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Submitted by
bobbq
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | USNWC | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | Direct Mail | | Strengths: | None - Worst magazine ever created. Nothing but ads. I have had three subsription and off...but never hgain. See weakness. | | Weaknesses: | Ooffer free issues, and then when you cancel, turn your name over to collection agnecy. I have turned them in to my state attorney generls office for fraud and misrepresentation. | | Bottom Line: | Do not subsribe! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3.00 | | Strengths: | Interesting lifestyle articles, good nutrition/exercise tips, cheap. | | Weaknesses: | Gear/bike reviews, very little mountain bike coverage. | | Similar Products Used: | Dirt Rag, Mountain Bike Action, UK mags | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bottom Line: | Been reading this mag for 10+ years since I was a teenager. Bicycling used to have more equal coverage of road and mountain biking along with detailed bike reviews. However over the years its focus has shifted towards roadies and the cycling lifestyle. This is likely due to other mountain bike magazines sprouting up and squeezing them into a niche and their readership maturing i.e. becoming old farts :-)
Most of the gear/bike reviews are nothing more than a few sentences. It is the cycling lifestyle articles which keep me interested. Examples of these include:
- The man who rode more than 1 million miles total lifetime milage and still counting. Doh forgot his name since he is not a pro or well known)
- "Invisible Riders" (illegal aliens) using Walmart bicycles and their daily struggles
- Recumbant bicycles being the "black sheep" of the bicycling world because they are banned from all road cycling races due to their unfair advantage over conventional road bikes.
- The cult of Campagnolo (road group) collectors
- Collectable bicycle catalogs from various bike/component manufacturers from Pryme, Scott, Assos, Rivendell, etc...
Bicycling is a good mag for people interested in the cycling lifestyle and nutrition/excercise info. However it is the WRONG magazine for those interested in mountain biking or gear reviews. I would recommend Dirt Rag or one of the UK mags for mountain biking stuff.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a
from Whittier,CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Weaknesses: | Subcription Dept. from HELL | | Bottom Line: | Offer for a free, two issue trial subscription came with my new Giant bike. Just the two issues are ever mailed but the mag treats it like a normal one year subscription and immediately starts billing me. I ignore the billings since they never ask if I want to take the mag beyond the two issue, free trial. Billing notices become threats to turn my account over to a collection agency. Threats become reality when notices from a collection agency arrive. I call Bicycling Mag and they say they will straighten things out. B.S. of course, since I just got the second notice from the collection agency yesterday, two months after Bicycling Mag’s assurances. BE FOREWARNED!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JB King
a
from Wilmington, NC
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Used to be decent | | Weaknesses: | PC rag | | Bottom Line: | I stopped buying when they embraced a pro-female (anti-male) stand. That it is PC to be so bigoted does not impress me, never has. How about articles based on content and not to meet a PC gender quota. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | it was in the store, something to read. a few funny parts | | Weaknesses: | gay as crap. too much road stuff. almost no mountain bike articles | | Similar Products Used: | mountain bike action | | Bottom Line: | it sucks, don't waste your $4. The articles are lame and they're for roadies. you don't want it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy
a
from Louisville, KY
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$5.00 | | Strengths: | It will rot quickly when dumped in a landfill. | | Weaknesses: | 60 out of 112 pages were full page ads; the remaining was supposed to be features/articles, of which about 10% had text to read. | | Bottom Line: | This magazine is worthless. Bought a 112 page copy, and literally 60 pages were full blown ads. The main feature story was about ASPHALT. How lame is that? About ASPHALT. Wow. Way to get the interviews with the professionals. Might as well be a stupid cosmo magazine - when are they going to have inserts with perfume? Or maybe with the scent of roadkill, sweat, and rubber tire? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Racer
from Newark NY
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Ellicottville NY | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3.00 | | Strengths: | photos? Some training ideas | | Weaknesses: | very general, nothing interesting | | Similar Products Used: | Dirt Rag, Velonews | | Bike Setup: | Giant Anthem 2 stock | | Bottom Line: | Pretty boring and generic. It seems the same as Men's Health, but has a guy with a bike on the cover instead of ripped abs | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harvey Miller
a Racer
from East Meadow
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | I do only Road. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct | | Strengths: | Graphics, Current as to subject, Writing witty at times. | | Weaknesses: | Product reviews are somewhat (and sometimes) questionable in terms of potential self interest, as opposed to accuracy.
More in depth reporting would be a plus, if it was there. | | Similar Products Used: | CycleSport | | Bike Setup: | Trek 5.2 Madone with several of my own inventions currently inhabiting its frame...such as...some nifty nanotechnology (such as, for one, nanorobits that keep the bike perpetually self cleaning, energized by ambient heat values and/or sunlight and a miniature lcd screen in an oversized stem using the bike as an antenna to input to a GPS circuit I built (super light weight I may add) and LOTS more (experimental aluminized glass serving as rims...VERY strong and 1/6th the weight of titanium (lest you get any ideas, VERY expensive too!)). | | Bottom Line: | I still can't wait for the next issue. Hey, everything can be better...love it just the same! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Emily Raymer
a Racer
from Florence, Ky. USA
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | sub | | Strengths: | it works well as packing material if you shred it. | | Weaknesses: | nothing but fluff anymore | | Similar Products Used: | any that i have seen | | Bike Setup: | relevance? road and soon bianchi s.a.s.s | | Bottom Line: | i have read this zine since i was 15(i'm 21 now), and i can really see how much it has come down in quality. style man used to be funny and insulting, now he is flat and boring. i really don't care about clothing made from inner tubes, coffee makers, guys who get skinny riding a bike(really, amazing), or about a bunch of people who get free hybrid bikes. i can go on forever on this, but one more thing that i have to mention is that i really don't want to read the sex issue. i called to cancel my subscription five minutes after seeing that issue. i hate the fact that i can't give a lower rating than what i have, if there were negative # chili i would give bicycling that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Racer
from Caledonia mi
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Bottom Line: | This mag has really gone downhill in the past few years. Personally I am not at all interested in the philsophical view point of cycling or how some fat guy (that Mike Magnusun guy)got skinny. Shocking, exercise makes you lose weight. The only part that interests me is the Style section (it is the elitst racer boy in me, sorry to the true mountain riders). The rest, a waste, very filled with that philisophical side of it and other related short attention span headlines, I thought about upkeeping the subscription becuase I would get Mountain Bike as well, but Bicyling draged down that mag as well. (Plus Zap left, I liked him)A pitty really. My biggest gripe is the reviews. Please, they sound like the sales speeches i give to customers at Village Bike Grand Rapids (i work there), straight from the company reps mouth. I recomend Bike or Dirt Rag, and VeloNews or CycleSport for the racer types such as myself. Thanks for reading. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington, DC, USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Nothing comes to mind; see Bottom Line. | | Weaknesses: | 90% of the magazine is fluff. Some of the material is so absurd that you wonder if they're just joking--like the fashion spread of ladies dresses made out of bike inner tubes. When I get the magazine each month, I just start flipping pages looking for ANYTHING that's not either fluff or advertising. (The ads are often better than the copy, especially when there's something new out there.) And the product reviews? They could be the companies' own pre-release blurbs; there is NOTHING reviewed by anybody with a brain here. | | Similar Products Used: | Velonews. Dirt Rag. Bike. | | Bike Setup: | Road: Klein Quantum Race. Mtn: Specialized Stumpjumper FSRxc Disc. Stealer: Specialized Rockhopper Blue. | | Bottom Line: | I don't like this magazine. My Mom wouldn't like this magazine. BUT, I want to be fair, sometimes there is something good in it. The example that comes to mind was a review/listing of all the 50 states' + DC's long-distance rides. Putting that together took some work, and I saved it. When I think about a long ride--100 miles or so--I'm glad to have that list. But that was the good 10% hidden in the 90% drivel. Will I renew my subscription? 'Course not--there are much better bike magazines out there to spend the money on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Meadows
a Weekend Warrior
from van nuys ca usa
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | sycamore canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3.00 | | Purchased At: | ???? | | Strengths: | lines the bottom of the birdcage better than any other.... | | Weaknesses: | everything between the covers | | Similar Products Used: | dirt rag(the best), MBA(pretty good), mountain biking(started out good and went downhill) | | Bike Setup: | n/a | | Bottom Line: | wife got me a subscription to mountain biking. when that magazine got "folded" into bicycling i started getting it instead. now i know that everybody has to start someplace but come on!!!! its drivel!!! i cannot believe that people really ask the "questions" that they do! sounds more to me as if lazy editors are just throwing out the same stupid stuff every ten issues or so, seems like the same stuff comes up on a fairly regular basis. this magazine used to be ok a couple of years ago, those days are gone...save yer money and buy dirt rag...its the best there is. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike S
a Cross Country Rider
from WA
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | LAB sub | | Strengths: | Tries to cover the full spectrum of the cycling world. | | Weaknesses: | Content will disappoint the off-road enthusiast. | | Similar Products Used: | Dirt Rag, Bike SingleTrack, and all others | | Bike Setup: | Walmart Special, tricked out like xmas in july. | | Bottom Line: | I like this magazine because it covers the broad spectrum of cycling interest, from road biking, to commuting, to advocacy, and some mountain biking. Bicycling mag will disappoint the mountain bike crowd because there are few, if any, articles on off-road biking.
