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Submitted by
ZenMonkey760
a Cross Country Rider
from Encinitas, CA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Nobel Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Lifetime subscriptio | | Strengths: | Pictures, reviews, most of the articles, willingness to relate real world issues to MtB (e.g., they tackle some political issues that tend to piss of some people). | | Weaknesses: | 'old coot' column contains some gems of knowledge, but it's so hard to read the pidgin that I often avoid it. | | Similar Products Used: | Bike, Mountain Bike | | Bike Setup: | Ibis Mojo SL | | Bottom Line: | I subscribed to this magazine for a few years. It's not very expensive and I think worth the money. Then I decided to just go for the "lifetime subscription" option since it was the most economical in the long run. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Racer
from North America
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedro's | | Strengths: | Can be Recycled. Held at a distance one can check vision. | | Weaknesses: | Idiotic and sophmoric when trying to be clever and Collegiate. | | Similar Products Used: | Anything to be read. | | Bottom Line: | I joined PEROSFEST last year, and this was given with a bag full of other product with each participant. Seniors to lil' kids are among the attendees.
The issue WE got had some rambling about how dude likes to #uck, and whle he hates this chick, at least they can #uck...
This is not anything I want to read anywheres, let alone be put into the hands of a developing mind, our future.
If I get this for a 'gift' this year, I will throw it back at the DIRTRAG tent.
The rest of the 'Zine stunk it up too. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Great magazine. Best out there. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing | | Similar Products Used: | Mountain Bike Mag., Bike Mag. | | Bike Setup: | Something made of Ti | | Bottom Line: | This is the best mountain bike magazine out there. Great microbrew mag. Good writeups, all homegrown. Good tips. Cant say enough positive things. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Micah
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego CA
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | sub | | Strengths: | Cool art work, some good interviews. They find some fantastic world/bicycle stories like Tom Richey's "Project Rwanda" | | Weaknesses: | It constantly preaches about how great the Counter-culture is.
Some reviews are so random and try to be novels, at the end you know very little about the product. And the "Old Coot" column is imposable to read and utterly stupid. | | Similar Products Used: | Every mag i can find, ill read. | | Bike Setup: | Nomad, and an old Hard Tail. | | Bottom Line: | I didn't renew my Sub after i read an article titled"Do It Yourself Bike Touring", it was actually about a guy that goes Dumpster diving and eats roadkill to save money.
They could have a really good mag, but they keep trying to be too counter-culture. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joel Ercolani
a Racer
from randolph NJ USA
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Dirt YES!...singletrack yummy | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | subscribe | | Strengths: | have remained quite honest over the 10-12 years i have read it | | Weaknesses: | occasional bmx or DS emphasis is sickening
please mags that have been coming up and taking marketshare are descend,singletrack moutain bike rider. | | Similar Products Used: | Dirt rag stands alone and it does not need a lot of colour glossy pix. to make it you need to focus on your strength and build and win with your streagths. GOD i sound like my coach.
| | Bike Setup: | i Have Six...which one Had them all from the first alluminum to the first 24 rear 26 front the first front and full suspension first composite. Have not bought a 29er yet nor a jet pack. | | Bottom Line: | Dirt rag is great. Very little BS and some insiteful articles(like the recent suspension article) just spend more time on these. help with typography and layout would help and some beffy issues that cover really interesting stuff that people know is coming in say July. Not a swimsuit issue but something that is an annual new technology or rated rides or how to upgrade your buke type article annualy. are you listening mr. browne.
Again dirt rag is great.
we can all improve that is why we all need coaches.
Even lance.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
edouble
a Cross Country Rider
from LI,NY
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | many | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$4.00 | | Purchased At: | barnes n noble | | Strengths: | honest product reviews | | Weaknesses: | not enough content for my taste. im spoiled by the UK mags. | | Similar Products Used: | MBA (rc is a jackass)BIKE (was good, fell off)WHATMTB (AWESOME)MTBRIDER(very good)SINGLETRACK (ALSO VERY GOOD) | | Bike Setup: | STEEL, what more do you need to know?. | | Bottom Line: | this is probably the best US mag, but its blown away by the U.K. mags like all the other american mags. the american mags do half the testing (some less) of the UK mags and the reviews arent nearly as thourough. dirt rag is good, it just needs A LOT MORE CONTENT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bones
a Cross Country Rider
from Nevada
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Peavine Mtn, Reno | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$4.00 | | Purchased At: | Raley's, Tower, Bike Stores | | Strengths: | Sturdy cover, paper (built to last). Honest and real world reviews, nostalgic, innovative, aesthetic, good writing and artwork. | | Weaknesses: | I've read this mag for nine years and sure I can't say that it's always impressed me! Well you know I don't know anyone who could have. It's like an old friend, even they disappoint from time to time. C'est la vie! Better than the rest.. | | Similar Products Used: | MTB Action, Mountain Bike, Bike, Velo News, German and British rags.... none measure up long term! | | Bike Setup: | full suspension, road bike, cruiser | | Bottom Line: | You'll find something you like every month. You won't want to toss the mags. You can loan them to friends and you'll get them back in one piece. They have a lifetime subscription for $99.- No other mag is as interesting and gives such a varied perspective on our beloved sport of cycling!!
They haven't been afraid to get down and dirty over the years... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft. Wayne, IN
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The kind with dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Great articles! They write not only about biking, but also the things that most of us in the biking community enjoy. They don't appear to ride the "latest and greatest" bandwagon. | | Weaknesses: | They have not yet completely sold out. Oh wait - that is a good thing! | | Similar Products Used: | Mountain Bike, Bicycling | | Bike Setup: | Two wheels (both have hubs and spokes), a frame with paint on it, brakes, shifters, chain, pedals & cranks, handlebars, stem, seatpost. . .what am I forgetting. . .and a saddle. | | Bottom Line: | The thing that appeals to me the most is the honesty of this magazine. Honest product reviews mixed in with articles berating the current trend of buying the newest, trickest piece of equipment. I like gadgets as much as the next guy, but I also appreciate the fact that good parts last years and therefore I don't need the latest and greatest.
My only complaint? They don't have "Hug The Bunny". | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Max
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Clarita
Date Reviewed: February 29, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4.00 | | Bottom Line: | Why is everyone so excited about this magazine? From reading the reviews, you'ld think it the articles were written by Hemmingway.
The whole feeling of the magazine is very juvenile, not professional. It has that typical counter-culture mentality and it shows. Beer reviews in a MT mag? Come on, this isn't fraternity monthly.
I suppose what really turned me off was the current issue had an interview with one of the founders (who left because she was tired of of cycling). Every other sentence she was swearing at someone or something.
Save your money on this useless RAG, put it towards parts.
