My interest in the magazine has been waning these last months. Last issue picked up with the interview with Isla Rowntree, but on glancing through this issue has 3 major negative points in my mind.
1) Group test of £1000 full-sussers. No thanks, I'd buy WMB if I wanted that.
2) Calender: Would be so much better if all the pics were from Signletrack staff/contributor, showing the riding the 99% of the readers know and love. I was hoping you might improve on the last few year's. The full-page adverts are just a bit cheesy (and knog? WTF?). I know they pay, but they're cr@p. And while I'm at it, decent weight paper would be nice too.
3) First Rule of the Caldbeck Fells: Nobody talks about the Caldbeck Fells. Shhhh.....
I got into the magazine for the articles on developing technology in mountain bikes, articles on the kind of riding i like, lack of adverts and basically covering the stiff that the rest of the bike press didn't.
I realise there will still be a good size target audience with the content as it is now, but I no longer seem to be in it.
Should I save the cash?
I haven't seen the latest mag yet but do they test four bikes or more than four? They usually test four bikes and in this issue it's four at the grand mark. Hardly makes it WMB does it?
The calendar comes out once a year, hardly makes it the deal breaker over renewing a sub. Not sure about your last comment.
It sounds to me like you've made your mind up.
I haven't read it for a few years now but the last time I picked one up in a newsagent I didn't like the look of it; it seemed to have gone more mainstream with fussy, busy page design. In the early days STW was quite austere, very boutique, glossy and heavy and carried very little advertising. Didn't Chipps once make some kind of promise in an editorial that there would never be more than a certain percentage of adverts?
I let my subscription lapse this time, haven't really found anything that enjoyable to read over the last few issues so i didn't bother renewing.
TBH, I only really subscribe as a way of supporting the forum. In recently changed it to "digital" and this'll be the last printed mag I get. I reckon that some of the forthcoming Premier-Only features will make it worthwhile.
I dropped my MBR subscription a few months back, have to say Singletrack might go the same way. Just haven't found a lot interesting in it recently, maybe it's me, haven't been riding much recently either.
I ditched it a good while ago, actually contacted stw and cancelled it. I haven't missed it tbh. It wasn't reflecting the riding that I do or my budget. Don't subscribe to any mags now, possibly more me than stws fault as such.
I was a subscriber for years but found that I was less interested in every issue that came through the door to the point that I was having a flick through it, maybe reading a couple of articles and uninterested in the rest. I don't miss it.
Picked a copy up in tesco the other day and didn't feel any desire to buy. Just doesn't do it for me anymore.
But again it's possibly more a reflection on me than stw - a classic 'it's not you, it's me' break up I guess.
Stopped my subs some time ago, had every copy from 1-67, which now, I have passed onto another family member who is getting into mtbing, so at least the all went on to a good home.
BTW, I don't think there is anything wrong with the magazine, I have just moved on, that's all.
persuade me not to cancel my subscription to Singletrack
because if you do, grumpy Mark will give this number a phone and get ST 'customer services' involved...
[img] 
[/img]
Beautiful photography (generally) wordy and creative articles (moreso than the nearest competitors). A group of people who are really interested in their field rather than just doing it to get up a corporate ladder or to pay the bills.
A forum we all use way too much of the time and many take for granted.
And all for less than the price of a pint per month (on or off subs).
Yeah you should probably not bother, it'll save you ....
I found the £1,000 bike test (3 bikes) an enjoyable read and while they commented on the budget components they did just get on and ride the bikes and have some fun. Where as MBR and WMB continue to whinge about such short comings they D R I V E M E U P T H E W A L L with their spoilt journalist opinions.
The calendar is a bit hit and miss and Knog advert is a crap as last year.
Not read the Caldbeck Fells article yet, pretty pictures though...
The Mike Ferrentino column wasn't bad.
tomaso I agree to a point but for me something that costs a grand should have pretty good forks on it. Alot seem to be recon etc etc.
Why do you need someone to persuade you? you either like it or you don't.
It feels to me as if it just can't make it's mind up as to what it wants to be. Almost trying to be the best bits of all the other mags out there in places. The Sram article had a touch of the Rouleur about it.
I let my Privateer sub lapse, but will probably renew STW as I tend to find at least one piece of inspiration per issue which justifies the price.
Dirt mag. Seems to crest and fall. Some months its amazing, thick and can take ages to complete, then alternative months its thin, light on content etc.
The latest thin one seems to coincide with the 2012 Dirt awards mag so you can see there would have been alittle robbed content/overlap...
