Inertianinja

https://urbanvelo.org/bicycling-magazine-goes-urban/

so apparently they're going to focus more on urban cycling and fashion than just road cycling.

and to think that i was considering getting a subscription! my god, i refuse to read one more article about hipsters on track bikes in the city and how "connected" they "feel" to the "pure" riding "experience."

LowCel 

I just received my renewal letter a couple of days ago, glad I didn't send it in. I was already getting tired of looking at Pinarrelo's on every other page.

This reminds me, I need to subscribe to "Peloton", that is a great magazine.

dwellman

No, this has been going on for a while. I stopped my renewal in 1992. They just got too much social concern. Too much advocacy. Too much ads.

Inertianinja

the ads are kind of understandable - they need to make money in an age where everything is going digital.
but advocacy? if you're reading bicycle magazine, you don't need someone telling you that biking is a good idea!

Phantoj

Oh no, now we'll never know how to "Get Fit Fast!"

What will new riders do without a "Six Weeks to Your First Century!" plan?


Bicycling magazine has been lame for years. I have a few from the late 80's and they are actually pretty interesting; maybe it's just the historical perspective, though.

Phantoj

Or... maybe... editor Strickland is so disillusioned by Lance that he's giving up the roadie life and going strictly "urban"..?

Creakyknees

USAC license holders get a free online subscription to Peloton magazine... good stuff

ancker

+1 on Peloton. Subscribed after reading the first issue.
I need to go get my free digital subscription too. I forgot I get that as a USAC member.

I usually keep up on "Road Bike Action Magazine", "Road", "Pro Cycling", "Peloton", and just picked up "Paved" to see how it is.
I subscribe to "Bicycling" as well but got a really good deal. I don't mind it.

VT Biker

All of these "Lifestyle" magazines are unfortunately aimed at getting the lowest common denominator to subscribe, because in most activities, these are both where the bulk of the potential customer base is. The fact is, most cyclists are middle-age, ride a fbaew hours a week, struggle with sic maintenance, and only follow the TdF is am American is winning. But often this is because they also have careers that take up a lot of time, but have money to spend on toys. They want to ride faster, without sacrificing anything...so you get these articles which are the equivalent of what you see in Women's Magazines...."Lose 10 pounds Fast, Get Stronger Faster, Climb Better...." You know the drill.

This is why the urban focus is peculiar. Their core audience is not riding around in super skinny jeans. They are MAMILS who could lose 15 pounds.

I have a feeling that you are going to see the death of these lifestyle magazines, as with the advent of the digital age, the middle-brow is taking a beating. Not sure how I will survive without Bicycling Magazine, Backpacker Magazine, Runner Magazine, etc....

Nick Bain

its all those liberals. that think we need to be told what to do.

mmmdonuts

Yeah. Blah blah blah, boo hoo...

mmmdonuts

So is this the next cover?

Ultraslide

+1 - it's a really good read. Still looking for a paper copy of issue #1.

seejohnbike

the only time I ever buy bicycling is when I'm stuck in the airport and need to get my bike fix, particularly when there's no free wifi.

honestly, i'm never impressed with it, but it's something to read/attempt to enjoy while I'm stuck past security. Given the generally lame/derivative/recurring content that appears, I'm not surprised they're trying to branch out, but at the same time, I'm disappointed to see it go in such a pedestrian direction.

maybe I'll buy it again the next time I'm at the airport. then again, maybe not.

rooftest

As mentioned previously, Bicycling is a good read when stuck in an airport.

I didn't think it was possible to make it more lame. I was wrong.

thump55

I look at the pictures in the bathroom.

Velo Vol 

So if I get a "city" bike I will be cool?

mmmdonuts

Yes if you also get a messenger bag and girl's capri pants.

pgjackson

Very few popular magazine offer much more than this. Flip through any fitness magazine, it's all "get a flat stomach in 2 weeks" or "gain 3 inches on your biceps with these three exercises", accompanied by glossy pictures of roid'ed-up budybuilders or super-skinny fitness models who look like they have never broken a sweat.

Jay-W

Funniest avatar.

There was not a female to be seen outdoors here in Aus today.

ADSR

Meh. I ride my bike to work and school and fixed gear bikes gave me my initial taste for two wheels. I feel like it's OK to like both. I mean for god sakes triathletes like three things at once! And most of em aren't even bikes! On a related note, did you see in the latest buyer's guide that they featured mountain bikes? What's up with THAT!

StephenH

The problem I have is that like a lot of hobby magazines, a lot of the emphasis is on new gear, and if you're not in the market for it, that part just completely loses interest.

dwellman

It's not like I haven't picked up and issue in 18 years, it's only just . . well. . . I was less impressed each time I picked one up. I agree to some extent about hobby magazines. . . Is Bicycling Magazine a "hobby" magazine or, more succinct , niche? There's not a single store around here that stocks it anyway. . . no it's all hunting, four wheeling, and home and garden.

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Some could say the internet made periodicals less relevant, but I'd rather drop a $2 magazine in the water than a $650 tablet.

Bob Ross

mihlbach

Initially I thought the thread title was "Bicycling magazine going under". I was deeply disappointed when I read it correctly.