If I could give it a "0" chili, I would. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike S
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything dirty | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$4.00 | | Purchased At: | Barnes and Noble? | | Strengths: | good writting, good art, good perspective, extremily relevant topics to cycling in general, and relevant to the readers' generation. | | Weaknesses: | ??? | | Similar Products Used: | tried all, DR is the best | | Bottom Line: | Come on, a review section for a magazine? If your thinking about investing in this magazine, but aren't sure, you're thinking a little too hard. Go for it, you can't go wrong. I've briefly met the staff at various mtn bike events around the country and I only have good words for the guys and girls at DR. Hope they keep up the good work. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D
a Cross Country Rider
from Denton, TX
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3.00 | | Purchased At: | Dirty Harry's | | Strengths: | A no frills mag for cyclists. They dont just cover the popular ideas in biking, they get to the root. Also, the cover art kicks. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Every other cyclist/Mtn bike mag,.. ever! | | Bike Setup: | Too many bikes... | | Bottom Line: | There is just something about Dirt Rag Mag that really gets me. From the articles they publish, to the products they review, this mag rocks. Maybe I'm a little partial,... myself being from Pittsburgh and all. GO PA!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
S
a
from Columbus, Oh
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere the bike goes | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$4.00 | | Strengths: | A MTB mag written by MTbikers | | Weaknesses: | only 10 issues a year. It's a long wait between. | | Similar Products Used: | all others | | Bike Setup: | RM Edge, Marrzochi Z5, Fox Vanilla RC W/Lockout, 36 hole Sun Rhyno Lites w/ XT Disc Hubs, Magura Louise FR Front, Julie Rear. | | Bottom Line: | I've had the privilage to meet Maurice, Jeff G, Brad, and Thanita. They Ride there bikes either like I do or in ways I wish I could. Easy to talk to and looking for your input. There Articles are to the point have provided me with good results when I've followed there advice.
Try it you'll like it.
| | 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: | Always interesting. More about biking in general than bike racing. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't come out weekly. | | Similar Products Used: | All of them. | | Bike Setup: | Does anybody care? | | Bottom Line: | This magazine is great. It is truly a "forum" for bikers to share their stories. I enjoy the political aspect of the writers as well. I'm not much of a racer (actually, I don't race at all), and I like to read about different aspects of biking. This magazine is more of a grass roots publication than the rest, and I like that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stark
a Weekend Warrior
from Highland, CA
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | SART | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | subscription | | Strengths: | Great mag. You can tell the writers and editors love their mag and treat it like art. I subscribed after seeing the rewiews on MTBreview and am glad I did. | | Weaknesses: | a little more left politically than I am, but not so much as to annoy. | | Similar Products Used: | all the newsstand mtb mags, which I don't (and don't feel a need) to subscribe to. | | Bottom Line: | This is an outstanding magazine that appreciates the fundamental joy of mtn bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Reed Powell
a
from D.C.
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Schafer Farms/ All over the city | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Subscription | | Strengths: | Relevent writing, interesting reading, and POV articles. I do not always agree with the Ol Coot, but I still love to read it. | | Weaknesses: | Not being bought out by big companies(if that is bad) | | Similar Products Used: | I read them all, I work in a shop | | Bike Setup: | Bianchi D.I.S.S./Gunnar Crosshairs/Soon to come a Waterford Track bike(custom) | | Bottom Line: | All I have to say is that I get it for free from my shop, and I still pay for my subscription so they keep on writing. To pay for something I can get for free it has to be worth reading. Everyone in my shop loves this mag no matter how they ride or how long they have been riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ilakano
a Cross Country Rider
from Walnut Creek, CA
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$4.00 | | Purchased At: | Subscriber | | Strengths: | An honest magazine for real mountain bikers, most of whom can't afford $4,000 bikes and $600 shocks. Even though I live on the west coast, I like reading about the bikers in PA and WV. The reviews are honest and useful. | | Weaknesses: | It only comes out 7 times a year. | | Similar Products Used: | All the other cycling magazines. | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS2, Duke front, SID rear, Thompson seatpost and stem, Easton Monkeylite low riser handlebar. Rest is stock | | Bottom Line: | I only buy two mountain bike magazines. MBR from England and DirtRag. I won't spend my money on anything else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ziggy Stardust
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Great, in depth articles written by knowledgeable riders. Low on ads, high on content. | | Weaknesses: | Not as visually stunning as some of the glossier mags with their full color spreads. Should replace some of the events/race info/philosophy content with tecnhically detailed, unbiased product reviews. | | Similar Products Used: | Mountain Bike Action | | Bike Setup: | GT Zaskar Team, WTB laser saddle, Sid SL, Mavic 517, XT/XTR, rockshox susp seatpost, CatEye Stadium III light | | Bottom Line: | This a great magazine. It honestly appears to be a good source of information, not a bunch of hype and thinly veiled ads (as with Mountain Biking mag). The writers are REAL riders and the articles are not fluffed over and dumbed down. They actually appear to be aware of the fact that there are riders on the east coast too. (i.e. they almost seem to know what "mud" is, unlike the way out So-Cal crews associated with other MB mags)
The only complaint is that its a bit of the homebrew-hippie magazine, considering how much paper it expends on philosophical tangents/indulgences, race events and personality (whos who in biking) gossip. Lets have more down and dirty scientific (like Consumer reports) testing and evaluation of the whole range of mountain bike products...including the bikes themselves. (hey there's an idea)
Overall though, this is a great magazine. They do not apear to be corrupted or paid off (if they are they conceal it well), I like it's earthy style, and it has the alpha mag position on top of my porcelain throne.
4 fecal flambes! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lester
a Cross Country Rider
from austin
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | subscription | | Strengths: | DOwn to earth articles from riders... they don't submit glossy reviews about every product that rolls throught their doors (or door or whatever)... elaine used to be there... trialsin... doesn't smell funny... printed on slightly thicker paper that will last in your bathroom... old school charm... bah-ear... old coot -- nuff said. | | Weaknesses: | Gunnar is gone... Elaine is gone... where's Jay?... ahh fug it, it's still good. | | Similar Products Used: | Bike... Ride. | | Bike Setup: | Two rolly things and stuff | | Bottom Line: | If there's only one magazine to sub to, it's gotta be the almightly Dirt Bag. Where else do you see reviews for single speeds, independent companies, garage-made parts and products, and articles from the readers and a staff of scruffy hard cores. They have no Mike Ferrentino, but they do just fine with down-to-earth writing and low-key production. Their reviews don't have "advertise in my mag" written all over them giving honest points-of-view about the product they ride. They can xerox this thing and staple it together but would still have my order.
Keep the Coot and all the stuff that's made Dirt Rag Dirt Rag and I promise you'll keep your spot next to the throne on top of the kitty litter box. I promise. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | subscriber | | Strengths: | Not another glossy, industry-driven, newsstand filler. The writing is honest, fairly unpretentious, and informative. The staff clearly see this as a labor of love. The Editor-in-Chief wants our feedback, and actually came here to ask for it! | | Weaknesses: | The writing occasionally lapses into "dude-speak". You know; unless you're a 20-something, X-games, lefty kinda guy, you're going to occassionally feel like you wandered into someone else's rec room... | | Similar Products Used: | All of them. | | Bottom Line: | Dirt Rag is different from anything else out there, and they get lots more right than wrong. I really enjoyed the last issue (#90), although I wish they'd drop that tired gimmick from the Old Coot's column and make it readable.
I especially liked "This is a Man's World", since the author went right to the heart of the sexist marketing/attitude of so much of this sport. Now we just need another article to remind the youngster's that they, too, will someday grow up, and with any luck they'll still love biking...
Which gets to the heart of my problem with this lovely magazine: It's written from the point of view of a bunch of white, male, 20-somethings.