The content tends to consist of short headline type articles and graphics designed to give information quickely. There are often longer stories on various biking trips. I guess this magazine is geared more toward the older mature crowd, rather than younger mountain bikers. The mag goes along well with the League of American Cyclists' mission of advocacy and spreading the word of cycling. LAB is kind of the IMBA of on-road cycling, but they cater to everyone. The subscription actually comes free with LAB membership. If you are a person that likes cycling of ANY variety, than you might like this mag. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | many | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | has good information, expecially for the novice rider | | Weaknesses: | kinda boring | | Similar Products Used: | all of them | | Bike Setup: | who cares.. | | Bottom Line: | a great magazine for those new to biking or looking for something else to read about biking. I've subscribed for years (and really don't know why). I enjoy reading about biking and therefore will continue to subscribe. Every now and again something will draw interest, not not very often. I guess it is just a preference thing, but I prefer Bike and Dirt Rag to this magazine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Subscription | | Strengths: | None at this point. | | Weaknesses: | Not quite sure who this magazine is catering to. Most of the articles are not even remotely interesting. The format just does not flow very well at all. | | Similar Products Used: | Mountain Bike (also poor), Bike (not as bad). | | Bottom Line: | I originally had a subscription to both Bicycling and Mountain Bike up until 2 years ago when I let Bicycling run out. Now, the magazines have merged and you get both, but fewer times per year.
That being said, the July issue of Bicycling is probably the worst magazine I have read in recent memory. Not interesting at all. The accompanying issue of Mountain Bike was marginal at best. Once these subscriptions run out - that's it for me. I'll get my info online.
These magazines are a complete waste of money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Farmers, Branch, TX
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | almost anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3.00 | | Purchased At: | subscription | | Strengths: | Not really any now. Bicycling used to be good (by cyclists, for cyclists) but now it's for bike dilettantes. Too bad they don't still have Frank Berto and the gang. I subscribed to this for 15 or so years so I think I have room enuf to grip.... | | Weaknesses: | Form over function. I can get through an issue in one session in the "little room"! Large font's = less words = lot's of fluff! | | Similar Products Used: | Winning, Cyclesport, some older (early 70's) euro-racing rags. | | Bike Setup: | Bob Jackson Arrowhead 753 w/Campy Chorus (I know, it's a road bike. But I am about to get a Fisher Tassajara!!!) | | Bottom Line: | If it's a freebie then OK, else get something else or wait for them to turn it back over to real cyclists! Shame on you, Rodale!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christopher Powell
a
from D.C.
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Schafer Farms/all around D.C. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | I work at a bike store so it is free. | | Strengths: | Pictures that are sometimes worth looking at. If all I wanted was photos of people on bikes I would check out drunkcyclist, atleast they are naked | | Weaknesses: | Horrible recomendations about what to buy, and who to trust. I live and breath bikes every day, and I hardly agree with 20percent of what they say, even when they are supposedly stating a fact. | | Similar Products Used: | Dirt Rag(rules) MTB action(sucks to.) Velo News (if you want to know Euro read it.) | | Bike Setup: | Single Speed/ D.I.S.S/ Gunnar Crosshairs/ and soon a custom Waterford Track bike | | Bottom Line: | I read this toilet paper each month from cover to cover. Mostly it is to understand what hairbrained ideas they are trying to sell to the average consumer. I live in my shop over 50hrs a week. I have been riding since I was 8 and I will ride like "Herman" till the day I die. I understand that every company can and does make a good bike, but when it comes to reading, most periodicals suck. They sell a product and expect all people to throw down for the most expensive bikes on the market. Get real!!! I hate these rags that never talk about biking except to jump on the "New Product" bandwagon. If they rode more often then sitting around an office I would be shocked. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Dillsburg, PA
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | That's my little secret! | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | I got it in the mail for free! It was a test subscription. | | Strengths: | It's a great magazine. Lots of useful training and buying info. Lots of great reviews. I've used this rag to base my buying decisions on. | | Weaknesses: | The only weakness I could find was that there was too much focus on road cycling and too little focus on mountain biking and isn't that we're here for mountain bike related info. | | Similar Products Used: | Mountain Bike, Bike | | Bottom Line: | This is a great rag full of useful information. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Webster
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Hmmm. It's glossy? | | Weaknesses: | "Articles," Style over substance | | Similar Products Used: | Bike | | Bike Setup: | N/A | | Bottom Line: | Scattershot "articles" litter the pages. I get the feeling the more ad space bought, the better the review -- don't trust them. I'd probably subscribe if I wanted to know how to look better rather than ride better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ilakano
a Cross Country Rider
from Walnut Creek, CA
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | subscriber until 8/02 | | Strengths: | An occasional nice picture. | | Weaknesses: | There are no articles, just one paragraph blurbs, lists and columns. The reviews are meant to sell the advertisers products. The styleman reminds me of the many roadies I have encountered in the East Bay. Come to think of it, these guys are probably imitating the Styleman and actually take him seriously. | | Similar Products Used: | MBR(UK) and Dirt Rag. I recommend both of these. | | Bottom Line: | Don't waste your money like I did. I paid for a 12 issue subscription and only got 9 issues. Maybe that was a good thing because the magazine is so bad. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Earth
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Nice ads. | | Weaknesses: | You've got to be kidding... | | Similar Products Used: | Whatever the bookstore carries. | | Bike Setup: | Tommasini Sintesi. Yeti ARC. | | Bottom Line: | This is a review of both Bicycling and Mountain Bike Magazine. First, the reviews suck; they are too short. Second, do you really need an article on "Best Legs". What is that crap I'm reading, Cosmo? The political diarrhea Zap inserts into his colum (although he has toned it down at Mountain Biking). I don't need to read the Republican bashing, even if I agree with it or not. Too much motorcyle-related stuff. I thought this was a cycling magazine, not freakin' Motocross! About the only redeeming feature is the ads, though you can't credit the magazine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kay Aye
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | 7 | | Strengths: | What strength? | | Weaknesses: | Bought it cos I was bored N need some bike magazines to read. Pop up to my neighbourhood bookstore to grab a copy. Not much interesting read. Not much reviews. Nothing much to look at. | | Similar Products Used: | What Mountain Bike (UK mag...Excellent), Mountain Bike Action (quite good), Mountain Bike UK (Quite OK. Cos I M no downhiller) | | Bike Setup: | Does it matter? | | Bottom Line: | Dont bother. Just get other magazines. This magazine sucks. At least to me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy
a
from Boise, ID USA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | subscribED | | Strengths: | 1. colorful and amusing (sometimes)
2. good info in the "Ask" section toward the end of mag (except for Style Man, who has his head in the sand, and should be exiled to Italy)
3. Amidst the nonsense, there are some valueable articles.
4. They sent me a cute water bottle. | | Weaknesses: | 1. They talk about too much "cycling is the purpose of life" bull.
2. They never reply to anything you write them (at least via e-mail) unless you write it cleverly enough that it amuses them.
