota, Subaru, Viagra, Saab, Jeep, VW.... hmm... getting a picture here?
- filling out the high-end advertorial lineup: Nissan, Dodge, Land Rover, Infiniti, Toyota, Subaru, Viagra, Saab, Jeep, VW.... hmm... getting a picture here?
#17
Huachuca Rider
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 4,275
Bikes: Fuji CCR1, Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Dropped 'em a couple years ago for reasons enumerated in this thread. Gave 'em another chance with trial subscription this year. I just renewed. They are better.
__________________
Just Peddlin' Around
Just Peddlin' Around
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 8,941
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12193 Post(s)
Liked 1,496 Times
in
1,108 Posts
Originally Posted by G-Unit
I can't stand those Bike Town issues. I do like the bike reviews, but I think Bicycling tries too hard to please everyone so in the end they just churn out a lot of mediocre feel-good crap.
I subscribe to Bicycling. It isn't great, but it is ok. Every hobby I have ever paid attention to had dillettantes that had to whine about the dominant publication.
I get enough out of it that I keep it coming. If something better comes along (that doesn't cost three times as much for half as many issues) I'll get that, too.
But what I think will happen is this....
I expect high gas prices and the growing awareness of the deleterious effects of importing oil will result in a surge of people riding bikes. This will being in enough money from subscribers that hopefully they will have more articles that cost a couple bucks to produce. That depends a lot on management. If they see the rag as nothing more than a cash cow, it will eventually die. Because that same surge will create a big enough pool of customers to create a competitor.
#19
Senior Curmudgeon
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Directly above the center of the earth
Posts: 3,856
Bikes: Varies by day
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by late
...If they (Bicycling editors) see the rag as nothing more than a cash cow, it will eventually die. Because that same surge will create a big enough pool of customers to create a competitor.