Simply do what I do - I alternate between Dirt and STW depending on the WHSmiths flick-check.
Here's a thought, why not get in touch with the guys at the mag and tell them what you'd like to see? They might be happy for the feedback.
Do you need help in the supermarket deciding which kind of bog roll to buy? 😉
Mine turned up in the post this morning and I still have the last two issues waiting to be read, so I've been asking myself the same question. The thing is, I find little to inspire me in the other mags that I used to love buying and reading, so I don't see it as any reflection on the mags themselves, just that I'm not quite so into the scene at the moment. With that said, I don't think the quality of the articles is as high as it once was.
I dropped What MTB, so only this morning I was looking at the 15 quid option for digital subs....
Don't cancel
Beautiful photography (generally) wordy and creative articles (moreso than the nearest competitors). A group of people who are really interested in their field rather than just doing it to get up a corporate ladder or to pay the bills
Talking about Dirt mag there aren't you.
I only keep subscribing as its on DD, can't say I really find that much of interest to read in it these days. I remember it being much more interesting a few years back - far more interesting bikes were reviewed back then.
I don't read it anymore - boring! rolling commentary on a ride (describing the terrain, clouds and finishing with a beer) no thanks!
best bike mag by far - Peloton. I believe they do a mtb mag too!
Here's a thought, why not get in touch with the guys at the mag and tell them what you'd like to see? They might be happy for the feedback
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/come-on-then-winge-bags-what-do-you-want-to-read-in-st
check this post out!
Brill! Though some posters on here seem to do a better job of it - occasionally.sefton - Member
I don't read it anymore - boring! rolling commentary on a ride (describing the terrain, clouds and finishing with a beer)
Ok. I didn't want to do this, but you've driven me to it. In light of today's heated debate, I think we should call it the 'nuclear option'! I want you to picture a nightmare future where the forum is no more. Done away with after canceled magazine subs failed to support it any longer
Disgruntled 'Big Hitters' wander the internet like the zombies in Shaun of the dead, desperately searching for a forum to shout their pointless, cyclical arguments, and air their barely educated entrenched views. Their ceaseless desire for public acknowledgment drives them like a crack whore to ever greater desperation
In panic, Mumsnet and the Guardian shut their forums down once the news is released of the tribe of marauding middle-aged fat blokes. Facebook share price plummets on the mere suspicion they may turn up there. The Daily Telegraph wakes from its slumber. Just in case!
Then... [b]THEN[/b]... the situation everyone feared! The one nobody was really ready for. The one nobody thought could happen. [b]THEY HAVE TO LEAVE THEIR KEYBOARDS AND ENGAGE WITH THE PUBLIC[/b]
Screams can be heard emerging from pubs, as they waddle in, senses dimmed by years spent huddled over a monitor, to be heard muttering "and another fuggin thing....."
Their already pathetic social skills shriveled by the endless, consequence-free spouting of utter garbage. Some are punched within seconds of opening the front door.
Do you want this on your conscience?! [b]DO YOU?![/b]
If you can live with that, then go on. Cancel your subscription. On your head be it!
Beautiful photography
Really? The pics were the worst bit of ST IMO. Some of the arty ones were technicaly good, but the riding ones were a bit pants TBH.
I missed this gem from that link. Funny 😆
It's perfect as it is:
- if you live in Todmorden / Hebden Bridge
- if you like riding down steps
- if you like riding shitty bikes covered in tents and stuff across a Third World country and enjoy seeing photos of poor local kids pawing over your crappy bike, as if it is some sort of metallic Jesus that's just walked out of a spaceship
- if you know one or more of the people who write for it and/or ride with them occasionally
- if you enjoy interviews with people who have vague links to cycling "Next month: Interview with Rupert Fleming, grandson of the inventor of the toe strap"To be fair, I buy it and sometimes read over half of it. Occasionally, I like a couple of the articles.
Their tagline could be "Singletrack: Not as good as Dirt but better than MBUK, MBR and WMB"
Have another 😆 its rare that your that funny Stopa 😉
I always think the photography is like the emperors new clothes - it mostly looks awful but then makes me think...maybe I know nothing about photography? maybe its amazing?
Not read the Caldbeck Fells article yet
Neither have I, but the title alone sent shivers down my spine. It [i]was[/i] the only quiet bit of the Lakes. I spend a lot of time there (in-laws are from Caldbeck) and i like it that way.
I suspect its me that's moved on. My passion for cycling has changed from being focussed on just mountain biking to covering pretty much all of it.