3. know-it-all attitude
4. Losing class, and getting scumier -- since when do dead raccoons reading porn have anything to do with cycling????
5. The SENIOR EDITOR admitted in a recent issue to having been dropped by a PREGNANT WOMAN -- think about that. | | Bottom Line: | Bicycling Mag is a lot of guff mixed in with a little stuff. I will not be renewing my subscription. Instead, I will go down to the book store once a month and skim through its pages in hopes of finding something worthwhile. They are not likely to get another dime out of me -- suckers! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
stinky
a Weekend Warrior
from north cal,usa
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$14.00 | | Purchased At: | subscription | | Strengths: | umm.....somthing to read on the toliet? many bikes and products tested | | Weaknesses: | it sucks! everthing from the binding to the product reviewe...it leaves me wanting more! | | Similar Products Used: | bike, mtb, mtba, mtbr, dirt rag | | Bottom Line: | im not gonna subscribe to bicycling next year! i think spending more on a mag like mountain bike rider or dirtrag is money better spent! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Cross Country Rider
from Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | gift from my wife | | Strengths: | To all the bad reviewers out there - do you really prefer to see all the ads in the other magazines? This magazine is a great, practical magazine for people like me who want some practical, logical information on cycling - whether road of off road. The other magazines are just a bunch of ads for overprices gadgets for preople with an unlimited budget. AS, when was the last time MTB Action gave me excersises to do at the gym to strengthen my riding? | | Weaknesses: | Unfortunatly, there is no Canadian equivalent. The Canadian cycling magazine is truly pathetic. | | Similar Products Used: | Mountain Bike Action, Bike magazine | | Bike Setup: | I have 3 - a Kawahara road for tri and dualthlons, a Norco Bushpilot for cycle commuting (complete with air horn to scare the bad drivers and a suspension seatpost for my tender tushy) and a Rocky Mountain Thin air for bashing around on weekends! | | Bottom Line: | If you want pracical tips - read it from cover to cover. If you want flashy ads and have a lots of money to spend on the lastest stuff - read one of the others. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a
from Tokyo Japan
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$7.00 | | Purchased At: | bookstore | | Strengths: | Occasionally interesting ads | | Weaknesses: | No articles with any depth. Can get more detailed, deeper info on a website. I think they tried to immitate the "website look" when they ruined this thing a few years back. As one guy mentioned, the Best Legs issue shows how far this useless rag have fallen. | | Similar Products Used: | CycleSport, Mountain Bike, Bike | | Bike Setup: | 2 wheels, frame, chain, seat, etc | | Bottom Line: | Let it die. Don't buy it unless you are in a real hurry and can't read articles or even paragraphs. Otherwise, if you'd like information, not just quick blurbs, and cute "inspirational" stuff, save your money. ' bucks an issue in Tokyo. Not worth $7 for 2 years. Generally, I don't expect a book in a magazine, but I do expect some information, not just trivia. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Medford Oregon
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$4.00 | | Purchased At: | had subscription | | Strengths: | Some decent articles, decent reveiws that's about it. | | Weaknesses: | In a word "boring" I'm not sure what the editors and writers really do for this magazine. Go out and find something interesting to write about!!! and while you're at it hire some photographers that like to go out and get dirty. Too many "stock" photos here. Let's see something on the trails! | | Similar Products Used: | bike, MBA, mountain bike | | Bike Setup: | doesn't matter | | Bottom Line: | One issue I received last year was just plain pathetic. It was some kind of "Best Legs" competition, with studio portraits of cyclists legs...give me a break, you've gone "cosmo" on us!! This magazine has gone way downhill in recent years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wrenchwench
a Racer
from Santa Rosa
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Purchased At: | subscription and bike shop | | Strengths: | Lots of blurbs that are motivational for when I'm riding or training. Training tips are just that: this isn't a manual; it's a magazine--lighten up! | | Weaknesses: | Need more articles, less pictures. | | Similar Products Used: | Velo Snooze (good only for euro cyclists who want to see their names in print) | | Bike Setup: | Bran new carbon fiver beauty I dedicated months to saving for :) | | Bottom Line: | Good light hearted magazine that makes me feel happy for being a cyclist, and that's what it all comes down to. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike b
a
from Sodom in the North
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | boggs | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$10000000000.00 | | Purchased At: | had a subscription once | | Strengths: | what?
| | Weaknesses: | way too many to type about in this space | | Similar Products Used: | most all of them | | Bike Setup: | this is a magazine review, not a bike review | | Bottom Line: | i agree with david in boston. this magazine is written by simps for simps.
the previous reviewer states that the reviews a more thorough than what he reads here. let me tell you something, my friend--i'd rather read reviews wrtten by real riders who pay real money who really care about how those parts purchased with their hard earned money perform--rather than something scribbled by some geek who's under pressure from a company to review their product, and hopefully say something good about it.
bicycling magazine is getting so bad i don't even look at it on the newsstand--it's just as bad as mountain biker.
how did a magazine this bad spawn something as good as mountain bike? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Albert
a Cross Country Rider
from Flagstaff, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | trailhead loop | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | good product reviews, inexpensive, relevant cycling information, style man is funny
| | Weaknesses: | none, it is everything I expected it to be | | Similar Products Used: | MBA, Mountain Bike | | Bike Setup: | not important | | Bottom Line: | I am not sure why everyone keep giving Bicycling bad reviews. These bad-rating-givers keep saying that there is no content in this magazine (maybe they should check out a good book from the library). I don't know what they mean by that because I find most of the writing in the magazine interesting and useful(and I am not of the 15 yr old demographic). I find the product reviews to be much more accurate and detailed than the reviews on this website. Not only is the magazine good at providing useful advice and information, it also is good at making you laugh( I refer to Style Man). The website is pretty good too. Bottom line: Bicycling Magazine is full of good all-around cycling information and very good product reviews, and you can't beat the price (11.97+1.97s/h for 11 issues). You'll probably spend more money this year on Skittles at the Piggly Wiggly than you will on Bicycling, so even if it doesn't have the kind of content you're looking for it'll be worth your money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Pretty pictures of bikes. "Buyer's Guide" is moderately comprehensive. The Style Guy makes me laugh sometimes. | | Weaknesses: | Written for beginners and/or morons. And I use the word "written" reluctantly. Uncritical criticism. | | Similar Products Used: | All of them. | | Bottom Line: | I won't restate all of the other criticisms mentioned here.
Instead, I'll add one of my own: There's hardly any writing in the magazine! Hasn't everyone else noticed how they've loaded up the magazine with lots and lots of quotes from riders? This stuff completely takes the place of actual journalism. In the name of "the tribe", the magazine is filled with useless quotes, and occassional (horrrible) Haiku!
It's completely shameless; Where the magazine used to actually have writing, it now has a collection of blurbs and non-sequitors that the editors collect from unsuspecting cyclists. And, incredibly, people actually buy this!
It's crap, and worse, it's insulting crap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from MS
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Briar Patch | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | I'm not paying! They just keep sending them! | | Strengths: | Free.
Bathroom trip length articles.
One article in 3 issues is actually worthwhile.
Writing is, in general, a cut above MBA's | | Weaknesses: | Miserable writing.
Jumpy-choppy format.
Clutters up mailbox.
| | Similar Products Used: | Dirt Rag (yum)
Mountain Bike (ok)
Mountain Bike Action (ugh; but the subscription was really cheap)
| | Bike Setup: | Too many bikes to list. | | Bottom Line: | Used to be an OK mag, but 95% of the content (and I use the term loosely) is breathless glossy pimping. Once in a while there's something worthwhile: last year an article on bike theft, this year's discussion of the most hellish moments in the TdF. But even these are written in that annoying choppy Entertainment Tonite!!! style.
Overall I give it 2 chilis, but only because that's the next to lowest mark here, and some VERY SMALL fraction of the articles are actually worth reading. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lou Hoebel
a Weekend Warrior
from Burnt Hills NY USA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | saratoga lake to hudson river | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$12.00 | | Purchased At: | subscriptioin | | Strengths: | glossy ads | | Weaknesses: | glossy ads | | Similar Products Used: | velo snooze; cycling week(british); cycle sport | | Bike Setup: | Co-Motion Co-Pilot ( just did the English High Peaks Park
and the Danube by Wein..nextmonth Sandia Peak) | | Bottom Line: | Trash....INFO-MERCIAL for advertisers.
I'm embarrased when it shows up inmy mailbox.
not even worth looking at for free. Don't take it seriously.
Very bad for Nu B riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
smokey strodtman
a Cross Country Rider
from gilliam, MO USA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | lots of 'em | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2.00 | | Purchased At: | subscription | | Strengths: | it arrives on time every month. | | Weaknesses: | content and articles. | | Similar Products Used: | dirt rag, MBA, mountain bike. | | Bike Setup: | this is a magazine review, it doesn't matter. | | Bottom Line: | just got my new issue of bicycling and one of their big features was a "best legs" contest. now what the hell does that have to do with bicycling? the stupid style man articles are a complete waste of time, too. part of their problem is spreading themselves too thin, trying to cover both mountain and road biking. the reviews should be longer and more detailed, it seems as though they are only interested in cramming in as many as possible each month. i'm getting a little tired of all the lance hero-worshipping, too. i admire the man and all his achievements and root for him every year on the tour, but does he have to dominate every other issue(or so it seems)? all those little tips they run at the bottom of every page are a waste of paper, too. after a while, you notice they use the same ones over and over. i bought a two year subscription on a special offer because i had heard this was a good magazine. apparently, things have changed a lot since then.
i WON'T be re-newing! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mountain Charlie
a Cross Country Rider
from Pollock Pines, CA
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3.00 | | Strengths: | None anymore, used to be balanced back in the early nineties. | | Weaknesses: | Typical Lame Ass advertising driven drivel | | Bottom Line: | This magazine used to be great. I remember reading it all the time from about 1987 to 1997. After that it has gone on a down hill journey that seems to never end. I don't know what they did with their writers but the kids they have doing the work now are idiots.