The rants against cars (for example) strike me as just so much knee-jerk politics. There's a lot more of us out here who drive (and like!) cars, both because we need to (how many of these guys are dropping their kids at school every morning?) and because they're FUN (sound familiar?).
And while I'm complaining: The 2 pieces of fiction in issue #89 - The prison fantasy and the story about riding through a construction zone - were just plain horrible. The first was merely obvious and trite. The second was in another league altogether! It seemed that the author was more in love with his thesaurus than his story. I kept imaging the Sean Penn character from "Fast Times..." sitting behind a typewriter, pulling on a doobie and giggling, pounding out one circuitous, impenetrable sentence after another... The pages would have been better left blank!
OK, OK. After all this criticism, you'd think I hate the magazine. But I like a lot more than I dislike. I like how genuine and earnest the writers are. I like the detailed, honest product reviews. I like the beer reviews, and the stories about grassroots events and local trails. I like that they don't seem to be wired to the hip to the bike industry. And I really, really, like that they're trying so hard. No other magazine even compares; It's the only one worth subscribing to. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michael browne
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | firehouse | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | basement | | Strengths: | they employ me | | Weaknesses: | hot tub ain't warm enough. but that's my fault. | | Similar Products Used: | Utne Reader, old BIKE | | Bike Setup: | who cares... | | Bottom Line: | I've been on-staff for a few months now. I've helped change a few things, hopefully things you all like. But what we need the most is YOUR feedback.
With that, we can bring you more of what you like. More than 7 issues per year? Maybe, but that would cut into riding time. And who wants that?
Seriously, I was a reader long before I was the intern or the editor. I know what I like, and I know I want to change. Now all I need is a second opinion. I don't want to screw too many things up. trust me, you don't want Mo on your bad side. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan
a Downhiller
from here
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | hereand there | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | got free in mail | | Strengths: | it has alot of opinions and alot of articles and alot of storys and alot of talking.........i can onlyt read it at night cause tis so boring during the day......it has a lot of infoa nd i mean alot alot | | Weaknesses: | sometiems to boring haha | | Similar Products Used: | mountain bike magazine, bicycling, mtb action,,, | | Bike Setup: | who cares | | Bottom Line: | alot of info in this magazine some good reviews......good info...pretty good | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from Mi.
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4.00 | | Strengths: | Product reviews(real world) | | Weaknesses: | Too damn groovy. | | Bottom Line: | I just couldn't get into it. The stories read like bike riding is some kind of out-of-body experience. I love riding my bike, but it doesn't take me to another dimension.It's a good mag if your into that kind of thing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
carlos
a Cross Country Rider
from san antonio, texas
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything technical | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3.00 | | Purchased At: | broadway news | | Strengths: | the stories and reviews | | Weaknesses: | about 100 pages too thin, i can't get enough! | | Similar Products Used: | Bike Magazine | | Bike Setup: | rigid litespeed | | Bottom Line: | for those concered with the cheap looking photos and lack of gloss, take a look at the cover. does it say Dirt Rag Magazine? NO. it says Dirt Rag FORUM! is a forum a magazine?
aside from that, the FORUM is great. the reviews are honest and the reeking crew section is really great. i always wonder about who reviews 20 lb. hardtails. a 145 lb rider or a 200lb rider. it makes a lot of difference. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
norm
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | the glass strewn roller blade path behind the factory | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3.00 | | Purchased At: | www.velotique.com | | Strengths: | it's funny. It's honest (I think). It has articles for recovering alcoholics and practicing alcoholics alike. | | Weaknesses: | not long enough, they should do a road bike magazine too. | | Similar Products Used: | bicycling (ick), mountain bike (ick) | | Bike Setup: | it's got a basket, a bell that rings, and things to make it look good. I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it. | | Bottom Line: | an oasis in a sea of dreck. Any mag where "heavy" is listed as a plus in the reviews is OK by me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn Sr
a Cross Country Rider
from So Cal
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Gormet Food store | | Strengths: | Artsy, Great articals, Great technical info, more in tune to real riders with real bikes. | | Weaknesses: | Has some of the signs of a low buget outfit. Photos arn't the greatest, play up to the back east scene too much. | | Similar Products Used: | The Internet, Most other Bike Mags. | | Bike Setup: | Kickass Ti softail from a semi small colorado builder. Face it eastcoast It's better out here. | | Bottom Line: | This is in My opinoin the best Mountain Bike Mag out there. I like the small builders featured in the articals. This mag is more geared to the real mountain biker who rides crosscountry and isn't a proracer. These pro's only ride what there sponser gives them anyway so what's the big deal. I noticed some of the other reveiwers raggin on Old Coot. Hey aleast he gives you an honest oppinion. These other editors give you so much bull$hit reviews on products . I've seen the magizines recommend so many weak products that MTBR.com reveiws don't agree with. I've also seen a lot of good stuff shot down by the other Mags. The internet is still the best but Dirt Rag is a Good Mag Overall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Upstate NY
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | -Now here's a REAL bike mag
-Written by writers hailing from the good ol' East Coast!!
-Good journalism(doesn't pander to the big bike companies!)
-Focuses on real riding
-The everyman's biking magazine
-Good cover art | | Weaknesses: | -Hard to find around here!
-Black-and-white photos | | Similar Products Used: | Mountain Bike Action(biggest piece of conspicious consumption I've ever seen among bike mags)
Mountain Biking Magazine(ZAP SUCKS ASS!!) | | Bike Setup: | Why is this important?Just be happy! | | Bottom Line: | I haven't subscribed to this--I just read a little of it of the newstands,but what I've seen is first-rate.MBA,TAKE NOTES!This is genuine,true-blue journalism!I don't know how you can call that bulls@#$ writing!!