But I really don't care about tests of cheap bikes. They're only useful when someone says to me, "you know about bikes, what should I buy?" in which case I can tel them to buy the magazine.
Excuse me, but if ir_bandito was actually a subscriber, wouldn't he be
[i][p][/i] ir_bandito ??
Then... THEN... the situation everyone feared! The one nobody was really ready for. The one nobody thought could happen. THEY HAVE TO LEAVE THEIR KEYBOARDS AND ENGAGE WITH THE PUBLICScreams can be heard emerging from pubs, as they waddle in, senses dimmed by years spent huddled over a monitor, to be heard muttering "and another fuggin thing....."
Their already pathetic social skills shriveled by the endless, consequence-free spouting of utter garbage. Some are punched within seconds of opening the front door.
😆
I love you, Binners.
Actually, if you wrote for the mayg, I might buy it. 😀
druidh +1
I don't bother to read articles where the photos show bikes in the air, or doing other trail park stuff. We've already got MBUK etc for that.
Totally not interested in "here we are in the Alps/Pyrenees and took a bus up to the top of this big hill and then did heroic stuff on the way down".
I like routes, maps, bivvying type articles. Technical articles by people with the knowledge (eg Brant) as opposed to revamped advertorial on the latest copy of a 4 bar suspension.
New product info is good so long as it is made clear that any claims are just that (unless it has been tested).
I would like a magazine good enough to keep for reference. Mine has been getting binned.
Edit: brilliant Binners! 🙂
where the forum is no more...
used to be(Beautiful photography (generally) wordy and creative articles (moreso than the nearest competitors)sadly no more 🙁
wordy and creative articles
this is what I miss
Does the £1000 bike review recommend a bike suitable for my 10 year old niece's Xmas present? 😉
Just go digital-only.
Gives you something else to read when the forum is quiet and you're pretending to work 😀
ir_bandito I notice you are not Premier'd up yet. Have you seen the xtras you get for being a subscriber? Just head for www.singletrackworld.com/upgrade to activate your account.
I'd like to see some real in-depth stuff! product reviews lets speak to the developers and CAD people who created them. let see some CAD's, lets review how they work in the real world, lets hear what pro riders think, lets see how they compare to the nearest competitors products. if you do a feature on the caldbeck fells I want to know about how the bike was - again in-depth
I don't want to read a slightly modified press release from the manufacturer!
and I don't want to know what the alpine hills smell like late afternoon.
Dez - subscribed for years, but never did the "Premium" thing.
teamhurtmore - if you're planning on spending £1000 on your neice, then maybe.
wordy and creative articlesthis is what I miss
Exaclty. Attempts have been made by some of the ST staffers recently. Most of them make matters worse...
The scary thing is, I think you're being serious!sefton - Member
I'd like to see some real in-depth stuff! product reviews lets speak to the developers and CAD people who created them. let see some CAD's,
Could we have Premier-only threads on the forum?
[i]Could we have Premier-only threads on the forum? [/i]
Why? Do you want people walking away from the forum as well as the magazine.
I think they're quite canny about the product tests... Frinstance, that "3 £1000 bikes" test wasn't just a bike test- it was also a ride guide. You might skip past it thinking "I don't want a £1000 full suss" but you're missing other content if you do.
Still, I hope Mike didn't get paid for his article this month, he's somehow lowered his bar. Matt Hart's was pretty useless too.
sefton - Member
I'd like to see some real in-depth stuff! product reviews lets speak to the developers and CAD people who created them. let see some CAD's,
The scary thing is, I think you're being serious!
dam right fuel the inner geek!
the alternative is well written guff about nothing!
Only those without a sense of humour.Gary_M - Member
> Could we have Premier-only threads on the forum?Why? Do you want people walking away from the forum as well as the magazine.
I only buy the mag if I am in a shop that sells it and they aren't doing a photography special.
However as I look at this site everyday and have bought and sold on here I feel its only fair that I buy a subscription.
Help to keep them going and it will leave an alternative to the other mags if you should need one.
[i]Only those without a sense of humour. [/i]
I tend to save laughing for funny stuff 😆
Only those without a sense of humour.
It's enought to make a lady flounce.
Quite liked the one ton weekender articles they use to have, good to know you can have a great weekend away on a budget.
(Including the Mary Townley on an £89 Halfords bike ...classic!)
[i] Have you seen the xtras you get for being a subscriber? [/i]
what, there's more forums??
There's an extra 33 pages of the mag for a start 🙂
Canceeled my subscription this morning.