Bicycle Guide used to be a great magazine too, until it went out of business.
I really don't know how such a terrible publication stays in business, but there really isn't much competition these days. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Wrapping leftover fish. | | Weaknesses: | Not trustworthy. Ads and content are not defined. | | Bike Setup: | DBR Racing Ti. White Bros. XTR. Cane Creek. | | Bottom Line: | POS. You will get a much better sense of what's good out there by reading these reviews on MTBR. They should have a tag line on every cover that says, "Written for morons by morons." I sort of recall that this was an enjoyable magazine a few years back. It is no longer. I would for sure take their tech advice with a grain of salt. Seems like most of what's written is geared to pimp their advertisers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tobbe
a Weekend Warrior
from Göteborg, Sweden
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Stora Härsjörundan | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Subscription | | Strengths: | It covers many aspects of cycling, just like me. MTB, road, racing, touring, fitness, tech tips and much more. | | Weaknesses: | To much focus on the US. | | Bike Setup: | Everything from my tandem to my racing road bike. | | Bottom Line: | I've subscribed to Bicycling for many years now, and I truly like it. Once a month, there is good reading on every aspect of cycling. And because I do all possible types of cycling, this magazine fits me. As a foreign reader, I get a little fed up with all the US law talk, right to use trails etc. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jan Ullrich
a Downhiller
from Gothenburg, Sweden
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Finnmarksturen | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$6.00 | | Purchased At: | news stand | | Strengths: | Easy reading when I`m tired of the difficult texts in Cycle Sport. | | Weaknesses: | When I like a text in it, i always find it too short. The magazine bubbles on the surface of the cycling ocean and the guys that make thinks they knows everything. | | Similar Products Used: | Cycle Sport (rule!), Funsport Mountainbike and a couple of others. | | Bike Setup: | Carrera Gold Night, Campagnolo Record with Zipp carbon cranks, LEW King of the Mountain wheels, ITM The Stem/Bar, WR Compositi seatpost and Selle Italia SLR saddle. | | Bottom Line: | The mag is often childish. The net version is better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Baltimore
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Plenty of good facts written by someone who is actually trying to tell you about it. | | Weaknesses: | Too many one-liners of attempted off-the-cuff coolness that fall flat. Mostly useless reviews. Really aimed at non-advanced riders but acts like its aiming at advanced riders. | | Bottom Line: | I'm passing out five stars here to even out all the one-star juvenile grousing. Its humorous to read the juvenile, choppily-written reviews here complaining about how juvenile and choppily-written the magazine is!
Anyway on to the meat. What matters most is whether the writers care about what they are writing about and actually make an effort to communicate something. In spite of the large shortcomings the writers do care and the magazine is useful. In fact as someone who has not taken biking very seriously until recently I find it incredibly useful.
My baseline is various other sport mags I have subscribed to. For years I was a skiier. All those magazines TRULY suck. Then I was a major windsurfer for ten years. Windsurfing mag used to be good but it TOTALLY sucks now. If you think bicycing writing is bad please pick up Windsurfing. Their writers must have flunked high school.
So maybe Bicycling isn't what it used to be (I never knew) but its a lot better than the other sport mags I have run across. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Racer
from Endicott, NY
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Strengths: | Cheap | | Weaknesses: | Too many to list... bubble gum writing for people with no more than a 2-second attention span. It doesn't have any CONTENT!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Velonews, Cycle Sport | | Bike Setup: | Road riding and racing, Time Trialing | | Bottom Line: | The OLD Bicycling had class with great writing. I used to enjoy it for hours.
Then they fired their staff 3 years ago and turned the mag into junk. Just little cutesy quips and nothing of substance. They don't have writers anymore- none of the content runs more than a few sentences. You can't tell the ads from the articles. I don't recommend it even for beginning cyclists as I think it would turn them off.
I wish I could give Bicycling a negative score. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil McCracken
a Racer
from Oakland, CA - USA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Side-O | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2.00 | | Purchased At: | Whole Foods Market | | Strengths: | I'm not sure, because I didn't get to read it | | Weaknesses: | Impossible to say - I'd have to read it first | | Similar Products Used: | none yet | | Bike Setup: | I don't ride much anymore, since my brand new Superlight got stolen in February after my wife forgot to lock the garage door. I think I know who took it. | | Bottom Line: | You should read it and make up your own mind. I haven't had the time to do so myself, but will report back to you all here when I do. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ilakano
a Cross Country Rider
from walnut creek,ca
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Its a secret Dude | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$12.00 | | Purchased At: | subscribe | | Strengths: | Nice pictures of chi chi carbon roadbikes and titanium mountain bikes that I can't afford. The chick with the vacumn cleaner in the Schwinn ad always gets my attention. | | Weaknesses: | Short, lame articles written for the intellectually challenged. Basically shills for the corporations. | | Similar Products Used: | Bike, Dirtrag, and cough cough Mountain Biking | | Bike Setup: | Totally irrelevant | | Bottom Line: | I made a big mistake and subscribed to this magazine instead of Bike or Dirtrag. Never again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
norm
a Cross Country Rider
from canadia
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | twisty | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3.00 | | Purchased At: | the store | | Strengths: | Metal Cowboy | | Weaknesses: | Bad writing, and blatant misinformation. It's all sidebars and no articles. Reading it makes me angry. | | Similar Products Used: | Dirt Rag, Bicycle Guide, Mountain Bike, Mercury Rising, Urban Death Maze | | Bike Setup: | fixed gear with fenders | | Bottom Line: | There is so much misinformation in here designed to sell advertisers' product that it would be funny if people didn't believe it. I've been happily doing things that they say are impossible (like using white lithium car grease on my bearings, $10 for a lifetime supply) for years.
I'm getting back into road riding more and more, but I still only read Dirt Rag. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a
from Los Gatos, California
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Small, compact size just perfect for swatting insects | | Weaknesses: | Content sucks | | Similar Products Used: | Cycle Sport, Velo News, Mountain Bike | | Bottom Line: | A once good magazine that has really turned into trash after they canned the original editors a few years ago. Reviews and articles used to span several pages, but now, it's all short attention span junk. There used to be articles on trails and rides throughout the country, but now, the best they can do is a partial page that refers to a product from some guided tour company. Even worse, they've adopted this pseudo-Zen theme that is so incredibly annoying. There is minimal race coverage, even of major races like the Tour. But what really angers me the most as a longtime subscriber, is that they keep referring you to their website for "more." What the hell is that? Why should I buy the magazine if I can get it all AND MORE online for free? I guess if you were a total newbie there might be some value, but only for maybe 6 months, tops. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Flemington, NJ USA
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Ads | | Weaknesses: | Inadequate balance between MTB and Road cycling. The so-called "style/word usage" is neither appealing NOR exciting to anyone with more than half a brain. | | Similar Products Used: | 56 cm Trek, steel. Cinelli tourer, 54 cm - Model B - very old and now a collector item I am told. | | Bike Setup: | Bianchi Veloce 1999. New Rivendell Road on order: 58 cm and mostly Campy components, it will have a Zeus freewheel of 14-18-22-26-30 (an oldie, but goodie), triple CW @48-44-28 with Stronglight BB, Nitto bars @ 44cm and old-style downtube shifters. With a number of titanium pieces here and there it should come in at just under 21lbs. | | Bottom Line: | What ever happened to the "good old magazine" that this used to be? It is now pretty much a 'junk-fest,' unfortunately. The format, layout and 'new' design are simply pitiful. It is hard to read, hard to follow and I no longer subscribe. The blame for the ruination of this has-been must rest with the management of Rodale Press; what WERE you thinking about when you sought to "improve" your magazine? It used to be mine, too; No More! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bram
a Weekend Warrior
from Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | subscription | | Strengths: | Covers both road and MTB. "Love" and "Style" sections are fun bathroom reads. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't cover them very well. Repetetive content (no problem for the first three issues), very short reviews. | | Similar Products Used: | BIKE, Dirt Rag, Internet | | Bike Setup: | It isn't; it's currently spread throughout my room. | | Bottom Line: | The first few issues were great, mostly because it's loaded with quick tips. I like the "love" and "style" sections. Then I started looking for some content... didn't find it, unless you mean ads. Reviews are too short and not informative (you can learn as much from the manufacturers' web sites). And worst of all... "love" and "style" started repeating the same stuff over and over and over again.