The only mtn. biking mag worth buying!5 chilies!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
smokey strodtman
a Weekend Warrior
from gilliam,MO usa
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | missouri back roads and singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | content aimed more toward average mtb rider. product reviews(mtb related). trail advocacy. subscription service. beer reviews(i consider that an mtb related product). not dominated by advertising content. | | Weaknesses: | stupid music reviews! leave that stuff for Rolling Stone! old coot has about worn out his welcome, too. | | Similar Products Used: | mountain bike, bicycling, mountain bike action, bike. | | Bike Setup: | gary fisher marlin, moxey seatpost, rockwerks spd's, carmichael derailleur cogs, oury grips, azonic barends, michelin wildgripper sprints. | | Bottom Line: | it's nice to see a magazine not dominated by southern california downhillers and geared more towards the recreational rider. i also like the fact that it doesn't look like another slick glitzy newsstand special. it covers a wider range of off-road activities, like bicycle trials. i noticed my latest issue had a couple of articles on bicycle commuting. careful, guys; don't turn into another Bicycling(one is enough!). four flamers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken Davis
a Cross Country Rider
from Topsfield,MA US
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | From the heart stories, beer reviews, hype-free product reviews | | Weaknesses: | old coot is annoying, unspiring phots | | Similar Products Used: | Bike, Moutain Bike Action, Bicycling | | Bike Setup: | Voodoo Bantu | | Bottom Line: | After subscribing to Dirt Rag for a year I let my subscription lapse. As I subscribe to 4 other moutain bike magazines, I deemed this one the most expendable. It appears that I am more of a sucker for slick packaging, nice photos and safe reporting than I thought I was. I still go to the web page, but it just wasn't doing it for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Misawa Japan
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Oirase Gorge | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Comical editorials
Conveys the essence of mountain biking and the rider
Without a doubt has the best cover art
The paper used to print on has a nice feel
| | Weaknesses: | product test editorials aren't fantastic but not lacking either. | | Similar Products Used: | Mountain Bike Action
Mountain Bike Magazine | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Giant Warp DS-1, Stratos MX-6, Stratos Helix Pro, Spin wheels, Magura HS-33 brakes, WTB velociraptors, XT drivetrain, Time ATAC carbons | | Bottom Line: | Dirt Rag seems to be concerned with the political lobbying aspects of mountain biking and shows more interest in the rider than in the products. This is great and makes the reader/rider feel good about themselves. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerald Daniele
a Cross-Country Rider
from Budd Lake N J
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
Ches Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Well written humoruous | | Weaknesses: |
It would be nice if it came out once a month, but on the other hand, maybe it takes two extra weeks to make it as good as it is. | | Similar Products Used: |
All mountain bike magazines in my area | | Bike Setup: |
1999 Stumpjumper FSR XC | | Bottom Line: | This magazine cares more about people than it does about bikes or biking. Dirt Rag is to mountain biking, as the USGA is to golf, helping to keep it pure and simple. Technology, materials and designs in bikes may change, but Dirt Rag never lets you forget that the NORBA champion, and the guy who wants to go riding at the local trailhead, both get on thier bikes the same way. Did you know that if there were only one kind of bike in the world, this would be the only bike magazine? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JT
a Cross-Country Rider
from Kentucky
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Written by real folks...East coast riders!...has a hometown feel to it...down to earth reviews...FUN, FUN, FUN... | | Weaknesses: |
Only comes out every 6 weeks...sometimes uses crass word choices... | | Bottom Line: | This is the best mag you can get your grubby bikin' hands on! Not only is it the best read, they also give away a lot of cool freebies!!!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mert
a Weekend Warrior
from app mtns
Date Reviewed: December 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
western nc | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
it seems to be written by a bunch of people who get out and ride bikes a lot!!!, Not pro journos looking for schwag and above all appeasing advertisers. | | Weaknesses: |
glossy covers, self centered editors, actually have a test rider who doesn't shave legs and weighs more than 150lbs!!! Old Coot: You aren't Mark Twain, the schtick is old, the advice, info is good. | | Similar Products Used: |
I'm a bike mag junkie, I buy em all. | | Bike Setup: |
really expensive frame and really cheap components that just won't break (damn shimano, I really want to hate em, but...) | | Bottom Line: | This is the first mag i look for in the shops every month, and the only one i actually keep all my copies of, i mean, bike riders who ride east coast stuff, go up and down the hills, like beer, like music, let readers submit art and articles. Only mag written by east coasters, and that makes it very dif from all the others, interesting to note that most of the people who panned it are west coasters, nothing wrong with that, just kinda interesting | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Berg
a Cross-Country Rider
from Madison, Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: December 23, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Quarypark, Madison | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Cover art for sure, I got some them covering my wall at work. Dirt Rag contains editorials that don't bother with a name, but rather the experience of the ride. Also gives a favor of technical riding for what the Eastcoast/Midwest is known for. Dirt Rag is not for 6+ inches of travel, ski chair ridd'n, Flupergo supporters. | | Weaknesses: |
Offen times poor lay out on pages(black to white space),
The Old Coot...., Only eight issues per year and I need The Rag during the winter the most:( | | Similar Products Used: |
yes, im like you, when I go to the supermarket, I pick up any bicycle realed publication and read... well most of it. Dirt rag is the only mag I get delivered to my door and its not because a lack of distribution either. | | Bottom Line: | The best and only mtn bike culture fishwrap out there. No disrespect to So-Cal, or any one ring pushing gravity DUDES, but this publication will not suit your needs. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross-Country Rider
from Charlotte
Date Reviewed: December 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
the least ridden one | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Bottom Line: | God Bless Dirt Rag. They review the 3 out of 4 things that matter most: bikes, beer, music. Their reviews defy comparison. The products get used on the reviewers' personal rides for months before they write about them. Their event schedule is tops. Interviews and articles are always worthy of a second or third read. This magazine is for the rest of us. If you're riding to hell and back today on your 1991 Stumpjumper, this is your magazine. If you want others to envy your $4000 bike while it leans on the Starbucks signpost, look elsewhere. I give it 5 horsies drinkin' at the ol' kerosene trough. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bloody Shins MacGee
a Cross-Country Rider
from Kentucky
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Anything Dirt | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Good articles. | | Weaknesses: |
Wish the mag was bigger and came out every 2 weeks. | | Similar Products Used: |
All the bike mags | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized FSR | | Bottom Line: | The best mountain bike mag period. Written by real people, not California downhill goofballs like all the other so-called mountain bike magazines. I wish the magazine was bigger, with more bike tests and less poetry, but you can't have it all. At least they keep the ads to a minimum. I give it 4 chilis. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rick chittick
a Racer
from littleton co
Date Reviewed: September 24, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
the lynn trail, harrisonburg, va | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
it'll beat you two out of three in an arm wrestling match. | | Weaknesses: |
there were no postcards in the last issue. bummer. | | Similar Products Used: |
flowers, butterflies, beanie babies that you own but didn't buy yourself, pictures of naked women, bikes, more bikes, beer, more beer, a good cd, three spoonfuls of sugar in the morning coffee, four in the evening, tacoes, hackey sacks made out of codorouy, not knowing how to spell codoroy properly, pulling mussels from a shell, making it to nationals last year and seeing leigh donovan's smile in person, and taking pictures. | | Bike Setup: |
the first time i rode the lynn trail was during fall colors. i highly recommend it. | | Bottom Line: | for those of you who scored this esteemed publication less than four chili's, please remember: magazine reading is an exciting but dangerous pastime; please read the operating procedure on page 126 before opening this magazine. The publisher and his or her heirs will not be held liable if such calamaties as eyestrain or paper cuts occur during the operation of this publication.for those of you who scored it less than five chili's, i'll let it slide this time, but i'm watching you. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brett
a Racer
from Greensburg, PA
Date Reviewed: September 22, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | The guys at dirt rag know what is up. They write quality articles that are actually intesting. And unlike those other mags, There is actually writing on the pages instead of ads. Keep up the good work! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
traildog
a Weekend Warrior
from cleveburg, ohio
