I was recently away for work so as usual, I picked up a few bike mags from the airport – both road and MTB mags.

I read through them and nearly every page was about new kit, clothing, brakes, tyres, bars, bike carriers, light weight inner tubes, energy drinks, you name it. Some of the items of clothing cost more than my bike!

I have never been out on either my road or MTB and thought, this would be so much better if I had 5mm wider tyres, a lighter inner tube or an apple and cinnamon energy gel.

Am I the only one who just rides my bike for the enjoyment of it and to improve fitness? The biggest improvement for me will always be to lose weight and get fitter, unfortunately buying stuff doesn’t help this.

So what would you like your magazine filled with?

It’s nice to hear about new stuff.

mikewsmith – Member
So what would you like your magazine filled with?

Trails, skills, articles about riders, articles about places..

Of course, some stuff about new bits….

Articles on spannering, articles on ‘how to’

etc

How to’s, new places to ride, news about different cycling events.

But that’s just me, was wondering if I am alone

Which one did you pick up? apart from the How To is sounds like ST covers most of the things you want.

Trails, skills, articles about riders, articles about places..

Of course, some stuff about new bits….

Articles on spannering, articles on ‘how to’

How to’s, new places to ride, news about different cycling events.

All the mags I’ve seen have all that stuff in.
Regurgitated year after year after year.

I couldn’t care less about shopping, until something wears out and then I might get a bit nerdy about making sure my money is well spent.

You mean like Privateer was…before it closed…because not enough people bought it.

Just had a quick flick through issue 87..
6 articles on rides/riding
1 Editorial from Chipps
3/4 on bike stuff (not new stuff)
4 on reviews/testing
and some other general STW stuff (hard to categorise but not new shiney kit)

I like to keep track of new products and what’s happening in the industry, but I also read for inspiration and enjoyment. If I want to know about the latest gear reviews I look at MBR, if I want a read I look at Singletrack. I’m a hardtail, steel, 26″ sort of guy though so I do find most new product reviews pretty irrelevant to me.

Why not contact the magazines Advertising and Accounting departments with your thoughts?