Buy this at the newsstand until you get bored of it. Chances are that will be within the year. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a Weekend Warrior
from riverside, AL, USA
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | oak mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | subscription | | Strengths: | good feature stories and training tips | | Weaknesses: | product and bike reviews aren't long enough. the magazine itself is too short. Style Man; what a jerk. hven't seen many maintenance sections written for the beginner. | | Similar Products Used: | mountain bike, mountain bike action, etc. | | Bike Setup: | doesn't matter. people, when you review a product and give your bike setup, only write about what is related to the product. when reading a seatpost review, i don't want to hear what color your gris are. | | Bottom Line: | this is a good magazine for just about anyone. there aren't many other magazines out there that are written for mountain bikers AND roadies. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DR. DRE
a Weekend Warrior
from BOOGIE-DOWN PRODUCTIONZ
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | STEEP & TECHNICAL | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3.00 | | Purchased At: | ANY DECENT MAGAZINE STAND | | Strengths: | GOOD ADVICE FOR EVERY TYPE OF RIDER. THEY ALSO R VERY GOOD AT COVERING GBOTH MOUNTAIN AND ROAD BIKE INFO. | | Weaknesses: | I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE PRODUCT REVIEWS. AND MORE TRAIL AND ROAD PICS. | | Similar Products Used: | MOUNTAIN BIKE, MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION, BIKE, MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDER, MTB INTERNATIONAL, | | Bike Setup: | FREE RIDE BABY!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Bottom Line: | GOOD MAGAZINE, BUT IF YOUR A MTBer YOU MIGHT NOT DIG IT THAT MUCH AS OPPOSED TO THE OTHERS, THAT GO ALL OUT AND REPRESENT MTBing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paisley Rioux
a
from Near the Delaware
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | The ads | | Weaknesses: | Flip editorial tone
Layout is SO confusing | | Bike Setup: | Little red trike | | Bottom Line: |
Pick up this magazine once a year to see what's new on the market. Don't bother trying to gain any knowledge from the articles, however. It's a waste of time and effort, because the reader often can't distinguish the ads from the editorial content. The editors have adopted a sneering, know-it-all tone, particularly in the Letters section. I thought poking fun of readers expired with Spy magazine. Overall it reminds me of Thrasher, the skateboarding magazine. Bicycling desperately wants to be taken seriously, but it's hard to do so when clearly it's chasing the 15-year-old demographic. Ugh. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan of the Desert
a Cross Country Rider
from California
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any road that gets me there | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$4.00 | | Strengths: | Great pictures, concise product reviews. Also good advice for beginning to intermediate riders | | Weaknesses: | Few in-depth articles. Most attempts at humor (such as style man) are a bit on the juvenile side of the spectrum. The organization of the magazine is bewildering -- difficult to find some of the information the cover banners crow about. | | Similar Products Used: | If it's about bikes, I've read it!
| | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Peloton | | Bottom Line: | This magazine is slick and professional in appearance. Unfortunately, it can't seem to decide on an identity -- is it a bicycling Reader's Digest or Mad Magazine? Good reviews make it a worthwhile read, though | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cameron Vale
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Bookman's used books | | Strengths: | Great photos, colorfull, filled with smart alec comments in color boxes around articles. No heavy reading skills necessary. | | Weaknesses: | It's too thin, there should be more about road bikes. | | Similar Products Used: | Is there any other road bike mags? | | Bottom Line: | It'll give you a quick fix, like on a rainy day, when you can't get out. But it's like the MAD mag, it entertains for the short time it takes you to get through it, but ultimately leaves you angry, envious, and empty. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Y
a Weekend Warrior
from Holland, MI
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Weaknesses: | Virtually Contentless. Gives bad advice. | | Bottom Line: | This magazine isn't worth the paper it is printed on. There are virtually no articles that convey any useful information. They make big promises like "Make your bike faster with a 10 minute tune up" when all they do is tell you how to lube a dirty chain. The skills column is Darwinism in action. Anyone who thinks that they can learn to J-hop onto the back of a pickup truck or straddle the edge of a cliff from reading a blurb from Bicycling magazine is going wind up eliminating themselves from the gene pool. There is just not enough information presented in this magazine for anyone to make an informed decision about anything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
K. Geist
a Racer
from Pennsylvania
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Great articles on the "love" of cycling. Some really good, deap articles. | | Bottom Line: | Not a good magazine for race coverage or schedules. Good for beginner to advanced fitness, nutrition, and training information. The buying section also covers bikes to clothing to accesories. Good overall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Abel M
a Racer
from Pasadena, Ca, US
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Covers both mt. biking and road cycling, very informative, cool pictures, how to's are veru good. | | Weaknesses: | Short topics and cluttered information | | Similar Products Used: | Bike mag, Triathlete, & Inside Triathlon | | Bike Setup: | Who cares...you don't need a bike to read a magazine. | | Bottom Line: | This is a pretty good magazine. I am an active mt. biker and cyclist and this magazine covers both subjects. It is very informative and doesn't seem to dwell on junk subjects like other magazines do. The only problem I have with this magazine is that they have a lot of cluttered information in it. They have a bunch of insert topics that are interesting, but they do not elaborate on them. Besides that, this is a good magazine and I will continue to pick it up every month. Like the previous reviewer said, "When it gets down to it, this mags about bikin'. Thats what it's all about."
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
XCR
a Racer
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Dan's | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | When it gets down to it, this mags about bikin'. Thats what it's all about. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Canzogal
a Cross Country Rider
from San Mateo, California
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Covers both MTB and Road; great fitness sections; Style Man | | Weaknesses: | Maybe too many ads - but that's what pays for the magazine, right? Plus the event calendar could be better. | | Similar Products Used: | Mountain Bike; Velo News; Mountain Bike Action; Women's Sports & Fitness | | Bike Setup: | two bikes - Specialized Rockhopper A1 Comp and Allez Comp | | Bottom Line: | Unlike some reviewers, I appreciate that Bicycling covers both MTB and road bikes, since I 'go both ways'. For the most part, I find the new format very easy to read. Even my husband reads it, since the articles are now short enough to hold his interest. Bicycling's product reviews have always been the best part of the magazine, but I really enjoy reading the letters and Style Man. The Fitness articles are always informative and interesting, as well as the occasional travel articles. All in all, a good read! and a good subscription value - I would recommend it to any newbie wanting to learn more about cycling, be it MTB, road, or both! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ghetto Ridah
a Weekend Warrior
from Glendale, CA
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bottom Line: | I like this mag because I could read it in about 30 seconds. I pick it up off the news stand and go straight to the buyer's guide/product review section where they feature single page reviews of bikes. I skip the road bikes but check out each MTB reading the six or seven full sentences in the single page.
I would never pay money for this magazine. I can get everything out this magazine for free in 30 seconds.
I have to give it 2 chilis because it is better than any mag (Mountain Bike) that Zap works at. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
WALT
a Weekend Warrior
from LEXINGTON KY USA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | nice photos | | Weaknesses: | What happened? | | Similar Products Used: | mbtr.com Mountain Bike Mag Velo News | | Bike Setup: | Trek 2200 roadie/ C-Dale SV 800 | | Bottom Line: | What a difference a few years make. When I first got into the sport the mag was great. Lots of information and good reviews. Here is a good example of then and now.
1993 Buyers Guide....(Primarily roady stuff)but it was almost 300 pages with every bike and product imaginable.
2000 Buyers Guide....about 150 pages nice photos only 4 or 5
bikes from each catagory...in short pretty worthless.
It used to be great and now it is only a shadow of its former self | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SJ Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from SJ, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The one less traveled. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Pretty Pictures. Relatively Cheap, Easy to find. They have a website with only the "big" articles. | | Weaknesses: | Rather Light and Fluffy Product Reviews, many seem paraphrased from Catalogs and Press Releases.
Flimsy Paper won't last...I wonder if it is meant to biodegrade with finger oils...
| | Similar Products Used: | too many bike mags... | | Bike Setup: | Can I count my Bikes in the Census as Dependents? If I can then I'll tell you more. | | Bottom Line: | Can't shake the feeling that this used to be something...I don't know why I pick it up, I think it was out of habit from way back when...I guess they used to be a good mag... well, atleast I'm not buying it anymore, even if I waste 15 minutes flying through it. Still don't know why it's not only a buck though, has anyone ever weighed it with adverts and then taken them out and weighed it again? I think it would be a neat project.