Date Reviewed: September 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
anywhere that i don't crash without style | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
pretty cool rag decent reviews and not too westcoast. like the trials stuff . | | Weaknesses: |
more trail reviews. more stuff about penn. new england maybe even ohio. i know there's got to be more to life than moab | | Similar Products Used: |
read'em all | | Bike Setup: |
i've got a trek so i guess i'm not west coast cool. | | Bottom Line: | not a bad mag sometimes reads more like a 'zine. the old coot sometimes sounds like a retard but maybe he rode before helmets. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JORDIE
a Downhiller
from toronto
Date Reviewed: September 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
all | | Weaknesses: |
none sofar | | Similar Products Used: |
penthouse, playboy hustler | | Bottom Line: | hey man. its good reading on the crapper. real people. and great paintings on the front. hey i love it so much ill give it the honer of whipping my a$$. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Skinner
a Cross-Country Rider
from Blatterly, Yukon - Canada
Date Reviewed: August 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Iditarod | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Not that I seen | | Weaknesses: |
Okay ? | | Similar Products Used: |
Horse & Rider and Penthouse | | Bike Setup: |
Lost it to a poker hand | | Bottom Line: | Over all, darned good reading. Real articals by real poeple. What more is there to say ? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Cross-Country Rider
from Cinti
Date Reviewed: August 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
artwork, the old coot, articles submitted by readers. | | Weaknesses: |
When you give something away, contact the person to make sure they received the item, if not correct it. (read previous review) . Exact weight in grams sould be given to products reviewed, that attatch to the bike. | | Similar Products Used: |
most others @ 1x or another. | | Bike Setup: |
2 hardtails | | Bottom Line: | The other day I received a check for the retail price of the light I had won last winter. They corrected the problem, but it should not taken this long. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sirius
a Cross-Country Rider
from Greensburg, PA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Truely unique, get's the the heart and soul of our sport. | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
Mountain Bike, Bicycling | | Bike Setup: |
Haro Extreme EX2 | | Bottom Line: | And excellent 'zine with personality and soul. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed Alfonso
a Cross-Country Rider
from cinti
Date Reviewed: July 13, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
artwork | | Weaknesses: |
broken promises | | Similar Products Used: |
others | | Bottom Line: | Last winter I entered a large giveaway contest. And i won a headlight from beam lighting. Five months later, no light or phone call form the rag or beam. After calling dirtrag,they said they would handle it. Two more phone calls and 1 additional month, I recieved a box from dirtrag with unwanted schwag, instead of the light I had won. I won a light and that is what i should have received period. If necessary from another manufacturer. The person who handled this should be terminated. And yes the schwag was returned with postage paid by me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cdale
a Cross-Country Rider
from Stuckton, CA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Darrington | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Reader-submitted articles, artwork. Not a glossy, corporate mag, it's owned and operated by people who ride and will hang out with people like me. | | Weaknesses: |
Not long enough. Only published 10x a year. Didn't put great pic of dog on a bike w/ master running alongside on the cover. Reviews seem to suck up sometimes. Old Coot is hard ta reed! | | Similar Products Used: |
Bike, Mountain Bike Advertiser, Velo News, Mountain Bike, Bikes For Mountains, Mountain Bike Etc., bla bla bla. | | Bike Setup: |
Yes. | | Bottom Line: | Earthy- a good antidote to the mags whose editors and writers who have obviously run out of ideas, and need to consult the thesaurus every 5 minutes. I enjoy reading ideas from other riders around the country, seeing their artwork, and being able to contribute my stories and ideas, knowing they will be read and heard. Lots of funny little things to look for throughout the mag- like Mad Mazagine. 4 flaming horses...PS I subscribed when they had the Kenda tire giveaway. I received the tires, no problema. What a deal! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dio
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, Texas
Date Reviewed: July 11, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Austin, Texas (Any Track) | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Funny off-beat articles | | Weaknesses: |
Poor product reviews, horrible editing | | Similar Products Used: |
Most mountian bike mags out there. | | Bottom Line: | IMHO you have to take Dirt Rag for what it is. If you are looking for a magazine that gives you killer product reviews, then choose from the many that are out there. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross-Country Rider
from Pefferlaw, Ontario
Date Reviewed: May 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Durham Forest | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
The artwork | | Weaknesses: |
The whole magazine | | Similar Products Used: |
Mountain Bike Action, Bike, Bicycle, and Mountain Bike (which is the best!) | | Bike Setup: |
Rocky Mountain Thin Air
Rock Shox SID
XT and Race Face Components | | Bottom Line: | This magazine is TRASH! I don't know how people can read this crap. I couldn't even read one issue without throwing the mag in the garbage. No joke, it was so bad I threw it out! The artwork is nice and it is a unique magazine, but overall it is CRAP! Very dull, second rate publication, horrible editing (though, in the editors note she glorifies that this is a good thing?), hardly any riding or bike talk, bad product reviews, and the Old Cook has to be the stupidest thing I have ever seen, I could hardly read the article it was written so bad (though it is suppose to be like that, I think it is real dumb). Don't waste your money on this crap, don't even buy one issue, it is not worth it! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Weekend Warrior
from maine
Date Reviewed: May 24, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
fruitloops potown N.H. | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
great art/intetviews | | Weaknesses: |
can't get enough! | | Similar Products Used: |
mountain bike and most others. | | Bottom Line: | love the artwork and storys and especially the cartoons such as Helmut. and oh yea the adventures of Pud. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Dingo
a Cross-Country Rider
from Palo Alto CA
Date Reviewed: April 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Attention getting big size | | Weaknesses: |
paper wasting big size. | | Similar Products Used: |
Moutin Bike, Mountain Biking, Every snowboard magazine every made. Every skateboard magazine ever made | | Bottom Line: | a different kinda stinkiness. While Mtn Biking is just cheap junky magazine, this one is very slick...too slick to take its 'zen of biking' pretentiousness seriously. Good for skateboarders, people who read snowboard magazines, but never actually ride, and people who say brah all the time. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Warthog
a weekend warrior
from Florida
Date Reviewed: February 19, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Wonderful mag, produced with heart and soul. BIKE and Dirt Rag are the only ones worth a subscription. DR has the usual racing news, product reviews, technique advice, etc. But it also has a great attitude: The Rag isn't afraid of featuring reader's artwork, un-doctored interviews, off-topic but related articles, even recipes by knobby-head food fiends (DR#69- the ones I tried turned out pretty well, BTW). One of the few negatives for me, an ex-editor, is an over-abundance of misspellings. Still, five chilis, washed down by that amber fluid frequently mentioned in Dirt Rag. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt T
a weekend warrior
from T.O.
Date Reviewed: February 8, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Just a beautiful mag. No matter who you are, this mag will inspire you to ride. No parts porn, no 20-40-20 nutrician trips. Just good o'lmounta biking fun. Yah babY! Arg, I still need fifteen more words. Why can't they lower it to forty? Hmmm, I think this is fifty. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a cross-country rider
a
from Seattle Area
Date Reviewed: January 5, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This magazine is ok. It just appeals to a differant sort of reader than the more mainstream magazines. It seems to be a mag that you can only find in bike shops, You wont find it at the trendy puke bookstores(B&N). I just picture it as being the favorite mag of Dread Headed, pass the bowl, FISH listeners. This isnt bad but its just not for me. The thing I do like is that it is not the elitest, name brand, you must have the top shelf($5,000) bike to be cool like the editor kind of magazine(MB.ACTION). I do enjoy it from time to time. I cant slam this mag for swimming upstream. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John the Wrench
a cross-country rider
from Fort Worth, TX
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is the most FUN magazine on the subject of mountain biking.
Remember fun? That's why people ride bikes in the first place!
O.K., if I were a professional racer, I probably wouldn't enjoy
the 'Rag as much as I do. I would be out training, rather than
sitting on my lazy ass reading magazines. Working in a bike shop,
Dirt Rag is one magazine that I can be sure will not provide some
gram-addled buffoon with enough misinformation to make my job
miserable. Maurice and company are still in touch with what makes
riding bikes different than golf ( or any other goofy how much does
your toy cost type sport).It would be nice if it were printed on
rice paper with adhesive on the edge, though.