Will resign to digital only when that runs out in August
Are there still some subscribers that have not linked their subscription to their STW user name (and are thus not Premier even though they are paying for it?).
ir_bandito - Member
teamhurtmore - if you're planning on spending £1000 on your neice, then maybe.
ir-bandito - you obviously missed the smiley!!! Ok, so not that funny a joke, I admit!!
[i]There's an extra 33 pages of the mag for a start[/i]
Is that a good thing 😆
Yes please!druidh - MemberCould we have Premier-only threads on the forum?
infact give them their own "special" section 😉
Right, just submitted the upgrade to Premier thing. Lets see if its worth it now...
An explosion of sensory perception accompanies ir_bandito's transformation from regular guy to Premier Member.
The effect is wondrous. For the MTB enthusiast, it's completion. A sense of wholeness.
And it lasts 30 extra pages. Or so I'm told.
ooh, I'm a Premier user now.
what does that get me then?
You get a host of hidden features including:
bike parts I made in my kitchen,
the ultimate service free bike,
and what's in your hip flask?
😉
what does that get me then?
http://singletrackworld.com/premierclub/
http://singletrackworld.com/magarchive/
http://singletrackworld.com/category/news/premier/
And you can turn down the adverts on the forum here:
http://singletrackworld.com/premier/account/
Oh and a shiny [img] 
[/img] by your name.
...we set off on a cool October morning, the long grass glistened with mountain due. as the gradient steepened our legs quickly tired and things slowed down to a perfect view embracing pace....GUFF 🙄
thankyou i_did_dab 😉
I'm a Premier member but my P disappeared a long time ago. I never got it back *sniff*
[EDIT] Wow! There it is. Magic 🙂
...we set off on a cold January afternoon, remarkably despite now being a large group of [s]STW cronies[/s] riders, we managed to get underway with very little of the typical faff that besets large groups of riders. Someone had brought their dog along. One of the group soon got a puncture. We managed to fix it. The sky was brilliant blue and frosty. We rode for some time through it. I was glad I'd brought my warmest gloves. Someone rode over a tree trunk. The rest of us couldn't manage it. I took some photos. We eventually got back to the car park saying we'd all return to this area again and then we headed of to the pub for some rather nice ales. We found that one member of the group can really eat a lot of desert...
..we set off on a cold January afternoon, remarkably despite now being a large group of STW cronies riders, we managed to get underway with very little of the typical faff that besets large groups of riders. Someone had brought their dog along. One of the group soon got a puncture. We managed to fix it. The sky was brilliant blue and frosty. We rode for some time through it. I was glad I'd brought my warmest gloves. Someone rode over a tree trunk. The rest of us couldn't manage it. I took some photos. We eventually got back to the car park saying we'd all return to this area again and then we headed of to the pub for some rather nice ales. We found that one member of the group can really eat a lot of desert...
GOOD BUT NEEDS MORE GUFF! THINK CREATIVELY! (think about how the wind feels on your face as you rush down the valley) 😉 think about the smokey cured bacon roll that you ate pre ride 😉 or the old creaky oak floor where you spent the night dreaming about the forthcoming ride 😉 think about all the pain, discomfort and suffering you encounter throughout the day, and how in a funny kind of way makes you love being out on your bike. ohhh being a mountain bikers is wonderful 😛
My bells and whistles subscription came to an end a few months ago, I didn't renew. These are some of the reasons -
1. Premier content was frankly cr@p. It was rarely updated
2. The magazine. There became less and less that I wanted to read in the mag. I think the last thing I read was Chipps moaning about the Conservatives. I don't want to read a bike magazine that is biased toward any subject/product.
I think I read the first Ferrentino article, thought he was a tool and never read another one
3. Big increase in adverts
There are other reasons but can't think for now
The only articles that I read in depth were those that went behind the scenes at bike companies
Now this is what a ride write up needs!
A snippet from Loweys blog
Here, gentle reader, we were presented with a sight that will be forever etched on my mind with infamy. I was in front, hurtling towards the gate with Jase I guess about 30m behind. Our stealthy approach from an unexpected location clearly took the 3 gentlemen on our side of the wall by surprise. There is no easy way to describe what was occurring, so i'll just come out with it. FULL ON MAN ON MAN BUMMING! WITH AN AUDIENCE. Picture the scene if you will. A 50 odd year old rotund bloke, lets call him "the receiver" was on all fours, face pressed into the stone wall, as his young friend, who we shall call "the giver" pumped him. All this was being witnessed at close quarters by another, presumably, close friend who we shall call "the spectator". On seeing us hurtling towards them, the spectator obviously warned his friends as their hitherto bare bottoms where hastily covered up as the jumped up pulling up their kecks. It was no use however, we had reached the gate, some 20m from their location by the time they had sorted out their wardrobe malfunctions. They then proceeded to wistfully look over the wall, pretending I suspect to be soaking up the glorious countryside around them, however, unfortunately, Jase and myself had witnessed the full horror.