At the very least it is written by adults...adults who have children, houses, cars, boats, bikes, and lots of things to pay off...Adults who seem afraid of losing their jobs as many people are...
They write reviews.
They answer mail.
They print press releases.
But are they journalists... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John H
a
from Texas
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | deserted | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | The pages don't fall out | | Weaknesses: | Advertising, one page lame reviews, writing at an 8th grade level, weak attempts at humor, they have stop coverage of recumbents,I learn much more at MTBR.COM!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Everything else | | Bike Setup: | 88 Specialized Rockhopper Comp
99 Nils Palm Wind 72, full suspension SWB recumbent | | Bottom Line: | Bicycling used to have extensive coverage on anything that had to do with bicycles. They reported on MTBs back in the late 70's and kept everyone abreast of all things that rolled under human power. I ride MTBs and recumbents and like to know what is going on in those fields. No more recumbent coverage due to the morons at Rodale "we suck and are proud of it" Press.
It could be a good mag for people that have just started cycling or have not seen the old Bicycling magazine. Used to be thick with bicycle reviews, now thin with advertising and weak ass humor.
No wonder bicycle sales are sliding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Giordana
a Racer
from Texas
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
Somewhere in the Hill Country | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
the pictures, I guess. | | Weaknesses: |
Hmm, well, I dunno | | Similar Products Used: |
most all other bicycle magazines | | Bike Setup: |
my bikes: Bianchi Eros and a Frankenbike mountain bike. | | Bottom Line: | I think this magazine is fine for a magazine. It keeps me entertained when I'm bored and have nothing better to do. I don't see what all the hulabaloo is about concerning the format, it's a *magazine* for cripe's sake! 5 stars for having pictures, articles, and ads. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chad
a Racer
from s,c
Date Reviewed: December 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
issaqueena lake area | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
good detailed stories, they review the newest and most popular bikes | | Weaknesses: |
not enough pages | | Similar Products Used: |
bike magizine, moutian bike magizine | | Bike Setup: |
gary fisher xo | | Bottom Line: | worth the money | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stu
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ottawa, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 7, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Burma Rd | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
lots of balanced information
no shoot-outs in every issue | | Weaknesses: |
the new format | | Similar Products Used: |
MBA
Bike
Mountain Biking | | Bottom Line: | They took a decent magazine chewed it up and barfed that new format. Maybe it works for the 14 year old snowboarder types. They need to go back to something a little more conventional. The articles, if you can read them, have a fair amount of information in them. 4 for the info but 2 for the format | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Curtis
a Cross-Country Rider
from Detroit, MI
Date Reviewed: November 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Still a balance between road and MTB
Recognizes that not all riders are elite level racers. | | Weaknesses: |
New format is a big mistake. | | Similar Products Used: |
MBA
Dirt
Cyclist | | Bottom Line: | I have been with Bicyclin for years. I was always happy with the mag. I liked the balance. They seemed to be the only ones who remember when there were no mountain bikes. They also appealed to riders of every age and ability. Most of the new MTB mags seem geared only to ultra-high performance and pro wanna-be racers. Bicycling spoke to those people, but also to the recreational rider; those people who are just happy to be outside on their bikes. I renewed year after year.Having said all that, I believe I will not renew next time around. The new format is just AWFUL!! I can't tell where the articles...excuse me, there ARE NO articles anymore...where the blurbs end and the ads begin. If McDonalds is your idea of great food, then this mag is probably for you: fast and cheap. It looks like USA Today: all sound bites and cute blurbs with no substance, no emotion in the writing. I think what Truman Capote said about Kerouac applies very well to the new Bicycling: That's not writing, it's typing One flamer 'cuz they won't let me do zero. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Old Crank
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: November 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Recycling it gives me the warm fuzzies.
No bothersom distinctions between advertising and articles. | | Weaknesses: |
Where have all the writers gone? Maybe the past writers and editors now fired should start their owm mag the way Bicycling used to be. No content, no intrest. No focus. After more than 10 years, I'm not renewing. | | Similar Products Used: |
Most domestic and some foreign | | Bottom Line: | Don't waste your $. Get Velo News instead. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rafael
a Weekend Warrior
from San Juan, PR
Date Reviewed: October 12, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Suzua in Puerto Rico | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Easy to find | | Weaknesses: |
What the hell was last issue? Cycling's answer to USA Today, only unintelligible | | Similar Products Used: |
Velonews, Cycle Sport, Bicyclist(dead), Mountain Bike, Bike... | | Bike Setup: |
Bianchi B.A.S.S., Sunn Revolt Flex | | Bottom Line: | My, My, My, what a strange trip it has been... Bicycling Magazine used to be a pretty descent, informative if not repetitive rag, mostly for people new to the scene, but readable and informative none the less. However, in its last version (after Rodale Press fired all their writers and editors), it has become completely worthless. Not only is the information unreadable and the fromat incomprehensible, but the magazine itself has no focus. On the other hand, if you want Bicycling back, just buy the substitution: Mountain Bike Magazine, which has now become Rodale Press' 50% mountain bike 50% road bike magazine. One flaming chili, but it deserves none. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will McKnight
a Weekend Warrior
from toledo,oh
Date Reviewed: October 11, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
none | | Weaknesses: |
don't know where to start | | Similar Products Used: |
all of them | | Bottom Line: | Gone in the past 3 years from decent to barely readable to the absolute pits. I can't imagine who this magazine appeals to. Thankfully my subscription is almost up!One star is too good for this magazine. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross-Country Rider
from Elkhart In
Date Reviewed: October 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
still looking | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Old ones were decent | | Weaknesses: |
Where to start...
Pathetic articles!
Really could use an editor
Hector's First Ride
Looks like a USA today charts page | | Similar Products Used: |
Dirt Rag
Mountain Bike
Mountain Bike Fiction (sorry Action) | | Bike Setup: |
Does it really matter here? | | Bottom Line: | The magazine used to be decent. I liked the older ones, they had decent reviews and a few articles that I could use. I got one again recently... Don't think that'll happen agian.More misinformation than any other mag out there. I really loved the tech tips (I didn't know it was April yet...) If you can't get you saddle to stop squeaking, wear a CD player. Or take an adjustable wrench and hammer to your handlebars to get off grips. Hey you with that carbon bar, can I try that? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Okie
a Cross-Country Rider
from Blanchard, Oklahoma
Date Reviewed: September 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Chicken Barn Road | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
It comes ever month or so...Looks good in my bathroom by the toilet... | | Weaknesses: |
To many to list... They start to hound you to renew your subscription after only a coulple of months of getting it, what is up with that? And hey, where are my 2 free books anyway? | | Similar Products Used: |
Cycle Sport (the best bike mag out there) | | Bike Setup: |
Raliegh M80 stock, Ritchey speedmax tires | | Bottom Line: | I got a subsription as a gift. If you get it for a year you will have all and everything these cats from Bicycling will ever have to say. Like their sister mag Men's Health it too is redundant and airy. A few common sense tips here and there, insider secrets like how to change a tire or raise your seat post, and no real articles about anything. It is good reading for the bathroom, but other than that.... One good thing is I found a great place to get bib shorts in the classifieds! YEA!!!!! If you want to waste your money on something buy twinkies instead of this mag, and feel good knowing that you saved a tree. :) If I could go with 0 stars I would, they should be ashamed of this fodder. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray
a Cross-Country Rider
from State College, PA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Does not cost much for a subscription. | | Weaknesses: |
Does not contain much of anything useful, just a bunch of BS. | | Similar Products Used: |
BIKE
Mountain Bike | | Bottom Line: | I am ashamed I purchased a one year subscription to this mag. It is so bad, which is a shame because it used to be so good (pre 1996)
This month they had a series of articles on how to maintain the look (not the fitness) of a biker during the winter if you stop riding. They also had a article about which type of rack to use to project the image you deisre to those in the bike community and those not in the bike community. I fully expect an article next month on how the colour of the underside of your saddle can help you find new sexual partners. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross-Country Rider
from Woodstock, GA
Date Reviewed: August 22, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Carter's Lake | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Good to read if you are bored | | Weaknesses: |
Not much about MTB! | | Similar Products Used: |
Mountain Biker, Bike, Mountain Bike, Maximum Mountain Bike, etc. | | Bottom Line: | This magazine is good if you ride a road bike...but it doesn't have crap about MTB! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Liam
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: July 25, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Good for starting fires at our family cabin. As a last resort, a good substitute for toilet paper. | | Weaknesses: |
I don't know who the target market is but it sure as hell isn't dedicated cyclists. | | Similar Products Used: |
Bike, Mountain Bike | | Bike Setup: |
best set-up is crumpled up under kindling in the woodstove. | | Bottom Line: | It's no wonder this magazine is in financial trouble. It's pathetic. Sorry, but it truly caters to yuppie wannabe posers who need tips on how to trim their nostril hairs and look at themselves in the mirror. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cat Daver