I can honestly say that Dirt Rag is one magazine that I've never
had to see under the arm of some gram-obsessed buffoon coming in
armed with mis-information. Maurice and co. have a good thing
going, don't sell out to the man!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JohnM
a cross-country rider
from Silicone Implant, CA
Date Reviewed: December 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Cool mag. Great stories. Well-written articles for the every day person. Not
too much hype. The old coot rocks. he can come over my house any day of the
week and we can talk bike-geek for hours on end.I subscribe and love every page of it, especially the home-made covers. Liked
this mag at the same time as Bike mag. Now Bike mag is a big player like the
others, but they would still be #1 in pictures. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
free Eddy
a cross-country rider
from ma
Date Reviewed: December 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a magazine I want to like...One that i buy every now and then but dont subscribe to...I think they need to take the next step up...to a higher level...whatever that is....
Perusing issues # 68 and # 69 there are many articles that are not relevant to mountain biking...Alternative Ulster which is about Ireland belongs in National Geographic...another article talks about bicycle messengers...dont they ride road bikes??...Backcountry skiing?????
However the article Your Deaf is the best piece of writing ever to come out of this magazine...Dirt Rag is at its strongest when it reviews products..The six day test of the Giant XTC SE1 was excellent...as was the test of Englunds Total Air Fork Kit...They need to do much more of this...and be more selective of the products they test...
If Dirt Rag wants to maintain thier unique flavor then perhaps they should model themselves after one of the european magazines...we have nothing like that here....there is great potential in this magazine but it needs to move on | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clint Matthews
a cross-country rider
from Atlanta, Georgia
Date Reviewed: December 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Great art work and occasionally a good article. Too much young boy cult stuff for me however. I like to read about bicycles and bicycling not read about what somebody thinks about what somebody thought. Dull overall. Once my subscription expires I'll kep my money and put it towards bike parts. Two points for the art work alone but even this does not come from Dirt Rag. If you are a teenie you'll love it. If you've been around even once you'll subscribe else where. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al
a cross-country rider
from Florence, NJ
Date Reviewed: October 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Dirt Rag fills a void that exists in the mountain biking press. It's got more intelligent stuff to read than the average magazine, period, end of sentence. I also think that the artwork rocks. It takes balls to have the readers do the cover art, and taste to pick out the pieces that will make a good cover. The Rag is the best, well written, not a slave to the establishment. Long live Dirt Rag. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
don
a weekend warrior
from st marys PA
Date Reviewed: October 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
great informative mag. very helpful if you want to find an event near you. the articles are written by people who have a clue. they aren't getting sunshine blown up their arse and printing it for the bike companies. this mag is about riding. that should be enough. fifty friggin words! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Karl Rosengarth
a cross-country rider
from Dirt Rag Central
Date Reviewed: September 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Note: I'm one of the Dirt Raggers. Let me say that I think this MTBR site is great-we at Dirt Rag check this site frequently and take your comments to heart.I'd like to encourage any reader with comments to email or call or write us directly, too. If you got The Rag, you have the numbers. Or hit www.dirtragmag.com and drop an email while you check us out.
Peace | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a cross-country rider
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: September 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This magazine is the first mag that Ive been able to relate too. Every other mag seems to be written for the biker/accountant. What about the biker/bus boy?? My point is that this magazine doesnt make you feel like youre not a real biker because you ride a Baracuda A2R and not a $3,500 Dean. Plus there's great stories, which is what every biker is itching to tell another after an awsome ride. Gotta love The Coot! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kyron
a cross-country rider
from S.F pennisula. Ca
Date Reviewed: September 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Hi.... if your car, truck, van, or whatever costs more that your favorite
bike than you morethanlikely will not get the soul of this mag. it is not
glossy,, thats for people who dont ride enough and need to be reminded what
BIKE looks like. Why 50 words???? the conditions ive tried it in are
work and the bathroom...my 3yr old likes it for coloring too
this mag rules theres not many big words ha hah ah | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fritz
a racer
from Woodland Park, CO
Date Reviewed: August 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Why do people like this magazine? It sucks. It's made cheaply. They never talk about products or anything. Its all articles with about 50% talking about riding. The editor wrote in an entire column about her wonderful little boy one issue. That's all great and cute, but this is supposed to be a bike magazine. Why do people like that mag? It sucks. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Gleason
a racer
from Pittsburgh, Pa Home of Dirt Rag
Date Reviewed: July 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Dirt Rag is by far the best mag I have ever read. I have five bike magizine subscriptions, and I am only renewing DR. All of the other Mags do all of this crap on downhill and freeride bikes and are loosing intrest in XC. I envy Morice for making such a great mag. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a cross-country rider
from easton, pa
Date Reviewed: June 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
this magazine rules. no hype. no flash. no sellout corporate phonies. just pure love of bikes. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a cross-country rider
from Brooklyn
Date Reviewed: May 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
When I first say the cover and the website of this mag I thought 'oh boy another
one of those mags designed for the punk lifestyle like some of those skateboarding magazines with nothing but pictures for eye candy'. Then I looked inside and read the interview about that welder guy on the website, this magazine has some pretty good aritcles. They actually advertise races on the east coast too. Now after looking at this magazine and comparing it to some other MTB, or for that matter bicycling magazine you can see whos paid off by which companies. I had trouble finding any Shimano advertising in there much less full page ones. And I'll tell you what else, after reading some of the bike reviews they dont drool (or ejaculate in their riding shorts) over Shimano stuff like some other magazines reviewed on this website. I dont think they make componentry that is that great anyhow, but I musnt speak against the big S too loudly for who knows were the Microsoft of bike components is listining. So I live in fear of not having any company besides Shimano suppling me with cassetes for my rear hub. Anyhow enough bashing the company that makes components that have the usefull life span of a condom. Did I mention after one stinkin chain break my XTR became useless and that piece of uselessness is not rebuildable, but there are other places to voice my opinion about this. Gotta stop that, Dirt Rags bike reviews are very real, again reading their reviews you know that the bike company didnt pay them off to put some fluff in there, atleast not much. Team Hugh Jass' article reminds me why I elimintated the big M from my daily intake and drasticly cut down on my alchohol intake, I wont admit to taking anything in public. I hope the Magaxzine doesnt get too hippy or become yuppyized but stays next or near to the center of what biking is partially about. Using your efforts and energy to increase it through a mechanism that propells you, thats the best I could come up with. Oh and you can contribute to cover art!! yay, thanks for reading all this bye. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a cross-country rider
from PA
Date Reviewed: May 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
After reading all the other reviews, I have to say that IMHO some of you are missing the point. The articles in dirt rag seem (to me) to be like a transcript of a conversation you might have with one of these guys over a cup of coffee, or on the way home from a good ride. They don't seem to be cranking out articles for the sake of articles. The downside of this is that sometimes I read articles that I could afford to skip in other mags, since I have to admit that they can be sparsely sprinkled throughout the mag at times. Of course, then the Hugh Jass article comes along, and it could make up for 4 or 5 complete magazines full of nothing but ads because it was that good. So you have to give credit for the sincerity and down to earth writing style of the mag while understanding that you may pay a price in the form of less fluff articles. Much as I like it, it does come in a (close) second to BIKE, since I think BIKE balances the two so well. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A.