The worst thing about the whole sorry incident was the fact that after the gate, there was a smorgasbord of potential bummers, all waiting for their turn.
😯
The only articles that I read in depth were those that went behind the scenes at bike companies
you'll love Peloton mag then - they feature all the manufacturer, chris king, trek, bmc, loads - for a road mag it still appeals to the mtber in me.
Now this is what a ride write up needs!A snippet from Loweys blog
Here, gentle reader, we were presented with a sight that will be forever etched on my mind with infamy. I was in front, hurtling towards the gate with Jase I guess about 30m behind. Our stealthy approach from an unexpected location clearly took the 3 gentlemen on our side of the wall by surprise. There is no easy way to describe what was occurring, so i'll just come out with it. FULL ON MAN ON MAN BUMMING! WITH AN AUDIENCE. Picture the scene if you will. A 50 odd year old rotund bloke, lets call him "the receiver" was on all fours, face pressed into the stone wall, as his young friend, who we shall call "the giver" pumped him. All this was being witnessed at close quarters by another, presumably, close friend who we shall call "the spectator". On seeing us hurtling towards them, the spectator obviously warned his friends as their hitherto bare bottoms where hastily covered up as the jumped up pulling up their kecks. It was no use however, we had reached the gate, some 20m from their location by the time they had sorted out their wardrobe malfunctions. They then proceeded to wistfully look over the wall, pretending I suspect to be soaking up the glorious countryside around them, however, unfortunately, Jase and myself had witnessed the full horror.
The worst thing about the whole sorry incident was the fact that after the gate, there was a smorgasbord of potential bummers, all waiting for their turn.
not a good place to get a mechanical problem then??? 😆
I think I read the first Ferrentino article, thought he was a tool and never read another one
'+'1
which article?
premier members get to write boobies as much as they like and never get banned for doing so. hell watch this:
boobies, darcy's boobies, boooooobies, yetis nipples, BOOOOOBIES. boobies, darcy's boobies, boooooobies, yetis nipples, BOOOOOBIES. boobies, darcy's boobies, boooooobies, yetis nipples, BOOOOOBIES. boobies, darcy's boobies, boooooobies, yetis nipples, BOOOOOBIES. boobies, darcy's boobies, boooooobies, yetis nipples, BOOOOOBIES.
I'll lob my two-pennies in....
Yesterday I posted off my DDI to re-subscribe after a lapse of about 7years. Reasons being:
In the last year I've got back into my biking and refound the love I have for my bikes and the rides.
The last two issues of STW Ive picked up at WHS have been different to the rest and whilst not connecting with all of the articles, they are (generally)well written and the photography is art.
ALL the other mags - MBR WMB MBUK yadda yadda are soooo up for massaging the prostrates of the bike industry marketeers....
I used to read Mike Ferrentino back in the 90's and I like.
Personally speaking, WTF is this 29er movement???!!! Since getting back into the sport, I've been assaulted with all things big wheel in all the other publications and I'm saddened that the bike industry has gone down the slippery slope of generating sales from an existing market base. The other mags have gone for it hook line and sinker, but at least they'll continue to get their trade week/day invites to Horse shite creek et al. It seems to me that STW have not gone all out 29er and so they get my money.
My mum died last week too. It's all bollox anyway.
Disgruntled 'Big Hitters' wander the internet
Marvellous work, Binners - mods should make it a sticky. 😀
29er is, like, soooo 2011-12 maaaan. It's soooo where it's at. You can, like, totally ride the same trails you are riding now, but on a 29er!!!! 😛
Can't you see the point?
(Yes, it is all bollox anyway matey. 😉 Just riding round in circles for fun and reading vaguely entertaining (or simply uninspiring) stuff on thin paper (or distracting screens) that gets thrown away eventually, (or simply deleted) 😉 )
Joined up right at the beginning - and loved the first couple of years. It has had some bad times, but ST has lost the 'difference' that it had at the beginning - it is not bad, but I would like to it return more to its roots. However bills have to be paid - and the past was never as good as you remember.