a Cross-Country Rider
from Richmond,VA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Still Exploring | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Great articles,and covers both the worlds of road and mountain biking. Keeps me up to date with new products | | Weaknesses: |
Been something lacking lately | | Similar Products Used: |
Most of the major bike mags | | Bottom Line: | I really like this mag. This mag has taught me alot about techniques, new products, and quick fixes to name a few. I don't get out much to shop, but when I see a new interesting product I go check it out at the LBS. Otherwise I wouldn't know about it and couldn't bug the store to order it for me. I like that this gives you the world of both road and mountain biking, not just one like other mags.Lately thou I have been disappointed with the mag but I do like their home page on the net, kept me up to date with the Tour de France emails.They do have nice training tips, plus they do review bikes and other gear in different price ranges so it fits all types of budgets.They show what products are out there for women, so thats nice.I recommend this to bikers wanting to learn about new products, training tips,techniques, and mechanical fixes. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Eastwood
a Weekend Warrior
from Prince Rupert Bc
Date Reviewed: July 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Has none. | | Weaknesses: |
Were should i begin. | | Similar Products Used: |
Mountain bike action
Mountain Bike | | Bike Setup: |
Norco sasquatch indy c stx | | Bottom Line: | There is only crappy reviews and pictures. They dont even show any real mountain bikers.A total waste of money period. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray
a Cross-Country Rider
from State College, PA
Date Reviewed: May 3, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Was very good a while ago. | | Bottom Line: | Used to be great. really started to degrade in Fall of 1997. I gave up and did not renew in January 1998. just bought two issues and I regret doing so. :( Maybe after Bob Rodal passing away has changed all of their mags? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will Mcknight
a Cross-Country Rider
from Whitehouse,oh
Date Reviewed: April 9, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
does have some bike related articles | | Weaknesses: |
too cute, too basic, toomuch crap | | Similar Products Used: |
all of them | | Bottom Line: | going down hill fast, 1/2 chilli rating | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mick
a Cross-Country Rider
from Los Angeles, California
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Girls in the photos | | Weaknesses: |
only caters to beginners | | Similar Products Used: |
all the rest | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 9900/RS and Cannondale CAAD 4 road | | Bottom Line: | It seems like in every issue, the first half is about numb dick and the second have is about how to prepare for your first century. These guys are rookie!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a cross-country rider
from MA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Unfortunately, this is a notice about CYBER CYCLERY's magazine subscription come-on. This is a FRAUDULENT site. They try to get people to send them their credit card numbers for discounted magazine subscriptions. DON'T DO IT! I did last year and I have only gotten fraudulent charges to my credit card. Nothing but grief. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BobC
a weekend warrior
from RI
Date Reviewed: March 8, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Well.. got another free subscrition so I kept getting it. With the loss of the
last of the editors ( I now wonder if they were stopped from being the
writers of the past.. good indepth stuff ). The problem today is that people
here and now don't know the stuff that was written by the previous generation
of editors.. the last of them now gone. Those were well written articles, indepth, and they actually picked a product as best due to XYZ reasons. It was 3-4 times as thick as the magazine of today. It is now tailored to those that have a lot to spend.. always targeting the latest addition or chi chi. Those that have been riding a while understand the magazine has fallen a lot. That's the said thing.. History is forgotten.. and what's less than great writing/indepth articles.. has become 'great' to the current readers that want the latest chi chi.. You get better information online. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Uncle Kevin
a cross-country rider
from Sayreville, NJ USA
Date Reviewed: March 4, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had a subscription for about two years and quite frankly I like it. They seem to have found a pretty good balance between road/mountain and riding/racing. I've gotten some good tech tips and all the reviews of products I've seen or owned seem to be right on. They also do reviews on ALL price range bikes and gear not just the stuff that sponsored racers and trust fund kids can afford. Only complaint is I'd like more MTB riding articles but I guess that is what MTB specific mags are for. Great mag if you want to be a well rounded biker. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BT
a weekend warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: March 3, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Man, do I recall the good old days when this mag has tons of articles (nearly 200pages). Till '93, this mag had helpful tips on saving money ranging from sunglasses, repairs, to biking drinks (or homemaking your own). Is this even the same mag? It has since fallen into the same pit as Mountain Biker where hype, urban myths (count the ways THEY can twist the laws of physics), and the cash qualifiers--$200 sunglasses are a must. They do not even bother to find out the SIMPLEST scientific basis for their claims. Nowadays, $2500 steel bikes are mysteriously, infinitely better than regular steel bikes? Why? How? Proof? Nope, only cause they say so. If they were like the good old days, easily 5 chilis. Not worth much nowadays except to the advertisers. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sabertooth
a cross-country rider
from Buffalo
Date Reviewed: March 2, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I am in my second year of my subscription to bicycling and I am impressed. Each issue has tips on maintainence, riding techniques, interesting articles, and interviews. Its worth the subscription and I would recomend it to any recreational or amateur bicylist. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darrell
a racer
from Round Mountain, NV
Date Reviewed: March 1, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This magazine is really great. A lot of people here are knocking points off because they mix road and mountain biking together. That's because there are those of us out here who ride both and enjoy reading about more than just
one style. If you want just mountain bikes, go somewhere else and the same goes for the pure roadies. One other item of interest is that bicycling was nominated last year as one of the top 5 magazines on the racks period. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
intheknow
a cross-country rider
from Colorado USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
KNowledgable enthusiasts are the soul of any special-interest publication, and Bicycling Magazine has just lost its soul. Virtually all of the editors who actually lived and breathed cycling have just been fired by Rodale Press. The guy who set a cross-country record -- gone. The staff of the CA office, who rode double centuries and grew up wrenching and riding -- gone. Now the corporate get-alongs in charge of MountainBike are also the head guys at Bicycling, and they can barely pedal a bike. Basically, all the good writers, true dyed in the wool bikies, folks you've looked to for insightful, unbiased info, folks you'd would have liked to have met, ridden with, swapped bike stories with, asked bike tech tips of -- they are all gone as of this posting. Left are the corporate bean counters, who are trimming the fat in preparation of the sale of Rodale Press sometime down the road. So if you thought Bicycling was looking a little lame, compared to its heyday in the 80s and early 90s, well, standby, it's gonna get a whole lot worse, with wholesale sucking up to major advertisers, and none of the insight you've come to expect from the (former) staff of cycling enthusiasts. It's a sad day for the cycling world, the corporate scumsuckers win again, while we all lose. Let Rodale know how you feel by voting with your pocketbook next time your renewel notice shows up. For more info, see the VeloNews site. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a weekend warrior
from Philippines
Date Reviewed: February 20, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
A great Mag. I have been riding for the last 12 years, I used to have a racer, but am riding a hardtail MTB now. All those years of riding my roadbike and through my transition to Mountain Bikes, this Mag has never failed to support and entertain me. It has always kept the sport alive thru some realistic, beginner friendly, and thorough review articles. It's not solely geared for the hardcore cyclist, in fact, it has something for everyone. And its coverage of the medical aspects of cycling is awesome. Probably the only thing I don't like about it is that it is becoming increasingly thinner, put in more articles! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hugh G. Rection
a cross-country rider
from Bonerville, OR
Date Reviewed: February 15, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Of all the cycling-related magazines on the market, Bicycling has fallen off the back. It seems as though it is aimed for the old and feeble with health tips about H-roids and aching, arthritic backs. The reviews are way off and seem to be biased against mountain bikes. Yet when you are sitting on the throne and need something to read and are done with MBA, Mountain Bike and Bike, you will still have something to read in Bicycling. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rod
a weekend warrior
from san jose, ca
Date Reviewed: February 3, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
a great mag w/lots of pertinent articles. however, you need to appreciate intelligence, good writing and the ability to read to really get the most out of this magazine. i suggest this magazine for those who appreciate good writing. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan
a cross-country rider
from Jacksonville, IL
Date Reviewed: January 24, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I love Bicycling magazine because it doesn't assume that your a cycling junkie in as much as it's articles use real lanquage vs. the shop-talk you hear on the track. I like the fact that it asks and answers even the most basic of questions. This helps promote a magazine that is beginner friendly. Most cycling magazines are geared toward the professionals and those who have the purchasing power of the pros. Bicycling isn't that pretentious. Bicycling seems to be geared toward the indavidual with real usable advice on technique, new gear, and general cycling questions. I can't say enough about the magazine. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil...