a cross-country rider
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: April 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
well I was really surprised to see all the chilli,s for this mag.I cant figure out what it is that I get for the money other than tinder for the fire????
besides a bunch of amaturish articles on nothing even their reviews are about a six month old product or about something as unimportant as a messenger bag. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a weekend warrior
from Boswell, PA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
It's nice to have a magazine that doesn't have all the fluff that the others pride themselves on. Pick up Mountain Bike some time and you'll find out just how great D.R. is. Dirt Rag is a no frills informative magazine for true mountain bikers. It's an east coast mountain bikers operating manual. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Pippel
a cross-country rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: March 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Been reading Dirt Rag for nigh on 4 years now, and I still feel that it is the best publication about *real* mountain biking on the planet. It is down-to-earth, fun to read and at times truly inspirational. The Rag really embodies the spirit of what got me into mountain biking, and its grassroots style keeps me coming back for more. A refreshing breeze in a sea of corporate hype and shaved legs. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Quartuccio
a cross-country rider
from Pittsburgh PA, home of Dirt Rag
Date Reviewed: February 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Hey guys, I figured I'd give a follow up to my October review. Since then I have begun working at the Rag as an intern and can tell you for sure that the inner workings of DR are just as cool and laid back as the magazine is. best job ever. stop by one of these days and bother us, thats how I got to know them one summer day a while back.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Ulaszek
a weekend warrior
from Chicago area
Date Reviewed: February 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
When I used to manage a bike shop this was the only mag the customers never got a chance to buy. The employees and the guys and girls on the team would steal all of the copies before we could sell them. Yeah its got a bit of a hippie content, is that a bad thing? More polished, then we would have Moutain Bike Action. I just paid for a two year subscription. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tulio Bertorini
a cross-country rider
from memphis, TN
Date Reviewed: January 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I love the up to date postings of all races. Also the fast that Dirts rag Sponsored us for the past two race helped a lot. I do wish there was more coverage around the US rather than just the East. Come join an event that was sponsored by Dirt Rag for the past two years. Down-n-Dirty on de Bayou, Email me for info. Dirt Rag Kicks Ass. Dirt Rag is the perfect magazine to leave sitting on top of the toilet, if you know whast I mean. Later | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff H
a racer
from Portland Maine
Date Reviewed: January 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I really enjoy reading Gunnar Shogren's column. It is nice to know others make sacrefices against the American dream for love of the MTB race! Those of us who race weekly throughout the year understand the manic training schedules, empty bank accounts, controlled drinking, pasta overload, parking lot bedrooms, broken parts, empty bank accounts, big smiles and wrong turns in desolate mountain communities at 4 in the morning. I feel Dirt Rag truly offers the kind mix of racing and riding and helps us hyped up racers remember why we began Mountain Biking in the first place. To have fun and be free! Not all of us race fiends aspire to be the glossy images of high profile racing. Dirt Rag offers that happy mix alot of people look for. Thank You. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fex
a cross-country rider
from earth
Date Reviewed: December 31, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I'd just like to use this space to say that the article calle Naked in the last issue that was written by the the young woman who was riding around the world on her bike captured the most important part of the spirit of riding anything human-powered anywhere. SHE ROCKS. And so does Dirt Rag for printing such stuff. Racing's cool, too, I guess. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
william mitchell
a weekend warrior
from chapel hill n.c.
Date Reviewed: December 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
dirt rag on line is the best thing since sterile gauze. while out ridng a week ago i was attacked by a pine tree. rendering my arm useless. But... i can still drag and click my way through my favorite mag. thakns for thinking about all those layed up riders who have nothing left but to ride the net instead.
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Submitted by
b.j. rushon
a weekend warrior
from Sault Ste Marie Ontario
Date Reviewed: December 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
DR kicks! I love how you promote getting out there and just riding. I really appreciate the product reviews and I hope that someday you will have someone who is 5'4 and under 130 lbs review a bike and other stuff cuz that's what I'm looking for. If you don't have someone to do that I'd like to volunteer.
just because you guys rock!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a cross-country rider
from land of no mountains - Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: November 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The Dirt Rag gang definitly love to ride and really enjoy the people they meet doing it, and it really shows when you read the magazine. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Burke
a cross-country rider
from Miami, FL
Date Reviewed: November 26, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
(Bubblabubblabubbla) CoughchokehackWHEEEEZE!!! Oh, hey, bra, just doing a coupla bongers, chewing on a kind tofu burger, weaving me a nice futon cover outta hemp fiber and checkin' the phattest mountain bike rag around, Dirt Rag. Man, this is the most killer mag there is, bra. See, they don't SELL OUT to the MAN, I mean, they only cater to the SOUL rider, you know? Like me, I made my bike outta recycled Birkenstocks, hemp twine and bong resin; I mean, screw that unorganic, big business titanium crap (and you KNOW that stuff is only produced so that defense contracters can make warheads, it's all part of the big plan, man, you'll see) and this is the only magazine that DIGS, you know? Man, and that Ol' Coot-- haw! I mean, who needs color, or photos, or editing, or articles that make sense, when you got a magazine with such mellow karma? And man, those covers, I mean, cue up a good Dark Star and just stare at 'em, man--it'll take you to another plain, dude! Trails! Whoa!Well, maybe I'm being a bit harsh. I must admit that Dirt Rag is a mag like no other. And it's certainly nice to see someone acknowledge that the East coast exists. Still, while I'm sure a lot of people love the low-tech, fanzine look, I'd like to see more photos, better editing (forget about the dozens of typos; where else are you gonna see a paragraph about how Salsa is about to go down the tubes placed NEXT to the Salsa ad?!) and a more practical approach. Sure, there are product reviews and events listings, but the predominant quirky, esoteric mountain biking is a state of mind content gets old quickly.I think this magazine is the most orginal of all of them, and it's East Coast focus makes it very appealing to all of us stranded on the other side of the Mississippi. With a bit more production and slightly less of a head in the clouds approach, this could be the best magazine there is. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry Wicks
a cross-country rider
from Corvallis Oregon
Date Reviewed: November 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Dirt Rag Rocks!! I like the bike tests of bikes most people haven't heard of and the fact that you actually think like a Mountain bike Magazine rather than a big bucks corporation worried about the adds that get printed or how pollitically correct your mag is. Keep up the good work | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a cross-country rider
from Rochester NY
Date Reviewed: November 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
It is not the mag for you if you if you believe that all there is to mountain biking is downhilling, free ride bikes, and NORBA races. If you want a different angle on mountain biking and cycling in general this is a great magazine. It also has a lot of great articles on East Coast mountain biking. If you read magazines to learn about a knew way to adjust your six inches of travel you will have to look elsewhere. It is not the same stuff you find in those glossy mags. I will never miss another issue. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a cross-country rider
from Mississippi
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Good stuff! A lot of 'this cool thing happened to me on a ride' kind of articles, but it's not all touchy-feely. For example, recent article had a good analysis of what happens when you use too much front brake on a downhill (well yeah, you know what'll happen, but _why_ is this effect so awful and sudden? 'rag tells why: your OTB-pivot point drops 13 from the front hub to the ground in the nanosecond after your brake locks. FWING! ARGH!). Useful to anyone who actually rides.OK gear reviews, but they seldom really thrash out and pan a bad part. I don't think they do this out of fear of lost ad revinues though, because they do tackle subjects other mags don't have the guts to take on, such as in the frame warantee article last spring. Maybe they don't want to waste their pages and my time talking trash about trash. I appreciate it, but would also appreciate some early warning about crap hardware. Guess I'll have to be a retrogrouch and let time and trail use weed out the bad stuff. But then they've got the retrogrouch base pretty well covered, so the lack of negative reviews isn't really a problem. (and if you can follow my last few sentences you'll have no trouble with some of their occasional writers)The latest issue has: hunting using a bike, GPS trail mapping, The Coot doing his usual 'be cool, share the woods' talk, thoughtful review of C'dale's Freeride (sure all the other mags TALK about this bike/marketing ploy, but this is the first full review I've seen of it). I mean, come on now, what is this stuff? Oh yeah, it's called content, I remember now...
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Submitted by
Dave H.
a cross-country rider
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The only mag to buy when you are tired of the hype. It is the only one I subscribe to. A 'For the common good and common goal of the every-enthusiastic- average-biker' magazine, but not a goody-goody pamphlet either. For those in want of another alternative magazine not from the hype scene, try VeloNews for a little bit. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shark
a cross-country rider
from Pgh PA USA
Date Reviewed: October 28, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Loved Johns artical on the fixen of the oldladys bike ,that is the truth!! hope all is well at the rag,had the baby out today start them younge. Keep up the great work more reviews on gear for the littel ones please | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wolf
a cross-country rider
from OH
Date Reviewed: October 26, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Cool mag! Down to earth real stuff for you head . Winter is coming all you tough guys can ride when it's 20 deg. or less. I'll be by the fire read my old issues of the RAG. Love it can't get anough.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Quartuccio
a cross-country rider
from Pittsburgh, PA Home of Dirt Rag
Date Reviewed: October 19, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
You gotta read it. Its the one and only mag I buy any more. Its not one of those mags that is based solely on high tech equiptmnet, yes, everyone at DR headquarters has nice bikes, but dont we all? They even host thursday night rides for all of us and treat us like humans. Woah, hear that, those of us who may be in school and not be extremely fast are treated as equals. Holy shit! In any case, the mag is great, but its even better when you personally know all the guys in it. Look for my name in the rag, I'm in it every once and a while. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hilary L.
a cross-country rider
from Mi USA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I found this magazine to be quite lame. The production is second rate and a lot of the stories and articles were really boring and not even edited for spelling. Still, I hope they improve because there is definitely a strong market for an honest,interesting well written MTB mag. that has integrity. I would buy one that is not at the mercy of the bicycle industry but it has to be INTERESTING! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J-Splash
a weekend warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: September 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Dirt Rag is definitely the best mountain biking mag I've read. But the last few issues have really been weak. I dunno. Maybe they're just running out of things to say. But the Old Coot's still got it, and Gunnar still tries to be an idol to the high school crowd (or whatever he's going for), so I guess some things will never change.Used to be 5 chiles, down to three for recent issues. Not sure if I'll actually buy another issue, unless there's something i really want out of it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike West
a cross-country rider
from Palmdale, CA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This magazine has a different attitude from the rest. I haven't quite figured it out. The overall feeling is that it has more class than other mags with its understated, non-glossy look and euro type-face. Other than this I found a lot of the mag to be a little lacking in real useful information. They also have just as many ads as the others.
Sometimes I've found that a magazine will be very good one month and not worth buying the next. This seems especially true with mountain bike magazines. One thing I will say that I like about Dirt Rag is that it seems more oriented to the rider and not to buying the newest techno parts. They are not interested in the latest hype. 5 for concept and execution. -2 for fuzzy focus. +1 for the Old Coot. Total =4 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a racer
from Maine
Date Reviewed: September 12, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Dirt Rag is about mountain biking not silly reviews and ads. It has articles that are cool to read. My bosses wife (who owns the shop I work at with my boss; I mean they both own the shop) likes to read it even though she doesn't ride mountain bikes. It's got great articles even though its about mtn. biking! she says! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Art LaValle
a cross-country rider
from MA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
For real content, there are only 2 biking periodicals I buy. VeloNews & Dirt Rag .. everything else is full of Manufacturer's hype (both in the ads and articles). Actually as of late I haven't been buying VeloNews .. but I still love Dirt Rag | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Manacsa
a weekend warrior
from CA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
No 5 page ads for stores trying to tell you they have a SALE SALE SALE when their prices are just like the next store. More content from the riders perspective. Down to earth. Good stuff. Strange cover though, issue #60. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brd
a cross-country rider
from nh
Date Reviewed: September 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
this magazine places the emphisis upon off road cycling rather than on the equipment. these guys have their priorities in order. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dean A. Ober
a cross-country rider
from New Haven, CT USA
Date Reviewed: July 28, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I am a Dirt Rag subscriber going on several years now. It is the only magazine i do subscribe to, although i do read mostof them. The Rag seems to me to hit it right on the head. It's as if my friends and i started a mag.It can be trying, but where else do you get such a cross section of humanity.My favorite writer is Gunnar Shogren.He and I are about the same age and seem to have similar interests.He however has chosen the road less traveled( the one i sometimes wish i had chosen), where i work sometimes 60-70 hours a week.Well it's all about riding i guess!! PEACE. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Obrien
a
from racer
Date Reviewed: July 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
It's not for everyone,but it strikes a chord with me.It feels more like people talking on the trail or parking lot and less like someone selling in a panic.Reviews of products are believable and for me that's worth the price of admission.I read other mags too but if I had to pick only one this would be it.Rides,riders,riding,food,BEER,music,this covers a lot of the sport that I don't get in many other mags. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a racer
from Boston
Date Reviewed: July 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
props to those that grow their own and do the east coast proud! this is the shit that future bikeoids will be scourin' the fleamarkets for in the next millenium. so be down NOW, not like yer dad, who claims he dug the Stooges back in the day when you KNOW he was listening to Loggins and Messina! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
IntheDirt
a
from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: July 17, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
THE BEST! The only mag worth subscribing to. Great stories, Trials, the Old Coot,local event listings,fair(but short) product tests, articles written by literate racers, reader classifieds in the back, interesting art, and a free raffle in each issue. What more could you want? Definitly an East coast spin, but worth reading wherever you live. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Leighton
a cross-country rider
from
Date Reviewed: July 17, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Sometimes a little out there, but D.R. often gives a refreshingly different angle as opposed their glossier competition. Best of all, they are the only remaining mountain bike magazine that still acknowledges the existance of observed trials (which is the main reason I subscribe). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charlie
a
from weekend warrior
Date Reviewed: July 10, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Be prepared for 90's style hippie bullshit. Like bums and moochers are sooooo cool if they ride in on a bike, or have one in the car. BUT there are some high points - The Old Coot is total cool. Probably my retro streak on that one. Not much flash but if your girl friend has hairy legs and you wear tie dye you'll love it. | | Overall Rating: |
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