a cross-country rider
from Alaska
Date Reviewed: December 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been a subscriber for a few years now, beginning initially with a free subscription from Performance Bicycle (mail-order company) for being a good customer or something. Funny but I didn't order from them after that for about two years...anyway thanks Performance. I enjoyed the Mag enough to resubscribe. While I am mostly a cross-country MTB rider, I do jump on my vintage European road bike (circa late sixties very early seventies-its older than I am) with mostly Campy components and a Reynolds 231 frame. So the mix of Road and MTB cycling suits me fine. I have always preferred variety in life as well as in the Mags I read. I even enjoyed the article on the All-terrain Unicyclist, who just happens to be a fellow Alaskan (an earlier reviewer was irked by the idea of a unicycle in a bicycling mag... maybe they should try expanding their horizons...*grin*).
Bicycling has been a fine mag., their writers' enthusiasm has kept me pedaling, and inspired me to try new things, and go new places. The magazine has recently changed in some subtle fashion... its hard to put a finger on... maybe its slicker with the glue binding instead of the staples... maybe its a little more contrived, and a little less freewheeling in spirit and general format. I don't know, maybe all the money made by selling SUV and Luxury car ads has come at a price... I can't really say... except that my general satisfaction has probably dropped a notch since I received my first issue... and its not because I have been a subscriber for a few years either... I still wait ever expectantly for my issues, its just that most of the issues I have seemed somewhat hollow...
I particularly like their combination of Bicycling event write-ups and Bike reviews. Their article on the 24 hours of Canaan and the MTBs test ridden there was a good combo. I appreciate their honesty... the Rockshox Indy/Jett? fork that broke on one of the testers... Then in the next issue they showed the fork, and commented on how some manufacturers were unhappy with their product testing. Bummer, maybe that's why they have so many Car ads, they have offended too many bike related manufacturers. I can say I have looked, but haven't found any Rockshox ads lately...
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Juan
a cross-country rider
from Idaho
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I love Bicycling Magazine. It is now the only magazine that I take time from my busy schedule to read. The content is mature, the gear reviews are honest and accurate, and the articles inspire me to RIDE! My only suggestion for improvement is to make an issue available every single month, especially during the winter... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nias
a cross-country rider
from PORTLAND,OR
Date Reviewed: October 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This magazine is for people who love to ride (road and/or mountain), not techno-gear nuts. It's the only one that really hits any aspect of cycling beyong parts or the results of the pro-race circuit, or who does true comparison test of mid-price products (the ones that most of us 40 hour a week, non-trust fund types will probably consider). I'm not always looking for a new bike to buy. Howvever, I'm not always sure that the people doing the reviews of equipment really know what they are talking about (remember the 5 stars for Onza Ho pedals?) Anyway, probably the best mag along side dirt rag. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Air Ace
a cross-country rider
from Super Canuckville USA
Date Reviewed: October 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I really used to look forward to my Bicycling mag arriving each month and I'd drop everything to read this rag. No more.When it was all road, they had really neat feature bikes, etc. I don't know what it was specifically, but the mix provided a really interesting read. Sadly, this is no longer the case, and my mag sits for weeks (months?) until I get to it.Let's start with the inclusion of mountain bikes. Personally, I don't want to read about them in a primarily road magazine. I already have 2 mtb subscriptions, and I don't need a half-assed attempt at coverage here. Let's face it, if Bicycling were really serious about the sport, they wouldn't have been swayed toward mountain biking in the first place.Second, the articles seem to be so repetitive, but I guess that's not entirely their fault. Maybe there's just not a whole lot to say about the sport month after month.Here are my suggestions:
1. Change back to a road-only format.
2. Write some interesting articles. Stretch a bit and get past the nutrition tips type of stuff.
3. Change to a bi-monthly distribution. If there's nothing to say, wait until you have something interesting to put down.Anyhow, there's my 2 cents. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Marchant
a
from Norwich, NY
Date Reviewed: September 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I find your magazine to be very informative and interesting. I subscribe to others as well, but I do consider Bicycling to be at the top of the list. However, my main reason for e-mailing is to get a message to Bill Humphreys. We met at the Ride for the Roses this year in Austin. Bill introduced me to Chris Carmichael on the first day of the expo when things were quiet. We also had a few nice conversations throughout the weekend event. Anyway's, I wanted to see if this gets to Bill just to say hello and drop me a line sometime. From the info above, I'm sure he hasn't got a clue who I am.Regards,DOUG | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eboos
a racer
from Santiago, Chile
Date Reviewed: August 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
They should send you a cup of water with every issue of this magazine because it is dry as hell. There is a lot of good information in it, but they could liven it up a bit. I do like it though. It covers a wide range of topics and it includes regular fetures on repair tips, training tips, and so on. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
terry brownell
a cross-country rider
from corrales, nm, usa
Date Reviewed: August 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Let me begin by saying I truly enjoy Bicycling. The reviews are well written (often by regular people), concise and have helped me make several well informed purchasing choices. I also think it caters to regular, thinking people. The other reviews I have read here blasting them for too much advertising or catering to aging Yuppie scum are a riot. The only reason that all the best-loved other MTB rags are not filled with SUV ads is because they cannot attract the advertisers. I assure you, all magazines are in business for one reason - to make money. And it's done through advertising. I doubt that the owners of Moutain Biking, or Mountain Biker are taking a morale high road. Rather, advertisers of big ticket items (like Rockport and SUVs) are not interested in reaching 18-25 year old Jack-in-the-Box burger flippers. They know who spends and it's people who read Bicycling. As far as articles for aging Yuppies, guess what - YOU'RE GETTING OLDER, each and every day! And someday, assuming you can learn how to spell and construct a meaningful sentence, you too may become an aging Yuppie who cares about his health, and fitness, and can drop 10 grand a year on bikes to put in his 35 grand SUV. Peace! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
R. Cabrales
a weekend warrior
from Greenbelt, MD
Date Reviewed: August 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Bicycling is an excellent magazine. It is the only bike geared publication that has useful articles on a regular basis. They review products that the average cyclist may use, and their health and technical advice are useful for most people. They do put a lot of emphasis on road riding, but a lot of the articles and advice can be useful to any type of rider. Unlike most bike magazines out there, the articles are not about tips for top tier racing or 4,000 bikes that most people cannot afford. And, lest I forget, the articles are actually well written and interesting. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
monkeyboy
a cross-country rider
from Redfield, SD
Date Reviewed: July 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Well to put it bluntly, this mag sucks!! Its got wat to many ads in it and puts road biking and Mt biking together. I am into mt biking and do not like road biking. This mag does very little on my biking and almost everything on roadies
, so if you are a roadie u will love this, if you are a mt biker don't get it!!
I give this one flaming banana, cause there are no negative numbers!!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
zeno
a cross-country rider
from Boulder
Date Reviewed: June 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Am I the only one who is getting tired of looking at the squeaky clean android stepford wife looking people that have been showing up on the cover of this magazine? Every month, it's looking more and more like a biking equivalent of Red Book. Is there no middle ground between the dudes in MBA & the replicants in Bycycling?It seems it is now squarely targeted at aging upper middle class yuppies who are trying to live forevever by reading every fitness article they can lay their hands on. Dull dull dull dull.The bike reviews are ok. but they suffer IMO from being done by unatural beings. Case in point was a Free Ride bike test they did a few months ago. I think the test riders averaged 150lbs -- I think the max was 165. Who are these people & where do they find them? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a cross-country rider
from mass
Date Reviewed: June 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a really boring magazine and I regret buying it. I remember how good the old ones were but in the new ones there is too much stories and there is so much health stuff. I also thing they don't advertise enough and they have horrible product reviews. I mean who wants to read about unicycle rider. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant Havekost
a cross-country rider
from Texas, usa
Date Reviewed: June 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This magazine is pretty lame. It's about 75% commercial and about 5% substance. Combining road biking and mtb into one magazine is about the dumbest idea i've seen in a long time. It would be decent except the magazine is as short as all the others. It's like buying half a magazine unless you are really into both sports. | | Overall Rating: |
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